Accounting Manager II, Austin Financial Services

City of Austin • Austin, TX

34d • $97,450 - $125,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

JOIN THE CITY OF AUSTIN TEAM At the City of Austin, we are more than just an employer—we are a vibrant community dedicated to shaping one of the nation's most dynamic and innovative cities. As we strive to fulfill our commitment as public servants, it is important that we ground our efforts in a set of guiding principles – Empathy, Ethics, Excellence, Engagement, and Equity – anchors in delivering services that significantly impact the lives of Austinites. Joining the City of Austin means embarking on a purposeful career, contributing to the community, and being part of a forward-thinking organization that values every employee. What Makes the City of Austin Special? Make a Difference : Join a team driving meaningful change in one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation. Value and Innovation : Work in an environment where employees are valued and innovation thrives. Competitive Benefits : Enjoy a comprehensive compensation package that includes generous leave, work-life balance programs, and extensive benefits. Retirement Security : Plan for the future with the City of Austin Employees' Retirement System. Sustainable Transportation Options : Commute easily with access to public transit and bike-friendly infrastructure. Focus on Wellness : Stay healthy through wellness programs, on-site fitness centers, and mental health support. Career Growth : Advance your skills and expertise with professional development and leadership opportunities. Modern Workspaces : Work in innovative and sustainable environments that foster collaboration and inspiration. By joining us, you become part of a community that values its people and is committed to making Austin the most thriving and resilient city in the country. Our department provides a variety of financial services and programs. Austin Financial Services (AFS) serves residents, vendors, and City departments. Our mission is to serve as a trusted steward of public resources with integrity and accountability to ensure a fiscally sound city. Our staff supports a wide variety of financial processes, including preparing the annual budget and annual fiscal report, procurement processes, franchise agreements, real estate transactions, and overseeing the City’s investment portfolio and debt management. As an internal support function within the larger City organization, AFS is proud to serve and act as a leader in financial management to its partner departments. Job Description: Accounting Manager II Purpose : Management of a section of professional and staff accountants, providing high-level accounting services and maintaining financial accounting records and reports within the Utility and/or Corporate Accounting function.

Requirements

• Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in a field related to accounting, which included twenty-four (24) semester hours in Accounting, plus six (6) years of accounting experience one (1) year of which included a lead capacity and (1) year of which included a managing capacity.
• A Master's degree in Accounting or Business Administration, or a five (5) year Accounting degree, may substitute for one (1) year of accounting experience requirement
• Certified Public Accountant.
• Knowledge of the preparation process of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
• Knowledge of accounting practices and financial reporting concepts.
• Knowledge of preferred business practices.
• Knowledge of manual and automated financial systems.
• Knowledge of the concepts for review and evaluation of internal control systems and auditing procedures.
• Knowledge of supervisory and management theory and techniques.
• Skill in analyzing, preparing, reviewing, and balancing routing fiscal transactions and general ledger accounts.
• Skill in managing large volumes of numerical data.
• Skill in analyzing/ interpreting complex financial data and proposing viable solutions.
• Skill in effective oral and written communication.
• Skill in resolving problems or situations requiring the exercise of good judgment.
• Skill in the application of cost benefit analysis, present value theory, and computer fundamentals.
• Skill in determining needs, gathering, analyzing, and presenting data to provide accurate information for management use.
• Skill in anticipating and accurately predicting the results of alternate courses of action.
• Skill in compiling division reports.
• Skill in preparing accurate and complex financial statements.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in preparing and reviewing complex, consolidated financial statements, with a focus on capital assets.
• Experience researching accounting topics, implementing accounting standards, and presenting recommendations and guidance to senior management and staff.
• Familiarity with or experience in reporting GASB standards related to Capital Assets, leases, subscription-based IT arrangements, and public-private partnership(P3) arrangements.
• Experience managing external audits, ensuring compliance and accuracy.
• Advanced skills in Excel and Access
• Ability to travel to more than one work location

Responsibilities

• Oversees the preparation of periodic internal and external financial statements, supporting schedules, related notes, and periodic reports to regulators to ensure accuracy and compliance with generally accepted accounting principles and regulatory requirements.
• Oversees the City-wide coordination of year-end close, audit plans, schedules, and workpapers in preparation of the annual external audit, including preparation of the City’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR), Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA), Schedule of Expenditures of State Awards (SESA), and other regulatory required reports.
• Provides oversight and assistance to internal and external department financial staff through review and evaluation of financial and accounting transactions, documents, statements, financial summaries, studies, and periodic reports.
• Provides expert assistance to departments and other customers in designing automated or manual systems, implementing internal controls and accounting/reporting procedures, designing/preparing special reports, and interpreting financial data.
• Ensures that financial transactions are processed in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), City policy, applicable laws and regulations, and sound business practices.
• Explains City policy and procedures to auditors and regulators and resolve audit differences.
• Formulates Citywide and departmental polices and operating procedures; provides leadership and training to departmental financial staff and management.
• Manages the issuance of debt and ensure transactions are recorded in accordance with GAAP; including long term, short term, and refundings.
• Oversee/ provide assistance in the development of the Official Statement, rating agency materials, and debt schedules.
• Calculate/ monitor debt related ratios.
• Plans methodology, scope of various projects and program activities.
• Conducts statistical analysis and writes technical reports summarizing project findings.
• Evaluates program effectiveness and efficiency to meet the organization's business goals.
• Researches special topics, including new accounting standards, and prepares white papers, reports, and/or presentations of implementation recommendation and guidance to management and staff.
• Develops work plans to achieve section goals, including management of the monthly and annual close cycles, general ledger and bank account reconciliations, and financial statement preparation.
• Projects cost/revenue forecasts to determine utility rate requirements.
• Conducts routine fiscal reviews; develops and reviews financial indicators and fiscal impact statements.
• Analyzes market and economic conditions.
• Manage derivative accounting section and oversee regulatory accounting processes.
• Responsible for the full range of supervisory activities including selection, training, evaluation, counseling, and recommendation for dismissal

Benefits

• Competitive Benefits : Enjoy a comprehensive compensation package that includes generous leave, work-life balance programs, and extensive benefits.
• Retirement Security : Plan for the future with the City of Austin Employees' Retirement System.
• Sustainable Transportation Options : Commute easily with access to public transit and bike-friendly infrastructure.
• Focus on Wellness : Stay healthy through wellness programs, on-site fitness centers, and mental health support.
• Career Growth : Advance your skills and expertise with professional development and leadership opportunities.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees