Accountant I (Finance & Accounting)

About the Department

Under general supervision, is responsible for performing professional level accounting work involving the analysis and reporting of organizational finances, and other tasks related to the practice of recording, classifying, and researching financial transactions.

Position Duties

Essential Duties + Responsibilities

The position duties and responsibilities listed below describe the general nature and scope of work. Other responsibilities, duties, and skills may be required and assigned as needed. These essential functions require a consistent presence in the work environment on a regular basis, and regular attendance must be maintained. 

• Manage business relationships with customers in a proactive manner to ensure excellent customer service. 

• Prepares adjusting journal entries to general ledger accounts as needed.

• Apply accounting principles and methods in maintaining the fiscal records for the agency.

• Documents completion of the assigned tasks and update the tickler file.

• Document business processes and submit recommendations for improvements.

• Reconciles general ledger and bank statements and research variances or discrepancies as necessary.

• Download or import data from various sources to post and/or reconcile to the general ledger or other databases.

• Preparing and reviewing journal entries.

• Complete all duties as assigned or requested as outlined in operational and procedural guidelines. These guidelines are maintained and issued in the event of an emergency situation that arises at a property or any other location that serves our residents or employees. 

• Participate in Trauma Informed Care (TIC) initiatives to include training, workgroups, project assignments, etc., that are launched or implemented in order to achieve and/or maintain certification as a TIC organization.

• Recognize the significance of a data-driven organization that adheres to expanded policies and practices in the area of data governance. Learn the distinct and different roles to include: Data Trustees, Data Domain Stewards, Data System Custodians, Data Stewards, and Data Users. Effectively collaborate with the various data roles as needed on a daily basis or in a project capacity.

• Employees are expected to use Generative AI solutions ethically and responsibly.

• Other duties as assigned.

General Ledger

• Compiles financial data to support individual general ledger balances for annual audits.

• Prepare reports for the senior team, executive leadership, or the Board of Commissioners.

• Review expenses for accuracy and correct department and/or funding source.

• Preparation of compliance reporting for funders.

• Cash monitoring duties include tracking all investments for the agency, including the preparation of reports as required by the PFIA.

• With assistance from the supervisor, interpret and comply with legal agreements (i.e., Debt Instruments, Partnership agreements, etc.)

• Sends out correspondence to request payment on bond issuance fees and partnership distributions.

Accounts Receivable

• Review, post, interface, and reconcile all accounts receivable activity.

• Research and resolve unidentified payments and other tenant ledger discrepancies as necessary.

• Performs month-end closing tasks to include calculating the allowance for doubtful accounts and recording any necessary adjustments needed for accounts receivable activity.

• Aggregate utility data from 3rd parties to support the submission of the Operating Fund grant.

• Manages business relationships with internal customers as well as assigned vendors in a proactive manner to ensure excellent customer service.

• Monitors Accounts Payable processes, submits improvement recommendations, and updates accounts payable training material as needed.

• Apply appropriate accounting principles and methods in maintaining the fiscal records for the agency.

• Review invoices and receipts by performing thorough research to determine status and resolve discrepancies, if needed.

• Reviews expenditures to ensure they are reasonable, necessary, and within internal policies.

• Process invoices by manual entry, interface, or copy and paste function.

• Leads the check run process on a rotating basis and submits the automated banking files.

• Researches and resolves vendor account issues.

• Ensure vendor discounts are taken as appropriate.

• Review and process employee expense reports. 

• Maintains accounting ledgers by verifying and posting daily account transactions.

• Verifies vendor accounts by reconciling monthly statements.

• Provides accurate and effective document preparation and records management relative to the accounts payable function in accordance with records retention policies and procedures.

• Provides accounts payable training to various departments within the organization.

• Documents completion of the assigned tasks and updates the tickler file.

Budget/Payroll

• Assists with the budget process for the organization's $260M annual budget, which includes over 200 business units. Tasks will include providing training and entering and analyzing data. 

• Prepares Annual Budget presentations for the Board of Commissioners, Executive Leadership Team, or other interested parties. 

• Reconciles, prepares & files quarterly and annual federal and state payroll tax reports and provides follow-up as necessary.

• Performs month-end closing tasks, including posting accruals, reconciling bank accounts, and reviewing financial statements.

• Reconciles all payroll-related general ledger accounts and internal fees annually and assists in completing audit request documentation.

This position requires the incumbent to exhibit the following behavioral skills

1. Values Driven | Demonstrates an understanding of the values (Compassion, Equity, and Excellence) and embodies the values in their work and interactions with residents, vendors, co-workers, supervisors, board members, community members, and other stakeholders.

2. Leadership | Provides direction to people and/or projects by clearly and effectively setting course of action for the assigned department staff and tasks; manages the planning, execution, and achievement of assigned department goals.

