Accounting - Staff Accountant - Budget

TITLE: STAFF ACCOUNTANT - BUDGET
STATUS: EXEMPT
REPORTS TO: MGR - BUDGET AND PAYABLES
DEPARTMENT: ACCOUNTING
JOB CODE: 11690

PAY RANGE: $74,100.00 - $78,000.00 ANNUALLY

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

The Staff Accountant – Budget is an advanced level position that supports the Accounting department by performing various accounting functions for the credit union, including but not limited to financial reporting, financial analysis, and maintaining budget systems/models. Embrace and embody Golden 1’s mission, vision and core values.  Ensure accurate and ethical accounting treatment of Credit Union activities in all financial statements and reporting. Using discretion and independent judgement, proactively engage stakeholders to identify solutions designed to assist them in achieving the strategic initiatives of the Credit Union.

TASKS, DUTIES, FUNCTIONS:

Perform the following job duties and responsibilities in accordance with corporate policy and procedures, within established timeframes:

1. Assist in the development of a multi-year ongoing financial plan, including strategic initiatives, human capital management, financial budget, and goal achievement.  Support coordination of budget preparation and maintenance of all budget work papers and electronic files, including monthly maintenance of the budget and planning system.
2. Compile data and prepare accounting management reports for the Credit Union including, but not limited to, reports analyzing the financial strength and stability of the credit union, analysis of the monthly financial statements as it relates to the financial plan; review, research, and report monthly income statement variances as it relates to the financial plan, and ad hoc reporting.
3. Gather and integrate data and contextual information to design rigorous analyses to support carefully crafted projections as it related to the production of the Financial Plan.
4. Prepare or create financial models, analyses, spreadsheets, and presentations that effectively present data and analytical findings as needed.  Utilize advanced data analytics tools and techniques to build periodic trend analysis reports, presenting insights and findings that are relevant, actionable, and visually appealing to management.
5. Develop and maintain metrics, graphs, reports, and other means to measure and monitor Golden 1’s financial position.  This includes querying, researching, analyzing, interpreting, and communicating qualitative and quantitative data associated with the credit union’s financial strength and stability.
6. Ensure data for all reports is accurate and reports are prepared in a timely and thorough manner.
7. Utilize various computer financial information systems including but not limited to current organization-wide and/or department specific software in the preparation of analyses, evaluation, and reports.
8. Contributes to preparation of audit work papers/source documents, and computer spreadsheets for internal and external auditors and regulators as assigned.
9. Maintain a thorough understanding of the general ledger accounts, components of the balance sheet, income statement, key ratios, products and other financial data, analyze, and communicate variances in support of the financial plan.
10. Develop process improvements to accounting systems and procedures to mitigate/resolve systemic issues and outages.
11. Participate in department projects by providing expert advice to management on all items related to their accounting specialization(s). 
12. Initiating and leading meetings to resolve issues.
13. Contributes to the preparation and review of monthly internal financial reports, including financial statements, variance, statistical reporting, and other ad-hoc reporting.
14. Formulate, affect, interpret, and implement management policies and procedure practices for all position functions.
15. Update procedures in response to changes in operational activities or technological upgrades.
16. Maintain a thorough understanding of state and federal laws and regulations related to credit union compliance including bank secrecy act (BSA) and anti-money laundering laws appropriate to the position.
17. Ensure compliance with applicable standards, rules, regulations and systems of internal control.
18. Proactively develops and delivers solution recommendations to management.
19. Perform reviews or validations of Jr. Staff Accountant and other accountants work prior to, or in lieu of, review by Budget Manager.
20. Recommend enhancements to analytical modeling tools to further support strategic plans and initiatives.
21. Develop and recommend internal controls improvements.
22. Comprehension of economic and industry impact on financial planning and ability to adjust accordingly.
23. Conducts special studies, reviews, analysis, and all other duties as assigned.

PHYSICAL SKILLS, ABILITIES, AND EXERTION UTILIZED IN THE PERFORMANCE OF THESE TASKS:

1. Effective oral and written communication skills required to prepare reports and other related tasks.
2. Must possess sufficient manual dexterity to skillfully operate a personal computer and other standard office equipment, such as a 10-key calculator, copy machine, and telephone.
3. Must work independently with minimal direction and exhibit own initiative.

