The Capital Area Transit System (CATS) is seeking a detail-oriented and experienced Staff Accountant – Casualty and Liability Accounting to join our Finance team.

This position supports general accounting operations, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, general ledger reconciliations, financial reporting, and month-end closing activities. The Staff Accountant also serves as the Finance Department's primary resource for casualty and liability accounting, including financial reporting associated with automobile liability, general liability, workers' compensation, and self-insured claims programs.

The ideal candidate has strong accounting fundamentals, excellent analytical skills, experience working in a high-volume accounting environment, and the ability to maintain accurate financial records in a compliance-driven organization.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Casualty and Liability Accounting

• Maintain accurate accounting records for casualty, liability, and workers' compensation claims.

• Record claim payments, recoveries, reserve adjustments, and related journal entries.

• Reconcile claims reports, third-party administrator records, and general ledger accounts.

• Maintain claims liability schedules, reserve roll-forwards, and supporting documentation.

• Track and reconcile legal expenses, insurance premiums, and claims administration costs.

• Prepare financial schedules and supporting information for annual actuarial studies and audits.

• Support GASB financial reporting and required disclosures related to claims liabilities.

• Prepare casualty and liability cost information for National Transit Database reporting.

• Coordinate with risk management personnel, external auditors, attorneys, and third-party administrators on financial reporting matters.

• Maintain appropriate internal controls and audit-ready documentation.

Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable

• Perform full-cycle accounts payable and accounts receivable functions.

• Process high-volume invoices and verify appropriate approvals and supporting documentation.

• Perform three-way matching of purchase orders, receipts, and invoices.

• Prepare vendor payments, including checks, ACH, and electronic payments.

• Maintain vendor records, W-9 documentation, and 1099 reporting information.

• Reconcile customer accounts, cash receipts, and outstanding balances.

• Prepare accounts receivable aging reports and assist with resolving discrepancies.

• Ensure compliance with established purchasing, payment, and financial procedures.

General Accounting and Financial Reporting

• Prepare and post journal entries and perform monthly account reconciliations.

• Support month-end and year-end closing processes.

• Maintain accurate general ledger accounts and financial records.

• Prepare financial schedules, reports, and supporting documentation.

• Assist with internal and external audits.

• Support grant accounting, reporting, and reconciliations as assigned.

• Provide limited backup support for payroll processing, payroll reconciliations, and pension accounting as needed.

• Perform other related accounting duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field; an associate's degree in a related field may be accepted with meaningful, directly relevant accounting experience.

• At least three (3) years of professional accounting experience, including journal entries, general ledger reconciliations, month-end closing activities, and accounts payable.

• Strong understanding of accrual accounting principles and financial reporting.

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel.

• Experience using accounting software or enterprise financial systems.

• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.

• Excellent attention to detail and ability to maintain accurate financial records.

• Ability to manage competing priorities and meet established deadlines.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Three to five years of progressively responsible accounting experience.

• Experience with casualty and liability accounting, insurance claims, workers' compensation accounting, or self-insured programs.

• Experience preparing claims liability schedules, reserve reconciliations, or actuarial reporting support.

• Experience supporting external financial audits.

• Knowledge of Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) requirements.

• Public-sector, government, transportation, or insurance-industry accounting experience.

• Experience with Tyler/Munis or comparable enterprise accounting systems.

• Familiarity with procurement, purchase orders, grants accounting, and payroll processes.

• Progress toward CPA certification.

What We're Looking For

We are seeking a professional who demonstrates:

• Accuracy and accountability: Maintains reliable financial records and takes ownership of assigned responsibilities.

• Analytical thinking: Identifies discrepancies, evaluates financial information, and recommends appropriate corrections.

• Organization and follow-through: Manages multiple accounting responsibilities and consistently meets deadlines.

• Professional judgment: Handles confidential financial and claims-related information appropriately.

• Collaboration: Works effectively with Finance, Risk Management, Operations, external auditors, attorneys, and other stakeholders.

• Continuous improvement: Identifies opportunities to strengthen accounting processes, documentation, and internal controls.

Why Join CATS?

At CATS, our employees play an important role in connecting people to employment, education, healthcare, and essential services throughout the Baton Rouge community.

As we continue Turning the Corner, we are committed to strengthening accountability, operational excellence, financial stewardship, and the quality of service we provide.

CATS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. 

Capital Area Transit System (CATS) invites qualified former employees to explore opportunities to return to the CATS team. If you previously worked for CATS and are interested in bringing your experience, skills, and knowledge back to the agency, we want to hear from you.

Opportunities may be available in a variety of areas, including Transportation Operators, Transportation Operations, Fleet Maintenance, Risk and Safety, Facilities, Customer Service, Administration, and other operational and support positions.

Positions and availability vary based on current agency needs. Former employees must meet the qualifications for the position for which they are considered and be eligible for rehire under applicable CATS policies.

