Accountant I

St. James Parish Government is hiring for the position of Accountant I in the Finance Department.

JOB FUNCTION: Applies principles of accounting to analyze financial information and prepare financial reports and budgets. Assists with coordination of activities of workers engaged in accounting work, calculating, and verifying accounts to obtain and record financial data for use in maintaining accounting and statistical records.

Individuals in this class are able to complete the majority of their work with a minimum amount of supervision. Normally works 40 hours per week Monday through Friday, but must be willing and able to work extra hours as needed.

This position is non-safety sensitive, and is classified as essential during declared emergencies or natural disasters. This position is classified as exempt from the payment of overtime as defined by the Fair Labor Standards Act.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Includes any combination of the following illustrative examples of duties and responsibilities including but not limited to: 

• Compiles and analyzes financial information to prepare entries to general ledger accounts and to document business transactions
• Assists with analyzing financial information detailing assets, liabilities, and capital, and preparation of balance sheet, statement of revenues and expenditures, and other reports to summarize the Parish’s current and projected financial position
• Manages fixed assets system including maintaining records and providing all reports needed for the annual audit; may assist with reconciliation of warehouse inventory
• May establish, modify, document, and coordinate implementation of accounting and accounting control procedures
• Assists the Director and Assistant Director of Finance with preparation of the annual budget
• Assists the Director and Assistant Director of Finance and external auditor with preparation of the annual audit
• May assist with the distribution of various reports to the Parish President, Parish Council, department directors, and others as require
• Acts as backup to accounting positions in the finance department
• Performs related duties as assigned

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:  None

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of knowledge, skills and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE: Associate degree from a college or university with a major in accounting and/or business; four (4) years related experience and/or training preferably with a governmental entity. Individual must be computer literate and have knowledge of financial spreadsheets, the processing of payroll, accounts payable, and financial statements on a computerized accounting system.

LANGUAGE SKILLS: Must have the ability to read, analyze, and interpret financial statements, general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, and/or government regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, the Parish Council and the general public.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:  Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, and fundamentals of plane and solid geometry and trigonometry. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.

REASONING ABILITY:  Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.  Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, AND REGISTRATIONS:  Possess a valid Louisiana driver’s license (class E) and have an acceptable driving record. May be required to be bondable.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES: 

• Must be proficient in the use of a personal computer with experience using most Microsoft Office programs, especially Microsoft Excel and Word
• Ability to perform assignments with minimal supervision and under tight deadlines
• Have excellent public relations and communication skills
• May assist in training new employees
• Must be willing and able to work overtime as needed
• Must be willing to attend occasional meetings and seminars outside of the office
• Position requires a high degree of confidentiality due to the privileged and confidential nature of the information processed by the department

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, sit, reach with hands and arms, and talk or hear.

 The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

 WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job.

 While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works indoors within an office environment.

St. James Parish is committed to providing equal employment opportunities.  The parish will not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on any legally recognized basis including, but not limited to veteran status, race, color, religion, sex, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, agree or political affiliations.