3. Customer Service | Responds with Compassion in a professional manner to the expectations and needs of internal and external customers; is friendly and helpful to all customers, fostering positive relationships while providing Excellent service.

4. Effective Use of Information | Communicates important information to those who need to know clearly, securely, effectively, orally and/or in writing; proactively exchanges accurate and timely information.

5. Commitment and Continuous Improvement | Sets the standard for Excellence by proactively pursuing innovation through systematic experimentation and learning.  Corrects mistakes by assessing appropriate processes, proposing adjustments, and prioritizing long-term solutions.

6. Teamwork | Balances team and individual responsibilities; exhibits Compassion, objectivity and openness to others' views; gives and welcomes feedback; contributes to building a positive team spirit; supports everyone's efforts of Excellence; attends, supports, and participates in the organization’s team building events.

7. Responsiveness and Accountability | Demonstrates a high level of Excellence and holds oneself personally responsible for one's own work; complies with procedures and directives and understands the importance of maintaining and managing confidential information; recognizes and anticipates issues and provides a responsive resolution in a timely manner.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

Required

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in Accounting.

  • A Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.5 or higher in accounting courses is required.

Experience

Required

• Upon meeting minimum requirements, applicants will be given entry-level Accounting and Excel assessments before a scheduled panel interview.

• Must have the ability to learn and use cloud applications such as the Google GSuite applications, including but not limited to Google Chrome Browser, Gmail, Drive, Calendar, Docs, Sheets, and Slides. Understand document sharing and collaboration in the cloud. Experience and proficiency with Microsoft Office 365, cloud-accessible applications including but not limited to One Drive, Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, or MAC or PC desktop equivalent, is acceptable. 

• Successful completion of a criminal history background check, education, and work history verification, and drug screening test.

Preferred Education and Experience

• Knowledge of and ability to prepare internal and external financial statements i.e. balance sheet, income statement, and statement of cash flows.

• Ability to review and monitor compliance with contracts such as debt covenants, trusts, loans, and other regulatory agreements.  

• Ability to learn cloud technologies such as LucidChart for diagram, workflow and chart drawing. Experience with Vizio or equivalent is acceptable. Basic understanding of Virtual Private Network (VPN) access to connect to internal business systems.

License + Certificates

Required

• Texas Class “C” driver’s license at the time of placement and insurable by the organization’s fleet and liability insurance carrier.

• Must have the ability to earn certifications as required by assigned tasks.

Technical Skills

To perform this job successfully, the employee should have

• Knowledge of generally accepted accounting and auditing principles, practices, and procedures

• Knowledge of preparation and maintenance of accounting and budgetary data & records.

• Knowledge of modern office practices, procedures, and equipment.

• Knowledge of interpersonal skills.

• Ability to work confidentially with discretion

• Ability to perform a variety of technical accounting duties in the preparation, maintenance, and control of financial data records.

• Ability to assure compliance with applicable policies, procedures, and governmental regulations.

• Ability to reconcile accounts and balance financial statements.

• Ability to plan and organize work.

• Ability to operate a variety of office equipment and machines, including computer terminals, computers, and spreadsheet applications.

• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others.

• Ability to work independently with little direction.

• Ability to meet schedules and timelines.

• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.

• Ability to work respectfully and courteously with staff and the general public.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

To perform this job successfully, the employee is frequently required to remain in a stationary position. Daily movements include sitting, standing, operating computers and other office equipment, walking and moving about the office and/or community property, and attending onsite and offsite meetings. The employee must be able to complete data entry, utilize various portals, and communicate via email and verbally via telephone. Will need the ability to walk large properties and climb stairs. The employee must occasionally transport up to 25 pounds. 

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 essential functions.

Office Environment

• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

• High level of interaction with external/internal clients.

• May be transferred or be required to work at different properties or sites for interim periods in order to support business needs. 

Outside Environment

• Subject to environmental elements when conducting visits to various sites or participating in outside events. 

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the organization will make reasonable accommodations to the known disability of a qualified applicant or employee to enable people with disabilities to enjoy equal employment opportunities if it would not impose an “undue hardship” on the operation of the employer’s business.

As a public agency, the organization is committed to maintaining the highest of ethical standards. Applicants selected for employment are expected to perform work responsibilities with the highest degree of integrity, professionalism, and honesty to merit the respect of our co-workers, clients, partners, vendors, and the general public. Applicants selected for employment are also expected to serve the public with dedication, concern, courtesy, and responsiveness.  

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement 

Opportunity Home is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, religion, gender (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age (40 or older), disability, or genetic information, marital status, veteran status, arrest record or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws. Opportunity Home is dedicated to this policy with respect to recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, training, compensation, benefits, employee activities, and general treatment during employment.

The above information in this 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. This position specification is not an employment agreement or contract. Management has the exclusive right to alter this position specification at any time without notice.