Accounting Division Manager

City of Sunnyvale•Sunnyvale, CA

11d•Onsite

About The Position

Sunnyvale, a city of 157,000 in the San Francisco Bay Area, is seeking an experienced finance professional to serve as its next Accounting Manager. The ideal candidate will have a strong public sector accounting foundation, technical expertise, leadership, and interpersonal skills. This role involves preparing the ACFR and state-mandated reports, and working with external auditors. The Finance Department has a budget of $16.1 million and 60.75 FTE employees, focused on maintaining the City's excellent financial health.

Requirements

A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in public administration, business administration, finance, accounting, or related field; AND Five (5) years of increasingly responsible experience in public sector accounting and/or administrative analytical work, including three (3) years of experience in a lead or supervisory capacity.
Knowledge of organization and management practices as applied to the development, analysis, and evaluation of programs, policies, and operational needs of the assigned area of responsibility.
Knowledge of principles and practices of employee supervision, including work planning, assignment review and evaluation, discipline, and the training of staff in work procedures.
Knowledge of principles and practices of leadership.
Knowledge of internal controls including administrative and system controls to ensure integrity, accuracy and reliability of the fiscal transactions, data, and records.
Knowledge of administrative principles, practices, and methods including goal setting, program development, implementation and evaluation, policy and procedure development, quality control, and work standards.
Knowledge of principles and techniques for working with groups and fostering effective team interaction to ensure teamwork is conducted smoothly.
Knowledge of principles and practices of contract administration and management.
Knowledge of general principles of risk management related to the functions of the assigned area.
Knowledge of budgeting, financial analysis, and all aspects of accounting functions and financial reporting.
Knowledge of principles and practices of public agency financial management including general and governmental accounting, budgeting, auditing, and reporting functions as well as Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB).
Knowledge of principles and practices of organizational analysis and management.
Knowledge of general applications of information technology systems to financial operations.
Knowledge of principles and procedures of fiscal record keeping.
Knowledge of complex arithmetic and statistical techniques.
Knowledge of research methods and techniques.
Knowledge of recent and ongoing developments related to municipal finance and accounting.
Knowledge of methods and techniques of preparing technical and administrative reports, and general business correspondence.
Knowledge of applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations as well as industry standards and best practices pertinent to the assigned area of responsibility.
Knowledge of City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
Knowledge of techniques for providing a high level of customer service, by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff.
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Knowledge of modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.
Ability to select and supervise staff, provide training and development opportunities, ensure work is performed effectively, and evaluate performance objectively.
Ability to develop and implement goals, objectives, practices, policies, procedures, and work standards.
Ability to provide administrative, management, and professional leadership for the Accounting Division.
Ability to work in a multi-tasking environment and coordinate several assignments simultaneously.
Ability to prepare and present technical and administrative reports, correspondence, and other documents.
Ability to interpret, apply, explain, and ensure compliance with federal, state, and local policies, procedures, laws, and regulations.
Ability to apply principles and practices of accounting and financial operations to municipal government.
Ability to evaluate and develop improvements in operations, procedures, policies, or methods.
Ability to oversee and participate in the maintenance of accurate financial records.
Ability to compile and analyze financial data and reports.
Ability to perform mathematical calculations quickly and accurately.
Ability to research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods, procedures, and techniques.
Ability to supervise the establishment of filing, record-keeping, and tracking systems.
Ability to understand, interpret, and apply all pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures, and standards relevant to work performed.
Ability to effectively represent the division and the City in meetings with governmental agencies, community groups, various business, professional, and regulatory organizations, and in meetings with individuals.
Ability to prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, documentation, and other written materials.
Ability to use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, legal, and procedural guidelines.
Ability to independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments.
Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.
Ability to establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
Ability to effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
Possession and continued maintenance of a valid class C California driver's license or the ability to provide alternative transportation as approved by the appointing authority and a safe driving record.

Nice To Haves

A Master's degree in accounting, business administration, public administration or a related field.
California Certified Public Accountant (CPA) License.

Responsibilities

Plans, manages, and oversees the daily functions, operations, and activities of the Accounting Division, including division budget administration, program evaluation, and recommendation and implementation of policies, procedures, goals, objectives, priorities, and standards related to financial processing, reporting, and accounting activities.
Participates in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, work plans, policies, and priorities for the division; recommends within division policy, appropriate service, and staffing levels; recommends and administers policies and procedures.
Participates in the development, administration, and oversight of the division budget; determines funding needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; ensures compliance with budgeted funding.
Develops and standardizes procedures and methods to improve and continuously monitors the efficiency and effectiveness of assigned programs, service delivery methods, and procedures; assesses and monitors workload, administrative and support systems, and internal reporting relationships; identifies opportunities for improvement and makes recommendations to the Director/Assistant Director of Finance.
Participates in the selection of, trains, motivates, and evaluates assigned personnel; provides or coordinates staff training; collaborates with employees to correct deficiencies; recommends discipline.
Performs project management responsibilities; develops logical and efficient project plans; establishes priorities; monitors and manages task completion; anticipates and avoids problems; works collaboratively and cooperatively with team members and user groups to ensure project accountability.
Develops and manages requests for proposals for professional and/or contracted services; prepares scope of work and any technical specifications; evaluates proposals and recommends award; negotiates contracts; administers contracts to ensure compliance with City specifications and service quality.
Reviews and monitors a variety of general ledger entries (investments, debts, cash receipts, interest income, project and program expenses), bank reconciliations, reports, and accounting records; reviews accounting transactions to ensure accuracy.
Reviews and approves all outgoing wire transfers; monitors payroll and accounts payable disbursements, and the City’s daily cash balance; reviews and tracks debt disclosures; prepares and submits debt service payments.
Oversees the month-end close process for accounts payable, fixed assets, project management modules as they integrate with general ledger module; prepares fiscal year-end account system processing.
Monitors year-end closing, financial and compliance audits, and other financial reports; drafts and/or reviews financial statements, financial disclosures, and audit schedules for annual financial reporting; oversees and prepares a variety of financial reports for submission to federal, state, and local government agencies.
Leads the timely preparation of financial reporting, including but not limited to the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR), the Single Audit report, annual debt reporting, State Controller’s City Financial Transactions Report, and various special revenue and grant reports.
Oversees quarterly financial system upgrades and testing; reviews and analyzes negative impacts experienced in the City’s financial system; assigns user access for financial systems.
Acts as primary liaison to the City’s external auditors and ensures all audit requests are addressed accurately and promptly.
Serves as liaison for assigned functions with other City departments, divisions, and outside agencies; provides staff support to commissions, committees, and task forces, as required.
Provides highly complex staff assistance to the Director/Assistant Director of Finance; prepares and presents staff reports and other written materials; supervises the establishment and maintenance of working and official division files; ensures the proper documentation of operations and activities.
Reviews the work of staff to ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
Represents the City in meetings with members of other public and private organizations, community groups, contractors, and the public.
Attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in public agency finance, accounting, and financial reporting.
Monitors changes in regulations and technology that may affect operations; implements policy and procedural changes after approval.
Answers questions and provides information to the public; investigates and responds to complaints and inquiries from residents, other departments, and agencies.
Ensures staff observe and comply with all City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
Performs other duties as assigned.