HomeMy WebLinkAbout7D, Accounting Analyst PositionPY
A�EN HILLS
Request for Council Action
Prepared By: Patrick Klaers
City Administrator
7 EJ
Council Meeting Date: November 29, 2010
Accounting Analyst Position Vacancy.
Budgeted Amount:
N/A
Recommendation:
Actual Amount:
N/A
Funding Source:
N/A
1. Motion to appoint Ashley Bertrand to the Accounting Analyst position at Pay Grade
7, Step 1.
Or
Direct staff to follow a formal recruitment process and advertise and interview for
the position.
Supporting Documents:
1. See the attached memo from Patrick Klaers and Sue Iverson dated November 29, 2010.
2. Ashley Bertrand's resume.
3. Draft Job Description.
DATE: November 29, 2010
ARpENHILLs
MEMORANDUM
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Mem
FROM: Patrick Klaers, City Administrator
Sue Iverson, Finance Director/Treasurer
SUBJECT: Accounting Analyst Position
Background
Current Discussion
On November 9, 2010, Joe Rueb submitted his resignation with his last day of
employment being November 29, 2010. At the November 15, 2010 City Council
meeting, Council directed staff to initiate action to fill the vacated Accounting Analyst
position.
Staff has found that one of our former interns is very much interested in the position and
would like to come back and work for the City of Arden Hills. This intern, Ashley
Bertrand, worked for the City from September 2009 until January 2010. Since she is a
former intern, we have already invested four months in her training and she is familiar
with our systems and the position duties. As our intern she did excellent work and was
well respected and liked. She has also worked for an audit firm and is currently a
controller for a private sector company and has experience with audits, internal controls,
and financial statement preparation. Hiring Ms. Bertrand for this position would allow
the finance department to minimize the impacts on the department, especially with year-
end approaching. Her resume is attached for your review.
Staff would like to request that Council authorize the hiring of Ashley Bertrand for the
position of Accounting Analyst, but realizes that the City Council may like staff to do a
formal recruitment and advertise and interview for the position.
The Personnel Committee is working on the final updated version of the job description.
Due to the holiday schedule, staff will bring the final version of the job description
forward at the December 6 th Special City Council Meeting.
City Council Meeting
Metro- inet. us\ ardenhills \Admin \Council\Agendas Packet Information\2010\ 11 -29 -10 Regular\Packet
Information\ 11- 29- 10_Memo_Accounting_Analyst.doc
Page 1 of 2
Council Action
1. Motion to appoint Ashley Bertrand to the Accounting Analyst position at Pay
Grade 7, Step 1.
Or
Direct staff to follow a formal recruitment process and advertise and interview for
the position.
City Council Meeting
Metro- inet. us\ ardenhills \Admin \Council\Agendas Packet Information\2010\ 11 -29 -10 Regular\Packet
Information\ 11- 29- 10_Memo_Accounting_Analyst. doc
Page 2 of 2
Professional Summary
Education
Work Experience
Ashley B Bertrand
O Hard working accounting professional with experience in public, private, governmental accounting.
O Results- driven achiever and effective team leader with exceptional interpersonal skills.
O Creative troubleshooter /problem solver that works hard and loves a challenge.
O Energetic contributor with demonstrable detail orientation and multi tasking /organizational proficiency.
Bachelor of Science in Accounting: June 2009
Minor: Business Mathematics
University of Wisconsin -River Falls (UWRF)
Grade Point Average: 3.2
Dean's List (2 Semesters)
Relevant Coursework: Financial and Managerial Accounting, Intermediate and Cost Accounting, Advanced
Accounting, Federal Income Tax, Auditing
Controller, Vrooman Carpet, Inc. 2010
Prepared monthly financial reports (Balance Sheet, Statement of Operations, Income Statement).
Performed month -end procedures in each department of the company.
Completed journal entries as needed throughout the month.
Approved customer orders based on credit standings with the company.
Verified customer credit through credit references.
Created new vendor and customer accounts.
Negotiated invoice /accounts receivable discrepancies with suppliers and customers.
Staff Accountant, Moquist Thorvilson Kaufmann Kennedy Pieper, LLC
Prepared Income Tax Returns for Individuals, Partnerships, S Corporations, C Corporations, and
Fiduciaries.
Prepared W- 2/1099 documents based on client supplied information.
Performed audit work on an audit team that went in the field and completed audits for clients.
Finance Intern, City of Arden Hills, Arden Hills, MN
Prepared invoices and vendor accounts for the Accounts Payable Department.
Completed Cash Receipting for Utility Billing, Business Licenses, Building Permits, and Contractor
Licenses, and Planning Cases.
Processed and calculated payroll for full -time and temporary employees.
2010
2009
Air Brush Tattoo Artist, Red Bone Products Inc., Pacific, Missouri 2002 Current
Applied temporary body art to the public.
Worked with customers to ensure that their needs were met and that they were satisfied with their art.
Activities
Tax Audit Intern, Carver Moquist O'Connor, Bloomington, MN
Performed audit work on an audit team that went in the field and completed audits for clients.
Completed Individual, Partnership, and Fiduciary Income Tax Returns.
Pitching Coach, UWRF Women's Softball Team, River Falls, WI 2008 -2009
Taught pitchers the mechanics and mental mind -set needed to be successful at the college level.
Taught the players how to work together towards a common goal
Supervisor, Strength and Conditioning Center, River Falls, Wisconsin 2005 -2009
Supervised members of the weight room to ensure that they were using the equipment properly.
