Accountant III

The City of Turlock is currently accepting applications for the position of Accountant III. Under direction performs professional accounting work; record and report financial transactions in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP); review accounting records for accuracy; prepare financial reports, statements, and special financial analyses for both internal and external customers; and review accounting transactions for accuracy.

This classification is assigned to the Turlock City Employees Association bargaining unit for labor relations purposes and is subject to overtime assignments.

Distinguishing Characteristics

This is the working lead/advanced journey-level class in the professional   accounting series.  Incumbents are expected to independently accomplish more complex accounting duties and responsibilities. Successful performance requires considerable knowledge of governmental accounting policies and procedures, as well as the ability to exercise sound independent judgment within established guidelines.

Supervision Received and Exercised

Direction is provided by the Principal Accountant and the Finance Director.

• Perform a variety of complex accounting duties related to the operation and maintenance of City-wide and multi department accounting records.
• Coordinate, assign, and review the work of others; participate in the selection, training, and evaluation of assigned staff; may provide input to the Principal Accountant on performance and discipline issues.
• Participate in the posting, balancing, and reconciliation of the General Ledger and subsidiary accounts; perform interest allocation accounting.
• Prepare work papers, financial statements, and various reports for federal, state and county agencies related to a variety of reporting requirements including, but not limited to, grant reporting to various agencies as well as reporting to the State Controller’s office.
• Provide assistance and information to outside auditors as required.
• Recommend or implement changes in accounting systems and procedures.
• Maintain fixed asset records; analyze expenditures for capitalization in accordance with City policy and calculate depreciation expense.
• Assist other City Departments with the financial aspects of special projects.
• Assist in monitoring various accounts and classification of expenditures; research and analyze transactions to resolve problems.
• Recommend changes in accounting and auditing systems, policies and procedures.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Knowledge of:
• Basic leadership principles and practices.
• Generally accepted accounting principles and governmental accounting principles and standards.
• Theories, principles and practices of governmental budgeting and finance.
• Computer software applications used in the accounting office environment.
• Modern office practices, procedures, methods, and equipment.
• Federal and state grant regulations and guidelines.
• Statistical concepts and methods.
• City policies and procedures.

Ability to:
• Plan, direct, and review the work of assigned professional and support staff.
• Train others in work procedures.
• Examine and verify complex financial documents and reports.
• Prepare a variety of complex financial statements, reports, and analyses.
• Maintain cooperative relationships with those contacted during the course of work.
• Interpret and apply accounting and financial management laws, rules, regulations, policies, and guidelines.
• Present ideas effectively orally and in writing.
• Use computer and software programs effectively.
• Organize, analyze, manage, and implement a variety of programs.
Experience and Training Guidelines
Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience:
Two years of professional journey level accounting experience similar to that of the Accountant II in the City of Turlock that would have provided the opportunity to develop the required skills, knowledge and abilities.

Training:
Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in accounting, business administration, economics or a related field. 

Licenses:
Possession of a valid California Driver’s License in the category necessary to perform essential duties of the position may be required at the time of appointment.  Individuals who do not meet this requirement due to a physical disability will be considered for accommodation on a case-by-case basis. Maintenance of a valid California Driver’s license and proof of automobile liability insurance thereafter is a condition of continued employment.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Physical Conditions:

Maintain the following physical abilities: See well enough to read instructions, read fine print, view computer screen, operate vehicle and related equipment; hear well enough to converse on the telephone and in person, assist the public and other staff; use hands and fingers for use of computer keyboard and mouse, adding machine, copy machine, filing, writing, drive vehicles and answer telephone.

An eligibility list will be established from this recruitment that will be valid for six (6) months. All employees are required to serve a twelve (12) month probationary period.


Selection Process:

1. All applicants must complete a standard City of Turlock application for employment form, supplemental questionnaire and submit the following documentation:

• Proof of education-this can be a copy of transcripts or any degree. 

2.     You may submit your required certifications using the following options:

• Attach a scanned copy in the "Add Attachment" option (of the NeoGov online application) or
• Fax a copy to (209) 668-5529 or
• Email a copy to [email protected] or
• Hand deliver copies of your attachments to 156 S. Broadway, Suite 235, Turlock, CA on or before the final filing date.

