Accountant IV

at  BeaufortJasper Water Sewer Authority

All applicants must apply online at www.bjwsa.org/jobs.
SUMMARY: Under limited supervision, is responsible for the proper and ethical functioning of Beaufort-Jasper Water & Sewer Authority’s accounting and financial information system. Performs duties to include transaction processing, assistance in preparation for the audit and annual comprehensive financial report as applicable, assistance in preparation of the annual operations and maintenance budget, and assistance in other financial reporting as required. Responsible for developing policies for approval and documents standard operating procedures, as well as performing internal reviews of financial processes. Additionally, performs special projects and analysis as necessary and is responsible for the administration of the financial information system.

DUTIES INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:

• Responsible for ensuring appropriate accounting procedures, including internal controls, are followed and accounting systems report information that is accurate and timely. Maintains an effective accounting system by ensuring transactions support effective allocation of resources, are within policy confines, are properly reviewed, approved and safeguarded, and have been recorded in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).
• Acts as the system administrator of the financial information system. Responsible for setting up new general ledger accounts and vendor setup/maintenance. Oversees systems that integrate data into the financial information system, which ultimately impacts financial data.
• Responsible for administration of Wells Fargo banking and corporate credit card platforms.
• Assists the Accounting Manager with monthly preparation of financial statements, financial analysis, and preparation for the annual audit and annual comprehensive financial report (ACFR).
• Assists in preparation of the annual operations budget, including coordinating with other departments and compiling request data.
• Assist the Accounting Manager with debt service, disclosure and overall financial compliance.
• Reviews, prepares, processes and approves various forms and documents including accounts payable checks, vendor invoices, bank reconciliations, sales and consumption reports, account reconciliations, adjusting journal entries, payroll, etc.
• Examines internal process in relation to systems supporting financial data and provide recommendations for efficiencies through technology.
• Maintains an awareness and makes recommendations of new products, technologies, trends, and advances in the profession; read professional manuals and publications to increase knowledge of accounting, financial, and budgetary principles and internal control procedures; attends conferences, workshops, and training sessions as appropriate.
• Assists external auditors and Accounting Manager with additional accounting duties as requested. May perform selected duties of the absence of the Accounting Manager within the confines of internal control procedures.
• Assists in the absence of the Accountant III and other Accountants as required.
• Performs other duties as required. Analyzes all duties to ensure deadlines are met and requirements are performed timely and accurately.

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 ACCOMMODATIONS MAY BE MADE TO ENABLE INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES TO PERFORM THE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE: Requires a bachelor degree with an emphasis in accounting or finance or closely related field, supplemented by five years previous experience and/or training that includes governmental accounting, budgeting, or finance. Requires good analytical skills, computer proficiency with a computerized accounting system, mathematical skills, general accounting knowledge, and a high degree of professional skepticism.
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS: Must possess a valid driver’s license.
Data Conception: Requires the ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable functional, structural, or compositional characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people, or things. Requires the ability to evaluate, audit, deduce, and/or assess data using established criteria. Includes exercising discretion in determining actual or probable consequences and in referencing such evaluation to identify and select alternatives.
Computer Proficiency: Must be proficient with computer software processing, including, but not limited to, word processing, spreadsheet, database, and general ledger applications.
Analytical Aptitude: Requires strong analytical skills and the exercise of professional skepticism. All transactions should be analyzed with a questioning mind and a critical assessment of the accounting evidence.
Numerical Aptitude: Requires the ability to utilize mathematical formulas; add and subtract totals; multiply and divide; determine percentages and decimals; determine time and weight; and to employ advanced financial and statistical analysis, including the ability to calculate discounts, interest, financial ratios, etc.
Writing Skills: Requires proficiency in written communication, particularly with regards to financial reporting and the documentation of business practices and procedures.
Interpersonal Communication: Requires the ability of speaking and/or signaling people to convey or exchange information. Includes the receiving of information and instructions from supervisor as well as providing guidance and direction to subordinate staff members.
Language Ability: Requires the ability to read and comprehend a variety of reports, informational and technical documentation, directions, instructions, policies, and procedures. Requires the ability to write reports with proper format, punctuation, spelling and grammar, using all parts of speech. Requires the ability to speak with and before others with poise, voice control, and confidence using correct English and well-modulated voice.
Intelligence: Has the ability to apply principles of rational systems such as accounting to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists; to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagrammatic, or schedule form. Must possess excellent analytical skills.
Verbal Aptitude: Requires the ability to record and deliver information and to follow verbal and written instructions. Requires the ability to utilize a wide variety of reference, descriptive, advisory and/or design data and information.
Form/Spatial Aptitude: Requires the ability to inspect items for proper length, width and shape.
Motor Coordination: Requires the ability to coordinate hands and eyes in utilizing equipment.
Manual Dexterity: Requires the ability to handle a variety of items, equipment, control knobs, switches, etc. Must have moderate levels of eye/hand/foot coordination.
Color Discrimination: Requires the ability to differentiate colors and shades of color.
Interpersonal Temperament: Requires the ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under moderate stress when confronted with an emergency.
Physical Communication: Requires the ability to talk and/or hear (talking - expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words; hearing - perceiving nature of sounds by ear.)
All applicants must apply online at www.bjwsa.org/jobs