Accountant

Job Details: Job Location: Legal Address - Litchfield, MN, Position Type: Full Time, Education Level: 4 Year Degree, Salary Range: $26.36 - $38.04Hourly, Job Shift: Day, Position Overview The accountant is responsible for supporting the financial operations of Meeker Memorial Hospital & Clinics by maintaining accurate financial records, processing transactions, preparing reconciliations, and assisting with financial reporting. This position works closely with the Finance Department to ensure accurate accounting practices, compliance with applicable regulations, and effective financial management of hospital and clinic operations. The position we are looking to hire is a 1.0 FTE (80 hours bi-weekly). Position Summary The accountant position compiles, classifies records, verifies, and maintains data and payments to accounting systems. Be an analytical thinker with an investigative focus and an expert in Excel, as well as an independent performer who is an effective team player. Essential Job Functions Job functions are those tasks, duties & responsibilities that comprise the means of accomplishing the job's purpose & objectives. Job functions are critical & fundamental to the performance of the job. They are the major functions for which the person in the job is held accountable. • Reviews and posts invoices and payments to appropriate ledgers, spreadsheets, records, and databases. • Prepares, sorts, copies, files, and mails invoices, receipts, checks, correspondence, and other requested items. • Audits invoices against purchase orders, researches discrepancies, and processes for payment. • Prepares accounts payable checks. • Investigates problems that vendors or purchasing agents have with obtaining payment for bills. • Research and processes charge backs, returns, refunds, freight charges, cost of lost or damaged goods, bad checks, and similar items. • Answers accounts payable inquiries and follows up. • Assists with related special projects, as required. • Audits freight bills against freight manifests. • Analyzes vendor accounts and negotiates extended terms with vendors when cash is restricted. • Prepares analysis and summaries of accounts. • Monitors accounts payable to ensure payments are accurate and timely. • Assist in monthly and annual closings. • Requires regular and reliable attendance. • Audit and conduct time card reviews for payroll processing. • Investigate payroll discrepancies and address accordingly. • Prepare invoices, payment information, and remittance details for payroll vendors. • Prepared to step in as back up for payroll processing, if necessary. • Maintain monthly reporting, workbooks, and filings for annual reporting; including but not limited to: Audit, Medicare Cost Report, and Form 990. • Participate in the optimization of existing financial reporting software and processes. • Compile and analyze financial information to prepare general ledger entries. • Review, investigate, and correct errors and inconsistencies in financial entries, documents, and reports. • Extract, manipulate and organize data in response to management requests. • Reporting – Create and present key decision-making data for market assessments, forecasting and further analyses. • Compiles and prepares reports. • Compiles and analyzes financial information to prepare entries to accounts, such as general ledger accounts, documenting business transactions. • Distributes expenditures, encumbrances, receipts, and receivables according to schedules. • Performs statistical analyses to determine trends, estimates, and significant changes, and writes narrative reports explaining findings. • Analyzes financial information detailing assets, liabilities, and capital and prepares balance sheet, profit and loss statement and other reports to summarize and interpret current and projected company financial position for other managers. • Determines proper handling of financial transactions and approves transactions within designated limits. • Monitors compliance with generally accepted accounting principles and company procedures. • Reviews, investigates and corrects errors and inconsistencies in financial entries, documents and reports. • Installs, modifies, documents and coordinates implementation of accounting systems and accounting control procedures. • Makes recommendations regarding the accounting or reserves, assets and expenditures. • Conducts studies and submits recommendations for improving the organization’s accounting operation. • Collects appropriate data and prepares federal, state and local reports and returns, as necessary. NOTE: This job description does not state or imply that the above are the only duties & responsibilities assigned to this position. Employees holding this position may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this job description. Qualifications: Minimum Qualifications • Requires bachelor’s degree in accounting, and 2 – 4 years of experience. • Requires bachelor’s degree and 2 – 4 years of related experience; or an advanced degree with 1 – 2 years of experience. Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs) • Skilled at incorporating AIDET into professional practice. • Ability to work with interdisciplinary teams, communicating effectively with patients, families, providers, community members, and others. • Knowledge of role in patient confidentiality and protecting patient information from unauthorized access, use, or disclosure as defined by HIPAA. • Ability to demonstrate the knowledge and skills essential for providing assistance/care to specific patient populations. • Ability to respond quickly and decisively to emergency situations and be able to participate in shelter-in-place and disaster response protocols. Preferred Qualifications • Prefer previous experience in a hospital or clinic setting • Prefer familiarity with Paycom HRIS system Computer Skills Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook), secure messaging applications, and collaborative tools (e.g.) Microsoft Teams, Google Workspace. Proficiency with Paycom HRIS system and related computer software necessary for this position. Reasoning & Critical Thinking Apply logical problem-solving and decision-making skills in complex situations. Make sound decisions in real time, often under pressure, using critical thinking. Analyze data and scenarios to identify patterns, inconsistencies, and opportunities. Evaluate multiple approaches and propose innovative solutions with sound judgement. Able to work independently with limited supervision. Language & Communication Skills Able to communicate complex ideas clearly in both written and verbal formats. Adapt tone, style, and messaging for diverse audiences and contexts. Ability to write high-quality drafts, proposals, reports, and presentations. Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one meetings as well as small and larger groups i.e. employees, customers, vendors, community organizations, etc. Mathematics & Analytical Abilities Ability to accurately perform basic mathematical calculations in all units of measure using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, etc. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations and in analysis of quality assurance data. Ability to understand bar graphs and other visual representations of data. Standards of Employment • Understand and adhere to MMHC’s compliance standards as outlined in MMHC’s Compliance Program. • Attend all mandatory education programs and demonstrate proficiency related to general safety and regulatory compliance. • Attend all department-specific training and demonstrate proficiency related to safety and job-related hazards. • Understand and follow MMHC procedures for exposure control / blood borne and airborne pathogens. • Comply with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines, and all other regulatory standards and requirements. • Attire is neat, clean, and appropriate for the work environment. • Wear proper identification while on duty. • Maintain confidentiality of all MMHC and patient information at all times. • Report to work on time and maintain defined standards for attendance. • Attend mandatory meetings. • Able to perform essential job duties that meet job performance expectations and organizational standards while upholding MMHC mission and values. Physical Demands The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and taste or smell. The employee must frequently lift and/or move (push/pull) up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 35 pounds. Lifting/and or moving of more than 35 pounds shall require the use of an assistive device or team member assist. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. Ability to meet physical demands of rural hospital/clinic work. Work Environment The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts; needles or sharps; the challenges of variable hours, shifting resources and work situations inherent in CAH/rural settings; Hazards and/or Biohazard Medications; fumes or airborne particles; toxic or caustic chemicals; outside weather conditions; risk of electric shock and radiation; bloodborne pathogens and exposed to latex. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.