Job Information
City of Lakeland Accountant I in Lakeland, Florida
Accountant I
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Accountant I
Salary
$58,361.86 - $87,542.79 Annually
Location
Lakeland, FL
Job Type
Full Time Regular
Job Number
2001-03
Department
Finance
Division
Accounting 0701200000
Opening Date
10/25/2023
Closing Date
Continuous
FLSA
Exempt
Bargaining Unit
NA
Description
Benefits
Questions
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF CLASS
This is professional accounting work involving the maintenance of general and subsidiary ledgers for City funds; preparing fiscal and statistical reports, and other duties of a general accounting nature, requiring a considerable knowledge with governmental and fund accounting principles. Work requires exercise of considerable independent judgment on technical accounting and related issues; however, account classifications and overall procedures are determined by departmental procedure or by legal requirement. Work requires existing proficiency with, and the ability to learn and efficiently utilize sophisticated computer application software. Work is reviewed by a technical or administrative superior for overall standards of performance and accuracy and is also subject to periodic and annual audits.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS
Sets up and maintains account combinations and attributes cost centers within an automated, centralized general ledger system.
Prepares and maintains custom financial reports within the general ledger system.
Uploads and posts financial information to the general ledger from various subsidiary ledgers.
Prepares adjusting journal entries to the general ledger as needed to maintain the accuracy of the financial information.
Reconciles the general ledger to subsidiary ledgers to verify accuracy of account balances.
Monitors general ledger accounts related to special project accounting, including project initiation, progress reporting and project closure.
Reviews and records routine budget adjustment requests.
Prepares reports issued to federal and state regulatory agencies as required to request funding and to satisfy financial and reporting requirements of financial assistance programs.
Compiles or assists in the compilation of regular monthly financial statements, statistical reports annual financial reports, special reports and analyses.
Assists in the compilation and update of the City's accounting procedures manual.
Prepares schedules and reports used to remit taxes to other governments.
Assists external auditors during annual audits, including preparation of financial statements and supporting schedules.
Aids in the preparation, balancing and monitoring of the City's annual budget.
Assists in the development of automated systems used to accumulate, track and report financial transactions.
Maintains computerized fixed asset accounting system, including entry of new purchases, dispositions, and reconciliation to general ledger.
Performs research projects as requested by superiors in the Finance Department.
Assists personnel in other City departments in solving problems of a technical accounting nature.
May be required to work overtime or alternate hours as necessary for the efficient operations of the department
ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
Performs related work as required.
Position may be designated as Mission Critical.
QUALIFICATIONS (EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE) AND SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in accounting.
Two (2) years of experience in accounting and fiscal operations.
OR
- Graduation from an accredited masters' program or higher in accounting.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
Must possess a valid state of Florida driver's license.
Must maintain a valid home telephone number.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Considerable knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles including accounting rules of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and governmental accounting principles and procedures, and of their application to a variety of accounting transactions and problems.
Ability to apply accounting principles to the maintenance of voluminous financial and accounting transactions.
Knowledge of office procedures practices systems and equipment, as applied to financial operations.
Ability to analyze and evaluate accounting problems and to discern those requiring policy determinations by superiors.
Ability to prepare complex financial reports and statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
Ability to apply existing skills and to comprehend, develop and apply new skills associated with the use of sophisticated computer applications and desktop hardware systems, including the ability to readily adapt to changes in the use of computer programs and hardware configurations resulting from advances in computer technology.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers and personnel from other departments.
Ability to express ideas clearly, both verbally and in writing.
WORKING ENVIRONMENT/CONDITIONS:
Requires sedentary work that involves walking or standing some of the time, exerting up to 10 pounds of force on a recurring basis, and routine keyboard operations.
The job risks exposure to bright/dim lights, dusts and pollen.
The job requires normal visual acuity, and field of vision, hearing, and speaking.
All City of Lakeland positions are subject to testing (e.g. written, oral, performance, computerized, interview, and/or any combination). Candidates selected for testing will be notified via email or telephone. Please check your e-mail and telephone messages regularly, including "junk" folders. Test times and locations to be announced.
THE CITY OF LAKELAND IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/EQUAL ACCESS EMPLOYER AND A DRUG FREE WORKPLACE
City of Lakeland
2023 Summary Sheet
Annual Leave
Annual leave is accumulated bi-weekly and based upon years of service as follows:
Annual leave may be taken as earned by employees hired after January 1, 1989. Employees hired prior to that date use annual leave within the calendar year following the year the leave is earned. All employees may carry over up to a maximum of twenty (20) days at the end of the calendar year. Regular part-time employees who work at least twenty (20) hours per week accrue annual leave at the rate of four (4) hours per month.*
Sick Leave
Sick rate is accrued biweekly based upon years of service and standard hour classification. Eligible for use as soon as earned. Regular part-time employees who work at least twenty (20) hours per week accrue sick leave at the rate of four (4) hours per month.
*NOTE: REGULAR employees with a working day other than eight (8) hours, please contact your supervisor regarding these policies.
