Accounting Manager - Controller

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CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO
invites applications for the position of:
Accounting Manager / Controller

An Equal Opportunity Employer SALARY: Hourly
$45.94 - $57.41 Biweekly
$3,675.00 - $4,593.00 Monthly
$7,962.50 - $9,951.50 Annually
$95,550.00 - $119,418.00  

OPENING DATE: 07/12/16

CLOSING DATE: 08/09/16 05:00 PM

JOB DESCRIPTION:

JOB SUMMARY:
Plans, organizes, leads, and monitors programs and activities related to the City's financial accounting, accounts payable, and payroll systems; manages the City's interim and annual financial reporting needs; internal and external audits; internal controls, cost accounting programs;  and customer service activities; this position plans, supervises and reviews the work of professional, technical and accounting office support staff; prepares complex and difficult fiscal analysis; and performs related work as assigned.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS:
This single-position class provides direction and supervision for professional finance and support staff in addition to performing diverse, specialized and complex accounting work involving significant accountability and decision-making responsibility. The incumbent is accountable for accomplishing unit planning and operational goals and objectives and for furthering City goals and objectives within general policy guidelines. This class is distinguished from the Director of Finance in that the latter is the department director with overall management responsibility for the City's financial, accounting, revenue management, investment management, debt management, and budget preparation and monitoring.

   

SUPERVISION:

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED:
The Accounting Manager receives general direction from the Director of Finance within a framework of broad policies and procedures and established organizational values and processes.  Direct supervision is provided to professional, technical and office support staff and oversight is provided to contract service providers.  The Accounting Manager may act as Director of Finance in his/her absence. 

   

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES:

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
(Any one position may not include all of the duties listed nor do the listed examples include all tasks that may be found in positions of this class.)

• Plans, organizes, leads, and monitors accounting and payroll programs and activities related to the City's financial operations.
• Manages the City's interim and annual financial reporting needs, including internal and external audits.
• Oversees and participates directly in the preparation of periodic and annual financial reports, including the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and standards as well as City fiscal policies.
• Provides training to departmental and operating staff regarding the City's financial reporting policies, procedures and reporting capabilities.
• Manages cost accounting programs including the preparation of cost allocation plans, preparation of cost of service studies, and the design and implementation of fee programs.
• Manage internal control procedures within the accounting, accounts payable, payroll, and other related functions for the City.
• Assists with the creation of debt financing, including coordination with the City's financial advisor, bond counsel, and trustee regarding the preparation of new debt financing.
• Prepares and maintains a variety of reports regarding expenditures for departmental or City-wide program; prepares periodic and special reports regarding program operating costs.
• Develops and implements policies and procedures regarding accounting, payroll and other related practices.
• Plans, organizes, reviews, and evaluates the work of supervisory, professional, technical and accounting support staff; provides training and policy guidance and interpretation to staff.
• Performs complex and difficult fiscal analysis and related work, as assigned.
• Performs responsible accounting, payroll, financial and/or budgetary document processing, document review and program support work in coordination with other staff.
• Prepares or directs the preparation and reconciliation of journals, ledgers and other accounting records; prepares or directs the preparation of records and reports for submission to various regulatory and other governmental agencies.
• Ensures that staff provides a high degree of service to both internal and external customers that supports achieving the departments and the City's mission, objectives, and values.
• Contributes to the overall quality of the department's service by developing, reviewing and implementing policies and procedures to meet legal requirements and City needs.
• Establishes and maintains internal control procedures and ensures that accounting standards are met.
• Prepares and directs the preparation of a variety of written correspondence, reports, procedures, resolutions and other materials.
• Maintains and directs the maintenance of working and official departmental automated and manual files.
• Monitors changes in laws, accounting procedures and generally accepted accounting principles; identifies changes in regulations and technology that may affect departmental operations; implements policy and procedural changes after approval.
• Assists in developing and administering department and division goals, objectives, policies and procedures.
• May serve as the Acting Director on a relief or as-needed basis.
• Researches, proposes, develops and implements financial accounting practices and systems to address customer service needs.
• Performs related duties similar to the above in scope and function as required.

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:

• Principles and practices of public agency financial management, including general and governmental accounting, auditing and reporting functions.
• Principles and practices of governmental accounting and financial reporting requirements.
• Commonly used information technology hardware and software, particularly as related to financial and administrative functions.
• Principles and practices of employee supervision, including work planning, assignment, review and evaluation and the training of staff in work procedures.
• Basic public administration policies and practices.
• Applicable laws, regulations, generally accepted accounting principles and reporting requirements and standard accounting practices regarding public agency accounting operations.
• Standard office practices and procedures, including the use of standard office equipment.
• Techniques for effectively representing the City in contacts with governmental agencies, community groups and various business, professional, regulatory and legislative organizations.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service to public and City staff, in person and over the telephone.

 

Ability to:

• Plan, organize, administer, coordinate, review, evaluate and personally participate in a comprehensive public agency financial management program.
• Maintain accurate financial records and prepare clear and accurate reports for informational, auditing and operational use.
• Plan, organize, assign, coordinate, supervise and evaluate the work of assigned staff.
• Prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, policies, procedures and other written materials.
• Analyze complex accounting and fiscal issues, recommend resolutions and prepare reports based on this analysis.
• Verify the accuracy of financial data and information.
• Present complex information orally and in writing in an easy-to-understand way for employees, community groups and decision-makers.
• Manage complex projects, on-time and within budget.
• Interpret, apply and explain complex laws, codes, regulations and ordinances.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence and independent judgment within general policy and legal guidelines.
• Establish and maintain effective working relations with those contacted in the course of work, both inside and outside the organization, including public "stakeholder" groups.
• Work in a team atmosphere and participate on a variety of departmental and City-wide committees to enhance the provision of all City services.

 

TYPICAL QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
Graduation from a four-year college or university with major coursework in accounting, finance, business administration or a closely related field;
and
Five years of professional finance experience, including three years at an administrative, supervisory or management level in a finance and/or accounting department, preferably in a governmental or public agency setting;
or
An equivalent combination of education and experience.

A graduate degree in Finance, Business or Public Administration or closely related field is desirable. 

POSSESSION AND MAINTENANCE OF:

• Certification as a Certified Public Accountant in the State of California is desirable.
• A valid California class C driver's license and a satisfactory driving record.

THIS POSITION WILL BE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING BEFORE A FINAL OFFER IS MADE:

• Credit Check