What are the responsibilities and job description for the Senior Accountant (Promotional Opportunity) position at City of Santa Cruz?
The current vacancy is for Senior Accountant in the Finance Department. This recruitment is open to current Regular City employees only. The eligibility list established from this promotional recruitment is valid for up to one year from the date established unless the list is extended or abolished by the Human Resources Director.
Under general direction, the Senior Accountant manages, oversees, reviews, and performs complex accounting activities of the City; plans, assigns and reviews the work of staff performing professional accounting duties in the Finance Department; performs advanced and complex professional accounting work; monitors and ensures the accuracy and integrity of the City’s accounting records; may assist in the preparation of the City’s Annual Operating Budget and the Capital Improvement Program Budget; facilitates the City’s annual audit; supervises the preparation and submission of financial reports requiring comprehensive knowledge of the City’s financial functions, municipal accounting, and automated municipal accounting systems; acts as a resource for staff on accounting practices and procedures and the City’s computer-based financial system; provides assistance to the Finance Director, Assistant Finance Director, and/or the Finance Managers in a variety of fiscal management assignments; and performs related duties as assigned.
APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS:
The following process may be changed as deemed necessary by the Human Resources Director. The information contained within this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.
- On Thursday 03/27/25 recruitment will close. All application materials must be received by the Human Resources Department by 5:00 pm. To apply, submit:
- Application - online application only. Resumes are not accepted in lieu of filling out the application form completely. Click the Apply button to begin the online process.
- Response to supplemental questions - will be a primary tool in the evaluation of your qualifications for this position. Any work experience described here must also be included in your employment history on the main application.
- Weeks of 04/07 and/or 04/14/25: Applications will be competitively screened based on the minimum qualifications for this position. Once all applications have been reviewed, applicants will be notified of their status in the recruitment and interviews will be scheduled for top candidates.
- Plans, directs, coordinates and reviews the work of assigned staff and programs which include general accounting, audit coordination, cash management.
- Assists (with the support of the professional accounting staff) in the preparation of the City’s Annual Operating Budget and the Capital Improvement Program Budget.
- Supervises trains and evaluates assigned staff; makes recommendations for the selection of new employees; provides or coordinates staff training; provides expertise and direction to staff.
- Prepares or reviews and authorizes all journal entries recorded in the accounting system; maintains the general ledger.
- Ensures compliance with laws, codes and regulations governing regulatory and municipal accounting.
- Oversees the recording and monitoring of long-term debt transactions for the City’s debt issues.
- Assists in debt issuance and the review of bond documents.
- Assists in cash management activities.
- Coordinates the City’s annual audit and the preparation of the City’s Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR).
- Coordinates and participates in the research, evaluation and implementation of new Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) Statements.
- Researches, evaluates, and performs major, special or unusual (non-routine) accounting assignments or projects with little or no supervision. Examples of a major assignment or project could include but are not limited to interpreting and implementing new major reporting requirements from the State, implementing a financial system module or conducting a comprehensive review of an internal business practice, including developing recommendations and implementing changes.
- Supervises and participates in the preparation of a variety of written reports, including periodic and annual financial reports and statements for submittal to the City Council; reviews financial analyses developed by consultants, departments or other agencies to verify their completeness; prepares required financial reports to State and Federal agencies, banks and other financial institutions.
- Manages the capital assets process and records, including inventory verification and project cost analysis and capitalization.
- Recommends, develops and implements departmental policies and procedures related to accounting activities; reviews, recommends and implements improvements to accounting methods, budgeting and reporting procedures; ensures conformity to policies; and increases effectiveness of financial procedures.
- Assists in the development, maintenance and enhancement of computerized information systems for accounting and financial functions; performs financial systems software management, including maintaining financial system software controls, administering the accounting aspects of general ledger software, setting up new accounts and acting as a resource to staff; coordinates the implementation of new accounting software and participates in the development and implementation of training programs, policies and procedures related to accounting information systems.
- Responds to requests for information and advises City departments, governmental agencies and the public of City accounting policies.
- Provides assistance to the Finance Director, the Assistant Finance Director, and/or Finance Managers.
- May perform all of the duties of the Accountant I/II classification.
- Performs other related duties that may be reasonably expected as part of this classification.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
Position requires prolonged sitting, standing, walking, reaching, twisting, turning, kneeling, bending, squatting and stooping in the performance of daily activities. The position also requires grasping, repetitive hand movement and fine coordination when using a computer keyboard. Additionally, the position requires near and far vision when reading and using a computer. Acute hearing is required when providing phone and personal service. The need to lift, push and pull files, paper and documents weighing up to 25 pounds also is required. Some of these requirements may be accommodated for otherwise qualified individuals requiring and requesting such accommodations.
The minimum qualifications for Education, Experience, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities are the following:
Education and Experience
- A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field; and
- Three years of professional accounting experience, including two years of experience performing governmental accounting.
Knowledge:
- Principles and practices of governmental accounting, auditing, budget preparation and control.
- The laws and regulations governing the accounting, budgeting and auditing activities of a governmental agency.
- Methods of analyzing complex accounting, fiscal and budgetary data.
- Methods and techniques for record keeping and report preparation.
- Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) as they apply to governmental agencies.
- Accounting information systems.
- Principles and practices of supervision, training, and evaluation.
Abilities:
- Plan, assign, train, supervise and evaluate the work of assigned staff.
- Read, analyze, interpret, verify and record complex financial and accounting data accurately.
- Prepare a variety of financial statements and reports, including the City’s Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) in a timely and accurate manner.
- Develop, evaluate, implement, maintain and recommend improvements to accounting and budget control procedures.
- Interpret, explain and apply applicable laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures.
- Make oral presentations at meetings or forums
- Examine and verify financial documents, reports and transactions.
- Operate a computer and a variety of word processing, spreadsheet and software applications, including financial and accounting programs.
- Exercise independent judgment, analyze problems, identify alternative solutions and implement recommendations
- Make sound decisions within established guidelines.
- Communicate clearly and concisely both verbally and in writing.
- Follow written and oral directions.
- Effectively organize assigned tasks and work within deadlines.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with City staff, outside agencies, businesses, and the general public.
- Observe safety principles and work in a safe manner.
Licenses and Certificates
Not applicable.
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
- Supervisory experience.
- Municipal government accounting experience.
- Professional certification as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Public Finance Officer (CPFO) or Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM).
- Finance Director
- Assistant Finance Director
- Finance Manager
- Senior Accountant
- Accountant I/II
Salary : $8,761 - $11,293