CATS provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfers, leaves of absence, compensation and training. We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by law. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Clean driving record.
• Three years of experience as a vehicle mechanic in any area.
• Knowledge of vehicle mechanics, including: diesel and gasoline engines, mechanical, electrical, hydraulic and pneumatic systems.
• Ability to independently or with minimal assistance provide repair service to engine and all mechanic parts of a bus or vehicle.
• Must be able to read, interpret and follow repair and installation instructions; perform repair and maintenance timely as assigned by Supervisors and Managers and must maintain required schedule 
• Possession or the ability to obtain within 30 days of employment, Valid Louisiana Commercial Driver’s License with passenger endorsement
• Must satisfactorily pass a background examination, physical examination, and drug/alcohol screening.

Note*: The above job description is intended to represent only the key areas of responsibilities. Specific assignments will vary depending on the business needs of the agency.

Capital Area Transit System (CATS) provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race,
color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, CATS complies with applicable state and local laws
governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment,
including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:  A high school diploma or equivalent and three years’ experience in transit with at least one year in supervisory/management capacity in any field and at least two years as an operator with CATS. A valid Louisiana Commercial Driver’s License & DOT Medical Card is required. 

SUMMARY:   Performs daily servicing, inspection, removal of vaults from fare boxes and cleans buses and other CATS Transit vehicles.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, and ABILITIES:  Knowledge of fleet training principles and practices, knowledge of operational and mechanical aspects of fleet equipment. Knowledge of federal, state, and local statutes, codes and standards of the policies and procedures that relate to bus, trolley and van operation. Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing. Ability to establish working relationships within department, agency, and external vendors. 

Essential Duties: 
Responsibilities include (but are not limited to): 
·        Perform daily service of buses such as; adding fuel, checking and adding fluids and coolants, cleaning interiors, washing exteriors, emptying vaults from fare boxes, checking tires for thread and pressure. 
·        Inspects for and reports torn seats, rotting floors, cracked windows, loose mirrors, worn or damaged tires, fluid leaks, improper or unusual odors, etc. 
·        Perform custodial building maintenance in the garage, such as sweeping and washing floors. 
·        Perform periodic maintenance work on service equipment such as the bus washer. 
·        Fully knowledgeable of and maintain compliance with all safety rules and regulations. 
·        Insure proper safety tools and equipment are used at all times and understand the requirement for reporting safety hazards and/or violations. 
·        Assist mechanics with minor maintenance, as requested. 
·        Other duties as assigned. 

Capital Area Transit System (CATS) provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race,
color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, CATS complies with applicable state and local laws
governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment,
including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

• Applicants must have a valid Commercial Driver's License with Passenger Endorsement for job consideration. 

• Examines bus to insure its proper mechanical operation, including review of all safety features.

• Safely operates transit buses in revenue service according to the State of Louisiana traffic regulations, transporting passengers over established city routes according to required time schedule.

• Collects bus fares, issues transfers, and answers passengers’ questions in a professional and congenial manner.

• Conduct ridership surveys, reports bus stop and bus shelter problems, delays due to accidents, street closures, and passenger misconduct incidents.

• Provides passengers with information regarding bus routes, answers service questions and announces major bus stops and transfer points.

• Enforce company policies regulating passenger conduct.

• Assists in loading, securing, and unloading wheelchairs and passengers based on the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990.

• Reports any dangerous conditions that could jeopardize the safety of the passenger or other members of the public.

• Maintains contact with dispatch and reports current position and conditions effecting the operation of the route as required.

• Attendance during regularly scheduled work hours and outside regular hours as necessary.

• Effective and respectful communication and interaction with other employees, supervisors, individuals from other organizations, and customers.

• Other duties as assigned or apparent.

DESIRED SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Skilled in safe driving practices and great customer service skills.

• Ability to communicate effectively both oral and written including presentation abilities.

• Ability to establish and maintain an effective and cooperative working relationship with coworkers, supervisors, other company employees, city officials and the general public using courtesy, tact, and good judgment.

• Ability to deal with difficult situations and understand the views and concerns of others.

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a diverse workforce.

• Ability to work in varying weather conditions.

• Ability to work independently and to carry out assignments to completion within parameters of instructions given, prescribed routines, and standard accepted practices within 90 days of employment.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• High school diploma or equivalent

• MUST be at least 21 years of age or older and possess a valid Commercial Driver's License with Passenger Endorsement

• MUST be available to work varying shifts to include days, nights, weekends and holidays. • MUST be able to pass physical agility tests with no limitations on upper or lower back.

• MUST be able to walk, kneel, bend, push and/or pull to complete moderate to heavy lifting when necessary to perform the essential functions of the position.

How to apply:  Please visit www.brcats.com/apply to complete and submit online application or download, complete and submit application to catscareers@brcats.com.   

Capital Area Transit System is an Equal Opportunity Employer.