The incumbent supervises a staff of professionals and clerical staff in the accounting department. The incumbent is responsible for ensuring that all Federal and State financial reporting requirements are met. To be successful in this role, an individual must be able to perform in a satisfactory manner the functions listed below.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS- Directs the day-to-day operations of the Accounting Department, allocating staff and resources across the close, audit and reporting calendars, and building depth in the team through cross-training, documented desk procedures and succession planning.
- Builds and maintains effective working relationships across the entire agency and externally with independent auditors, actuaries, financial institutions, grantor agencies, and peer transit agencies, working jointly to resolve accounting issues before they reach the financial statements.
- Serves as a resource to departments on the accounting treatment, internal control implications and reporting impact of proposed transactions, contracts, grant applications and new programs.
- Leads the production of Trinity Metro's audited financial statements and financial reports, including the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR), Annual Single Audit, National Transit Database (NTD) financial reports, Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA), and other required federal, state, and local financial disclosures.
- Serves as Trinity Metro's primary liaison to the independent external auditors: plans the annual audit calendar, coordinates the engagement scope and fieldwork, prepares and reviews prepared-by-client (PBC) schedules and supporting workpapers, responds to auditor inquiries, and resolves proposed audit adjustments prior to issuance.
- Manages the annual Single Audit performed under 2 CFR Part 200 (Uniform Guidance), including preparation and reconciliation of the SEFA, identification of major programs, and coordination of compliance testing with the departments that administer federal awards.
- Investigates audit findings, management letter comments and identified control deficiencies; develops written corrective action plans; tracks remediation to closure; and reports audit results and remediation status to the CFO and to the Board.
- Supports internal audits, grantor and pass-through agency monitoring visits, and state and federal reviews by assembling records, responding to information requests and implementing agreed-upon recommendations.
- Leads month and year-end closing in coordination with Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable and Payroll to verify that all transactions have been posted to the GL and funds are in balance.
- Maintains accurate accounting records by reviewing and analyzing a variety of accounting transactions for accuracy and propriety and preparing adjusting journal entries, as required.
- Ensures interface accuracy between the general ledger and other subsidiary modules.
- Owns and maintains the chart of accounts - its structure, segment definitions, account creation and inactivation, and mapping to fund, grant, NTD and budgetary reporting requirements - and administers the change-control process governing all modifications.
- Serves as the functional owner of the general ledger and related financial system modules, including configuration, opening and closing of accounting periods, user access and segregation-of-duties roles, and testing of upgrades, patches and new functionality.
- Directs capital asset and construction-in-progress accounting, including application of capitalization thresholds, depreciation, transfers, retirements and disposals, and reconciliation of the fixed asset subledger to the general ledger.
- Oversees recognition and reconciliation of sales tax and other operating revenues, cash and investment accounting, and monthly bank and investment reconciliations, and supports compliance with the agency's investment policy and the Texas Public Funds Investment Act.
- Partners with the budget function to load the adopted budget to the general ledger, maintain budgetary control, and provide the accounting data underlying management and Board financial reporting.
- Oversees the payroll processes including monthly, quarterly and annual tax filings; review of biweekly payroll payments; monthly reconciliation of payroll liabilities. Ensure that collective bargaining agreement provisions, garnishments, W-2/1099 issuance, ACA reporting and multi-plan retirement contributions and remittances are calculated correctly.
- Designs, monitors, tests and maintains internal controls consistent with best practices, ensures appropriate segregation of duties and remediates identified deficiencies.
- Holds delegated responsibility and authority for the integrity of Trinity Metro's accounting records and for conducting the accounting function in accordance with sound business and financial practices, applicable law, and agency policy, and escalates matters that cannot be resolved within that authority to the CFO.
- Researches, interprets and implements new and pending GASB pronouncements and changes in federal and state reporting requirements; assesses their impact on Trinity Metro; documents the agency's accounting positions; and briefs the CFO, executive leadership and affected departments in advance of the effective date.
- Establishes, documents and maintains written accounting policies and procedures that align agency practice with GAAP, GASB, Uniform Guidance and Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) best practices; reviews them at least annually and updates them as standards change.
- Pursues and maintains external recognition of financial reporting quality, including the GFOA Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting, and incorporates reviewer comments into subsequent reporting cycles.
- Develops financial reporting calendars and ensures reporting deadlines are met.
- Assists with wire transfers.
- Coordinates and performs special financial projects, as required.
- Maintains confidential information.
- Directs the day-to-day operations of the Accounting Department, allocating staff and resources across the close, audit and reporting calendars, and building depth in the team through cross-training, documented desk procedures and succession planning.
- Builds and maintains effective working relationships across the entire agency and externally with independent auditors, actuaries, financial institutions, grantor agencies, and peer transit agencies, working jointly to resolve accounting issues before they reach the financial statements.
- Serves as a resource to departments on the accounting treatment, internal control implications and reporting impact of proposed transactions, contracts, grant applications and new programs.
OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES- Makes recommendations to management to improve operations, decrease inefficiencies and streamline work processes; works cooperatively with all customers, internal and external.
- Participates in company community activities to promote transit during off-duty hours.
- Performs other duties, as assigned.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES- Directly supervises one or more employees.
- Applies supervisory responsibilities according to organizational policies and applicable laws.
- Interviews, hires and trains employees; plans and directs work; sets goals for the department; evaluates and manages employee performance; addresses complaints and resolves employee issues.
EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE- Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license, active and in good standing, required. Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM) or Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) preferred.
- Seven or more years of progressively responsible governmental accounting experience, including public accounting with governmental clients; transit experience preferred.
- A three or more years' experience in financial statement preparation and analysis.
- A three or more years' supervisory experience.
- A three or more years' experience in payroll processing and/or payroll management.
- Any combination of experience, training and/or education that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities may substitute for the required education.
