Accounting Manager

Are you ready to join a dynamic finance team that is building its next era? If so, the City of Albany may be for you! Our Finance Team recently underwent a re-organization to set the team and the City up for long-term financial success, including the development of the Accounting Manager role.

What makes the City of Albany so special? 

• We have an inspired team dedicated to providing exceptional service and supporting our community now and into the future. 
• Our people are instrumental to our success. We have a reputation for supporting growth and development throughout the organization.
• At 437 FTEs and 58,000 population, we’re not too big or too small! You can enjoy being part of a community while still finding plenty of opportunities for professional growth.
• We do serious work, but never take ourselves too seriously. Our team enjoys humor, fun, comradery, and epic holiday celebrations

 What makes our Accounting Manager position so great?

• You have the opportunity to shape the financial future of our community through process development and improvements. We recently re-organized the Finance Team, creating the Accounting Manager position to place greater emphasis on our accounting and payroll functions. This creates a unique opportunity to champion and support our Finance team as they implement best practices and enhance two key pillars of our financial foundation.
• You’ll be able to hit the ground running, sinking your teeth into meaningful projects such as streamlining workflows, digitizing our ACFR, and enhancing our ERP system. The team also recently conducted strategic visioning for the future of the department which you will have a role in leading.
• We lead from any seat. There is strong support from management for staff to identify and recommend program enhancements, giving you the ability to see projects from start to finish and grow professionally.
• This position allows for a mix of remote work and flexible scheduling.

 Benefits include:

• Excellent medical, vision and dental benefit package for the employee and qualified family members with low monthly out-of-pocket cost. Employee-paid premium is approximately $51 per month for employee-only coverage up to a maximum of $147 per month for family coverage.  
• City-paid contribution to a VEBA Trust account for out-of-pocket healthcare expenses.  Currently, the annual contribution is $1,000 for employee-only and $2,000 for employee plus dependent(s).
• Paid time off – Fronted sick and vacation leave may be considered upon hire
  • 17 hours of vacation leave per month, with progressive increases
  • 8 hours of sick leave per month  
  • 10 paid holidays per year
  • No waiting period to use vacation and/or sick leave accruals
• Excellent retirement benefits: 
  • City-paid participation in the Oregon Public Employee Retirement System (OPSRP and City pays 6% IAP contribution) 
  • City-paid 2% contribution into pre-tax deferred compensation plan 
• In addition, other benefits such as job-related college tuition and book reimbursement, employee assistance program, basic life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, and flexible spending accounts for healthcare and childcare expenses.

To learn more about our organization, our community, and our benefits, click here.

Plans, assigns, organizes, and manages major general accounting operations of the City including but not limited to accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, cash receipts, capital assets, and general ledger accounting and reporting functions. This position is responsible for preparing and overseeing the annual financial and compliance audits as well as the preparation of the City's Annual Comprehensive Financial Report. This position must work well independently and with teams to provide exceptional customer service in line with the City’s values, strategic priorities, and operational plans. The Accounting Manager provides direction and mentorship to technical and clerical positions within the Finance Department.  

The duties listed are intended only as illustrative examples of the various types of work that may be performed by individuals in this classification.  Any of the following duties may be performed.  These examples are not necessarily performed by all incumbents and do not include all specific essential functions and responsibilities the incumbent may be expected to perform. 

