GENERAL PURPOSE

Under general direction, plans, organizes and directs the City’s financial accounting and reporting, grant accounting, accounts payable and accounts receivable functions; prepares financial reports, statements and special financial analyses; and performs related duties as assigned.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

Incumbents in this class are responsible for supervising the activities and operations of the financial accounting section. Incumbents have full supervisory responsibilities for support staff and are responsible for a broad scope of work requiring a high degree of independent judgment and discretion, complex problem-solving, and broad professional knowledge and experience.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to this class.

Plans, organizes, controls, integrates and evaluates the work of assigned staff; with staff, develops, implements, and monitors work plans to achieve goals and objectives; develops, recommends and monitors performance against the annual programs’ budgets; supervises and participates in developing, implementing and evaluating plans, work processes, systems and procedures to achieve annual goals, objectives and work standards. Plans, organizes, directs and evaluates the performance of assigned staff; establishes performance requirements and personal development targets; regularly monitors performance and provides coaching for performance improvement and development; recommends compensation and provides other rewards to recognize performance; subject to management concurrence, takes disciplinary action to address performance deficiencies, in accordance with City personnel rules, policies and labor contract agreements. Participates in and oversees the preparation of monthly and annual financial reports, Comprehensive Annual Financial Report and special reports; ensures financial reports are prepared on a timely and accurate basis; supervises and reviews the complex reconciliation and analysis of various accounts, ledgers and other financial data; participates, supervises and reviews the preparation of various reports required by federal and state agencies and auditors; prepares or reviews journal entries for posting to the financial systems. Provides accurate information to difficult financial reporting and accounting questions from national rating agencies, underwriters, bond attorneys, federal and state agencies, city council, senior management and department heads. Assists in the maintenance of existing financial systems and in the implementation of new systems; maintains new accounts, funds and programs in the financial system; reviews and processes amendments to the City’s annual budget; assists in resolving questions about the City’s financial systems, reports or policies and procedures; reviews and directs the preparation and updating of internal user manuals; participates in the planning, design and implementation of new financial systems.

DESIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

Principles, practices, methods and techniques of supervision; principles, methods and techniques used for employee training; principles and procedures of accounting; City Administrative Regulations and federal and state statutes; GASB pronouncements, GAAFR standards and practices and GAAP guides; PeopleSoft HRMS; principles, methods and practices of budget preparation and administration; proper English usage, including spelling, grammar and punctuation; City personnel policies and MOU provisions.

Ability to:

Plan, organize, coach, supervise, train, motivate, counsel and provide effective leadership to staff; operate a computer and utilize word processing and budgeting software and other standard office equipment; perform complex analyses of accounting issues and problems; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those encountered in the course of the work; and business communications.

Training and Experience:

A typical way of obtaining the knowledge, skills, and abilities outlined above is graduation from a recognized college or university with major coursework in accounting, finance, business administration or a related field; and four years of increasingly responsible professional accounting or auditing experience, including two years of municipal accounting and two years of supervisory experience; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

Licenses; Certificates; Special Requirements:

Certified Public Accountant is preferable.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS

The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this class, employees are frequently required to sit; talk or hear, both in person and by telephone; use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate standard office equipment; and reach with hands and arms. The employee may regularly be required to walk or stand and occasionally be required to lift up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

Mental Demands

While performing the duties of this class, employees are regularly required to use written and oral communication skills; read and interpret data, information and documents; analyze and solve complex problems; use math and mathematical reasoning; perform work under changing, intensive deadlines on multiple concurrent tasks; work with constant interruptions; interact with employees, national rating agencies, underwriters, bond attorneys, federal and state agencies, city council, senior management and department head. The employee may occasionally come in contact with dissatisfied or abusive individuals.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The employee works under typical office conditions; the noise level is usually quiet.