Overview
Accountant role at Travis County Health and Human Services (HHS). This position will assist with the financial planning and execution of a new Travis County initiative with a team that will strategically implement the Voter Approved Fund for Child Care and Out-of-School Time Programming. The Accountant is under moderate supervision, performs professional accounting services using GAAP and County policies, and participates in preparing financial statements, journal entries, ledgers, reconciliations, and financial analysis.
Job Summary
Travis County Health and Human Services (HHS) serves the community under the guidance of the Commissioners Court. We address community needs through internal and external investments and services. We strive to maximize quality of life for all people in Travis County by protecting vulnerable populations, investing in social and economic well-being, building a shared understanding of our community, and promoting healthy physical, behavioral and environmental living.
Duties And Responsibilities
- Prepares monthly, quarterly and annual financial statements, schedules and reports including completion of accounting entries and reconciliation of accounts and statements. Develops or assists in developing non-standard reports and statements, such as detailed cost and financial analysis, forecasts, trend analysis and projections. Participates in or completes special accounting studies. Monitors revenue and expenses for assigned accounts.
- Completes journal entries, maintains ledgers and prepares cost accounting information. Verifies accounts and reconciles and analyzes entries, transactions, ledgers and reports. Maintains filing system of accounting data, such as canceled checks, bank statements and other documentation.
- Interprets and analyzes accounting data and financial reports and recommends action. Assists in developing and implementing accounting systems and procedures for department. Assists in drafting financial policies and procedures. May assist in budget preparation and maintenance.
- Monitors compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). Maintains accounting controls and financial security by following policies and procedures and internal controls.
- Assists department staff and other clients by providing procedural/financial information and/or other information and guidance with automated or manual systems. Provides assistance with and verifies required documents are completed, reviews for accuracy and submits to appropriate staff for further processing, as required. Instructs staff, in entering information into accounting system, as required.
- May train or assist in training, reviewing the work of, and providing technical assistance to lower level accounting staff making ledger entries, completing reconciliations and trial balances, maintaining payroll, purchasing or travel records and completing other accounting and bookkeeping work.
- May perform specialized accounting functions, such as grant accounting, accounting related to a collections program, or other types of accounting functions.
- May assist in establishing and maintaining a system for reviewing delinquency of tax accounts or court fine and fee accounts.
- Performs other job-related duties as assigned.
Minimum Requirements
Education and Experience: Bachelor\'s degree in Accounting, Finance or a directly related field AND two (2) years of increasingly responsible relevant professional level accounting or financial analysis experience. Master\'s degree in Accounting, Finance or a directly related field may substitute for the two (2) years required experience.
Licenses, Registrations, Certifications, or Special Requirements: None required.
Preferred: Valid Texas Driver\'s License.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Knowledge of policies, practices, procedures and terminology of assigned function.
- Knowledge of Federal, State, Local and County applicable laws, rules, regulations and guidelines.
- Knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and standardized financial practices.
- Knowledge of manual and automated systems relating to assigned function.
- Knowledge of modern office practices, procedures and methods.
- Knowledge of computer equipment including word processing, spreadsheets, databases and various software packages.
- Knowledge of business letter writing, grammar and punctuation, and report preparation.
- May be required to develop knowledge of and adhere to federal and state laws requiring confidential handling of certain health information.
- Skill in problem-solving and decision-making.
- Skill in entering and reconciling financial data and reporting and monitoring fund and ledger balances.
- Skill in completing professional financial reports.
- Skill in verbal and written communication.
- Ability to analyze, calculate, consolidate, reconcile and interpret accounting data and identify errors.
- Ability to develop and maintain financial spreadsheets, accounts and ledgers.
- Ability to prepare accurate financial statements.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with County employees and officials, representatives of outside agencies, and the general public.
Work Environment & Other Information
Physical requirements include the ability to lift/carry up to 10-15 pounds occasionally, visual acuity, speech and hearing, hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity to operate a computer and office equipment. Subject to standing, sitting, walking, climbing, crawling, bending, stooping, crouching, kneeling, pushing, pulling, reaching, twisting, balancing, repetitive motion, and squatting to perform the essential functions.
Travis County employees may be assigned to business continuity efforts outside of normal job functions. Work Hours: 8 am - 5 pm, Monday-Friday. May work some holidays, some nights, some weekends. Location: 5325 Airport Blvd, Austin, Texas. Department: Health & Human Services. Criminal, Driving, Education, and Employment Background Checks Required.
This job description is intended to be generic in nature and is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. Essential duties and responsibilities and overtime eligibility may vary based on tasks assigned.