Account Specialist

Position Summary Under the supervision of the City Manager and the technical direction of the City's contracted finance director, performs municipal accounting functions with a primary focus on accounts receivable and revenue, payroll, and accounting for debt service, bond, and investment funds. This position ensures accurate financial recordkeeping, timely billing and collections, payroll compliance, proper accounting for restricted funds, and adherence to City policies, governmental accounting standards, and applicable federal and state laws. Because the City contracts for finance director services and has a small finance staff, the Accounting Specialist is the City's primary in-house accounting employee, serves as the day-to-day liaison with the contracted finance director, performs multiple accounting functions, provides backup for other finance and front-office staff, and must apply strong internal controls, accuracy, and confidentiality in all work. Essential Duties and Responsibilities Accounts Receivable and Revenue

• Prepares, generates, and distributes invoices for City services, fees, grants, interlocal agreements, and other receivables.
• Receives, records, and posts payments accurately to the appropriate funds and accounts; prepares and verifies daily deposits and reconciles cash receipts from all City departments, including utility billing and municipal court, to the general ledger.
• Records and reconciles major revenues, including property tax collections received from the tax assessor-collector (allocating maintenance and operations and interest and sinking/debt service portions), sales tax allocations from the Texas Comptroller, franchise fees, and grant reimbursements.
• Reconciles accounts receivable ledgers, monitors aging accounts, investigates discrepancies, and initiates collection activities in accordance with City policy.
• Responds to customer inquiries regarding billing and account balances.

Payroll

• Prepares and processes bi-weekly payroll accurately and on time, including review of timesheets, overtime, leave, and pay rate changes, and applying Fair Labor Standards Act rules, including work-period rules for police and fire personnel.
• Maintains payroll records, including deductions, withholdings, leave accruals, garnishments, and child support orders.
• Prepares and remits federal payroll tax deposits and filings (including Form 941), state unemployment reporting as applicable, and other required payroll reports, in compliance with applicable regulations.
• Prepares and remits Texas Municipal Retirement System (TMRS) contributions and reports, and remits deferred compensation, insurance, and other benefit deductions.
• Reconciles payroll liability accounts and payroll bank activity each pay period and quarter.
• Assists with Form W-2 preparation, Affordable Care Act reporting as applicable, and other year-end payroll processes.
• Coordinates with Human Resources on new hires, separations, pay changes, and other personnel actions.

Debt Service, Bond Funds, and Investments

• Assists the contracted finance director, financial advisor, and bond counsel with continuing disclosure filings, arbitrage tracking, annual debt reporting and website postings required by state law, and audit schedules for long-term debt.
• Records investment purchases, maturities, and interest earnings; allocates earnings among funds; and reconciles investment pool, depository, and investment accounts monthly.
• Monitors pledged collateral on City deposits in accordance with the Public Funds Collateral Act (Government Code Chapter 2257) and the City's depository agreement.
• Assists with preparation of quarterly investment reports to City Council and annual investment policy review in compliance with the Public Funds Investment Act (Government Code Chapter 2256) and the City's investment policy.

General Accounting, Reporting, and Compliance

• Records financial transactions using fund accounting principles and governmental accounting standards (GAAP and GASB), including journal entries and interfund transactions as directed.
• Prepares monthly bank reconciliations and other account reconciliations, and assists with month-end and year-end closing.
• Prepares routine financial, budget-to-actual, and payroll reports for the City Manager and the contracted finance director, and provides the contracted finance director with timely, accurate records and supporting documentation.
• Assists with tracking grant expenditures and maintaining supporting documentation for grant reimbursement and reporting.
• Assists with fixed asset records and inventory.
• Assists with the annual budget process and with preparation for the annual independent audit, including schedules and supporting documentation requested by auditors.
• Follows internal control procedures, including segregation of duties, and maintains the confidentiality of payroll, personnel, and financial information.
• Maintains financial records in accordance with City policy and Texas State Library and Archives Commission retention schedules.
• Ensures compliance with City policies and applicable federal and state laws.

Other Duties

• Provides backup for accounts payable and other finance and front-office functions, such as utility billing and cash collection, so that critical services continue during absences.
• Adheres to departmental, personnel, and safety policies; maintains regular and reliable attendance.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities This is a non-supervisory position.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Minimum Education and Experience High school diploma or GED; and a minimum of two (2) years of municipal accounting experience, including accounts receivable and payroll. Municipal accounting experience is required. Preferred Qualifications

• Associate's degree in accounting, finance, or a related field.
• Payroll experience in a Texas municipality, including TMRS reporting and police and fire payroll.
• Experience with Tyler Incode 9.
• Experience accounting for municipal debt service, bond proceeds, and investments.
• Payroll certification, such as the Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC) or Certified Payroll Professional (CPP).

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations, and Required Training

• Valid Texas driver's license.
• Completion of Public Funds Investment Act (PFIA) investment training within twelve (12) months of hire, and continuing training as required by Government Code Section 2256.008.
• Annual completion of state-certified cybersecurity and artificial intelligence training as required by Texas Government Code Section 2054.5191.
• Must be bondable and must successfully pass a pre-employment criminal history background check, credit history review appropriate to a position with financial responsibility, and drug screen.

Knowledge Of Governmental fund accounting principles and practices, including GAAP and GASB standards; accounts receivable, revenue, and payroll procedures; accounting for debt service funds, bond proceeds, and capital project funds; investment accounting, the Public Funds Investment Act, and the Public Funds Collateral Act; federal and state payroll tax laws and reporting; Fair Labor Standards Act requirements; TMRS reporting; internal control and cash-handling practices; bank and account reconciliation; records retention requirements; and computers and accounting and payroll software. Skill/Ability To Perform detailed accounting work with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail; maintain confidentiality of payroll and financial information; reconcile accounts and identify and resolve discrepancies; organize work, meet strict deadlines, and manage multiple tasks; communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with employees, customers, financial institutions, and auditors; work independently and collaboratively; and operate computers, including Microsoft Office (especially Excel) and Tyler Incode 9 or similar accounting and payroll software. 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 may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly is required to sit for extended periods, use hands to operate office equipment, including telephone, computer keyboard, and calculator, reach with hands and arms, and talk and hear. The employee may be required to lift and/or move objects weighing up to 20 pounds, such as boxes of records. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus. Work Environment The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Work is performed primarily in an office setting. The employee has frequent contact with other City employees, customers, financial institutions, and auditors. The employee frequently is required to work under time pressures to meet payroll, debt payment, and reporting deadlines, to perform detailed and exacting work, and to perform multiple tasks simultaneously. The employee may be required to work additional hours during payroll, month-end, year-end, and audit periods. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

The City of Granite Shoals is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected by law. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City of Granite Shoals will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the City Manager.