SUMMARY:

Under the direction of the Controller and Vice President of Finance and Administration of Fort Worth Housing Solutions (FWHS), the Accountant III provides advanced accounting support with a strong focus on reviewing and analyzing complex financial data for multiple blended and discretely presented component units. This role requires a highly skilled self-starter with extensive experience in audit preparation, financial reporting, ERP systems, and independent financial analysis.
The Accountant III plays a key role in producing consolidated financial statements, preparing audit schedules, supporting the year-end close process, ensuring the accuracy of the general ledger, assisting with budget creation and serves as a liaison between the Controller and accounting staff to ensure accurate, timely, and well-formatted financial deliverables. The position is ideal for someone who can work independently, troubleshoot issues, and streamline financial processes with minimal supervision.
Due to the complexity of the financial transactions of FWHS, the Accountant III must exercise professional judgement, initiative, and discretion in the decision-making process based on standards and recommendations established by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB), Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Tredway Commission (COSO), Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) and Texas State of Board of Public Accountancy (TSBPA).

QUALIFICATIONS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and /or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION, LICENSES, AND CERTIFICATIONS:

• A bachelor’s degree in accounting or a related field from an accredited institution is required.
• Minimum five (5) years progressive experience in an accounting position or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Section 8 HCV Financial Management Specialist Certificate preferred.
• Must possess a valid Texas Driver’s License and have a clean driving record (fewer than 3 moving violations in the last 3-year period) and must maintain licensure and clean driving record for the duration of employment and be eligible for coverage under FWHS’s fleet insurance policy.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).
• Knowledge of asset management accounting principles and audit standards.
• Experience or familiarity with RAD, Public Housing, HCV programs, and Yardi is strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of HUD accounting rules and regulations pertaining to Public Housing, Housing Choice Voucher Program, and grants.
• Consistently meets deadlines and produces high-quality, error-free work and delivers required results; sets and achieves achievable, consistently complies with quality standards and meets deadlines; maintains focus on goals
• Self-starter that works independently with initiative and resourcefulness with strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail and accuracy.
• Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; gathers and analyzes information skillfully; develops alternative solutions; works well in group problem solving situations; uses reason even when dealing with sensitive topics and/or irate customers.
• Above average reasoning and analytical abilities; ability to assess data, problem-solve, and proactively recommend and implement solutions.
• . Cooperates with others to accomplish common goals; works with employees within and across his/her department to achieve shared goals
• Average discretionary skills; ability to exercise professional judgment, discretion, and confidentiality regarding sensitive financial transactions.
• Knowledge of general office procedures and practices, business English and math; ability to communicate clearly and concisely, orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective and courteous relationships with other employees and other business contacts; ability to communicate courteously and professionally and to accept accountability.
• Focuses on solving conflict; maintains confidentiality; listens to others without interrupting; establishes rapport when working with others.

The below statements are intended to describe the general nature and scope of work being performed by this position. This is not a complete listing of all responsibilities, duties and/or skills required. Other duties may be assigned.

• Provides technical assistance to other executives, administrative, accounting, management, and technical staff regarding financial and accounting matters.
• Develops, implements, monitors, evaluates, and performs functional supervision in the operations of FWHS’s accounting and finance department by serving as a quality checkpoint between the team and the Controller.
• Assists in the training of accounting staff in assessing accounting policies, procedures, financial reports and internal controls. Serves as an ongoing resource for problem solving after training staff.
• Reviews, analyzes, consolidates, prepares or assists in the completion of complex financial data and financial statements across multiple entities, including complex income statements and balance sheets.
• Conducts independent research on variances and discrepancies using prior year work papers, audit responses, and historical documentation.
• Reviews and prepares detailed audit schedules and assists others with year-end close and audit coordination.
• Understands and reviews property booking, including real estate acquisitions, dispositions, and intercompany transactions.
• Tracks and analyzes unrestricted funds, intercompany loans, and bond proceeds and expenditures.
• Reviews budget-to-actual reports and perform financial analysis to identify risks or inconsistencies.
• Maintains general ledger integrity, assists with budget preparation, and ensures consistency across cost centers.
• Supports agency-wide financial reporting and assist in preparing board materials and regulatory submissions.
• Collaborates across departments and assist with the implementation of ERP system conversion—experience in such transitions is highly sought after.
• Reviews VMS (Voucher Management System) submission to HUD.
• Assists with the preparation of the FDS submission to HUD.
• Reviews of monthly assisted housing financial reports provide budget-to-actual reports to executive level to ensure budget adherence.
• Assists the Controller and VP of Finance and Administration with the coordination of the financial audit by providing necessary information including federal grant annual expenditure schedule or SEFA.
• Reconciles Inter-Fund Activity Monthly.
• Assists with the Preparation of Board Presentation reports.
• Reviews for accuracy major bank accounts, VMS submissions and other reconciliations for review and approval to the controller.
• Perform other related duties as assigned and/or required.