Sick Leave Pool
Allows employees to receive sick leave benefits in cases involving catastrophic or long-term illnesses or injuries after all personal leave time has been depleted. Regular full-time employees contribute eight (8) hours and Regular part-time employees contribute four (4) hours on an annual basis. Employees must have completed one full year of service on or before December 31st of the calendar year enrollment; and have accumulated at least forty (40) hours of sick time (twenty (20) hours for Regular part-time employees). Participation in this program is voluntary.
For more information contact Amanda Kaiser at 834-8768
Family & Medical Leave
Federal legislation guarantees up to twelve (12) weeks per year off work under certain circumstances outlined in the policy manual. The employees must have been employed by the City for at least twelve (12) months and have at least 1,250 hours of service during the 12-month period before the requested leave. The City will continue its group life and health insurance for an employee on leave at the same level and under the same conditions that existed while the employee was working.
For more information contact Dawn Justice at 834-6038.
Pension Plan
Provision for retirement income requiring mandatory participation for full-time regular employees.
Defined Benefit Plan:
Plan C Employee 3.12%
Employer 15.64%
OR
Defined Contribution Plan:
Executives, New Hires aged 52 and older, and Fire/Police Recruits
Employee 8.5% or 11% per election upon hire
Employer 15.64%
Deferred Compensation 457 Plan:
A voluntary plan that is invested in mutual funds. The Employees' Pension Board performs the due diligence on the mutual funds. Employees may reallocate their account at any time.
Maximum contribution for 2023 is $22,500; employees aged 50 or older can also add a "catch-up" amount of $7,500. Additionally, a match of up to 5% of salary is offered by the City in Plan C.
Holidays
Eleven (11) holidays, includes one (1) personal floating holiday to be used at any time after three (3) months of employment and prior to the end of the calendar year.
Funeral Leave
Up to three (3) days off with pay due to death of an immediate family member (as defined in the policy manual). Up to four (4) hours off with pay may be obtained through supervisor approval to attend local funeral services of persons other than immediate family.
Jury/Witness Duty
Employees required to serve on jury duty will be relieved of responsibility for their regular work shift or portion thereof and receive full pay while serving. All fees received for such service may be retained by the employee. Employees subpoenaed to any civil or criminal court proceeding, which employee is not personally or monetarily interested, shall be paid as if engaged in regular work activities.
Military Leave
Allows for up to 240 hours in any one calendar year for annual military training without loss of pay or benefits for any employee in some type of reserve status for the United States Armed Forces. (see policy manual for additional information).
Maternity Leave
Refer to Family & Medical Leave for those employees who qualify. Others may take up to three (3) months leave of absence available upon approval of the Department Head. Employees may opt to utilize any combination of paid (sick or annual leave) or unpaid leave.
Leave of Absence Without Pay
Written requests are subject to approval by Department Head and City Manager or designee for less than ninety (90) days. Requests for more than ninety (90) days also require Civil Service Board approval for employees in a Civil Service classification.
Longevity Pay
Tuition Reimbursement
Program provides employees up to $2,500 per fiscal year (October 1 through September 30) for reimbursement of tuition of approved college, university, vocational, or correspondence classes upon completion with a grade of "C" or better in credit courses only. Full reimbursement is given for courses and fees, upon approval. The program does not include reimbursement for cost of books, supplies or other related expenses.
For more information, contact Sue Cook at 834-6844.
Suggestion Awards
A program designed to provide a consistent and organized method for employees to submit and be rewarded for constructive ideas for improvement. Maximum award is $1000.
For additional information, contact Kathy McNelis at 834-6348.
Direct Deposit of Paycheck (refer to handout in new employee folder)
An account must be established with the institution of your choice prior to signing up for direct deposit.
Uniforms/Equipment
Uniforms issued at no cost to employees for those job classifications which require them. Equipment is issued to employees at either no cost or discounted cost depending upon job classification.
Parking
Free while at work.
Break Periods
Employees may be permitted two (2), fifteen (15) minute breaks during the workday. The time shall be at the discretion of the supervisor.
For Information on Health Insurance, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance please contact Benefits at 834-6797.
For Information on Retirement Benefits, contact the Retirement Services Department at 834-8765 or 834-8797.
For Information on Firefighter and Police Officer Retirement Benefits, contact Foster & Foster at 239-333-4872.
01
Have you graduated from an accredited college with a Bachelor's or Master's degree in accounting?
Bachelor's in Accounting
Master's in Accounting
Other
02
Do you have two (2) years of experience in accounting and fiscal operations?
Yes
No
03
Please provide a narrative supporting your answer to the above question. Be sure to include the specific job title, job duties, organization and the dates where the work was performed. Note: The employers and dates of employment that you list here must also be included in the "Work Experience" section of this job application.
04
By clicking "Yes" below, I understand that all relevant work experience MUST be entered in the "Work Experience" section on my application. In addition, all current City of Lakeland employees must list all previous City of Lakeland work experience in the "Work Experience" section of the application. Failure to complete the "Work Experience" section will disqualify you from the application process.
Yes
No
Required Question
Agency
City of Lakeland, Civil Service
Address
500 N Lake Parker Avenue Lakeland, Florida, 33801
Phone
(863)834-8790
Website
http://www.lakelandgov.net/employmentservices