Organized schedules of employees so that necessary coverage was arranged and therefore customers
were served in a timely manner.
Waitress and Hostess, JT's Restaurant, Spring Lake Park, Minnesota 2006 -2007
Served food to customers in a timely manner to ensure customer satisfaction and repeat business.
Volunteer Experience
Softball Coach /Clinician
Administered pitching, hitting, and fielding lessons to athletes of all levels.
Focus: Fastpitch Pitching
2002 Current
Girl -Scout Lock In 2004 -2007
Taught young girls life lessons while playing games and composing arts and crafts.
UWRF Fastpitch Softball Team Member
Co- Inspirational Award
Record Holder (Most Innings Pitched and Most Strikeouts in a single season)
Pitcher of the Week (4 Weeks)
Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Scholastic Honor Roll
National Fastpitch Coaches Association Academic All- American
Computer Skills
2004 -2008
2009
Smiles for Kids Organization 2004
Fundraised to collect money for kids with disabilities
Accounting Society Member 2006 -2009
Volunteered at a local Credit Union by helping low- income families complete their tax returns.
Fundraised for accounting professionals to present to the society and students at UWRF.
Software: Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Prosystem FX Tax Software, BNA Fixed Asset, Quick Books
Hardware: Macintosh, IBM -PC, Scanners, Copy Machines
Position Title:
Department:
Accountable to:
Positions Supervised:
Status:
CITY OF ARDEN HILLS
POSITION DESCRIPTION
Accounting Analyst
Finance Department
Director of Finance and Administrative Services
None
Full -Time, Exempt
SUMMARY
Under the general direction of the Director of Finance and Administrative Services, the
Accounting Analyst is a professional position responsible for maintaining the financial
system, including the reconciliation of general ledger accounts and monthly reporting, and
administering payroll and associated benefit functions. This position has access to private
employee data and is classified confidential.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE POSITION
Administers the integrated Finance /Payroll computer system and is the main
contact with Springbrook software support staff on maintenance and issues.
Provides internal support for the financial /payroll software.
Processes monthly journal entries.
Prepares and distributes monthly financial reports to department
directors /managers.
Prepares reports for auditors at year -end (audit work papers). Examples include:
tax revenue receivable, special assessments, accounts payable /accounts
receivable summary and detail, etc. Assists in the preparation of the
Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR).
Reviews check payments and related accounting codes prior to funds being
disbursed.
Implementing and maintaining a purchase order system.
Implementing and maintaining an EFT vendor payment system.
Provides backup support to the Utility Billing function, Accounts Receivable and the
Finance Analyst.
Assists in the preparation of the annual budget and Capital Improvement Plan
(CIP).
Performs internal auditing procedures as assigned by the Director of Finance and
Administrative Services.
A.IRENHILL
November 2010
Administers the City payroll system. Includes the establishment of direct deposits,
accruals for vacation and sick leave, and recurring entries for deductions and
benefits. (Reviews employer benefits and employee deductions.)
Processes Public Employee Retirement Association (PERA) deductions and files
deduction /benefit reports as well as the demographic changes. Produces and files
the annual PERA exceptions report.
Provides customer service to employees with questions related to pay, deductions,
benefits, and leave accruals.
Updates the HR /PR system with new pay and benefit rate changes and coordinates
with Human Resources, the disbursement and updateing of information related to
the Benefit Enrollment Form, which is processed annually with benefit, insurance,
HSA, and flexible spending amount changes.
Processes W -2's and 1099's.
Completes financial information on employment verifications and verifies
unemployment notices.
Produce payroll reports.
Creates and updates forms, as necessary, to aid in the collection of financial
related data.
Maintains the confidential nature related to payroll and employee benefits.
Performs all other related duties and responsibilities as may be required.
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty
satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill,
and /or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals
with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
EDUCATION and /or EXPERIENCE
Minimum Requirements:
Four -year degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field; or two -year accounting
degree plus three years experience in accounting /payroll.
Experience constructing complex spreadsheets (MS Excel preferred).
Desired Qualifications
Four -year degree in Accounting.
Once year or more experience with integrated payroll system.
One year or more experience analyzing general ledger accounts and preparing
journal entries.
One year or more preparing audit work papers.
Advanced knowledge of spreadsheet and database applications (tables, complex
formulas, database creation).
Governmental accounting experience.
Knowledge of Springbrook Software.
LANGUAGE SKILLS
Ability to read and interpret documents such as financial reports, operating and
maintenance instructions, laws, policies, and regulations, contracts, and procedure
manuals. Ability to prepare reports and correspondence. Ability to communicate
effectively both orally and in writing with supervisors, City staff, auditors, elected officials
and the general public.
MATHEMATICAL SKILLS
Ability to make arithmetic computations using whole numbers, fractions and decimals.
Ability to compute rates, ratios, and percentages.
OTHER KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
Knowledge of advanced accounting practices and procedures.
Knowledge of payroll practices and procedures including Federal and State laws in
relation to payroll.
Advanced knowledge of computers and software applications, including word and
excel.
Ability to operate various types of office equipment.
Proven excellent customer service skills via phone and in person.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an
employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable
accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the
essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to
finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; sit; and talk or hear. The employee
frequently is required to sit. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; reach
with hands and arms; stoop; kneel; crouch; or crawl.
The employee must occasionally lift and /or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift
and /or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close
vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to
adjust focus.
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS
Minnesota Class D Drivers License.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an
employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable
accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the
essential functions.
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.