Accountant I/II - Limited Term

City of Davis•Davis, CA

About The Position

The City of Davis is hiring an experienced accountant to help backfill professional governmental accounting duties during a multi-year Enterprise and Resource Planning (ERP) system implementation. Experience processing or overseeing local government payroll operations is desirable. This is a full-time limited-term position with an expected duration of up to two years. Under general supervision at the Accountant I level or direction at the Accountant II level, the position performs professional accounting work, including auditing, analyzing, and verifying fiscal records and reports; preparing financial and statistical reports; advising City staff on accounting practices and procedures; reconciling general ledger accounts; assisting with annual budgets; and preparing accounting reports and schedules. Other duties may be assigned. The Accountant I classification is entry-level in the series. Employees initially work under close supervision, performing routine professional accounting duties and gaining responsibility as experience develops. The Accountant II classification is the fully qualified journey level, handling the full range of assigned duties independently and using judgment and initiative. The series is flexibly staffed, and advancement to Accountant II depends on management approval, satisfactory performance, ability to perform the full range of duties, and meeting the classification’s minimum qualifications. The role may supervise lower-level staff. Work is performed in a standard office environment with moderate noise and controlled temperatures, using standard office equipment. The position is primarily sedentary, with occasional movement and physical tasks.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent from an accredited college or university, with major coursework in accounting, finance, business or public administration, or a related field.
Accountant I: One year of professional accounting and/or auditing experience.
Accountant II: Three years of increasingly responsible professional accounting and/or auditing experience.
Knowledge of public and governmental accounting and finance, program budgeting, general accounting, and auditing as applied to municipal operations.
Knowledge of data processing and its application to accounting and municipal operations.
Knowledge of applicable laws, regulations, codes, ordinances, procedures, financial reporting, fund accounting, recordkeeping, employee supervision, and leadership principles.
Ability to review, analyze, record, and document financial transactions; verify financial data; and post, balance, and reconcile ledgers, reports, and accounts.
Ability to ensure proper authorization and documentation for disbursements and other financial transactions and to audit, reconcile, and balance bank statements.
Ability to analyze financial data, draw conclusions, prepare financial statements and reports, and perform accurate arithmetic, financial, and statistical computations.
Ability to assist in developing and implementing goals, policies, procedures, and work standards; supervise and train staff; and evaluate performance.
Ability to organize work independently, set priorities, meet deadlines, and use sound judgment within policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
Ability to use relevant computer systems, software applications, and standard business equipment.
Ability to communicate clearly and concisely in writing and orally and to establish effective working relationships.
Possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use office equipment; vision to read printed materials and computer screens; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and by telephone.
Ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects weighing up to 25 pounds.

Nice To Haves

One year of governmental accounting experience for Accountant II.
Experience processing and/or overseeing local government payroll operations.
Certified Public Accountant (CPA) certification or Certified Public Finance Officer (CPFO) designation.

Responsibilities

Plan, organize, assign, supervise, and review the work of assigned clerical accounting staff; train staff, evaluate performance, counsel employees, recommend initial disciplinary action, and assist with selection and promotion.
Monitor accounting work-unit activities, identify opportunities to improve service delivery and procedures, recommend process changes, and implement improvements as appropriate.
Provide professional and technical assistance in administering and implementing the City’s financial, auditing, and accounting programs.
Prepare journal entries and reconcile general ledger and subsidiary accounts for payroll, accounts payable, cash receipts, and accounts receivable postings.
Prepare monthly financial statements and financial reports, including distributing revenue and expenditure reports to departments.
Maintain controls for capital assets; assist with purchase orders and accounts payable; and perform auditing, financial analysis, and special reporting.
Prepare year-end capital asset schedules; maintain the capital asset inventory in the fiscal management system; generate depreciation entries; post disposals and transfers; and provide reports and spreadsheets to auditors.
Prepare financial and statistical reports under GAAP, including year-end and budgetary reports, and assist with the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR).
Review accounting and financial documents for accuracy and correct errors through appropriate entries.
Conduct analytical and operational studies of departmental financial, operational, or administrative issues; evaluate alternatives, make recommendations, and assist with implementing procedures.
Track property tax payments and ensure bills are sent to the appropriate City departments for payment authorization.
Interpret, explain, and apply governmental accounting and auditing principles, laws, and regulations affecting municipal financial operations.
Analyze and reconcile expenditure and revenue accounts, including bond accounts; review appropriation transfer requests; and reconcile bond and bank statements to the general ledger.
Participate in developing, recommending, and implementing policies, procedures, and standard operating procedures for assigned programs.
Participate in departmental programs involving financial statements, the general ledger, monthly statements, and special-project accounting; conduct and prepare special studies and reports.
Assist in coordinating annual audits.
Attend meetings, conferences, workshops, and training and review publications to stay current in accounting.
Assist in preparing and presenting materials to Boards, Commissions, or City Council.
Perform other related duties as assigned.