SENIOR ACCOUNTANT

DEPARTMENT
The Finance Department prides itself on providing a supportive, close-knit team environment where collaboration is key and everyone’s contributions matter. The department is staffed by a team of nine full-time professionals who are responsible for a wide range of services through the following functions:

• Fiscal Services: Budget preparation, budget monitoring, long-term financial planning, financial forecasting, financial analysis/modeling, system administration and financial reporting.
• Accounting: Managing general ledger, business processes, bank reconciliation, chart of accounts, auditing, payroll processing, and general billing
• Purchasing: Processing invoices and purchase orders, reviewing and monitoring compliance for contracts and procurement guidelines 
• Business Licenses: Providing centralized cashiering and processing business licenses
• Treasury: Preparing cash flow analysis and reviewing City's investments

POSITION
The Senior Accountant is an exempt, represented position reporting directly to the Deputy Director of Finance. Under general direction, the Senior Accountant performs complex and responsible professional accounting work, including auditing, analyzing, and verifying financial records; preparing financial and statistical reports; reconciling general ledger accounts; and providing guidance to City staff regarding accounting practices, procedures, and internal controls.

The Senior Accountant oversees key financial operations, including financial closing processes, maintenance of the general ledger, accounts payable, purchasing, and the preparation of year-end audit reports and supporting schedules. The position provides technical expertise and responsible support to department management and participates in the development and implementation of policies and procedures governing the City's financial systems and internal controls.

The ideal candidate will possess a strong knowledge of municipal accounting, budgeting, auditing, and financial reporting, as well as a thorough understanding of applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, regulations, and professional standards governing governmental accounting. The Senior Accountant reviews the work of subordinate staff, responds to City Council requests, and provides assistance to the Director and Deputy Director of Finance as needed. Performs related duties as required.

IDEAL CANDIDATE
The ideal candidate will be a hands-on accounting professional with strong governmental accounting experience, sound judgment, and the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines. The successful candidate will be working with the Deputy Director of Finance, successfully leading a team, and also working independently on complex accounting matters while also providing technical guidance and support to other Finance staff.

On a regular basis, this position will coordinate monthly, quarterly, and year-end closing activities; review bi-weekly check run for invoices, review and reconcile general ledger accounts; prepare and review complex journal entries; prepare the Treasury Report; assist with audit schedules and financial reporting; review purchase orders, encumbrances, and year-end carryforwards; support grant and restricted fund accounting; assist with cash management and banking activities; and help ensure accounting procedures and internal controls are consistently followed.

The City is seeking someone who is detail-oriented, organized, collaborative, and proactive in identifying and resolving accounting issues. The ideal candidate will also be able to communicate effectively with Finance staff, other City departments, auditors, financial institutions, and other external partners.

EXAMPLES OF TYPICAL JOB FUNCTIONS  (Illustrative Only)
Management reserves the rights to add, modify, change or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Assist in the formulation of policy governing the operations of the City's financial systems and implement department goals and objectives. 
• Monitor the City's financial condition, analyze financial statements and prepare reports with recommendations identifying trends or irregularities, or describing the City's financial condition generally. 
• Prepare custom reports and queries using report writer software to enable analysis of City's finances and to provide custom information to users. 
• Analyze, evaluate and organize data and information for the preparation of complex studies including financial forecasts and cost benefit analysis. 
• Assist in the preparation of the City's budget and forecasting future revenue levels and expenditure patterns. 
• Review the general ledger in preparation for the fiscal year-end financial statement audit, prepare schedules for the auditors, and prepare the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report. 
• Examine, analyze and verify a variety of financial documents for accuracy and compliance with established procedures. 
• Perform reconciliation of general ledger accounts and other financial transactions. 
• Review the work product of subordinates, including journal entries, the payroll register, the warrant register, and bank reconciliations. 
• Respond to complaints or requests for information from the City Council, City employees and the public. 
• Perform such additional tasks and duties as directed by the Director or Deputy Director of Finance and Information Technology.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in accounting, finance or a related field.  
Four years of increasing responsible experience in professional financial and accounting work preferably in municipal government.

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATES
Certification as a Certified Public Accountant is desirable but not required. 

Knowledge of: 

• Principles and practices of municipal accounting, budgeting, auditing, financial reporting and administration. 
• Posting, ledger and journal activity, reconciliations, double-entry bookkeeping, math and financial records. 
• Federal, State and local laws, codes, regulations and professional standards applicable to governmental accounting.

Ability to: 

• Assist in the formulation of policies and policy alternatives and based on such policies identify and define programs to implement such policies. 
• Analyze and reconcile complex financial data and transactions and develop and implement efficient accounting procedures as part of a comprehensive accounting program. 
• Audit and analyze accounting systems and procedures to determine compliance with applicable laws, regulations and policies. 
• Maintain effective relationships with co-workers other city staff, professionals in other jurisdictions, and clients of the City. 
• Prepare logical, objective, and concise written reports and correspondence. 
• Communicate clearly and effectively.

TEST ACCOMODATION
Applicants with disabilities who require special testing arrangements must contact Human Resources. If you have a disability for which you require an accommodation, please contact us at (310) 544-5332 no later than five (5) business days before the test date.

DISASTER SERVICE WORKER DESIGANTION (DSW): 
All public employees in the State of California are considered Disaster Service Workers. As a Disaster Service Worker (DSW), you may be asked to carry on with your work as usual, or you may be asked to do something completely different than your everyday job. There are many different ways to assist during a disaster because each situation is unique. Before entering upon the duties of employment, all public employees take and subscribe to an oath by the City Clerk’s office declaring them to be Disaster Service Workers in time of need. The oath reaffirms an employee’s willingness to support and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of California.