Job: Accountant I

Job Description

Job Type: Full time, Salaried

Wage: $55.000-$65,000/yr. 

Location: Leadville, CO.

Job Description:

The accountant position within the Lake County Government Finance Department is a newer position with new leadership within the Finance Department. We are looking for a talented Accountant who takes the initiative and has a “can-do” attitude, who is a strong team player, and has a proactive thought process. The person selected for this role will have strong knowledge of basic accounting principles and should understand common accounting functions and procedures including, but not limited to, payroll, journal entries, bank reconciliations, GL account reconciliations including liability account reconciliations and accounts payable. The accountant is charged with improving and streamlining processes as the need arises under the direction and guidance from the Deputy Finance Director and/or the Finance Director. The person selected for the accountant position should be an “out of the box” thinker and should be an excellent problem solver. The accountant is responsible for a variety of tasks including payroll, month-end close, managing accounting and finance workpapers, account reconciliations, among other duties. This role serves as the secondary backup to the Accounts Payable Specialist and the Accounting and Reporting Specialist and should be able to cross train on a variety of accountings tasks and job functions. The accountant will also be asked to assist with year-end and other audit procedures and tasks as needed. The department encourages creativity in developing the role and has room for growth within the role and within the Finance Department. This role allows for this position to be either a hybrid or fully remote position within Colorado depending on the need and other eligibility requirements.

Lake County Benefits:

• Paid Vacation, Sick Leave, Personal Days
• Generous paid Holiday package with at least 12 paid holidays each year
• Work from home options (remote/hybrid models available upon department approval)
• Employer-Sponsored Medical and Dental Insurance Plans
• 100% Employer Paid Vision Plan
• Flexible Spending Account
• Health Reimbursement Account
• Employer-Sponsored Short-Term Disability Insurance
• 100% Employer Paid Long-Term Disability Insurance
• 100% Employer Paid Term Life Insurance
• Supplemental Life Insurance Plans
• 401(a) and 457(b) Retirement Plans with a 9% Employer Match
• Employee Assistance Program
• Continued education opportunities with department approval
• Discounts on concerts, major sporting events, electronics, travel, cars and more!

Please review the employee Benefits Guide in conjunction with the employee handbook for full details.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Reconciles cash receipts, accounts receivables, accounts payable, liability accounts, monthly bank statements, and other general ledger accounts by reviewing the trial balance and other financials and accounting reports including accounting workpapers and other reconciliation tools.
• Reviews balance sheet activity and the trial balance and prepares month-end journal entries as necessary.
• Manages month-end processes and corresponding accounting workpapers as needed to ensure accurate reporting of monthly financials.
• Manages or oversees the bi-weekly payroll process and works with Human Resources, and other County Departments as needed to ensure accurate payroll reporting.
• Responsible for sound monthly financials including accurate journal entries and monthly audit of GL accounts and other financial reports and records.
• Works with the Accounting and Reporting Specialist each month for communication of financial reporting deliveries to departments.
• Manages the Finance Departments Grant Tracker monthly and records and tracks revenues and expenses and sends report to department leadership for communication and report purposes.
• Works closely with the Grants Administrator and the County’s department leadership to ensure accurate records of grants.
• May assist or be responsible for the annual single audit of the County’s grants.
• Inputs financial records, accounting records, inventory records, journal entries or other related information into the Finance Departments accounting software system; prepares journal entries and reports as needed.
• Performs payroll functions as required to ensure the bi-weekly payroll is ran within hard deadlines and that payroll reports including payroll taxes, deductions, and contributions are accurate and without error.
• Assists with year-end reporting including processing year-end accruals for several accounts to ensure accurate annual reporting of financials.
• May review registers and reports produced or generated by the Accounts Payable Specialist and the Accounting and Reporting Specialist with guidance and support from the Deputy Finance Director.
• Reviews and audits AP aging reports, vendor reports, and check register reports and works with the Account Payable Specialist to ensure vendors are paid promptly and researches outstanding checks.
• Monitors grant revenues and expenses and performs monthly or quarterly grant reconciliations, as needed, by reviewing and auditing grant contracts and agreements, amendments, and other documents including financial and accounting reports to ensure grant compliance and proper reporting of grants.
• Audits contracts, purchase orders, vouchers, and invoices for validity and proper recording in the general ledger and sub ledgers.
• Develops Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s) as needed to document workflows and processes within the accountant role.
• May revise or make recommendations to SOPs of the AP Specialist and Accounting and Reporting Specialist positions.
• As needed, prepares memorandums, emails, letters, and reports conveying internal department communication or external client information.
• May assist with the tracking and reporting of projects and programs by department or as needed to support the Accounting and Reporting Specialist and to assist with the annual audit and month-end and year-end processes.
• May help maintain monthly records for contracts, contract retainage, and cost reports to assist project/program managers with financial information and respond to project/program manager's queries regarding project/program reports/budgets.
• Upon request, may assist or offer support in the areas of producing the County’s annual budget and/or the County’s Annual Audit for the basic financial reports.
• Serves as secondary backup and support to the Accounts Payable Specialist and Accounting Reporting Specialist
• Works closely with the Deputy Finance Director in ensuring compliance with GAAP standards, addressing internal controls, and ensuring accurate financial reporting.
• Serves as the Deputy Finance Director’s main support network and apprentice and may perform Deputy’s duties in the absence of the Deputy Finance Director.
• May review the technical or administrative support work of the Accounts Payable Specialist and Accounting and Reporting Specialist through direct guidance from the Deputy Finance Director
• Performs other duties as appropriate or necessary for performance of the job.

