Accounting Associate III - Austin Financial Services

About This Position

 

Who We Are:
Our department provides a variety of financial services and programs. Austin Financial Services (AFS) serves residents, vendors, and City departments.
Our mission is to serve as a trusted steward of public resources with integrity and accountability to ensure a fiscally sound city.
Our staff supports a wide variety of financial processes, including preparing the annual budget and annual fiscal report, procurement processes, franchise agreements, real estate transactions, and overseeing the City’s investment portfolio and debt management.
As an internal support function within the larger City organization, AFS is proud to serve and act as a leader in financial management to its partner departments.

 

Job Description:

Accounting Associate III – Austin Financial Services

Purpose:

Provide complex and diverse accounting and financial duties to city management; prepare complex, irregular and non-routine financial analysis, reports and financial statements. Provides advanced financial support for multiple programs and projects.

Duties, Functions and Responsibilities:

Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.

Prepares, reviews and approves accounting transactions for routine and non-routine accounts payable, cash receipts, billing or other accounting transactions by verifying documentation from multiple sources. Review and reconciles high volume and complicated transactions. Coordinates and prepares asset, liability, and capital account entries by compiling and analyzing account information. Researches and analyzes basic and non-routine asset information for establishment of fixed assets. Performs non-routine and complex duties associated with the reconciliation, balancing or processing of vouchers, ledgers, journals, reports and statements. Prepares complex and non-routine financial analysis and trend analysis of data. Researches and resolves complex and difficult billing, invoicing, financial inquiries, accounting and budget information. Reconciles accounts, identifies and prepares corrections by collecting and analyzing account information and analyzing accounting options. Responds to inquiries requiring knowledge of accounting practices, policies, and procedures. Prepares complex, non-standard financial analysis, data analysis and trend analysis to produce financial and graphical reports. Prepares financial statements and/or special financial reports including balance sheets, income statements, and other reports. Investigates and reconciles accounting transactions, reconciles and resolves discrepancies. Provides root cause analysis of process problems. Maintains information and reviews financial transactions by creating and/or monitoring electronic files and/or accounting documents. Performs financial analysis of special projects and programs as requested. Prepares audit work papers for annual or special audit by accumulating data accurately for assigned area(s) in a timely and accurate manner. Assists in the development of guidelines, procedures and templates for financial review and reporting. Maintains accounting controls and financial security by following policies and procedures and internal controls.

Responsibilities - Supervisor and/or Leadership Exercised:

• None

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.

• Knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)

• Knowledge of financial reporting concepts and preferred business practices.

• Knowledge of data and trend analysis

• Skill in analyzing and interpreting financial records.

• Skill in processing large volumes of numerical data

• Skill in effective verbal and written communication.

• Skill in operating a personal computer and related equipment.

• Skill in performing basic mathematical calculations.

• Skill in classifying fiscal data and compiling reports.

• Skill in data analysis and financial analysis using spreadsheets.

• Ability to make recommendations to solve complex problems.

• Ability to identify and select appropriate tools and techniques to identify problems and develop solutions.

• Ability to plan and organize tasks to complete projects.

• Ability to handle multiple tasks and prioritize duties

• Ability to resolve problems or situations requiring the exercise of good judgment.

• Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with other City employees and the public.

Minimum Qualifications:

•  Graduation with a Bachelor's degree from an accredited four year college or university with major coursework in a field related to Finance, Accounting, or Economics plus two years of related experience.

• Any combination of related experience and/or education may be substituted.

Licenses and Certifications Required:

• None

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience preparing and reconciling cash receipts and daily financial transactions.

• Experience researching financial discrepancies

• Experience working with insurance property damage, and return check claims (or similar), and payment issues

• Experience working with Advantage 4.0, or similar financial software

• Ability to travel to more than one work location

 

Notes to Candidate:

Position Overview

The Accounting Associate III performs accounting support to the Internal Controls group by preparing daily Public Improvement District assessment revenue entries and overseeing the Claims inbox. This role ensures accurate processing of cash receipts, proper documentation of claims and returned payments, and timely recording of deposits to maintain compliance with City accounting standards. This position provides customer service to internal and external stakeholders and contributes to the division’s overall financial accuracy and operational efficiency. The primary duties of this position include preparing and processing cash receipts for Public Improvement Districts daily; monitoring and responding to claims emails by researching claims, validating documentation, and processing returned checks as appropriate; recording, verifying, and posting daily deposits in accordance with City financial policies; reviewing Accounts Payable (AP) checks for accuracy, completeness, and compliance prior to releasing. This role will also regularly provide customer service to internal departments and external customers related to assessment payments, claims, and financial processing; maintain organized financial records and documentation to support audits and internal reviews; and assist with other accounting duties as needed to support divisional workflows.

