Town of Edgartown Assistant Town Accountant ($31.22-$44.44 with $5,000 Sign-On Incentive)

The Town of Edgartown is seeking a detail-oriented Assistant Town Accountant to join the Finance team. Under the direction of the Town Accountant, this full-time, 35-hour/week position plays an important role in maintaining the Town’s financial records, supporting payroll and accounts payable operations, assisting with annual financial reporting, and ensuring compliance with municipal accounting standards. Applicants should have at least two years of technical or business school with experience in accounting, bookkeeping, or an equivalent combination of education, skills, and experience. Position is open until filled.

Applications and full job description are available at edgartown-ma.us or in the HR Office in Town Hall. Please send completed applications to HR@edgartown-ma.us or P.O. BOX 5130 ATTN: HR, Edgartown, MA 02539. The Town of Edgartown is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

ACCOUNTING

Assistant Town Accountant

DEFINITION

Position is responsible for providing financial, record keeping and administrative support for the efficient operation of the Accounting Office.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various type of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

• In accordance with Massachusetts General Law, serves in the place of the Town Accountant in her/his absence;

• Pays all town bills, prints checks, stuffs, and mails envelopes with payments to vendors;

• Audits, processes and authorizes under the delegation of the Town Accountant, the weekly warrant for payroll and accounts payable for Board of Selectmen approval, posts information to the general ledger;

• Distributes monthly departmental accounts status reports; researches any discrepancies and reconciles all accounts with departments;

• Enters budget information into the computer and prepares a breakdown of accounts and expenditures at the end of each fiscal year;

• Compiles information and prepares reports for workers compensation benefits; 

• Compiles information and prepares reports for the Annual Town Report or other reports as required;

• Assists departments on a variety of accounting issues, vendor inquiries and related data;

• Generates extensive records and reports, including end of year payroll and warrant reports;

• Generates extensive reports for departments regarding individual budgets;

• Maintains accurate and detailed records of all financial transactions;

• Maintain vendor files, keeping accurate records and maintaining social security and FID numbers secure and confidential;

• Performs a variety of related duties.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Under general direction, employee plans and prioritizes the majority of work independently, in accordance with standard practices. Employee is expected to solve most problems of detail or unusual situations by adapting methods or interpreting instructions accordingly. Instructions for new assignments or special projects usually consist of statements of desired objectives, deadlines and priorities. Technical and policy problems or changes in procedures are discussed with supervisor. 

ACCOUNTABILITY

The nature of work means that errors are usually detected in succeeding operations. Consequences of errors, missed deadlines or poor judgment may include time loss caused by back checking by others and slowdowns in the processing of the work. Errors are generally confined to a single department, such as billing or accounting errors and/or failure to check a subordinate’s performance.

JUDGMENT

The work involves numerous standardized practices, procedures, or general instructions that govern the work and in some cases may require additional interpretation. Judgment is needed to locate, select and apply the most pertinent practice, procedure, regulation or guideline.

COMPLEXITY

The work consists of a variety of duties which generally follow standardized practices, procedures, regulations or guidelines. The sequence of work and/or the procedures followed vary according to the nature of the transaction and/or the information involved, or sought, in a particular situation.

NATURE AND PURPOSE OF CONTACTS

Relationships are primarily with co-workers, vendors and the public, involving frequent explanation, discussion or interpretation of practices, procedures, regulations or guidelines in order to render service, plan or coordinate work efforts, or resolve operating problems. Other regular contacts are with service recipients and employees of outside organizations. More than ordinary courtesy, tact and diplomacy may be required to resolve complaints or deal with hostile, uncooperative or uninformed persons. 

CONFIDENTIALITY

Incumbent has access to departmental sensitive and confidential information.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

High School diploma and two years of municipal experience; or any equivalent combination of education and experience. Associates degree preferred. 

KNOWLEDGE, ABILITY, AND SKILLS

Must have working knowledge of generally accepted accounting practices and principals, Massachusetts General Laws and town By-Laws relating to municipal finance. Must have knowledge of office practices and procedures.

Must have excellent communication and customer service skills; computer and database skills; must have organizational skills. Must have excellent financial and bookkeeping skills.

Must have the ability to maintain accurate, detailed records; to deal tactfully with other departments, staff and the public and to perform detailed work despite frequent interruptions; must have the ability to maintain effective working relationships. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work is performed in an office environment. Noise or physical surroundings may be distracting. 

PHYSICAL, MOTOR, AND VISUAL SKILLS

Physical Skills

The work involves sitting, standing, walking and stooping. May be required to lift objects such as files, boxes of papers, office supplies, and office equipment weighing up to 30 pounds. 

Motor Skills

Duties are largely mental rather than physical, but the job may occasionally require minimal motor skills for activities such as moving objects, using office equipment, including but not limited to telephones, personal computers, handheld technology, and other office equipment. 

Visual Skills

Visual demands require routinely reading documents for general understanding and analytical purposes.