Accountant III

HIRING RANGE: $104,682.24 - $116,313.60/year

Position has a strong emphasis on payroll processing, payroll accounting, and a thorough understanding of applicable payroll laws. Serving as a lead, this role provides guidance to a secondary payroll position and plays a key part in ensuring accurate and compliant payroll operations. This position also has a strong emphasis on capital asset accounting.

Additionally, Accountant III participates in a wide range of general accounting functions within the Finance Operations Division. Under the general direction of the Assistant Controller, duties include, but are not limited to, compiling and analyzing monthly financial management system reports, preparing and processing journal entries, and filing required reports with federal and state agencies related to payroll.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Incumbent is accountable for all duties of this job and other projects and responsibilities may be added at the City’s discretion. Employees must be able to perform the essential duties of this job with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Payroll responsibilities include compensation and benefits taxation, payroll and pension fund reconciliations, and overseeing the City’s bi-weekly payroll processing.
• ERP Functionality – responsible for ensuring the City’s ERP system is effectively configured and optimized to support accurate, efficient payroll processing and capital asset accounting.
• Prepares necessary journal entries on a daily, monthly, quarterly, or annual basis; reviews and approves transactions, and reconciliations of the general ledger accounts to subsidiary ledgers and subsystems and external statements, to resolve discrepancies.
• Capital Asset Review and Reconciliation – develops a strong understanding of the City’s capitalization requirements. Reviews invoice coding for compliance with policy, tracks capital project activity, prepares capital asset journal entries, and reconciles capital outlay expenditures with the capital asset ledger.
• Prepares monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports.
• Participates in, cross-trains, and provides support to the other Accounting staff and their duties. This includes month-end and year end processes, reconciliations, business processes, financial system troubleshooting, and projects as assigned.
• Works with other department Directors and Managers to define information and reporting needs and reporting solutions, including financial system query, and reporting support.
• Maintains knowledge of accounting practices, rules, department policy and procedures and communicates to staff regarding same.
• Maintains proper accounting records according to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and Governmental Accounting Standards Board statements.
• Prepares various monthly journal entries, may review journal entries prepared by others to ensure that all necessary journal entries have been completed before monthly closing.
• Completes and/or assists with completing month end closing checklist and actual system closing.
• Supports the City’s performance review and development process, performance-based pay philosophy and supports employees attaining personal and professional goals and objectives as set by the Supervisor.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

REPORITNG RELATIONSHIPS

• Supervision Received: Assistant Controller
• Supervision Exercised: None. May assist with training of Accountant I and/or II.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Must possess sound knowledge and experience with payroll processing including compensation and benefit taxation, Federal and State tax reporting requirements, and Fair Labor Standards Act.
• Must possess sound knowledge of fund accounting, accounting methods, procedures, terms, and experience in preparing various accounting monthly and year end journal entries; ability and understanding to perform analysis of reports and records; a high degree of attention to detail; and the ability to gain understanding and find solutions to problems.
• Must be proficient with technology; possess a strong working knowledge of Microsoft Excel and Word with solid keyboarding skills.
• Must have good leadership and management skills and be able to maintain effective working relationships.
• Must possess excellent communications skills with personnel both internal and external to the organization. Must be able to organize work efficiently and handle all assigned responsibilities with professional care and competency, despite constant interruptions and heavy workload.
• Must have the ability to successfully pass a criminal background check and possess an acceptable credit report.
• Must interact with others in a positive manner.
• Requires regular and prompt attendance.
• Technological Skills
• Prior experience with Workday preferred.
• Advanced proficiency in the use of computers, accounting software applications, and Microsoft Office applications including Excel and Word.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

A combination of job-related education and experience demonstrating the equivalent knowledge, skills, and abilities required to effectively perform the functions of this position may be considered, as determined by management.

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in accounting, finance, or closely related field.
• Experience: Five years applicable professional experience in governmental accounting, and/or public accounting field or relevant experience. Public sector accounting experience preferred.

CERTIFICATIONS/LICENSES/SPECIALIZED TRAINING

• Licensed Certified Public Accountant is preferred but not required.

WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must successfully complete and maintain required state or departmental physical standards and certifications.

LIGHT WORK:

• Exerting up to 30 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. If the use of arm and/or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than that for sedentary work and the worker sits most of the time, the job is rated for Light Work.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Bend or position self to move items from higher place to lower place or vice versa
• Sit, stand or be stationary
• Talk, hear, converse, communicate, or exchange information
• Use of hands and/or fingers in a repetitive motion to handle, pinch, grasp, move, feel, inspect, etc.
• Walk, ascend, descend on both even and uneven terrain
• Vision to include distance, depth perception, peripheral and color
• Environmental Conditions may include

OFFICE SETTINGS

• Physical Requirements – No Physical Needed
• Lift, carry, push, pull, move, or positions from all levels up to 30 lbs with or without assistance

The City of Lakewood is a drug-free workplace that provides employment opportunities in compliance with all pertinent federal, state, and local laws. All Lakewood employees are expected to work and complete all tasks in a safe manner consistent with training, standard operating procedures, City or Department policies, and common sense. Working in a safe manner includes the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and complying with all City and/or Department safety rules. Horseplay on-the-job is strictly forbidden. The failure to work in a safe manner, use PPE, follow standard operating procedure, or comply with a safety rule will result adverse employment consequences ranging from verbal discipline to termination from employment, including any applicable reduction in benefits under the Colorado Workers’ Compensation Act. Employees are also expected to encourage safe work practices by all co-employees, and to report any unsafe work practices immediately to a supervisor.

The City of Lakewood celebrates diversity, equity and inclusion in all areas of our workforce. Accordingly, the city is committed to creating, nurturing and sustaining a diverse, equitable and inclusive culture, where differences drive innovative solutions to meet the needs of our community and employees. 

Background and reference checks will be conducted for all regular and some variable/seasonal positions.