Accountant I

About the Department

Position Duties

• Perform accounting functions pertaining to grants, accounts receivable, accounts payable, deposits, operating and capital projects and outstanding accounts. Responsible for beginning entries, reconciling, trial balance preparation, adjusting and closing general ledger entries, through final fund balances. Prepare month end financial and statistical reports, providing detailed historical analysis of various accounts, and generate month end summary reports for all activity. Prepare journal entries for revenue and expense accounts and internal/external billing, including researching discrepancies and making appropriate adjustments. Responsible for preparation of financial data and for entries made on the financial system and for ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and completeness. Obtain and analyze information regarding bank accounts, and investments and take responsibility for making entries to ensure accurate balances. Prepare journal entries in the financial system for cash transfers between bank accounts and between banks. Work with management and administration to identify, determine impact and narrate on new or exceptional acquisitions or practices. Conduct research and analysis on assigned accounting problems. Coordinate and prepare budget submittal documents. Assist in the preparation and review of annual budgets. Manage the appropriation, revenue, and expense status of projects, and monitor and prepare month end reports to ensure adequate fund availability for projects. Establish and maintain cost accounting system to keep accurate project costs for billing and report purposes. Assist with the analysis of request for utility rate changes, bond issues, expenditure requests, etc. Working Conditions: Normal office environment
• Perform accounting functions pertaining to grants, accounts receivable, accounts payable, deposits, operating and capital projects and outstanding accounts.
• Responsible for beginning entries, reconciling, trial balance preparation, adjusting and closing general ledger entries, through final fund balances.
• Prepare month end financial and statistical reports, providing detailed historical analysis of various accounts, and generate month end summary reports for all activity.
• Prepare journal entries for revenue and expense accounts and internal/external billing, including researching discrepancies and making appropriate adjustments.
• Responsible for preparation of financial data and for entries made on the financial system and for ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and completeness.
• Obtain and analyze information regarding bank accounts, and investments and take responsibility for making entries to ensure accurate balances.
• Prepare journal entries in the financial system for cash transfers between bank accounts and between banks.
• Work with management and administration to identify, determine impact and narrate on new or exceptional acquisitions or practices.
• Conduct research and analysis on assigned accounting problems.
• Coordinate and prepare budget submittal documents.
• Assist in the preparation and review of annual budgets.
• Manage the appropriation, revenue, and expense status of projects, and monitor and prepare month end reports to ensure adequate fund availability for projects.
• Establish and maintain cost accounting system to keep accurate project costs for billing and report purposes.
• Assist with the analysis of request for utility rate changes, bond issues, expenditure requests, etc.
• Working Conditions: Normal office environment

Minimum Qualifications

• Minimum Education: Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Business Administration, Finance or a closely related field. Minimum Experience: None required. Equivalency: An equivalent combination of education and highly related experience in a similar environment may be considered. Desired Experience: 6 months to 1-year hands on accounting related experience in handling Operating/Capital projects, General Ledger accounting and preparation of Financial Statements. Licenses/Certifications: None required Selection Process: The selection process will consist of one or more of the following steps: a rating of relevant education and experience (100%) . It is important that your application show all the relevant education and experience you possess. This information will be used to determine which candidates will proceed in the selection process. A submitted application is also used to verify the answers to any supplemental questions. Only those candidates who attain a passing score (70%) on each step in the selection process will be placed on the eligible list. The City of Minneapolis Human Resources Department reserves the right to limit the number in any phase of the selection process. Background Check: The City has determined that a criminal background check and/or qualifications check may be necessary for certain positions with this job title. Applicants may be required to sign an informed consent form allowing the City to obtain their criminal history and/or verify their qualifications in connection with the position sought. Applicants who do not sign the informed consent form will not be further considered for the position. Union Representation: This position is represented by a collective bargaining agreement between the City of Minneapolis and the Minneapolis Professional Employees Association (MPEA) . For more information on the terms and conditions of this agreement please visit: Professional Employees - City of Minneapolis Eligible List Statement: The names of applicants who meet minimum qualification and who pass the screening process shall be placed on the eligible list for employment consideration. This list will be certified to the hiring manager who may use the list to fill a vacancy of the same job title. This eligible list will expire 2 months after it has been established. Interview Selection: The hiring authority reserves the right to determine the maximum number of candidates to interview from the established eligible list. If the hiring authority decides to interview other than by exam score order, they may select additional people to interview based on a candidate’s education or experience related to the field, work history, or skills uniquely related to the operational needs of the position.
• Minimum Education: Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Business Administration, Finance or a closely related field. Minimum Experience: None required.
• Equivalency: An equivalent combination of education and highly related experience in a similar environment may be considered.
• Desired Experience: 6 months to 1-year hands on accounting related experience in handling Operating/Capital projects, General Ledger accounting and preparation of Financial Statements.
• Licenses/Certifications: None required
• Selection Process: The selection process will consist of one or more of the following steps: a rating of relevant education and experience (100%) . It is important that your application show all the relevant education and experience you possess. This information will be used to determine which candidates will proceed in the selection process. A submitted application is also used to verify the answers to any supplemental questions. Only those candidates who attain a passing score (70%) on each step in the selection process will be placed on the eligible list. The City of Minneapolis Human Resources Department reserves the right to limit the number in any phase of the selection process.
• Background Check: The City has determined that a criminal background check and/or qualifications check may be necessary for certain positions with this job title. Applicants may be required to sign an informed consent form allowing the City to obtain their criminal history and/or verify their qualifications in connection with the position sought. Applicants who do not sign the informed consent form will not be further considered for the position.
• Union Representation: This position is represented by a collective bargaining agreement between the City of Minneapolis and the Minneapolis Professional Employees Association (MPEA) . For more information on the terms and conditions of this agreement please visit: Professional Employees - City of Minneapolis
• Eligible List Statement: The names of applicants who meet minimum qualification and who pass the screening process shall be placed on the eligible list for employment consideration. This list will be certified to the hiring manager who may use the list to fill a vacancy of the same job title. This eligible list will expire 2 months after it has been established.
• Interview Selection: The hiring authority reserves the right to determine the maximum number of candidates to interview from the established eligible list. If the hiring authority decides to interview other than by exam score order, they may select additional people to interview based on a candidate’s education or experience related to the field, work history, or skills uniquely related to the operational needs of the position.

