Controller

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF WORK:

Under the general supervision of the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, the Controller manages the financial affairs of the organization and prepares financial statements in conformance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and the Government Accounting Standards Board (GASB), as applicable, and provides supporting analyses of operations for management and external users. This position assists in the development of the Authority’s financial strategies, plans, policies, and processes based on industry best practices. The position manages General Accounting, Financial Reporting, Grants Accounting, and Payroll and maintains effective working relationships with external auditors and the City of Jacksonville affiliated financial community.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTION(S):

• Manage daily accounting operations including the broad areas of payroll, accounts payable, accounts receivable, cash management, fixed assets, general ledger, project accounting, overhead allocations, grants accounting, inventory, and investments.
• Produce monthly, quarterly and annual financial statements including the “Statement of Net Assets," “Statement of Revenues, Expenditures and Changes in Fund Net Assets” and the “Statement of Cash Flows." These reports and supporting schedules are provided to senior management, the Board, the City of Jacksonville and external auditors as required.
• Prepare work papers and narratives that interpret the accounting information in order to appraise operating results in terms of variances from budget, profitability and other matters bearing on the fiscal soundness and operating effectiveness of the organization.
• Direct the general accounting operations while maintaining the section's budget.
• Establish, implement and monitor financial controls to minimize errors and irregularities, which include documenting the Authority’s financial policies and procedures in the Accounting Policy Manual.
• Maintain the Authority’s system of accounts, and safekeep company books and records regarding all transactions and assets.
• Responsible for setting objectives and evaluating the performance of personnel in the Department. Recommend training requirements, keep the staff at a high level of skills needed to meet their job requirements and recommend that personnel be hired or removed from the Department.
• Assist with accounting system, cost/benefit analyses, preparing governmental financial compliance reports, and any other regulatory or managerial request for information.
• Serve as the financial liaison with the company’s external auditors regarding audit planning, information requests and year-end financial statement preparation including supporting schedules.
• Communicate with co-workers, management and others in a courteous and professional manner.
• Conform with and abides by all regulations, policies, work procedures and instructions.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting from an accredited college or university.
• Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible and relevant accounting or auditing experience, including three (3) years of experience as a supervisor or manager.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) certification.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Actively demonstrate JTA’s Elements of a Leader, including being engaged, courageous, a good communicator, empathetic, a critical thinker, a team player, a strategic thinker, customer-focused, a change agent/innovative, inspirational/high energy, accountable, and having integrity.
• Knowledge of generally accepted government accounting principles and practices, in adherence with Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB).
• Knowledge of budget process and financial accounting systems, preferably in a transportation or government-related industry.
• Proven management ability encompassing the development and implementation of strategic goals and objectives and setting/evaluating priorities.
• Strong organizational, analytic and strategic-thinking skills with demonstrated ability to create, implement and monitor complex plans, and translate those plans into goals and concrete methods and strategies.
• Thorough knowledge of transit-related federal and state rules and regulations.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze data and make recommendations accordingly.
• Effective communication skills, both orally and in writing, with employees of all levels within an organization.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite, including advanced functions in Microsoft Excel, Word and PowerPoint. SharePoint administrator experience a plus.
• Ability to develop and translate strategic vision into plans for implementation and execution.
• Ability to analyze financial information and to design and implement accounting controls and systems.
• Proven ability to supervise and train technical and clerical accounting employees.

WORK ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Sit and or stand for prolonged periods.
• Perform repetitive motion.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:

This position description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed. Employees are responsible for completing all mandatory training classes. Employees must also review and comply with all JTA/JTM policies, procedures, and directives. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” employment relationship. All employment offers are contingent upon pre-employment drug testing.

Positions marked as ‘Safety Sensitive’ will be subject to random testing for drug and alcohol use and if any testing is positive, the application for employment will be rejected, or if hired, employment may be terminated. Positions marked as “COOP Essential” may be required to work whenever the Continuity of Operations Plan is activated.

Driver’s License – The position description will specify whether a driver’s license is required and the acceptable class of license. Unless an exception under Florida law exists, a nonresident must obtain a Florida driver’s license within 30 days of hire. If a driver’s license has a corrective lens restriction, the employee must wear corrective lenses when operating any vehicle for work purposes. Suspended or revoked licenses, work permits, and certain restricted licenses are not acceptable.

The Jacksonville Transportation Authority is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace. Employees who require a reasonable accommodation as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) must notify JTA in advance to allow sufficient time for JTA to provide the accommodation.