Come work at a place where you have a direct impact on the quality of life for Kent residents, business owners and visitors alike!

Are you looking for a new, challenging opportunity?  If you have experience working to reconcile accounts payable, auditing, and balancing accounts, the Accounts Payable Financial Analyst position in Finance may be just the position for you!

Attention to detail, analytical skills, initiative, and being a team player are just a few of the traits that are needed in order to be successful in this full-time, benefited position.

**Please note that you must attach your cover letter and resume to your application in order for your application to be considered complete.  Uploading your resume to auto-fill portions of the application does not automatically attach it to your application.  Incomplete applications will not be considered for this position.  If you experience technical difficulties, please contact our office Monday-Friday, between 8:00 AM- 5:00 PM at (253) 856-5270 and we will do our best to assist you.**

There is one position that will be filled by this recruitment process. This is a union position covered by the AFSCME bargaining unit. An unranked eligibility list may be established at the conclusion of the selection process that would be in effect for up to 12 months.

The selection process for this position will consist of a written exam and a panel interview. The dates for those processes have not yet been finalized.

SALARY:

$68,748.00- $83,748.00 annually; DOE

GENERAL PURPOSE:

Under the direction of the Accounting & Reporting Manager, perform a variety of technical and analytical duties related to Accounts Payable transactions, auditing, balancing, and posting batches to the General Ledger. Assignments may also include system support, training and analysis for a variety of complex automated financial software processing.

Work is characterized by responsible, professional, financial analysis and technical accounting duties and responsibilities requiring a significant level of accuracy while maintaining critical timelines. Duties may include, but are not limited to, analysis and research of discrepancies, audits and reconciliations of financial data and reports, payment processing, report preparation, compliance monitoring, and complex transaction calculation and preparation. Incumbents are required to apply advanced spreadsheet and database software skills to perform technical duties and report preparation. While performing duties, incumbent is required to maintain professional composure and demonstrate tact, patience and courtesy at all times. Provides assistance to vendors and City staff, creates and provides reports to the Finance Director and City Council; performs accounting and financial record-keeping and auditing to ensure city-wide accounting practices are in compliance with state and federal guidelines and established City policy, procedures and standards.

Work is performed under general/limited supervision. Supervisor sets the overall objectives and resources available. Supervisor and incumbent work together to develop deadlines, projects and work to be completed. Incumbent is frequently required to work under pressure to meet deadlines. Incumbent is responsible for the work plans, carries out the assignment, resolves most conflicts that arise, and coordinates work with others. Incumbent keeps supervisor informed of progress, potentially controversial matters, or far reaching implications. Supervisor assists employee with unusual situations, which do not have clear objectives or precedents. Work is evaluated for technical soundness and conformity to practice and policy.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Prepare, audit, analyze, maintain, verify, and reconcile complex transactions and documentation in an integrated municipal fund accounting environment. Examples of duties include but are not limited to initiating, approving and posting transactions; developing reports; reconciling integrated and independent accounts payable, reconciling general ledger accounts, and/or other financial software systems and applications.

Audits, approves and posts all voucher batches for regular payment cycles, and prepays as necessary. Audits travel reimbursements to ensure compliance with City polices. Oversee and authorize closing of regular billing cycles to meet critical timelines.

Create, balance and review all payment groups in the financial system; distribute all checks and audit the check register. Analyze, balance and reconcile the Council voucher report.

Create and maintain detailed Excel spreadsheets for balancing, reconciling, analysis and reporting purposes. Update and maintain complex automated processing systems to process accounts payable and other related financial transactions in an integrated software environment.

Audit and post all vendor payments and transfers to the general ledger. Prepare, coordinate and audit complex journal entries and other processing procedures to maintain multiple systems financial integrity. Oversee and reconcile subsidiary ledgers, asset and liability general ledger accounts.

Provide technical assistance, training and mentor users of the financial system(s) for Accounts Payable. Recommend changes in processing policies and procedures, as needed. Provide system support, prepare training documentation, and provide training and analysis for a variety of complex automated financial software processing.

Provide customer service to the City’s vendors which include coordinating with other departments to expedite the payment process. Responsible for balancing all of the City’s vendor statements on a monthly basis which includes researching open invoices, misapplied payments and unapplied credits. Responsible for the issuance of 1099’s to City vendors.

