HomeMy WebLinkAboutSenior Accountant - AccountingUpdated: August 2025 (Admin Review)
CITY OF IOWA CITY – JOB DESCRIPTION
Position Title: Senior Accountant - Accounting
Department: Finance
Division: Accounting
Supervisor: Assistant Finance Director
FLSA: Exempt
Civil Service: Yes
Pay Grade: 14
Job Number: 1420
Job Summary
Under limited direction, applies principles of accounting to analyze financial information and
prepare financial reports.
Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities
The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive
or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.
• Compiles and analyzes financial information to prepare entries to accounts and
document business transactions.
• Assists in coordination and preparation of the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report
for audit.
• Prepares Housing Authority financial records and financial submissions to Housing and
Urban Development (HUD).
• Collects, calculates and analyzes fiscal data pertaining to financial transactions; prepares
year-end accrual journal entries, audit work papers and lead sheets.
• Coordinates and maintains fixed asset database, analyzes expenditures based on
capitalization policies, performs data entry for acquisitions and disposals, and generates
and distributes appropriate reports.
• Processes balances and reconciles various accounts including monthly accounts
receivable and collections on past due accounts, processes recurring billing statement.
• Checks receipts and expenditure activities for other divisions and provides detail and
analysis as needed.
• Prepares and maintains chart of accounts for distribution to departments; responds to
department and division requests for new account setup.
• Maintains security, role based permissions, workflow and TCM in the ERP system.
• Assists and supports City employees with questions and/or problems with the ERP
system.
• Submits and monitors support tickets for the ERP system.
• Performs grant-related post-award functions, including budget and expense analysis,
financial reporting, and reconciliations.
• Performs grant closeout functions, financial status reports, and final reporting; reviews
general ledger transactions to ensure accuracy and completes journal entries.
Updated: August 2025 (Admin Review)
• Receives cross training as backup in other accounting functions and trains co-workers as
backup in these job duties.
• Conducts self in a professional manner which demonstrates courtesy and respect for all
community members and coworkers.
• Performs all other related duties as assigned.
Minimum Education, Experience, Certification/Licensure, Other
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited educational institution and two years of related
experience; or six years of related experience and/or equivalent combination of
education and experience. Degree in Accounting.
• Must pass criminal background check.
Preferred Education, Experience, Certification/Licensure, Other
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited educational institution and three to five years of
related experience; or seven years of related experience and/or equivalent combination
of education and experience. Experience in financial analysis.
• Certified Public Accountant.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• Ability to apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to define problems, collect data,
establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions,
proportions, percentages, ability to develop and present mathematical and statistical
information.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of
managers, clients, customers, and the general public.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or
schedule form.
• Ability to operate standard office equipment.
• Ability to read and interpret technical materials, reports, journals, and government
regulations.
• Ability to reliably and predictably carry out duties.
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in
situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Ability to summarize data and meet required deadlines.
• Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.
• Knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles, governmental accounting, and
auditing principles and procedures.
• Skill in analysis, communications, finance, and interpersonal relationships.
• Skill in financial analysis and related problem solving.
• Skill in using computers and applicable software applications (Microsoft Office – Word,
Excel, Outlook) and financial management software.
Updated: August 2025 (Admin Review)
Supervision
No supervision of direct reports.
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an
employee to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities of this job.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform
the essential duties and responsibilities.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The
employee is frequently required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands
and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk and stoop, kneel, crouch, or
crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision
abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception
and ability to adjust focus.
Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee
encounters while performing the essential duties and responsibilities of this job. Reasonable
accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential
duties and responsibilities.
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Duties are generally performed in
an office setting with a controlled environment. The job requires sitting for extended periods of
time and the work may expose the employee to unpleasant social situations and significant
work pace pressure.
Iowa City is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities
Act as Amended, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with
disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential
accommodations with the employer.
Reviewed/Approved by: Nicole Davies, Finance Director (4/2024)
I have read and understand the duties and requirements of this job description, and I
agree that I can perform the duties of this position with or without reasonable
accommodation.
Employee Date
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