Applications will be rejected if they are incomplete or required documentation is not attached.

3. Applications will be reviewed for possession of the minimum qualifications. In the event that a large number of applicants possess the minimum qualifications, applicants who appear to be the most qualified based on their breadth and recency of experience will be invited to compete in the testing process.

4. Candidates invited to compete in the testing process may be required to take a written examination, which will be based on a pass/fail basis. If a written examination is conducted and a large number of candidates receive a passing score, the City reserves the right to invite a percentage of the top scoring candidates to compete in the next phase of the testing process, the oral examination. 

5.  Candidates who are invited to participate in the oral examination and receive a score of 70% or more will be placed on an eligibility list. Ranking on the eligibility list will be based solely on the results from the oral exam.

6. Completion of a practical exercise maybe conducted in order to further evaluate skills relating to essential job functions.

7. Top candidates on the eligibility list will be referred to the Finance Director for final appointment consideration.

8. Final appointment will be contingent upon passing the following: reference review, medical examination which includes a drug/alcohol screening, hearing exam and vision exam.

Veteran's Preference System

The City of Turlock has adopted a veteran's preference system (effective January 1, 2002). The percentage score achieved through an entrance (non-promotional) examination which ranks applicants on an eligibility list shall be adjusted to provide: (a) one (1) percentage point added to the final test score for each six (6) months of active service during a time of armed conflict, up to a maximum of five (5) points, and (b) five (5) percentage points added to the final test score for veterans who are disabled as a result of active military service during a time of armed conflict, regardless of length of service. To receive preference points, applicants must provide supporting documentation and proof of honorable discharge. In no event shall an applicant receive more than a five (5) point adjustment. This request should be made in section #12 of the employment application form. A copy of your DD214 must be attached for this request to be considered.

An Equal Opportunity Employer

The City of Turlock is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are sincerely interested in receiving applications from qualified minorities, women and the disabled. Qualified applicants receive equal consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, political affiliation or belief except where indicated by requirements of the job. The City of Turlock will make every effort to accommodate applicants that have disabilities that would not allow them to compete in the announced process. Applicants are asked to indicate their request for accommodation in the application form.


Medical Examination and Drug/Alcohol Screening  

The incumbent will be required to take a medical examination including a drug/alcohol screening and be fingerprinted.

Customer Service Policy

The City of Turlock is committed to quality service to our customers. Our goal is to create a positive, productive and courteous atmosphere for our employees and customers. Employees are evaluated on the quality of customer service they provide.

Benefits

Holidays: Eleven (11) paid holidays and three (3) floating holidays.
Vacation: Paid vacation that increases with years of service.
Sick Leave: Accrual of one day (eight (8) hours) for each month worked.
Retirement: Qualified candidates who are currently a CalPERS member or have been a CalPERS member within the last six (6) months or are subject to reciprocity with another eligible retirement plan, may be a "classic member" and may be enrolled in the City's 2.7% @ 55 plan.  Employee pays employee contribution rate of 9% on a pre-tax basis. CalPERS "final compensation" may be based on the highest twelve (12) continuous months of qualifying employment. Non-classic or "new members" will be enrolled in the 2% @ 62 plan and CalPERS "final compensation" will be based on the highest thirty-six (36) continuous months of qualifying employment.
Deferred Compensation: The City will match employee's contribution up to one half of one percent (0.5%) of the employee's base salary for each pay period in which employee contributes to the program.
Retiree Health Savings (RHS) Vantage Care: Two (2) percent of the employee's base payroll will be deposited in each individual's RHS Vantage Care
account.
Health: The City offers a generous health, prescription, vision, and dental insurance plans for employees and dependents.
Continuous Service Pay:
Beginning with the tenth (10th) year and every year thereafter, 1.5% of base salary.
Beginning with the fifteenth (15th) year and every year thereafter, 1.5% of base salary. 
Beginning with the twentieth (20th) year and every year thereafter, 1.5% of base salary.
Additional Benefits:
Associate/Bachelor/Master's Degree Incentive Pay (If not listed as a minimum qualification)*Educational Reimbursement Program* Computer Loan Program* *Upon completion of probation.

Notes:
Information contained herein does not constitute an expressed or implied contract as it is subject to change.