Accountant & Payroll Specialist

Position summary

The Accountant & Payroll Specialist performs advanced accounting duties to manage, analyze, and report financial data, and to reconcile general ledger accounts with accuracy and in a compliant manner. This position will also assist with payroll processing, benefits billing, and tax compliance while also providing back-up to core accounting functions like accounts payable, accounts receivable, and revenue collections. The position also audits various accounts from County departments, perform advanced accounting support duties, records maintenance, and provide customer service. This position is required to be a high-level contributor/specialist within the Auditing office and relies on experience and judgment to complete tasks. The work is performed under the supervision of the Comptroller/Senior Deputy Auditor, although latitude is granted for independent judgment using standard practices to resolve customer issues or to recommend procedural or other improvements. The principal duties of this position are performed in a general office environment.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities(may vary by assignment)

The position assumes responsibility and performs tasks in the following areas:

1. Performs all duties, responsibilities, and interactions in an effective, professional, safe, and compliant manner in accordance with County policies, procedures, and practices,
2. Processes time sheets to ensure accuracy, completeness, and proper authorization,
3. Calculates and remits withholding liabilities on a timely basis, ensures compliance with federal and state regulations, manages deduction reporting based on reporting requirements,
4. Provides support for all positions within the Auditing office which includes backing up any position when needed,
5. Audit accounts to verify compliance with accounting and budgetary laws using spreadsheets and various reports,
6. Provides support to County departments during annual budgeting process,
7. Assists with capital asset tracking and management to include calculating depreciation, and working with departments to maintain accurate asset value information,
8. Produces and enters journal entries for budget revisions, transfers, corrections and beginning balances,
9. Identifies complex discrepancies within the general ledger and recommends solutions,
10. Validates the accuracy of general ledger account coding to ensure all transactions align with established financial line items,
11. Maintains auditing office accounting policies and procedures manual to be used by other County offices,
12. Provides information, training, and support to county departments regarding financial procedures, statutes, and governmental compliance,
13. Assists with petty cash audits,
14. Performs annual reporting to include but not limited to 1099s and W2s,
15. Assists outside auditors with questions and documentation during the audit process,
16. Organizes and maintains the County's internal control procedures manual(s),
17. Works independently and with the project team to implement projects, such as new governmental reporting standards, and
18. Performs other tasks or responsibilities as assigned or necessary to meet department and County objectives.

Competency Requirements

This position obtains, possesses, and deploys the following knowledge, skills, and abilities to effectively perform their responsibilities:

Knowledge Of:

1. Generally accepted accounting principles and government accounting standards (GAAP and GASB), along with the ability to interpret and implement such standards,
2. Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, regulations, cases, codes, ordinances, policies, procedures, best practices and ethics pertaining to accounting, taxation, and payroll administration,
3. Budgetary principles and procedures for Idaho taxing districts, and
4. maintain records efficiently and accurately, along with preparing clear and concise reports.

Skill To:

1. Utilize strong critical thinking and analytical skills to perform fundamental accounting and payroll functions at a high-level of competency and accuracy,
2. Work independently in all aspects of computerized payroll processing, retroactive calculations and payments, online checks for routine corrections, and preparation of payroll reports,
3. Analyze and research financial data and information in order to reconcile general ledger accounts, and prepare accurate and complete financial reports,
4. Communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing, using proficient grammar, spelling, punctuation, and composition to be able to critically analyze laws, policies, and date while effectively collaborating with auditors, elected officials, co-workers, agencies,
5. Evaluate and analyze customer needs to provide exceptional customer service to address the needs of customers, and professionally diffuse difficult interpersonal situations and calmly de-escalate and resolve the concerns of customers,
6. Effectively explain to officials, managers, employees and the public regarding regulatory compliance and department functions, policies, procedures, and practices,
7. Operate standard office equipment including phones, copier/scanner/fax machines, ten key calculators, computer workstations and associated bookkeeping, document, spreadsheet, and other software applications utilized by the department.

Ability to:

1. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with other County employees, supervisory personnel, local elected and appointed officials, and the public,
2. Research technical information and data, to interpret and apply guidelines, rules, regulations, and related financial matters for recommendations and reports,
3. Maintain complete confidentiality of all payroll records and reports as directed,
4. Follow written and oral instruction under supervision, work as part of a team, or work independently on assigned tasks or projects, and
5. Schedule, prioritize, and multi-task multiple duties, projects, and assignments, adjusting to interruptions, with accuracy and speed under the pressure of time-sensitive deadlines.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in accounting,
• Two (2) years' experience processing payroll utilizing payroll system software,
• One (1) year of accounting experience, or
• Any equivalent combination of experience, education and training which provides the knowledge, skill, and abilities necessary to effectively perform the required duties of the position.

Preferred Qualifications

1. Four (4) years' experience processing payroll utilizing payroll system software, and
2. Two (2) years or more of accounting experience, preferably in a municipal, County, or other governmental setting.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

The principal duties of this position are typically performed in an accounting office environment, with occasional support at other County worksite locations.

Physical requirements include (with or without reasonable accommodation):

1. Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing, which permits the employee to discern verbal instructions and to communicate effectively on the telephone and in person,
2. Sufficient visual acuity, which permits the employee to independently comprehend written work instructions, analyze data, prepare and review documents and process them in a prescribed order, and organize documents and reports,
3. Sufficient manual and fine-motor dexterity which permits the employee to operate a personal computer, ten-key calculator, cash register or drawer, and standard office equipment,
4. Sufficient agility and flexibility to occasionally stoop, bend, reach and kneel to file, organize, and otherwise store department records or related tasks, and
5. Sufficient strength and balance to push, pull and lift objects up to 10 pounds, and to occasionally push, pull, and lift objects up to 20 pounds.

Bannock County is an equal opportunity employer.

Veteran's Preference eligible position pursuant to Idaho Code.