CITY OF UNDERWOOD
Job Description
City Auditor
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CITY OF UNDERWOOD City Auditor
Location: Underwood, North Dakota
Position Type: Full-Time
Reports To: City Commission
Work Location: In-person
Position Overview
The City of Underwood is seeking a professional, organized, and dependable individual to serve as City Auditor.
The City Auditor plays an important role in the City's day-to-day operations and works closely with the City Commission, City employees, committees, residents, and the public. This position is responsible for the City's financial records and accounting functions, payroll, utility billing, meeting records, public records, elections, and a variety of administrative responsibilities.
Work is performed under the policy guidance and general direction of the City Commission. The City Auditor is expected to use sound judgment, knowledge, and experience to manage routine responsibilities and resolve day-to-day issues.
Key Responsibilities
City Commission & Administration
- Attend all meetings of the governing body and maintain a complete and accurate record of proceedings.
- Prepare agendas, meeting packets, minutes, and other materials in a timely manner.
- Take and transcribe minutes for City Council and special meetings.
- Maintain permanent records of City meetings and resulting actions.
- Publish meeting minutes and other required notices in accordance with applicable laws.
- Gather information and prepare reports and supporting materials for City Council decision-making.
- Communicate official City policies and procedures to the City Council, employees, and the public.
- Perform the duties and responsibilities of City Auditor as prescribed under Chapter 40-16 of the North Dakota Century Code (NDCC), except as otherwise directed.
Financial Management & Accounting
- Maintain accurate and complete financial records for the City.
- Process receipts, disbursements, revenues, expenditures, and financial adjustments.
- Complete cash and bank reconciliations, bank deposits, cash receipts, verification of bills, and payment of approved expenses.
- Manage accounts payable and accounts receivable functions.
- Oversee City investments, special assessments, and other fiscal accounting functions.
- Monitor revenues and expenditures to maintain sound fiscal control.
- Prepare the City's annual budget with input from the Finance Committee and department heads.
- Monitor and promote the effective and efficient use of budgeted funds.
- Prepare and analyze financial reports.
- Maintain accurate accounting of City funds.
- Maintain the City's current fixed asset and inventory records.
- Manage the City's property and liability insurance.
Payroll, Personnel & Benefits
- Process payroll and required payroll tax reporting.
- Maintain employee records relating to payroll, benefits, hours worked, time off, withholding, and other personnel matters.
- Assist employees with payroll, benefits, and personnel-related questions.
- Maintain accurate and confidential personnel documentation.
Utility Billing, Fees & City Receipts
- Oversee utility and other City billings.
- Supervise the collection of utility payments, fees, and other City receipts in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
- Maintain accurate records of payments and collections.
Records, Licenses & Elections
- Maintain the City's record retention management system.
- File, maintain, retrieve, and assist with requests for public records.
- Research and gather information as needed.
- Issue applicable City licenses and permits.
- Coordinate municipal election procedures.
- Provide petitions and other election forms as requested.
- Post and publish election-related notices as required.
Technology & Office Operations
- Oversee the maintenance and upgrading of City computers, printers, recording equipment, software, internet technology, and related systems.
- Coordinate computer and technology support with outside vendors and service providers.
- Use standard office technology and software to maintain records, prepare documents, create spreadsheets, and complete City business.
Additional Responsibilities
- Attend seminars, workshops, and continuing education opportunities as appropriate and necessary.
- Assist City employees, committees, officials, and members of the public in a professional manner.
- Serve as an ambassador for the City of Underwood and represent the City professionally.
- Perform other related duties and assume additional responsibilities as directed by the President of the Commission and City Council to support efficient City operations.
Working Relationships & Professional Expectations
The City Auditor works closely with City officials, employees, departments, residents, vendors, and members of the public.
The successful candidate is expected to:
- Work cooperatively and assist others when appropriate.
- Promote teamwork throughout the City of Underwood.
- Communicate and share information effectively.
- Resolve disagreements and concerns with professionalism, tact, and diplomacy.
- Maintain a professional and positive approach when interacting with coworkers and the public.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisors, employees, officials, other departments, and community members.
- Manage multiple responsibilities while working effectively under deadlines, pressure, and frequent interruptions.
Qualifications
To perform this position successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential duties of the position satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Education & Experience
Applicants must have one of the following:
- A bachelor's degree or equivalent in business administration, public administration, or a closely related field; or
- Four (4) years of related experience; or
- An equivalent combination of education and related experience.
Additionally required:
- Minimum of two (2) years of accounting and/or payroll experience.
- Two (2) years of payroll management experience.
Preferred:
- One (1) year of governmental accounting experience.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
The successful candidate should possess or be able to develop a working knowledge of:
- Public administration and municipal government operations.
- Municipal finance and budgeting.
- Accounting procedures and financial reporting.
- Payroll administration, employee benefits, and accounts payable.
- Human resources and personnel recordkeeping.
- Public works, public safety, and community development.
- Office practices and procedures.
- Records management and retention.
The position requires the ability to:
- Prepare and administer municipal budgets by fund and account.
- Maintain accurate financial and administrative records.
- Maintain effective accounting procedures and accurately account for City funds.
- Prepare, review, and analyze financial reports.
- Read, analyze, and interpret common legal documents, rules, and regulations.
- Respond professionally to questions, requests, inquiries, and complaints from employees, customers, and members of the community.
- Effectively present information to the City Council, City officers, employees, and other groups.
- Apply mathematical skills to accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, and other financial functions.
- Create and work with spreadsheets and other computer programs.
- Follow written, verbal, and diagrammed instructions.
- Exercise common sense and sound judgment when addressing problems and requests for service.
- Communicate clearly and professionally, both verbally and in writing.
- Plan, organize, and supervise clerical workers or assigned staff when applicable.
- Prioritize and manage multiple responsibilities while working under pressure or frequent interruptions.
Technology & Equipment
The City Auditor regularly uses:
- Word processing, spreadsheet, and database programs
- Network communications and other software
- 10-key calculator
- Telephone
- Copier
- Fax machine
- Recording equipment
- Other standard office and municipal technology
License & Travel Requirements
- Must possess a valid North Dakota driver's license.
- Must be able to travel to out-of-town meetings and training opportunities.
- Some overnight travel may be required.
Physical Requirements
The physical requirements listed below are representative of those necessary to successfully perform the essential functions of the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities.
While performing this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, talk, hear, use hands to operate objects, tools, and equipment, and reach with hands and arms.
The employee may occasionally be required to walk, stand, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
The employee must occasionally be able to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
Specific vision abilities include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.
Work Environment
This position is primarily performed in an office environment. The noise level is generally moderate.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.
Benefits
The City of Underwood offers benefits including:
- Health insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision insurance
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
General Statement
The duties listed in this job description are intended to illustrate the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of a specific duty does not exclude that responsibility from the position when the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment of the position.
This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the City of Underwood and the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and requirements may be modified by the City as operational needs and job requirements change.
The City of Underwood welcomes qualified applicants who are organized, dependable, professional, and interested in serving the community. Candidates who meet the education and experience requirements and are ready to take on a diverse municipal leadership and administrative role are encouraged to apply.
Job Type: Full-time
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Experience:
- Payroll management: 2 years (Required)
- Governmental accounting: 1 year (Preferred)
- Accounting: 2 years (Required)
Location:
- Underwood, ND 58576 (Required)
Work Location: In person
