Accountant/Auditor I, Grade 18

About the Department

Please note: The salary range above represents the earning potential for this position. The anticipated hiring range for this position will be $62,328 to $96,880, based on the candidate’s qualifications and experience.

WHO WE ARE

The mission of the Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) is to move people and connect places with seamless, equitable transportation options that are safe, environmentally responsible, and support economic growth and vibrancy in Montgomery County. The Department has five divisions: Highway Services, Parking Management, Transit Services, Traffic Engineering and Operations, and Transportation Engineering. We are a large organization with over 1,200 employees and a dedicated County budget of $300 million.

The Division of Transit Services coordinates transit services in Montgomery County. Transit accomplishes an essential mobility mission of the County, connecting people, communities, workplaces, educational institutions, recreational opportunities, and many other essential destinations. The Division employs 850+ people and operates nearly 400 buses on 80+ fixed routes throughout Montgomery County. The Division plans, schedules, and manages the County's Ride On bus system, consisting of County-owned and operated buses. Ride On carries roughly 18 million riders annually.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

We are seeking a detail-oriented professional with experience using software to analyze revenues and expenditures, prepare financial projections, and evaluate moderately complex accounting issues. The ideal candidate demonstrates the ability to analyze and interpret accounting records, reports, and financial data, including validating information received from vendors and other financial systems to reconcile financial reports and build queries within the County’s reporting platform to extract and analyze data. This individual possesses strong skills in tracking, proofing, and reconciling invoices, while ensuring accuracy and compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and accepted accounting procedures. The successful candidate will be able to establish and maintain effective working relationships with vendors, departmental staff, and management, and must demonstrate strong oral and written communication skills when interacting with individuals from diverse professional and personal backgrounds. The position also requires the ability to work independently, prioritize and sequence tasks effectively, and obtain the necessary information and documentation needed to successfully complete assignments.

Position Duties

The Accountant/Auditor supports the Division of Transit Services’ fiscal operations by applying Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and auditing standards to ensure accurate and compliant financial records. The position performs account and fund reconciliations and financial analysis, and supports monthly, quarterly, and year-end close activities by preparing and validating financial data and supporting schedules. Within the Enhanced Mobility and Customer Relations Section, which administers Transportation Services for Older Adults and Individuals with Disabilities, the role processes, reviews, verifies, and audits vendor invoices; maintains financial and statistical records; tracks expenditures; and ensures proper allocation and compliance with program requirements. The position also resolves billing and payment discrepancies within financial systems and collaborates with staff, auditors, and vendors to ensure accurate and timely financial processing and reporting. Tasks include:

• Serving as a financial resource by providing detailed accounting and audit support for the Medicaid and Call-n-Ride Transportation Programs and acting as the primary point of contact for transportation vendors’ accounting staff.
• Receiving, reviewing, reconciling, auditing, resolving billing or payment issues, and processing vendor invoices to ensure accuracy and timely payment.
• Examining, processing, and maintaining financial accounts and accounting records.
• Maintaining statistical and financial files for all vendors.
• Tracking revenues and expenditures, supporting budget monitoring efforts, performing data analysis, and generating periodic and ad hoc financial reports as needed.
• Preparing purchase order (PO) requisitions and liquidation forms and supporting month-end and year-end closing processes as required.
• Conducting periodic analysis of revenues and expenditures and developing financial projections.
• Maintaining organized and compliant financial documentation and records retention, providing financial data and support to the Grant Manager, and assisting the budget team with financial analysis.
• Assisting with or supporting internal and external audits, including preparing documentation and responding to audit inquiries.
• Performs other related duties as assigned in support of the objectives of the section and program operations.

Minimum Qualifications

Experience: One (1) year of experience performing professional accounting work.

Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in accounting, or a bachelor’s degree in business administration, or a related field with a major in accounting coursework.

Substitution: Certification as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) may be substituted for a degree in accounting or a major in accounting.

License: None.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:  
Basic Knowledge of: 
          • Accounting theories and auditing principles, practices and procedures, and bookkeeping, public budgeting.
          • Laws, ordinances, and regulations governing municipal finance.
          • U.S. General Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), including internal control systems, cost accounting, general ledger, and Accounting Standards and Techniques.
          • County, State, and Federal rules, regulations, and laws pertinent to the activities of the County Government.
          • An Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) System.
          • Grant guidance.

Work Environment: The work environment involves normal, everyday discomfort or unpleasantness. The work area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. 

Physical Demands: The work presents no significant hazards to employees.

Medical Exam Protocol: This position requires completion of a pre-employment Medical History Form to assess your ability to safely perform the essential duties of the role.

Other Qualifications

We will use preferred criteria screening questions:

• Knowledge of Accounting principles and practices
• Experience reviewing, auditing, and reconciling invoices from transportation service vendors and/or other comparable vendors for correctness and readiness for payments and billing issues.
• Experience with Microsoft Office Applications (Excel, Word, Access)
• Customer service experience in public transportation assistance or other similar programs

Provides local government, public safety, and administrative services.