Staff Accountant

Staff Accountant

Department: Finance

Reports To: Finance Manager

Location: Erlanger

Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM (some flexibility with hours)

Position Summary:

The Staff Accountant is a key member of the Finance team, responsible for executing a variety of day-to-day and monthly accounting activities with precision and integrity. This role combines Staff Accountant duties, such as preparing journal entries, reconciling accounts, and assisting with financial reporting, with hands-on operational tasks in accounts payable, payroll backup, and process improvement initiatives. The ideal candidate will have strong technical accounting skills, attention to detail, and the ability to provide reliable payroll support when needed. Additionally, this position is responsible for the compliance and efficient operations of the District.

Essential Functions:

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

General Accounting Functions:

- Prepare, review, and post recurring and non-recurring journal entries.

- Maintain and reconcile general ledger accounts and bank statements on a monthly basis.

- Support month-end and year-end close, ensuring deadlines and accuracy are met.

- Assist with the preparation of financial statements, budget reports, and variance analyses.

- Track accruals and prepaids, ensuring proper allocation of expenses and revenue recognition.

- Manage fixed asset accounting, including quarterly updates and reporting.

- Assist in process improvement initiatives for financial accuracy and reporting efficiency.

- Serve as backup for accounts payable responsibilities.

Payroll Support:

- Serve as the designated backup for payroll processing, including data entry, validation, and reporting.

- Support payroll tax reporting and reconciliation activities.

- Assist with W-2s and year-end payroll audits, ensuring compliance with payroll-related laws and policies.

Compliance & Reporting:

- Assist in preparation for internal and external audits, including pulling data and responding to auditor requests.

- Maintain financial documentation and support internal controls to ensure compliance with organizational policies, accounting standards, and applicable regulations.

- Identify and support opportunities for continuous improvement in accounting and payroll processes.

Education and Experience:

- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field required.

- 1-3 years of progressive accounting experience, including general ledger and accounts payable responsibilities preferred.

- Familiarity with payroll software; prior primary or backup payroll processing experience is a plus.

Licensing/Certifications:

- Valid Driver’s License.

Additional Skills:

- Solid understanding of GAAP and accounting practices.

- Strong technical skills in accounting systems and Microsoft Excel (pivot tables, lookups, etc.).

- Familiarity with payroll tax laws, wage & hour regulations, and related compliance matters.

- Excellent attention to detail, problem-solving skills, and ability to meet deadlines.

- Strong communication and interpersonal skills to work effectively across departments.

- Ability to handle sensitive information with a high level of confidentiality and integrity.

Work Environment and Physical Demands:

This job primarily operates in a climate-controlled environment. Works with equipment such as computer, copy machine, fax, and phones. The position requires auditory and visual skills; and the ability to follow written and oral instructions and procedures. There is no regular travel expected for this position.

Other Duties:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

The Northern Kentucky Water District employs qualified persons in all jobs in a manner which will ensure equal employment opportunity, as well as administer personnel actions in a manner as to not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation or disability.