• Location: 721 Barton Springs Rd., Austin, Texas 78704            

• Pay Range: $26.03 - $31.04

• Hours: Monday – Friday; 7:45 – 4:45

• Telework opportunities may be available after an initial training period. Work schedules are implemented to meet the requirements of the department and are subject to change based on business needs.

Application Details: 

• A detailed, complete COA employment application is required. It helps us to better evaluate your qualifications and will be used to determine your salary if you are selected for this position. 

• Please be sure to detail on the application all previous employment that you wish to be considered as part of your qualifications. 

• For each position, please describe your specific experience as it relates to the minimum and preferred qualifications.  

• A cover letter is required. In the cover letter candidates should describe, in concise detail, their interest in this position and highlight any prior experience that is relevant to this position. 

• A résumé is also required but will not substitute for a complete COA employment application. Resumes are not accepted in place of a completed online application. It is the responsibility of the applicant to provide the detailed and relevant work experience, which would qualify them for the position.   

• When completing the City of Austin employment application, the work experience listed must include a month, year, and a verifiable Supervisor or Human Resources phone number. 

• Incomplete applications will not be considered. 

• Each individual who submits an Application as provided in the Municipal Civil Service Rules and meets the Minimum Qualifications for a Competitive Position shall be considered a Candidate for that Position. Employees, in Good Standing, who are candidates within the Department or division that the Position resides in and who meet the Minimum and Preferred Qualifications (if any) of the Position will be included in the initial interview. 

• Use of AI is strictly prohibited to respond to the application and during the interview process.

• Please be aware that the Job Posting Close Date reflects the final day to apply, but the posting will close at 11:59 PM the day before the date listed. All application steps, including attachments and submission, must be fully completed before that time.

Additional Details: 

• Austin Financial Services may close this job posting at any time after it has been advertised for seven (7) days, please apply as soon as possible if interested.

• This position may require a skills assessment. 

• If you are identified as a top candidate, verification of your education, which may include High School graduation or GED equivalent, undergraduate and/or graduate degrees, will be required. 

• This position will require a pre-employment Criminal Background Investigation (CBI). 

• If you are selected as the top candidate for a position, we may contact your current and former employer.

• If you are identified as a top military candidate or a veteran, you must provide a copy of your DD-214. 

Travel: 

If you are selected for this position and meet the Driver Safety Standards in the City of Austin Driver Safety Program, you may drive when necessary to multiple locations as part of your regular job duties. Otherwise, you are responsible for getting to and from these locations. 

90 Day Provision for Additional Vacancy: 

When the same or an additional vacancy occurs within a department in the same job title within 90 days after the start date of the top candidate, the hiring department may offer the additional position to another candidate from the same candidate pool. 

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JOIN THE CITY OF AUSTIN TEAM At the City of Austin, we are more than just an employer—we are a vibrant community dedicated to shaping one of the nation's most dynamic and innovative cities. As we strive to fulfill our commitment as public servants, it is important that we ground our efforts in a set of guiding principles – Empathy, Ethics, Excellence, Engagement, and Equity – that anchor our delivery of services that significantly impact the lives of Austinites. Joining the City of Austin means embarking on a purposeful career, contributing to the community, and being part of a forward-thinking organization that values every employee.

 

What Makes the City of Austin Special?

• Make a Difference: Join a team driving meaningful change in one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation.

• Value and Innovation: Work in an environment where employees are valued, and innovation thrives.

• Competitive Benefits: Enjoy a comprehensive compensation package that includes generous leave, work-life balance programs, and extensive benefits.

• Retirement Security: Plan for the future with the City of Austin Employees' Retirement System.

• Sustainable Transportation Options: Commute easily with access to public transit and bike-friendly infrastructure.

• Focus on Wellness: Stay healthy through wellness programs, on-site fitness centers, and mental health support.

• Career Growth: Advance your skills and expertise with professional development and leadership opportunities.

• Modern Workspaces: Work in innovative and sustainable environments that foster collaboration and inspiration.

 By joining us, you become part of a community that values its people and is committed to making Austin the most thriving and resilient city in the country.

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EEO Statement for City of Austin:

The City of Austin will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, religion, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation. In addition, the City will not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of an individual's AIDS, AIDS Related Complex, or HIV status; nor will the City discriminate against individuals who are perceived to be at risk of HIV infection, or who associate with individuals who are believed to be at risk.

City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process or have a question regarding an essential job function, please call (512) 974-3210 or Texas Relay by dialing 7-1-1.