1. Supervises staff performing all aspects of the Accounting Division’s accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, cash receipts, capital assets, and general ledger accounting and reporting functions. This includes providing guidance, training opportunities, and coaching for development as well as hiring, scheduling, performance, and termination functions.
2. Assists the Finance Director in establishing goals and objectives and executing the department’s operational plan.
3. Manages the month-end and year-end close to meet established deadlines.
4. Recommends changes to business practices, policies, internal controls, and performance standards to create efficient and accurate financial operations in compliance with City guidelines, industry best practices, and emerging trends.
5. Provides technical advice and assistance to department and City staff regarding accounting practices and financial information; resolves problems as necessary.
6. Coordinates and prepares audit work papers and supporting schedules required for external audits.  Coordinates with the external auditors in the preparation of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report.  Prepares application for the Government Finance Officers Association Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting.
7. Develops and maintains systems and records that provide for proper evaluation, control, and documentation of assigned operations to minimize opportunities for fraud and to ensure City financial transactions are properly recorded.
8. Coordinates the development, support, maintenance, and enhancement of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and time accounting applications; responsible for administering financial modules, users, roles, permissions, and workflows in the ERP and associated systems; evaluates and tests the effectiveness of current systems and makes appropriate recommendations.
9. Monitor cash flows to ensure the availability of adequate cash to meet financial commitments.
10. Conducts special projects such as financial reports, rate studies, and special assessments as requested.
11. Records all financial transactions to a computerized general ledger system which includes payroll, accounts payable, accounts receivable, special assessments, monthly receipts, and journal entries.
12. Monitors the fixed asset accounts of the City including auditing data for inventory control.
13. Prepares and presents reports, resources, policies and procedures, and financial documents that can be understood by the target audience.
14. May represent the Finance Director in his/her absence.
15. Represents the City of Albany by responding to the public, citizens, its employees, and others in a prompt, professional, and courteous manner while continuously maintaining a positive customer service demeanor. Regards everyone, internal and external, as a customer and deliver the best service possible in a respectful and patient manner.
16. Serves as a member of various City committees as assigned.
17. Operates a motor vehicle safely and legally. 
18. Performs other duties and responsibilities as required.

Works under the general guidance and direction of the Finance Director. 

This is a supervisory position. Individuals in this classification are responsible for supervising assigned employees which includes scheduling and assigning work; mentoring, coaching, and training; developing work plans and reviewing work for completion; evaluating performance and providing necessary feedback to employees; setting work standards; imposing or effectively recommending necessary disciplinary action; responding to grievances; and making or effectively recommending hiring and termination decisions.

Education and Experience

Required: 

A bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration or management, or closely related field; and four years of progressively responsible experience in government accounting including two years of management experience; 
or 
an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Preferred: 

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Public Finance Officer (CPFO), or Certified Government Finance Manager (CGFM).

Special Requirements: 

• Possession of or ability to obtain a valid Oregon driver's license.
• The individual shall not pose a direct threat to the health or safety of themselves or others.

 Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of: Principles, practices, procedures, and techniques of governmental accounting and auditing; operational characteristics, services, and activities of a municipal accounting program; methods and techniques of cost depreciation systems; financial recordkeeping and transactions; and municipal licensing; relevant pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations; and principles, practices, and methods of management, supervision, training, and performance evaluation. 

Ability to: Oversee and participate in the management of a comprehensive municipal accounting program; select, supervise, direct, train, and evaluate the work of subordinate staff; participate in the development and administration of section goals, objectives, and procedures; prepare clear and concise administrative and financial reports; analyze problems, make recommendations for solutions and administer those solutions; interpret and apply federal, state, and local policies and regulations; audit internal accounting procedures and practices to ensure appropriate controls, checks, and balances; coordinate and organize departmental work flow; communicate effectively, verbally and in writing; understand and carry out written and oral instructions; establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, other departments, and the public; operate computers for data entry.  

Work Environment

The work environment is primarily that of an office job and the noise and temperature levels are moderate. Work is also performed in numerous meeting settings in offices, conference rooms, and public spaces. Travel is normally limited to various city work sites. This position may be required to work evenings and weekends. 

Physical Demands

While performing the essential duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, finger, talk, hear, and make repetitive motions. This position is mostly sedentary work; exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. The employee is required to have close visual acuity.  

Tools & Equipment Used

Uses standard office equipment. Operates vehicle for meetings and site visits. 

Salary : $105,056 - $141,826