Accountant | City of Evanston

NATURE OF WORK:

The job duties include the reconciliation and maintenance of assigned general ledger accounts, reconciliation of bank accounts, and preparation of individual fund accounts as assigned. The accountant will also maintain fixed assets, reconcile assigned balance sheet accounts, analyze journal entries, work with departments to prepare the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards, and ensure timely monthly closings.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS (Specific assignment will include some or all the following):

• Assists in preparing financial statements and related schedules for various funds, maintaining Capital Assets (fixed assets) for assigned funds, reconciling accounts, and ensuring the integrity of the data in funds assigned.

• Reviews bank accounts for directly deposited funds and ensures that cash receipts are posted appropriately. Ensures timely month-end closings and provides other areas with financial reports and summaries as needed.

• Compiles grant expenditure information from departments to prepare the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA).

• Prepares journal entries as assigned.

• Prepares bank reconciliations as assigned. 

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• Serves as back-up to critical accounting functions.

• Creates, reviews and posts journal entries ensuring the timely month-end closings. 

• Prepares month-end schedules as assigned and assists other departments with any financial reports as required.

• Performs special projects and other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS OF WORK:

Must possess a bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance, or substantially similar area from an accredited college or university. 

Minimum two (2) or more years of work experience in the accounting functions, preferably in a government or municipal setting.

Knowledge, skills, and abilities in the following areas:

• Knowledge of and ability to use personal computers and Microsoft Office Software including Word, Excel, General Ledger applications (New World Financial systems experience a plus).

• Knowledge of Government Fund Accounting and GASB standards preferred.  

• Ability to apply principles of logical thinking to define problems, collect data, establish facts, draw valid conclusions, and deal with several abstract and concrete variables. 

• Ability to apply mathematical operations to frequency distributions, reliability and validity tests. Ability to use practical application of fractions, percentages, ratio and proportions.

• Excellent oral, written and interpersonal communication skills in dealing with individuals and groups at all levels.

• Ability to be self -motivated, disciplined, organized and reliable.

• Ability to be innovative, creative, resourceful, and independent thinking.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS OF WORK:

The position is typical of an office setting.

Light work, exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.  Walking or standing to a significant degree is normally required.  Employee is subject to inside environmental conditions, protection from outside weather, but not necessarily from temperature changes.

SUPERVISION:

Position reports to the Accounting Manager. The employee must work independently, within the overall framework and policies set by the Chief Financial Officer.  Performance is reviewed through observation, completion of daily and assigned tasks as well as communication with the Accounting Manager. Work is formally evaluated at least annually, with respect to accounting skills, achievement of goals and objectives, problem solving ability, analytical skills, communication skills and performance in accordance with this classification standard.

PUBLIC CONTACT:

The employee has regular and frequent contact with City employees.  The employee is expected to provide excellent customer service to all.

Chosen candidates will be required to provide proof of licenses, certifications, and education required for this position.  Candidates will also be subject to qualifying pre-employment processes, including medical examination, drug/alcohol screen, employment verification, and criminal background check.

The City of Evanston is an equal opportunity employer and ensures against discrimination in employment on the basis of a person’s race, color, sex, age, religion, disability, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, military discharge status, source of income, housing status, or gender identity.  The City of Evanston is also committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities.  Any person needing mobility or communications access assistance should contact the Human Resources Office at 847-448-8204 (voice) or 847-866-5095 (TTY).