The duties and responsibilities listed above may change, develop or evolve, or be transferred as the need arises and the Finance Department grows.

General Functions:

• Works within best business and accounting practices and procedures.
• Manages and utilizes routine software systems and business applications including, but not limited to, word processing, spreadsheets, presentation software, and databases.
• Communicates clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing.
• Reads and comprehends department and County rules, regulations, policies, and standard operating procedures.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with other County employees, representatives of other agencies and organizations, and members of the community.
• Understands generally accepted accounting principles and procedures.
• Automated financial management systems.
• Prepares a variety of routine financial statements, reports, and analyses.
• Apply accounting principles to the maintenance of financial and accounting transactions and audit of financial records.
• Apply Federal, State and local laws and regulations to accounting, budgeting, and audition work.
• Regular, predictable attendance whether working remotely or on site in the office. Scheduled work weeks are 40 hours per week with flex time options.

Other Duties:

Please note that this job description does not intend to cover or contain a full comprehensive list of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance, or similar field.
• 4 years of proven experience in accounting or bookkeeping with heavy month-end processes and reconciliation responsibilities.
• Proven accounting experience may substitute for the education requirement on a yearly basis in addition to the minimum experience requirement. Likewise, an advanced degree can substitute for the minimum experience requirements as follows:
• No degree must be met with 8 years of proven accounting experience with heavy month-end work, journal entries, and reconciliation responsibilities.
• Associate degree in accounting must be substituted with a minimum of 6 years of proven accounting experience with heavy month-end, journal entries, and reconciliation responsibilities.
• Master’s degree in accounting or a CPA can be substituted with a minimum of years of proven accounting experience with heavy month-end, journal entries, and reconciliation responsibilities.
• Applicants should be detailed in their application and resume and list specific month-end work performed including journal entries and reconciliation work.
• Self-starter
• Knowledge of GAAP standards
• Proficiency in accounting software, Excel, and financial reporting tools
• Proactive and takes initiative to ensure task completion.
• Outstanding problem-solving skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong attention to detail and excellent analytical skills
• Exceptional organizational and time-management skills
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as a part of a team.
• Adaptability to work in a fast-paced environment and dynamic finance environment.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience:

• Prefer an advanced degree in accounting such as a master’s degree in accounting, but not required (see minimum requirements above)
• Highly desired and preferred, but not required, accounting certified including CGFM, CPFO, or a CPA, Experience with Tyler Technologies ERP Pro 10 (Incode) or similar ERP system.
• Government accounting experience, preferably for County or local governments
• Advanced Excel experience is a bonus.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish.

Work From Home Opportunity

The accountant can enjoy the flexibility of working from home remotely within the state of Colorado, or as a hybrid model with working from home up to three days a week, with two days in the office (40-hour work week). At Lake County Government, we prioritize efficiency and productivity but also boast a culture of innovation and continuous improvement, allowing our employees to thrive in an environment that encourages creative problem-solving and growth. Work from home is considered one of many benefits offered by Lake County and is granted with department approval alongside proven work performance and productivity standards. Some initial training may require additional onsite hours or days.

EOE Statement

Lake County is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to age, race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status. Assistance or accommodation during the application process due to a disability is available upon request. Upon hire, reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions listed.

Notice of Work Authorization Requirement

Applicants must be authorized to lawfully work for any employer in the United States. Lake County is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa.

Notice of Emergency/Disaster Responsibilities

All Lake County Employees may be required to work as a Disaster Service Worker when a local declaration of emergency or disaster is declared by the Board of County Commissioners. To be prepared for this role, all employees and emergency service function (ESF) leads will attend emergency management trainings and exercises as requested by the Director of Emergency Management. With advanced notification from OEM, employees will make reasonable efforts to attend training events in coordination with other employees and supervisors.

Expected Duration of the Application Process

Due to the nature of the application and selection process for Lake County full-time positions, applicants can reasonably expect the application process to take a significant amount of time to complete before a decision is made to hire or not to hire. Typically, it takes approximately four (4) to six (6) weeks from the date of application to complete the entire selection process. The length of time it takes to complete the process can vary depending on a variety of factors. Please note that this is an estimated duration of the selection process. 

**Disclaimer: The duties and responsibilities described above are not a comprehensive list and additional tasks may be assigned to the employee, time to time; the scope of the job may change as necessitated by business demands. Click “View Application” below for more detail on this specific job.