Review, audit and analyze monthly, quarterly, periodic and annual reports for discrepancies and exceptions; initiate research appropriate actions to complete for correct transactions. Prepare bi-monthly summary of Accounts Payable transactions for the Finance Director and City Council approval.

Communicate with internal personnel to provide information, explain accounting policies and procedures, and recommend corrective actions to provide solutions to challenges.

Responsible for the void/reissue of accounts payable checks and unclaimed property reporting.

Serve as department expert on sales/use tax issues and as a resource to City staff on sales/use tax compliance.

Review all procurement transactions, verifying all information imported into general ledger system. Monitor purchasing card transactions/documentation for compliance.

Serve as a backup to the daily banking activities.

Maintain archive records of source documents for historical reference and audit purposes. Provide information to the State Auditor, as needed.

Test and audit systems as needed for accuracy and compliance to established policies and practices. Develop and maintain procedure and desk manuals for processing of transactions.

Actively support the vision, mission, values and goals of the department and the City.

RIPHERAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Perform related duties as assigned.

SUCCESSFUL INCUMBENTS FOR THIS POSITION WILL HAVE:

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)




• Generally Accepted Auditing Standards (GAAS)




• Government Accounting Standard Board Statement (GASB)




• Budgeting, accounting and reporting system (BARS)




• Research and analysis methods and techniques




• Complex integrated computer systems and applications related to accounting




• Municipal government policies, procedures, structure, applicable local, state and federal laws, codes, regulations and ordinances




• Governmental accounting procedures and practices




• Sales & Use Tax




• Modern office practices, procedures and equipment including complex integrated financial systems and information, personal computers and related software (such as Excel spreadsheet, Word, E-mail, Tax Tools, Internet browsers, etc.) programs




• Correct usage of English grammar, spelling, punctuation, and vocabulary as it pertains to the job

BE SKILLED IN:

• Performing financial analysis duties




• Analyzing a variety of complex and technical reports and financial documents




• Providing technical expertise and information regarding accounting principles, practices and policies




• Effective organization and expression of ideas through use of oral and written communications




• Effective use of interpersonal skills in a tactful, patient, and courteous manner

HAVE THE ABILITY TO:

• Work effectively on several projects, concurrently




• Establish and maintain trust, confidence and effective working relationships with co-workers, supervisors and employees




• Work confidentially with discretion




• Meet schedules and time lines




• Work independently with little direction




• Maintain records and prepare reports




• Read, analyze, interpret and explain government rules, regulations, codes, policies, operating and procedure manuals, technical journals, financial reports, legal documents, general business periodicals, professional journals, etc.




• Compose, proofread and edit general correspondence, routine and complex reports




• Add, subtract, multiply, divide; compute fractions, ratios, percentages, proportions; calculate and apply complex tax formulas; draw and interpret graphs and charts; and apply these concepts to financial issues




• Define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions; apply common sense understanding to solve practical and complex problems

SKILLS FOR THE POSITION MAY BE GAINED THROUGH EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, RELEVANT JOB EXPERIENCE or a COMBINATION, SUCH AS:

Education:   Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics or closely related field; and

Experience:  One (1) year of professional experience in municipal or government accounting, utility billing or payroll systems as specific to assignment.

LICENSES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• Incumbent must demonstrate exceptional knowledge and skill in utilizing computer applications such as Excel spreadsheets to handle large amounts of data and correlate such data as necessary to audit records, track information and solve problems.




• Must pass a position relevant background inquiry

MACHINES, TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED:

Typical business office machinery and equipment used include, but are not limited to, personal computer including spreadsheet, word processing software, printers, telephone, fax machine, copy machine, and calculator in a computer network environment and complex integrated financial software.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and talk and hear. The employee is frequently required to type on keyboard. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds with or without assistance.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close, distance, color, and peripheral vision; depth perception; and ability to adjust focus.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Work is performed in a typical office environment, subject to multiple interruptions by phones and interoffice activities. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be exposed to individuals who are difficult, irate, or hostile. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate in the office.

The City of Kent is an Equal Opportunity Employer.