Accountant II

City of Alameda • Alameda, CA

18d • Onsite

About The Position

The City is seeking an experienced accountant with municipal or other government accounting experience to fill one vacant Accountant II position within the Finance Department. Under direction performs professional accounting and financial analysis duties in the review, development and maintenance of financial records and systems; performs complex professional research and studies; supports coordination and planning of the City's audit activities; conducts special projects; and performs other related work as required. In addition to meeting the established guidelines for the position, the ideal candidate will have knowledge of financial and/or payroll functions, municipal accounting and automated accounting systems. Experience using Microsoft Word and Excel and Tyler Munis or a similar ERP system is highly desirable.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university with major course work in accounting or business administration.
• Two years of professional accounting experience.
• One year in municipal or other government accounting (either working directly for a government agency or conducting auditing services for government agencies) is highly desired.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of general and governmental accounting, including financial reporting and financial statement preparation; principles of budget development and administration; auditing practices and methods; applicable federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations especially as related to accounting, auditing and grants; automated financial management systems.
• Ability to effectively plan, organize and perform financial, accounting and related reporting activities; interpret, apply and explain established policies, procedures, rules and regulations; interpret and effectively apply complex governmental regulations; evaluate administrative, legislative, financial and accounting information; prepare and administer budgets; utilize computer equipment and interpret computerized information; establish and maintain accurate records; prepare clear, concise and accurate financial reports and financial statements; maintain level of knowledge required for satisfactory job performance; communicate effectively; establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees and the general public; provide lead direction and training to assigned staff.

Nice To Haves

• Municipal or other government accounting experience
• Knowledge of financial and/or payroll functions, municipal accounting and automated accounting systems.
• Experience using Microsoft Word and Excel and Tyler Munis or a similar ERP system is highly desirable.
• Experience using Tyler Munis financial system, Excel and Word is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Maintains, reviews and reconciles general ledger, subsidiary accounts and statements of various City funds; identifies and locates accounting data by researching accounts and related source documents; examines transactions to ensure accuracy; corrects financial records as necessary through preparation and posting of journal entries.
• Analyzes, verifies and prepares various financial reports and statements, assists in monitoring various accounts and verifies availability of funds and accurate coding and classification of revenues and expenditures; researches and analyzes transactions to resolve problems.
• Performs year-end review of accounts, prepares adjusting and closing entries, year-end financial statements and reports, periodic financial reports and supporting schedules; prepares and updates notes to the City's Annual Certified Financial Report (ACFR).
• Prepares complex reports regarding status of various accounts; prepares working papers, reconciliations, schedules, exhibits, and summaries; prepares a variety of complex reports involving statistics, legal requirements, and other specialized components.
• Assists in research, education and implementation of new Government Accounting Standards Board (GASB) Statements.
• Prepares the City's annual indirect cost allocation plan in compliance with federal regulations and for internal costing or charging purposes.
• Assists in the installation of new financial management systems and procedures and instructs others in their use.
• Updates and maintains the City's long-term debt payment schedules; ensure debt service payments are made in a timely manner; and assists with annual disclosure reporting.
• Maintains accounting records, verifies compliance and prepares required financial and compliance reports for Federal, State and County grant and allocation programs; prepares or assists with preparation of grant reimbursement claims.
• Assists in development and implementation of internal controls, practices and procedures; recommends, develops and implements changes for efficiency and ongoing regulatory compliance.
• Assists in budget planning, preparation and administration; provides assistance to departments in developing budgets, assembles and analyzes data for annual budget process.
• Reviews and reads journals and publications and attends training, conferences and seminars to maintain knowledge of current accounting requirements and best practices.
• Acts as accounting liaison with program staff, granting agencies, and external auditors.
• May provide lead direction and training for subordinate accountants and clerical staff.
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, other City employees and the public using principles of good customer service.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Benefits

• Four day, 36 hour work week (Monday through Thursday)
• CalPERS Retirement: Classic Members: 2% at 55 formula, 8.868% contribution; New Members 2% @ 62 formula, 8.75% contribution.
• Medical: The City contracts with CalPERS to provide comprehensive health coverage to employees. Multiple HMO and PPO plans available
• Dental: Comprehensive dental coverage provided to employees and their eligible dependents.
• Vacation: Starting with 75 hours annually and increasing with years of service.
• Holidays: 11 City Holidays and 4 floating Holidays
• Sick Leave: 90 hours annually; unused sick leave is converted to service credit at retirement

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level