Senior Accountant

Job Descriptions

DEFINITION:
Under the general supervision of the Deputy Finance Director, the Senior Accountant performs a variety of complex professional accounting duties; provides technical staff assistance to the Deputy Finance Director; and provides guidance and supervision to professional and technical staff as required.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:
The Senior Accountant is the advanced journey supervisory position responsible for performance of higher level accounting functions, maintenance of the general ledger for all funds, maintenance of the purchasing function, and reconciliation of agency bank accounts. This classification is distinguished from lower accounting classifications by the performance of the higher level accounting functions, requiring a high degree of independent judgment, education and a thorough knowledge of City and departmental functions, policies and procedures.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED/EXERCISED:
General supervision is received from the Assistant City Manager/Management Services and/or Deputy Finance Director. Incumbents may exercise technical and functional supervision over lower level accounting staff.

Examples of Duties

• Performs a variety of advanced government accounting functions relating to management and internal control of the City’s financial system, including but not limited to the following:
• Reviews and verifies financial documents and reports; prepares and analyzes a variety of financial statements and reports; reviews and approves work prepared by technical staff.
• Records a variety of complex financial transactions.
• Monitors various accounts, verifying availability of funds and classification of expenditures.
• Prepares monthly bank reconciliations resolving discrepancies and problems; assists in monitoring the City’s cash and investment activities and reconciles fiscal agent activity.
• Prepares payroll reconciliations and report filings, utility reconciliations, and journal entries for year-end closing.
• Participates in the compilation and preparation of financial statements, general and subsidiary ledgers and supporting schedules.
• Prepares and submits information for annual reports including, but not limited to, State Controllers Report, Annual Street Report, as well as the Redevelopment Agency’s Annual Statement of Indebtedness and Annual State Controllers Report.
• Participates in the development and maintenance of the City’s annual adopted budget as well as the Capital Improvement Plan.
• Researches and analyzes transactions to resolve budget problems.
• Assists with debt management in conjunction with debt refinancing strategies, new financing, as well as revenue and expense projections.
• Manages the fixed asset accounting system.
• Monitors and maintains the inventory system.
• Monitors grant requirements to ensure compliance and assists in the reporting process of various departmental grants.
• Participates in Assessment District and Community Facility District administration.
• Provides guidance and supervision to less experienced technical and professional accounting staff as required.
• Responds to and resolves difficult or sensitive citizen or business inquiries and complaints.
• Participates in any other professional and technical accounting work deemed necessary to the daily operations of the employer.
• Perform other related and peripheral duties as required and necessary for the successful performance of this job.

Typical Qualifications

Education and/or Experience:
Any combination of education and experience that has provided the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary for a Senior Accountant. A typical way of obtaining the required qualifications is to possess Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in accounting or a closely related field; a minimum of three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in governmental accounting; and a High School diploma or GED. Designations such as Certified Public Accountant, Certified Managerial Accountant, and/or Certified Internal Auditor are highly desirable.
License/Certificate:
Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid class “C” California driver’s license.

Additional Information

Knowledge of:
Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), as set forth by the Financial Accounting Standards Board and the Governmental Accounting Standards Board; pertinent Federal, State, and local laws, codes and regulations; a working knowledge of modern office practices, procedures and equipment, including computer-based accounting systems as well as computer software applications such as Word and Excel.
Skill to:
Operate an office computer and a variety of word processing and software applications.
Ability to:
Apply advanced accounting principles to the maintenance of financial and accounting transactions; analyze and interpret financial and accounting records; analyze and research financial transactions; prepare, examine and verify financial documents and reports; prepare a variety of financial statements, reports and analyses; interpret and apply City policies, procedures, rules and regulations; review and audit grant contracts, amendments and other documents to ensure compliance; perform tasks with minimal supervision; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work; communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing; supervise and review accounting related activities as required. 
Working Conditions:
Position requires prolonged or intermittent sitting, standing, walking on level, uneven, or slippery surfaces, reaching, twisting, turning, kneeling, bending, stooping, squatting and crouching.  The position also requires grasping, repetitive hand movement and fine coordination in preparing reports and using a computer keyboard in the performance of daily duties.  Additionally, the position requires near and far vision when reading correspondence and using a computer and acute hearing is required when providing phone service and communicating in person.  The need to lift, carry, push, and pull files, reports and other materials weighing up to 40 pounds is required.  The employee may occasionally be required to travel to different sites and locations; when working outdoors the incumbent may encounter extreme weather conditions, including wet, hot, cold, wind, snow, ice, and heavy vehicle traffic.  The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate when indoors and moderate to loud when outdoors.