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. EDUCATION: Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance, or Economics or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience preferred.
2. EXPERIENCE: Five years’ experience in accounting, financial planning and analysis, financial institution, or equivalent preferred.
3. KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS:

Specializations in this position may include advanced knowledge in one or more of the following:

• Financial Statement Preparation, Analysis, Reporting, and Budgeting
• Fixed Asset Accounting (Property Tax Reporting, Budgeted Project Tracking)
• Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Updates and Compliance
• Tax Filing and Reporting
• Financial Institution Balancing and Reconciliation Activities:
  • Loan Accounting and Reporting (FAS91 Cost Estimates)

Functional:

• Functional Knowledge in the following areas: Federal Rules and Regulations as applied to credit unions; Golden 1 Products (Awareness); Golden 1 Employee Handbook.
• Advanced knowledge in the following areas: GAAP, financial analysis, budgeting, and credit union accounting policies and practices; strong research, quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis; strong time management, organizational skills; ability to multi-task effectively; make sound decisions in the absence of detailed instructions and work on own initiative; strong independent work methods; ten key; numerical skills; excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Technical:

• Advanced knowledge in the following systems/applications: Microsoft Office; PDF Editing (Adobe/Nitro Pro); Web Browser (Chrome, Internet Explorer and Edge); Conference/Virtual Meetings and Communication (i.e. Zoom, Cisco WebEx); Microsoft Access; Microsoft PowerPoint.

• Advanced knowledge in the following systems/applications (preferred): Prologue Financials; Frontier Reconciliation; DataSafe; DayForce (HRIS); Concur (Invoice/Expense); Axiom (Financial Planning Model); Moody’s Analytics, Callahan (Peer Analysis Software); Power Query; SQL.

Behaviors:

• Models Golden 1's Core Values, acting ethically, demonstrating reliability, accountability, and awareness of their role's impact on service excellence. Manages time effectively and adapts to changing priorities while maintaining a positive mindset.
• Takes ownership of professional and personal development, staying current and relevant in skills. Utilizes knowledge to improve processes, support Core Values, and save costs, showing initiative and a proactive approach to problem-solving.
• Organizes and prioritizes workload effectively, leveraging tools and resources to ensure accuracy and efficiency. Demonstrates emotional intelligence, ambition, and a willingness to embrace new approaches and changes in strategy.

Communication & Interaction:

• Maintains quality service standards and represents the Golden 1 Brand with excellence in all interactions, respecting and working well with diverse individuals and contributing to an inclusive environment.
• Communicates clearly and effectively, both in written and oral forms, with a focus on translating complex accounting concepts for non-accountants and ensuring appropriate accounting treatment through relevant probing questions.
• Collaborates effectively within and across departments, sharing knowledge freely, celebrating successes, and supporting colleagues in achieving their goals, while communicating the "why" behind actions.
• Provides and receives constructive feedback, resolves conflicts professionally, and positively adapts to changes within the organization, helping others do the same.
• Exhibits exceptional member/colleague service, demonstrates polished presentation skills, and confidently communicates with all levels of staff and management, including executive leadership and external stakeholders.
• Inspires and mentors others, providing guidance and training to Junior Staff Accountants and developing employees throughout the department.
• Educates external stakeholders on proper accounting treatment and guides them to appropriate resources, effectively delegating tasks and leading meetings.
• Continuously develops coaching and leadership skills through observation and training courses, knowing when to delegate and when to lead.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

1. 1. Lifting up to fifteen pounds without assistance.
   2. Prolonged sitting throughout the workday with occasional mobility required.
   3. Corrected vision in normal range required to read and review logs, general ledger documents, and perform other related tasks pertaining to this functional area.
   4. Hearing in normal range to handle moderate telephone contact. A telephone device to enhance hearing will be provided if needed.
   5. Minimal local and statewide travel by car or public conveyance to attend meetings, seminars, conferences, training classes, etc.
   6. Long work hours may be required to complete assigned tasks.

LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS:  

None

THIS JOB DESCRIPTION IN NO WAY STATES OR IMPLIES THAT THESE ARE THE ONLY DUTIES TO BE PERFORMED BY THIS EMPLOYEE.   HE OR SHE WILL BE REQUIRED TO FOLLOW OTHER INSTRUCTIONS AND TO PERFORM OTHER DUTIES REQUESTED BY HIS OR HER SUPERVISOR THAT ARE WITHIN HIS / HER KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY AS WELL AS HIS / HER MENTAL AND PHYSICAL ABILITIES.

REV. 6/11/2024