General Accounting Manager

City of Alexandria (VA)•Alexandria, VA

36d

About The Position

The City of Alexandria's Finance Department is looking for a detail oriented, experienced, and collaborative General Accounting Manager to join our team. As a member of the Accounting Division, the General Accounting Manager directly supervises and manages the General Accounting team, which is responsible for the development of accounting procedures and processes that comply with all Federal, State and City regulations and policies and the daily accounting operations of the City. The General Accounting team is also responsible for the City's fixed assets inventory, weekly check runs, month-end and year-end account reconciliations, bank reconciliations, and the research and resolution of discrepancies. A significant aspect of this work involves use of the City's enterprise resource planning (ERP) system, Munis. The General Accounting Manager is an expert in the accounting field who takes ownership of and advocates for the City's ability to maintain a complete and accurate general ledger on a daily basis. The General Accounting Manager leads a team of accounting professionals responsible for recording all of the City's revenue and expenditures transactions, interpreting and implementing changes in professional accounting principles and methods utilizing the City's accounting system, and staying abreast of procedural changes required. The General Accounting Manager has considerable latitude for independent judgment under the general supervision of the Comptroller. The day-to-day work of the General Accounting Manager is generally self-directed and determined by the City's overall financial accounting needs.

Requirements

Thorough knowledge of accounting theory, principles, and practice and their application to a wide variety of transactions and problem solutions
Ability to analyze complex financial information with attention to detail to accurately prepare complex financial and administrative reports
Experience with Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) pronouncements and their applications, as well as preparation and analysis of financial statements in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)
Highly proficient in the utilization of Microsoft Office, specifically advanced skills in Excel and Word
Ability to plan, organize, and review the technical work of accountants and provide technical training to ensure that staff operates at an optimum level of independence and competence
Ability to navigate multiple tasks simultaneously, responding to customer needs in a timely and effective manner
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of management and external department partners
Four-Year College Degree
five years of experience in professional accounting work, including at least one year of experience in a supervisory capacity
any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities

Nice To Haves

Five years' experience in governmental accounting work
Bachelor's degree in Accounting
three or more years of supervisory experience leading a public sector accounting team
experience utilizing a complex financial software system (e.g. Munis, Oracle/PeopleSoft, etc.) in a large organization
experience performing complex reconciliations of financial information
experience compiling governmental fund-based financial statements
Professional certification (Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM)
advanced Microsoft Excel skills

Responsibilities

Manages the daily reconciliation of the accounting records with all bank transactions, ensuring all revenue and expenditure transactions are properly recorded
Manages the daily recordation and routine reconciliation of asset and liability accounts
Ensures weekly payment processing is completed in an accurate and timely manner
Maintains vendor files
Prepares sections of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) which is presented to City Council, the public, and major credit rating agencies
Implements and maintains an effective system of internal controls over general accounting processes and transactions
Assigns duties, supervises and evaluates progress, and sets direction for the City's general accounting program, including co-managing the monthly and year-end accounting close processes
Ensures staff work is thoroughly reviewed and that staff are cross-trained and empowered to grow professionally
Interprets changes to accounting processes and procedures, recommending and implementing courses of action, both internally and to external departmental partners
Effectively communicates with staff to ensure that new practices, processes, and procedures are implemented appropriately
Co-manages the maintenance of the general ledger and reconciliation of accounts
Evaluates employees' performance
Responds to financial reporting requests from internal and external sources
Performs related work as required