Job Information
Columbia Association Fixed Asset Accountant in Columbia, Maryland
POSITION SUMMARY
The Fixed Asset Accountant assists in ensuring the proper identification, recording valuation, accounting, reporting and timely capitalization of capital projects and assets, the reconciliation and reporting of capital work in progress, and the calculation and reporting of gains and losses on disposals of assets. This position also involves the support of various Treasury tasks, such as the preparation of bank reconciliations and credit card processing.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS / JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
1.Performing specific CA treasury and accounting functions: Incumbent is responsible for performing various treasury and accounting functions which include:
? Fixed Assets: With the supervision of the Senior Accountant, incumbent processes fixed asset additions, transfers, and disposals, calculates and records monthly depreciation expense, closes the fixed asset module and ensures that all assets are properly recorded as to their category, type, location and useful life.
? Ability to estimate losses on disposal of fixed assets by working with Project Managers on current and upcoming projects.
? With the assistance of the Senior Accountant, enforces the fixed asset policy in regard to whether an expense is capital or operating.
? Opening and closing projects as needed, ensuring the capital budget is not exceeded, as well as ensuring that expenses are being charged to the correct codes at all times.
? Ability to understand the half-year calculation of depreciation and make adjustments to assets if needed.
? Account reconciliation: Prepares reconciliation of various accounts and any necessary journal entries.
? Inventory: Performs a physical inventory of fixed assets at various locations each year.
2. Preparation of Financial Reports:
? Prepares charts/graphs for the quarterly report to the board of directors and as requested for special projects.
? Continuously maintains communication with project managers on the status of projects to keep reporting up to date.
3. Preparation of Specific Schedules/Work papers for the Capital Budget:
? Assists in preparing the depreciation, gain/loss on disposal of fixed assets, and interest expense work papers for the Capital Budget.
? Inputs depreciation, gain/loss on disposal of fixed assets, and interest expense amounts into budgeting software for the annual Capital Budget.
? Coordinates the input of project requests from project managers into budgeting software in preparation of reporting to the board of directors.
4. Preparation of specific annual audit schedules/work papers:
? With the assistance of the Senior Accountant, prepares necessary audit work papers for fixed asset and interest allocation accounts.
? Ability to pull and analyze information based on auditor requests.
? With the assistance of the Senior Accountant, prepares accrual of any fixed asset expenses at year end and records a journal entry.
5. Miscellaneous Accounting Functions:
? With the assistance of the Senior Accountant, prepares and inputs the current estimate of depreciation, gain/loss on fixed assets and interest expense for the Quarterly Board Report.
? With the assistance of the Senior Accountant, assists with all credit card processing issues/reconciliations.
? Prepares miscellaneous schedules and analyses as requested. Assists Accounting Team with periodic account analysis, variance analysis, and research, writing journal entries to correct errors, etc.
? May also assist with preparation of bank reconciliations as needed.
? Performs other special projects and tasks as needed.
6. Maintains the Lawson module (activities and fixed assets): Accountant is responsible for communicating effectively with Lawson technical support and internal IT staff when errors occur in the Lawson module, including follow-up to ensure technical fixes are completed satisfactorily.
QUALIFICATIONS
Experien e, Education and Licensure (note certifications or degrees required)
? B.S. in Accounting required
? 2 or more years of fixed asset accounting experience in an automated accounting environment required.
? Experience with preparation of financial statements, month-end closing, bank reconciliations, and journal entries preferred.
Required Skills and Abilities
? Proficiency in Excel, including charts and graphs
? Knowledge of Access preferred or ability to learn Access quickly
? Excellent written and verbal communication skills
? Analytical and technical knowledge of computerized accounting applications