Position Summary
The Accounting Manager is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day accounting operations of the Housing Authority of the City of Norwalk (NHA) and its affiliated entities, ensuring compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) standards, HUD regulations, federal and state grant requirements, and Authority policies.
This position manages general accounting functions, financial reporting, internal controls, grants accounting, accounts payable and receivable, banking activities, payroll backup, and audit preparation. The Accounting Manager supervises accounting staff, assists with budgeting and financial analysis, supports regulatory reporting, and serves as a key resource to the Director of Finance in maintaining the integrity of the Authority's financial operations.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
The following statements describe the principal functions of this position and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities.
Financial Reporting & General Accounting
- Prepare accurate monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements in accordance with GAAP, GASB, HUD, and other applicable regulatory requirements.
- Prepare and review journal entries to ensure complete and accurate financial reporting.
- Review and reconcile general ledger accounts and subsidiary ledgers.
- Assist with month-end and year-end closing activities.
- Prepare financial analyses and supporting schedules for management.
- Maintain complete and accurate accounting records.
General Ledger & Account Reconciliations
- Review individual property and program trial balances with the Director of Finance and Assistant Director of Finance.
- Analyze and reconcile balance sheet accounts, including:
- Cash
- Accounts Receivable
- Accounts Payable
- Prepaid Expenses
- Accrued Liabilities
- Intercompany Accounts
- Other General Ledger Accounts
- Prepare adjusting entries as necessary.
- Recommend and process intercompany transfers.
- Review and reverse accrual entries when appropriate.
- Ensure timely completion of monthly general ledger closings.
Regulatory Reporting & Grants Administration
- Assist in preparing and submitting required financial reports to federal, state, and local agencies including, but not limited to:
- U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
- Connecticut Housing Finance Authority (CHFA)
- Voucher Management System (VMS)
- Electronic Line of Credit Control System (eLOCCS)
- Department of Housing
- Granting agencies and foundations
- Ensure grant expenditures comply with funding requirements.
- Monitor grant budgets and financial activity.
- Verify that all expense allocations are properly recorded.
Budgeting & Financial Analysis
- Monitor operating expenses against approved budgets.
- Investigate significant budget variances.
- Prepare financial analyses for management.
- Assist with annual operating and capital budgets.
- Recommend process improvements to strengthen financial controls.
Audit Coordination
- Coordinate preparation of schedules and documentation for annual independent audits.
- Prepare year-end adjusting and closing entries.
- Respond to auditor requests.
- Maintain organized audit workpapers.
- Assist with preparation of Financial Data Schedules (FDS) and other HUD-required audit schedules.
Internal Controls & Compliance
- Ensure compliance with:
- GAAP
- GASB
- HUD Financial Management Requirements
- Uniform Guidance
- Internal Accounting Policies
- Assist in developing and maintaining effective internal controls.
- Recommend improvements to accounting procedures.
- Ensure compliance with procurement and grant accounting requirements.
Banking & Treasury Functions
- Prepare and review bank reconciliations.
- Review ACH and wire transfers.
- Assist with maintaining banking relationships.
- Assist with cash flow management.
- Monitor investment and operating account balances.
Accounts Payable & Accounts Receivable
- Oversee Accounts Payable operations.
- Oversee Accounts Receivable collections.
- Ensure timely vendor payments.
- Review aging reports.
- Assist with collection activities when necessary.
Payroll Administration
- Serve as backup Payroll Administrator.
- Assist with payroll processing.
- Ensure payroll compliance with federal and state regulations.
- Assist with payroll reporting and reconciliations.
Financial Systems
- Serve as a subject matter expert ("super user") for the Authority's accounting software.
- Assist with software implementations and upgrades.
- Recommend automation opportunities.
- Train staff on accounting systems and financial procedures.
Supervision & Leadership
- Supervise assigned accounting staff.
- Provide coaching, mentoring, and performance evaluations.
- Train employees on accounting procedures and financial systems.
- Promote teamwork and continuous improvement.
Other Responsibilities
- Respond to inquiries from HUD, auditors, investors, lenders, grantors, and other funding agencies.
- Serve as backup to the Assistant Director of Finance, including:
- Funding drawdowns
- Monthly financial reporting
- Board of Commissioners financial reports
- Financial submissions
- Participate in special projects.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Thorough knowledge of GAAP, GASB, and governmental accounting principles.
- Knowledge of HUD financial reporting requirements and federal grant accounting.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent organizational and time management skills.
- Ability to prioritize multiple projects and meet deadlines.
- Strong supervisory and leadership abilities.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- High degree of accuracy and attention to detail.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality.
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook, and financial reporting software.
- Experience using ERP/accounting software PHA-Web
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, auditors, funding agencies, vendors, and regulatory officials.
Minimum Qualifications
Education
Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in:
- Accounting
- Finance
- Business Administration with an Accounting concentration
CPA, CGFM, or MBA preferred.
Experience
- Minimum of six (6) years of progressively responsible accounting experience.
- Minimum of three (3) years of supervisory or management experience.
- Experience with governmental, nonprofit, public housing, or affordable housing accounting strongly preferred.
- Experience with HUD financial reporting and grant accounting preferred.
- LIHTC certification preferred or the ability to obtain certification within one year of employment.
Special Requirements
- Must be bondable.
- Possess and maintain a valid Connecticut driver's license.
- Ability to travel between Authority properties and offices as needed.
- Ability to successfully pass background screening consistent with Authority policies.
Pay: $110,000.00 - $115,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 457(b)
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid sick time
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
- Retirement plan
- Tuition reimbursement
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
