CITY OF OVERLAND PARK - POSITION DESCRIPTION

Performs accounting functions of variable complexity such as: performs complex financial analysis and forecasting; prepares various financial reports including the comprehensive annual financial report; and assists in developing the City's annual operating budget and five-year capital improvements program. Monitors and manages operation of the City's Enterprise Accounting System and related information technology systems to ensure efficient operation and accurate financial information. Directs, coordinates or performs the accumulation, analysis and distribution of accounting information. Forecasts City revenues and expenditures. Reviews new accounting pronouncements and determines impact on the City. Performs liaison activities with personnel from other departments. Manages banking relationships and monitors and resolves issues involving banking services. Performs investment analysis and coordinates investment purchases.

Financial Systems:

Manages the daily maintenance and support of the City's ERP financial system and processes, including assisting with testing, configuring applications, troubleshooting and remediating system issues, explaining data flow, and acting as a trusted advisor to users of the accounting systems.

Manages relationships and communication with external system support and internal user personnel related to the City's enterprise financial system and related information technology systems. Leads system management activities and provides escalation path for city staff and vendor partners. Performs and communicates root-cause analysis on issues. Accountable for meeting timelines and communicating progress.

Participates in the selection of new finance applications, systems, and enhancements to existing financial applications based on system requirements. Creates, distributes and maintains project documentation and communication.

Responsible for Finance Department's project management of financial and cash management system applications implementation and upgrades.

Research enhancements and validate enterprise requirements to ensure completeness, correctness, and clarity including scope, size, and impact. Keeps abreast of current developments within current financial system updates by reading published documentation and attending seminars, classes and training sessions. Leads project meetings and conference calls, including project kick-off meetings, status meetings, issue resolution and ongoing maintenance.

Manages, coordinates and provides high-level end use support, including on-demand training for end users, ad hoc support, and creation and maintenance of training materials.

General Ledger:

Coordinates or performs the accumulation, analysis and distribution of accounting information.

Monitors and tracks capital and maintenance projects, which includes coordinating efforts to oversee maintenance of project record keeping system. Works with departments to coordinate all aspects of financial administration of projects. Reviews bid contracts, change orders and other project related data to maintain current information. Supervises development of project costs for debt issuance purposes. Directs billing other governments/agencies for share of capital project costs.

Prepares Ad Hoc analyses as needed

Prepares journal entries, and reviews and reconciles general ledger account balances with appropriate records.

Coordinates, directs and performs preparation of financial data for month-end close.

Manages systems integrity, including resolution of issues created by monthly system updates. Resolves internal integrity issues within the City's enterprise financial accounting system resulting from normal system operations.

Reporting:

Prepares monthly financial statements, reports and records by collecting, analyzing and summarizing account information.

Directs, coordinates or prepares interim management reports and accompanying schedules, worksheets and narratives, including Budget vs. Actualvariance reports. Assists in providing follow-up and documentation of significant variances.

Prepares ad hoc reports for other areas of the City and management of Finance.

Directs, coordinates or participates in the preparation of the annual comprehensive financial report and assigned schedules.

Prepares financial and economic trend reports, cost recovery studies, investment, and other financial reports from gathering and analyzing various financial data.

Assists in developing the City's annual operating budget. Interacts with department directors and other City management personnel by providing budgetary guidance, reviewing submitted budgets, and overseeing the preparation of working papers and legal documents.

Participates in developing the City's five-year Capital Improvements, Maintenance and Five-Year Financial Forecast Programs.

Directs, coordinates or assists in the sale of general obligation bonds including preparation of offering statement, acceptance of bids, preparation of appropriate financial reports, requests and receipt of legal opinions, registration of notes/bonds, submission of transcripts to the Attorney General, preparation of information for rebate calculations.

Revenues:

Forecasts of city revenues and expenditures based on past, present and expected operations.

Determines appropriate models to develop forecasts by evaluating current receipts received and expenditures by examining prevailing financial conditions and measuring past performance. Researches and continually monitors issues that may influence City's revenue and expenditure projections. Informs management of significant changes in forecasts and potential impacts. Assimilates current forecasted revenues into the five-year revenue forecast.

Investment:

Maintain relationships with and insure investment firms are in compliance with CIty policy. Monitor pledged collateral, analyze cash balances and investments to determine investment purchases. Coordinate and conduct purchase of investments. Prepare annual investment reports for presentation to FAED committee. Participate in investment training as outlined by CIty policy.

Administrative:

Responsible for Finance Department's project management of financial and cash management system applications implementation and upgrades.

Reviews new accounting pronouncements or issues that relate to government and determines impact on the City. Communicates new accounting pronouncements or issues to Finance & City Manager personnel.

Performs liaison activities with accounting supervision and personnel of other departments/contracted entities.

Provides support to outside departments on finance related issues.

Cross trains staff members in job duties and provides backup as required. Keeps backup personnel informed of changes in duties and procedures

Coordinates with the bank for any banking changes, works with bank api issues with financial systems, and informs and assists the bank with suspected fraud issues.

The employee must work the days and hours necessary to perform all assigned responsibilities and tasks. Must be available (especially during regular business hours or shifts) to communicate with subordinates, supervisors, customers, vendors and any other persons or organization with whom interaction is required to accomplish work and employer goals.

The employee must be punctual and timely in meeting all requirements of performance, including, but not limited to, attendance standards and work deadlines; beginning and ending assignments on time; and scheduled work breaks, where applicable.

GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION & SPECIAL LICENSE(S)/CERTIFICATIONS:

Bachelor's degree in accounting, business administration or a related field; or an equivalent combination of formal

Education and experience with an emphasis in accounting or related field. CPA designation or Master's degree preferred.

EXPERIENCE:

Five to eight years of increasingly responsible accounting experience including general accounting, government and fund accounting, cash management and budget preparation, or an equivalent level of experience.

SKILLS:

Effective oral and written communication skills.

Good listening skills.

Strong ability to perform complex math and accounting skills.

Ability to operate calculator, adding machine, typewriter and personal computer.

Ability to apply accounting and bookkeeping procedures.

Organizational skills.

Strong analytical skills.

PC computer skills. (Word processing and spreadsheet software skills).

Manual dexterity.

Data entry.

Ability to work in environment with constant interruptions.

MENTAL REQUIREMENTS:

Ability to understand mathematical concepts to include complex arithmetic and accounting math.

Ability to comprehend computer software principles.

Ability to train and guide others.

Ability to work under pressure and time deadlines.

Ability to compile accurate information/data within a specified time period.

Ability to exhibit tact and diplomacy when dealing with the general public.

Ability to plan and organize.

Ability to read and understand City, state and federal policies and regulations.

Ability to analyze situation and apply appropriate accounting theory and practice.

Aptitude to understand and apply various accounting personal computer software packages.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Ability to make and receive phone calls.

Hand and eye coordination adequate to input computer, calculator and copy machine.

Visual stamina and acuity to review numerical data daily and to spend long periods looking at computer screen.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY (Direct & Indirect):

No direct responsibility;

Indirect responsibility:

- Accountant I.

- Accountant II.

The preceding job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.