Accounting Manager

Accounting Manager

To manage, direct and coordinate the activities of the general accounting operations; to coordinate accounting activities with other divisions and departments; and to provide highly complex staff assistance to the Director of Management Services. This position exercises direct supervision over assigned professional, technical and clerical staff.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS : The Accounting Manager has the day to day responsibility for managing, directing and organizing the functions and activities of the Accounting Division of the Management Services Department. Areas of responsibility include but are not limited to managing General Ledger, Accounts Payable and Special District Accounting. This position also participates in the development and implementation of various financial policies and procedures. The Accounting Manager will also ensure that work carried out in the Division complies with Generally Accepted Accounting Procedures.

Position Snapshot / A Day in the Life : The Accounting Manager oversees the City's daily accounting operations, ensuring financial accuracy, compliance, and efficiency. A typical day involves reviewing and approving journal entries, reconciliations, and financial reports, while guiding staff on complex accounting issues. The role includes coordinating with other divisions on audits, system improvements, and report deadlines, as well as preparing portions of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) and other state filings. Throughout the day, the Accounting Manager provides leadership, training, and oversight to the accounting team, ensuring that the City's financial records remain transparent, accurate, and in compliance with GAAP.

The incumbent must have the ability to :

• Assist in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies and priorities related to activities of the division.
• Manage, direct and organize the functions and activities of the City's general accounting operations.
• Review, analyze and reconcile reports prepared by accountants; review and recommend staff reports relating to accounting; prepare the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) utilizing the Government Finance Officers Association awards standards.
• Coordinate, review and approve various reports including but not limited to the California Debt and Investment Advisory Commission Report, State Controller's Report, Street Report, Redevelopment Agency Debt Report, and Special District Report.
• Direct, oversee and participate in the development of the Accounting Division's work plan; assign work activities, projects and programs; monitor work flow; review and evaluate work products, methods and procedures.
• Develop the Accounting Division budget; assist in budget implementation; participate in the forecast of additional funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, supplies and other projects and services.
• Coordinate the automated accounting systems within the Accounting Division, recommend system enhancement and assist other departments with automated systems interface.
• Oversee and approve the preparation, examination and verification of financial documents and reports; and coordinate and analyze a variety of complex audits, financial statements and reports.
• Supervise the preparation of general purpose and technical financial statements for the City; review and analyze technical and complex financial transactions.
• Analyze and reconcile accounts within the general ledger; review and approve general ledger entries prepared by staff.
• Supervise and review the preparation of technical and complex journal entries.
• Direct and review the accounting for community facilities districts, and monitor development and assessment fees.
• Analyze fiscal and accounting problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences or proposed actions and implement recommendations in support of goals.
• Apply advanced accounting principles to the maintenance of financial and accounting transactions.
• Prepare and analyze technical and complex financial reports, statements and correspondence.
• Interpret and apply applicable Federal, State and local policies, procedures, laws and regulations.
• Supervise, train and evaluate personnel.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Perform other tasks or functions deemed necessary to the daily operations of the employer.

THE ABOVE LIST OF ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS IS NOT EXHAUSTIVE AND MAY BE SUPPLEMENTED AS NECESSARY BY THE EMPLOYER.

WORKING CONDITIONS : Position requires prolonged sitting, standing, walking, reaching, twisting, turning, bending and stooping in the performance of daily activities. The position also requires grasping, repetitive hand movement, and fine coordination in preparing reports using a computer keyboard. Additionally, the position requires near and far visions in reading written reports and other work-related documents. Acute hearing is required when providing telephone assistance.

A combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. The incumbent must have knowledge of :

Experience : A minimum of five (5) years of increasingly responsible experience in professional governmental accounting which included three years local California agency experience and some supervisory responsibility.

Education : A Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in accounting or a closely related field. MBA / MPA or CPA is preferred.

Licenses / Certifications : Possession of, and continuously through employment, a valid, California Class C Driver's License.

Successful candidates will be required to complete an annual Statement of Economic Interest Form (700 Form) and bi-annual ethics training pursuant to AB 1234.