Job Description

Posting number: 17314

Department: Purchasing Department

Job classification: Accountant

Posting type: Open

Categories: Administration, Accounting and Finance, Planning and Development, Purchasing, Business, Communications, Office and Administrative Support, Database Administration

Summary

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The Accountant II supports department-wide financial operations for the Harris County Purchasing Agent by performing accounting, revenue, expense, and financial reporting activities across eight divisions. The position supports accurate and timely processing of accounts payable, accounts receivable, revenue collection, travel, and related financial transactions while maintaining complete and audit-ready records. The incumbent monitors financial activity, identifies and resolves discrepancies, coordinates with internal departments and external vendors, and prepares recurring financial reports to support compliance, accountability, and informed financial management, serving as backup support for financial activities and coordination during emergency or disaster response.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provides customer service and issue resolution related to department-level accounting activity across eight divisions by responding to inquiries, identifying discrepancies, coordinating follow-up with leadership and vendors, and ensuring timely correction or escalation of issues.
• Conducts all department-level purchasing and formal receipt of goods and services in line with audit level standards to ensure financial accountability, transparency, and compliance. Such duties include requisition creation, tracking, and placing orders.
• Execute and monitor all department-level accounts payable functions through approval verification tracking, budget and financial code validation, receipt review against statements, vendor delivery and order coordination, and payment processing with timely documentation submissions for Auditor review and Commissioners Court approval in compliance with Texas and county procure-to-pay requirements.
• Performs department-level accounts receivable and revenue-collection functions by processing low-threshold checks for rebates and public information requests, and maintaining financial reporting for various recycling programs, auctions, and other revenue related requirements for certifications.
• Oversee travel-related financial activity for departmental staff. Prepares, reviews, and routes travel-related financial documentation required for Commissioners Court certification; reviews receipts and travel claims for lodging, airfare, mileage, per diem, course fees, and required timing documentation; codes travel transactions in ERP; and ensures reimbursement packets are complete, accurate, and aligned with county procedures.
• Monitors, reconciles, and reports departmental financial activity to the Finance Director, including budget transaction review, payment follow-through, expense tracking by class, revenue tracking by type, issue identification by source, and preparation of recurring financial reports and supporting documentation on a routine basis: monthly, quarterly, midyear, and annually.
• This role also serves as backup support for financial documentation and related activities during emergencies or disaster response along with other duties as needed.

Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer

https://hrrm.harriscountytx.gov/Pages/EqualEmploymentOpportunityPlan.aspx

If you need special services or accommodations, please call (713) 274-5445 or email ADACoordinator@bmd.hctx.net.

This position is subject to a criminal history check. Only relevant convictions will be considered and, even when considered, may not automatically disqualify the candidate.

Examples of duties

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, or a related field with three (3) years of public sector accounting support, bookkeeping, or accounts payable/receivable
• Experience processing invoices, reconciling accounts, and maintaining financial records required.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of accounts payable, accounts receivable, reconciliations, financial record keeping, transaction documentation, and basic governmental accounting support practices, including internal control principles.
• Knowledge of government (county, state, and federal) procurement, reimbursement, invoice, and payment workflows, including travel reimbursements, revenue collection documentation, and general accounting related support.
• Deep understanding of internal control principles, county purchasing and reimbursement workflows, and governmental accounting practices.
• Strong analytical skills to review financial documents and transactions for accuracy, coding, completeness, compliance, and consistency across invoices, receipts, statements, reimbursement claims, and budget transactions and identify discrepancies to ensure compliance.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, accuracy in financial processing.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency in standard ERP applications, Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook, Teams, and PDF tools.

NOTE: Qualifying education, experience, knowledge and skills must be documented in your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation but ONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. "See Resume" will not be accepted for qualifications.

Qualifications

• Experience with general ledger reconciliation, FEMA documentation, reimbursement processing, and transaction documentation review preferred.
• Knowledge of government (county, state, and federal) procurement

Supplemental information

Position Type and Typical Hours of Work:

• This is a full-time position with the typical working hours of Monday - Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM.
• Occasional weekends, holidays, and overtime may be required based on the specific needs and demands of the department.

Work Environment and Physical Demands:

• This position is based in an office environment, where the use of standard office equipment such as computers, phones, scanners, and filing cabinets is routine.
• The physical demands associated with this job are minimal, with occasional lifting and moving objects weighing up to 10 pounds.
• The role is predominantly sedentary, involving mainly sitting with occasional standing and walking

Location:

• Harris County Purchasing Office Building - 1111 Fannin St 12th Floor Houston, TX 77002

Reporting Relationships:

• Reports to position: Finance & Resilience Officer

Employment may be contingent on passing a drug screen and meeting other standards.

Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.