Under administrative direction, directs, manages, supervises, and coordinates the activities and operations of the Accounting Division within the Finance Department including accounting and payroll functions and services; coordinates assigned activities with other divisions, departments, and outside agencies; and provides highly responsible and complex administrative support to the Director of Finance.

The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

Assume management responsibility for the services and activities of the Accounting Division within the Finance Department including preparation of the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, 'coordination of external audits, payroll functions, and other operations and functional areas as assigned.

Manage and participate in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for assigned programs; recommend and administer policies and procedures.

Monitor and evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; recommend, within departmental policy, appropriate service and staffing levels.

Plan, direct, coordinate and review the work plan for assigned accounting staff; assign work activities, projects, and programs; review and evaluate work products, methods, and procedures; meet with staff to identify and resolve problems.

Select, train, motivate, and evaluate assigned professional, technical, and clerical accounting personnel; provide or coordinate staff training; work with employees to correct deficiencies; implement discipline and termination procedures.

Coordinate the compilation of financial statements for preparation of the City's Comprehensive Annual Financial Report including charts, graphs, and statistical data.

Manage the City's external auditing functions; prepare requests for proposal and select a qualified auditing firm; provide assistance to contracted staff during auditing processes; oversee the preparation of final reports.

Review and analyze accounting reports for specified funds; determine overall accuracy of data presented; ensure compliance with legal and financial reporting guidelines and regulations.

Participate in a variety of special projects and financial analyses; conduct fiscal analysis, research, and documentation; prepare reports on findings as appropriate.

Maintain and monitor all project accounting records including the general ledger; make revisions and corrections as necessary; review and/or prepare staff and financial reports.

Manage and prepare all City and Redevelopment Agency debt issues including economic development bonds.

Serve as liaison for the Accounting Division with other divisions, departments, and outside agencies; negotiate and resolve sensitive and controversial issues.

Serve as staff on a variety of boards, commissions, and committees; prepare and present staff reports and other necessary correspondence.

Provide responsible staff assistance to the Director of Finance; conduct a variety of organizational studies, investigations, and operational studies; recommend modifications to accounting programs, policies, and procedures as appropriate.

Attend and participate in professional group meetings; maintain awareness of new trends and developments in the field of municipal accounting and finance; incorporate new developments as appropriate.

Respond to and resolve difficult and sensitive citizen inquiries and complaints.

Perform related duties as required.

The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties.

Knowledge of:
Operational characteristics, services, and activities of a municipal accounting program.
Principles and practices of program development and administration.
Principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluation.
Principles and practices of public agency financial management including general and governmental accounting, budgeting, auditing, and reporting functions as well as Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and Generally Accepted Auditing Standards (GAAS).
Principles and practices of automated financial systems.
Principles and practices of revenue collection and monitoring.
Methods and techniques of fund investing and debt administration.
Principles and procedures of financial record keeping and reporting.
Office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.
Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations.

Ability to:
Oversee and participate in the management of a comprehensive municipal accounting program.
Oversee, direct, and coordinate the work of lower level staff.
Select, supervise, train, and evaluate staff.
Participate in the development and administration of division goals, objectives, and procedures.
Manage the City's external auditing functions.
Participate in a variety of special projects and fiscal analyses.
Examine and verify financial documents, reports, and transactions.
Maintain and prepare a variety of budgets, financial statements, reports, and analyses.
Prepare clear and concise administrative and financial reports.
Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions and implement recommendations in support of goals.
Research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods and techniques.
Understand the organization and operation of the City and of outside agencies as necessary to assume assigned responsibilities.
Understand, interpret, and apply general and specific administrative and departmental policies and procedures as well as applicable federal, state, and local policies, laws, and regulations.
Work cooperatively with other departments, City officials, and outside agencies.
Respond tactfully, clearly, concisely, and appropriately to inquiries from the public, City staff, or other agencies on sensitive issues in area of responsibility.
Operate office equipment including computers and supporting word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications.
Work in a team based environment to achieve common goals.
Coordinate multiple projects and complex tasks simultaneously.
Meet the physical requirements to safely and effectively perform the assigned duties.
Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education and Experience Guidelines - Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Education/Training:
A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in public administration, business administration, accounting, or closely related field.

Experience:
Six years of increasingly responsible finance administration experience including some experience in the public sector and two years of administrative and supervisory responsibility.

License or Certificate:
Possession of, or ability to obtain, a certificate as a Certified Public Accountant.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT
The conditions herein 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.

Environment: Work is performed primarily in a standard office setting.

Physical: Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in an office setting; to stand or sit for prolonged periods of time; to occasionally stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, and twist; to lift, carry, push, and/or pull light to moderate amounts of weight; to operate office equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and fine coordination including use of a computer keyboard; and to verbally communicate to exchange information.

RAPG Admin
R34
Last Update:10/28/2021
JD 11/2018