ACCOUNTANT
SUMMARY DESCRIPTION
Under general direction, The Accountant performs various professional accounting responsibilities. This position is responsible for maintaining accurate financial records, preparing financial reports, and ensuring compliance with accounting standards and regulations. The role supports accounting operations, payroll and grant accounting, reconciliations, audits, and budget monitoring while providing financial analysis and improving internal processes and controls.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Performs financial research, analysis and account diagnostics to resolve discrepancies, support fiscal operations and ensure compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principals (GAAP), The Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB), organizational policy and governmental accounting standards.
- Prepares and analyzes bank reconciliations, ensuring proper reconciliation of cash accounts, identification of timing differences, and resolution of reconciling items.
- Administers the Accounts Receivable (A/R) cycle, including invoice generation, aging analysis, revenue recognition, and reconciliation to the general ledger.
- Assists with the preparation of period-end financial statements, supporting schedules, and disclosures in accordance with GASB, GAAP, and internal reporting requirements.
- Maintains detailed subsidiary ledgers of governmental and proprietary funds and ensures accurate integration with the general ledger.
- Prepares, reviews and posts journal entries, including accruals, deferrals, reclassifications, amortizations, indirect cost distributions, interfund transfers, and other adjustments for period-end close, ensuring proper supporting documentation.
- Develops cost analyses, variance analyses, trend reports, grant projections, burn-rates and operational performance reports, utilizing financial modeling and analytical methodologies.
- Authors, updates, and standardizes Business Office procedure manuals, ensuring alignment with internal controls, fiscal policies, workflow standardization and audit recommendations.
- Monitors and evaluates the functionality, internal controls, and data integrity of the Accounts Payable (A/P), Fixed Asset management, and Payroll processing systems to support quality assurance, operational efficiency, and audit readiness.
- Provides training, oversight, and analytical review of Student Activity Funds, ensuring compliance with fund accounting principles and district policy.
- Prepares assigned components of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR), including notes, statistical sections, and supporting schedules.
- Assists with preparation of the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA).
- Posts payroll journal entries to the general ledger, reconciles payroll liabilities, and transmits payroll disbursement data to the district's banking institution.
- Collaborates closely with payroll technicians to ensure accurate and compliant payroll processing, including gross-to-net calculations, benefit withholdings, and employer tax liabilities.
- Processes and remits federal payroll tax deposits to the IRS in accordance with statutory deadlines and EFTPS requirements. Prepare comprehensive monthly financial reports in compliance with federal, state, and program-specific grant requirements, including Uniform Guidance (2 CFR Part 200).
- Prepares detailed monthly reimbursement requests, including expenditure reconciliations, supporting documentation, and cross-references to grant budgets and general ledger activity.
- Continuously monitors grant expenditures to ensure adherence to award conditions, cost allocation standards, and regulatory requirements.
- Identifies budget variances, unallowable costs, and timing issues within grant spending.
- Input, update, and maintain grant budgets in the financial management system, ensuring proper budget controls and accurate posting to fund and project codes.
- Tracks obligated vs. unobligated balances and ensure compliance with governmental fund accounting principles.
- Compiles revenue and expenditure schedules, reconcile federal program activity, calculate indirect cost allocations, and support external audit sampling/testing.
- Documents process findings and recommend operational improvements to enhance efficiency and internal controls.
- May perform other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
Any combination of education and experience that could likely provide the required knowledge and skills is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and skills would be:
Education: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in accounting required.
Experience: One (1) year of experience as a professional accountant. Experience in a governmental organization is preferred.
Licenses/Certificates: None.
COMPETENCIES FOR SUCCESSFUL PERFORMANCE OF JOB DUTIES
Knowledge of:
- Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) standards, and governmental fund accounting requirements.
- Internal controls, audit requirements, and financial compliance standards.
Skill in:
- Performing mathematical accounting calculations and financial analysis.
- Preparing and reviewing financial statements, and audit schedules.
- Researching and resolving accounting discrepancies.
- Preparing and reviewing journal entries.
- Utilizing accounting software, spreadsheets, financial systems, and reporting tools.
- Conducting cost and variance analyses to support decision-making.
- Monitoring compliance with accounting standards, regulations, and internal controls.
- Communicating financial information clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing.
Ability to:
- Interpret and apply accounting standards, policies, and procedures.
- Exercise sound professional judgment in analyzing financial information and resolving issues.
- Ensure accuracy and integrity of financial records, reconciliations, and reporting.
- Manage multiple priorities and deadlines while maintaining attention to detail.
- Maintain and improve internal controls, financial processes, and system effectiveness.
- Work independently while exercising initiative, accountability, and discretion.
- Maintain confidentiality of sensitive financial and organizational information.
WORK ENVIRONMENT / PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The work environment and physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Work Environment
- Exposure to weather: Never
- Exposure to loud noises: Rarely.
- Working in confined spaces: Rarely.
- Working at heights: Never.
- Working with hazardous materials: Never.
Physical Demands
- Lifting/Carrying: Rarely.
- Standing/Walking: Rarely.
- Bending/Stooping: Rarely.
- Reaching:
- Pushing/Pulling: Rarely.
- Climbing:
- Fine motor skills: Continuously.
Definitions:
- Never: The activity or condition does not occur.
- Rarely: The activity or condition occurs less than 10% of the time.
- Occasionally: The activity or condition occurs 10-30% of the time.
- Frequently: The activity or condition occurs 30-60% of the time.
- Continuously: The activity or condition occurs more than 60% of the time.
THIS JOB SPECIFICATION SHOULD NOT BE CONSTRUED TO IMPLY THAT THESE REQUIREMENTS ARE THE EXCLUSIVE STANDARDS OF THE POSITION. INCUMBENTS MAY BE REQUIRED TO FOLLOW ANY OTHER INSTRUCTIONS, AND TO PERFORM ANY OTHER RELATED DUTIES AS MAY BE REQUIRED BY THEIR SUPERVISOR.
The Washoe County School District is committed to providing a safe and respectful learning and working environment for all students, staff, and visitors. The District prohibits bullying, cyber-bullying, harassment, sexual harassment, and/or discrimination based on an individual's actual or perceived race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, veterans or military status, marital status, disability or the presence of any sensory, physical or mental handicap in any of its educational programs/activities and employment, or in any program or activity conducted or funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The District prohibits discrimination against any youth group listed in Title 36, as a patriotic society, (i.e. Boy Scouts of America) from access to public school facilities use.
Equal Opportunity Employer Statement
Washoe County School District is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. The Washoe County School District is committed to providing all applicants and employees equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, military status, or other characteristics protected by applicable law. Here at Washoe County School District, we are a diverse group of people who honor the differences that drive innovative solutions to meet the needs of our students and employees. We believe that through a culture of inclusivity, we have the power to reflect on the community we serve.
