Audit & Technical Accounting Officer
Division/Department: Finance and Administration Division/Financial Services Department
Reports to: Financial Services Department Manager
Location: Berthoud, CO
Type of Position: Full-time
Status: Exempt
Salary Range:
GENERAL STATEMENT
This position is responsible for guiding the audit and financial reporting process in coordination with the Financial Services Department Manager. This position provides technical accounting leadership for the organization, overseeing financial reporting, external audit coordination, and compliance with governmental accounting standards. The role is responsible for interpreting and implementing complex accounting guidance, evaluating internal controls over financial reporting, and ensuring the organization’s financial statements are accurate, timely and compliant with all applicable laws, regulations, contracts, and grant requirements. Additionally, this position will coordinate annual audit plans, determine internal control effectiveness, and assess underlying risk within the internal control environment as well as implement new accounting standards.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Leads the external financial audit and compliance with financial reporting requirements.
- Serves as the liaison with the external auditor, working with staff to ensure timely and accurate receipt of all auditor requested schedules.
- Directs and contributes to the timely preparation of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Reports (ACFR), Single Audits, monthly Treasurer reports for the Board of Directors and Participant Enterprises.
- Coordinates with the Accounting Supervisor, ensuring the completion of month-end and year-end closing activities including reconciliations, interfund cash transfers, expense/expenditures/revenue accruals and review of the trial balance.
- Examines and investigates errors and inconsistencies in financial entries, documents, and reports; propose corrections to the Accounting Supervisor or Financial Services Department Manager
- Prepares detailed internal financial reports, including working with the Financial Services team to research and explain significant variances by working closely with various departments and management.
- Perform complex account reconciliations by analyzing large data sets, identifying discrepancies, resolving variances, and ensuring the accuracy and integrity of financial records.
- Participates in special projects as needed, such as system implementations or process improvements.
- Provides ad hoc analysis and financial information to department managers, project managers, senior management, and external partners as needed.
- Communicates audit and financial reporting results and provides regular updates and recommendations along with the Financial Services Department Manager to Senior Management and the Audit Committee.
- Research complex accounting issues and prepares technical accounting memoranda documenting conclusions in accordance with GASB and GAAP.
- Evaluates and determines appropriate accounting treatment for complex or non routine transactions including debt issuances, capital projects, grants, leases, pollution remediation obligations, and other significant financial activities.
- Leads the evaluation, implementation, and documentation of new Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) pronouncements, including assessing impacts to financial statements, policies, systems, and disclosures.
- Prepares and reviews complex financial statement note disclosures and ensures compliance with GASB reporting requirements.
- Develops, interprets, and maintains accounting policies to ensure consistent application of GASB standards across the organization.
- Serves as the organization’s subject matter expert on governmental accounting standards, advising leadership on accounting implications of strategic decisions, contracts, financing arrangements, and major capital projects.
- Ensures proper accounting and reporting for governmental and enterprise funds including cost allocations, capital asset accounting, and revenue recognition.
OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Provides suggestions for innovation and adjustments to accounting policy and GASB compliance.
- Answers questions from employees and the public relating to financial information.
- Other duties as assigned.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Cost Accounting, Finance, or related field.
Experience
- Minimum seven years of diverse work experience in accounting, auditing, and finance is required.
- Advanced experience in governmental accounting standards, theories and practices is preferred.
- Annual Comprehensive Financial Report experience is preferred.
- ERP system user experience required.
LICENSE, CERTIFICATE AND CREDENTIAL REQUIREMENTS
- Certification in public financial management, governmental financial management, CPA, CPFO, CIA or advanced degree strongly preferred.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Knowledge
- Extensive understanding of principles, practices, methods, and theories of government accounting and financial reporting.
- Expert understanding of the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) standards and guidelines.
- Extensive understanding of analyzing financial data.
- Extensive understanding of spreadsheets, databases, and word processing programs.
- Working knowledge of strategic planning.
Skills
- Advanced financial analysis, techniques, and modeling skills.
- Advanced Microsoft Office skills, especially within Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
- Intermediate Adobe Pro skills.
- Strong time management and prioritization skills.
Abilities
- Communicate effectively in writing and verbally, including conveyance of complex and technical subjects in a clear, concise, and positive manner.
- Ability to work effectively with other employees and the public.
- Ability to perform detail work with a high degree of accuracy in a timely manner.
- Extensive ERP experience.
- Understand the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
- Maintain independence, objectivity, and professional integrity in all circumstances.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
- Occasional physical activity is required, including walking, bending, stooping, or climbing stairs.
- Requires prolonged sitting and sustained operation of keyboard devices.
- Must be able to meet the physical requirements of a post job offer physical examination.
Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
- Maintains a personal appearance appropriate for job position and image of Northern Water.
This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by this employee.
Northern Water provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, genetics, veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics. Northern Water complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. Northern Water also prohibits any form of workplace harassment in accordance with these laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.