Accountant

THE CITY OF INDUSTRY

ACCOUNTANT

FULL-TIME JOB OPPORTUNITY

Salary Range $68,788 to $83,612 annually, DOQ

POSITION

Under the direction of the Director of Finance, performs advanced level professional accounting work, including the recording and reporting of financial transactions and budgeting control for general ledger accounts and assigned funds for City Departments; reviews accounts payable, payroll and other fiscal records; participates in the development of policies and procedures for departmental activities; performs difficult and complex accounting work and prepares financial statements, reports, and budgets; provides information to City staff regarding accounting practices and procedures; assists in preparing the City’s annual budgets; prepares year-end audit reports and schedules; and performs related work as required.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

This is the advanced-level class in the professional accounting series.  Incumbents perform the full range of routine and complex departmental accounting and record-keeping programs under only minimal supervision.  Responsibilities include the supervision of the recording and reporting of financial transactions and budgeting control and by the performance of the more difficult and complex assignments and requires the use of tact, discretion, and independent judgment.  Successful performance of the work requires thorough knowledge of governmental accounting practices and procedures, fund accounting, and fiscal management.  This class is distinguished from the Finance Manager in that the latter is responsible for more complex and higher-level accounting functions and exercises higher levels of discretion and independent decision-making.

Examples of TYPICAL JOB FUNCTIONS (Illustrative Only)

Management reserves the right 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.

• Reviews and monitors the journal entries and posting, balancing and reconciliation of the general ledger and subsidiary accounts; prepares or directs the preparation of related journal entries, account reconciliations, related schedules, and reports.
• Prepares work papers, financial statements and various reports for audits by Federal, State and other outside agencies as well as for internal accounting; assists in annual budget preparation and year-end reports; performs comprehensive financial activity studies as assigned.
• Maintains the chart of accounts; provides liaison to City departments regarding the status of accounts and related matters; reviews expenditures and encumbrances for accuracy and conformance to budget; provides analysis of available funds at management request; prepares fund balance projections and reviews with operating departments.
• Interprets, explains, and applies general and governmental accounting/auditing principles and procedures, laws, and regulations affecting the financial operations of municipal government; monitors and reports on the status of State and Federal grants; reviews and audits grant contracts and other documents to ensure grant compliance.
• Analyzes and reconciles expenditure and revenue accounts, including bond accounts; reviews and processes appropriation transfer requests between accounts; reconciles bond statements and bank statements to the general ledger.
• Provides direction and records and maintains appropriate controls for fixed assets, including City-owned vehicles and land; assists in the City's purchase orders and accounts payable system, auditing and financial analysis, grant accounting, and special reports.
• Provides professional and technical assistance and/or supervises personnel that assist departments with budget activity, providing personnel cost projections and estimated grant revenues and expenditures, proper expenditure coding, document preparation, monitoring expenditures to ensure compliance with adopted budget, assisting in publication of the budget, and other accounting related activities.
• Participates in the development of department goals, objectives, policies, and procedures; recommends and implements changes in accounting systems and procedures.
• Supervises assigned staff and provides technical guidance to lower level professional accounting and clerical staff in functions that include accounts receivable, payable, and payroll; assists in the preparation of performance evaluations.
• Monitors and interprets City municipal bonds to ensure compliance and to maintain responsibility to the bond holders.
• Tracks Capital Improvement Program expenditures and allocates funds to the appropriate Capital Improvement Project account.
• Assists with investments, portfolio management, cash management, debt management, new financing, annexations and subdivisions, and revenue and expense projections.
• Attends meetings, conferences, workshops, and training sessions, and reviews publications to remain current on principles, practices, and new developments in the field of accounting; and may perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Graduation from a four-year college or university with major coursework in accounting, finance, economics, business or public administration, or a closely related field and two (2) years of responsible professional accounting experience in a public agency. Fund accounting experience is highly desirable.

License:

• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California Driver’s License by time of appointment.
• Certification as a Certified Public Accountant in the State of California is desirable.

Physical Demands

Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person, before groups, and over the telephone.  This is primarily a sedentary office classification although standing and walking between work areas may be required.  Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment.  Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information.  Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects weighing up to 25 pounds.

Environmental Elements

Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances.  Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

BENEFITS AND COMPENSATION – FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES

Compensation               

Starting salary will depend on qualifications, prior experience, and skills.

Retirement        

Participation in California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) Retirement Plan, the City does not participate in Social Security.

• 2.0% @ 60 for classic members
• 2.0% @ 62 for new members (PEPRA)

Defined Contribution Retirement Plan (PARS, 401(a)) of 6.5% for classic and PEPRA class members participating in either the 2% at 60 or 2% at 62 CalPERS retirement formula.

Health/Life Insurance:

• Group life, medical, dental, and vision care are currently provided with the City paying 100% of the premiums for employees and eligible dependents.
• Long-term care plan provided for employee and spouse.
• Long-term disability plan for employee only.
• Health Reimbursement Plan, five year vesting period.
• Group term life insurance/AD&D.

Work Week

9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday, additional hours as required to complete essential duties.

Vacation

Full-time employees initially accrue 80 hours per year in years 0 through 4 of service, 120 hours in years 5 through 9, and 160 hours for 10+ years to a maximum of 240 hours a year.  Thirteen holiday days observed annually.

Sick Leave                     

Employees accrue 96 hours per year.

Administrative/Paid Time Off Leave                   

Employees receive 36 hours each calendar year, administrative leave time muse be used within each fiscal year.

Miscellaneous Benefits

       Voluntary participation in 457 deferred compensation plan.

       Voluntary participation in additional term life insurance.

       Voluntary participation in flexible benefit plan for dependent care.

       Education/Tuition allowance.

APPLY IMMEDIATELY:

Position will close on October 21, 2016. To apply, please submit an electronic application and resume at www.calopps.org

All submittals will be reviewed in detail, and those applicants possessing the minimum qualifications will be invited to continue in the selection process.  The selection process will consist of a resume and application evaluation (qualifying), panel interview and final interview.

The successful candidate will be required to undergo a pre-employment physical exam, including a drug/alcohol test, and a criminal background investigation, which involves fingerprinting (A felony or misdemeanor conviction may disqualify the applicant from City employment), and the final candidate must be able to establish both work authorization and identity.

All employees serve a 365 day probationary period in accordance with the employee handbook.

The City of Industry is committed to promoting equal employment opportunity to all without regard to political affiliation or opinion, age, race, color, national origin, ancestry, religious creed, marital status, disability, medical condition, gender, pregnancy or pregnancy related condition. The City of Industry is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Please note:  If you require an accommodation during the selection process, please notify the Human Resources Department at (626) 333-2211.

The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract for employment.  Any provision contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice. 

Class specifications are only intended to present a descriptive summary of the range of duties and responsibilities associated with specified positions.  Therefore, specifications may not include all duties performed within a classification.  In addition, specifications are intended to outline the minimum qualifications necessary for entry into the class and do not necessarily convey the qualifications of incumbents within the position.