Other Qualifications

• Knowledge of modern accounting and office methods and procedures. Knowledge of the principles of public finance administration. Knowledge of governmental and cost accounting. Knowledge of accounting related to operating and capital projects. Knowledge of monitoring grant expenditures and reimbursements. Working knowledge of computerized financial systems. Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines. Ability to analyze data. Good oral and written communication skills.
• Knowledge of modern accounting and office methods and procedures.
• Knowledge of the principles of public finance administration.
• Knowledge of governmental and cost accounting.
• Knowledge of accounting related to operating and capital projects.
• Knowledge of monitoring grant expenditures and reimbursements.
• Working knowledge of computerized financial systems.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Ability to analyze data.
• Good oral and written communication skills.

Benefits Summary

• Our employees enjoy competitive salaries and generous benefits. We pride ourselves on a comprehensive benefits program that supports employees' health and financial well-being. Programs, resources, and benefit eligibility varies based on position, average hours worked, location and length of service. For detailed benefits information, please visit the benefits page . Insurance Health insurance Eligibility for benefits begins the first of the month following employment date. The City of Minneapolis offers eligible employees one plan design with a choice of six provider networks, allowing you to select the best option for you. Available plans include Medica Choice Passport, Medica Elect, VantagePlus with Medica, Park Nicollet and HealthPartners Medical Group First with Medica, Ridgeview Community Network powered by Medica, and Clear Value with Medica. Dental insurance The City of Minneapolis offers dental insurance through Delta Dental of Minnesota and pays 100% of the monthly premium for eligible employees. Life insurance The city provides basic life insurance of one times your annual salary up to $50,000. You can elect to purchase optional life insurance. Paid time off Our generous leave package includes vacation, holidays and paid sick leave, which gives employees the opportunity to enhance their quality of life outside work. Amounts and accrual rates are based on years of experience and collective bargaining agreements . Paid parental leave City employees are eligible for up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in the event of a birth or placement for adoption of a child. Retirement City employees earn a pension and may choose to participate in additional retirement savings programs. Pension: The City of Minneapolis participates in the Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA). Employees and the City both contribute a percentage of your pay to fund future benefits. Deferred compensation : Employees may choose to participate in pre-tax or after-tax savings plans through the Minnesota State Retirement System (MSRS). Transportation Eligible City employees may choose to participate in the following transportation programs: Metropass: The Metropass program allows eligible employees to enroll in a pass for unlimited bus or light rail rides at a discounted price. Parking or Van Pool: The City of Minneapolis Transportation Benefits Plan gives you options to pay certain commuting costs, such as qualified parking and van pool expenses, with pre-tax dollars. Learning and development To engage and develop employees, the City of Minneapolis offers classes in leadership, cultural agility, change management and more. Additionally, educational discounts at Augsburg University, Hamline University, St. Catherine’s, and St. Mary's University of Minnesota are available to City employees. Other perks Employees can also take advantage of flexible spending accounts, the Emotional Wellbeing Solutions , health club discounts and more.
• Pension: The City of Minneapolis participates in the Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA). Employees and the City both contribute a percentage of your pay to fund future benefits.
• Deferred compensation : Employees may choose to participate in pre-tax or after-tax savings plans through the Minnesota State Retirement System (MSRS).
• Metropass: The Metropass program allows eligible employees to enroll in a pass for unlimited bus or light rail rides at a discounted price.
• Parking or Van Pool: The City of Minneapolis Transportation Benefits Plan gives you options to pay certain commuting costs, such as qualified parking and van pool expenses, with pre-tax dollars.

Supplemental Questions