Senior Accountant

Virginia Department of Social Services•Charlottesville, VA

23d•Onsite

About The Position

This job announcement is a courtesy job post for the City of Charlottelville local Social Services agency. It is not a position of the Virginia Department of Social Services or any other Commonwealth of Virginia agency. Local employment opportunities may also be available through the local agency’s city or county website/job board(s). The Sr. Accountant position performs advanced level financial accounting work in the analysis, reviewing, and reporting of finances for the Charlottesville Department of Social Services. Works under limited supervision and reports to the DSS Deputy Director of Administration. Required to respond upon activation from the City Manager of the Continuity of Operations Plan and/or Emergency Operations Plan. Must have the ability to be contacted and respond based on Department guidelines. Contribute to the delivery of programs and services in Charlottesville that support meeting essential needs, which promote self-sufficiency, and that enhance the quality of life for all residents in our community. To learn more about the Charlottesville Department of Social Services, please visit: https://www.charlottesville.gov/366/Social-Services

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in accounting or related field AND considerable years accounting experience.
Two years of college-level coursework AND extensive years of accounting experience.
An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered in lieu of the specific requirements listed above.
Required to successfully pass a pre-employment background check and pre-employment drug screen.
Comprehensive knowledge of accounting theory, terminology, principles, and practices.
Thorough knowledge of the laws, ordinances and regulations governing municipal finance.
Advanced reading ability: ability to read, understand, and interpret financial reports and financial policies and procedures.
Intermediate writing ability: ability to organize data and write clear and concise reports, prepare business letters, expositions, and summaries with proper format, punctuation, spelling, and grammar, using all parts of speech.
Advanced math ability: ability to apply fundamental concepts of theories, work with advanced mathematical operations methods and functions of real and complex variables.
Intermediate communication skill: Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with co-workers, city staff, financial agencies, auditors, and vendors. Provides and receives complex information. Contacts that may involve stressful, negative interactions which requires high levels of tact and the ability to respond to aggressive interpersonal interactions. Elements of persuasion may be necessary to gain cooperation and acceptance of ideas.
General Direction decision-making: normally performs the job by following general instructions or established standard operating procedures and/or policies. There is some discretion when making decisions among a few easily identifiable choices of the appropriate procedure or policy to apply to duties. Performance is reviewed frequently.
Advanced technical skill: high level skills and extensive knowledge in approaches and systems, which affect the design and implementation of major programs and/or processes organization wide. Independent judgment and decision-making abilities are necessary to apply technical skills effectively. Expert level of skill of agency's systems and software with the ability to manipulate, write own reports, customize data and teach others. Expert knowledge of Microsoft Office programs.
Manages and reviews financial transactions, accounting, budget, and purchasing documents; and does research to audit documents for assigned unit or division.
Organization and time management skills, sometimes under strict time constraints.
Work effectively with sensitive and confidential issues.
Frequent change of tasks.
Performing multiple tasks simultaneously.
Tedious or exacting work.
Working closely with others as part of a team.
May require dealing with angry, frustrated and/or upset individuals.
Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally, and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.
Frequently maintains stationary position.
Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine, and computer printer.
Occasionally moves about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc.
Must be able to communicate information and ideas so others will understand.
Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations.
Ability to observe details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Typically requires use of standard office equipment and telephone, and related software and hardware; and any other equipment as appropriate or as assigned.
Work is performed in an office environment where there may be exposure to computer screen for extended periods of time, monitor glare and dust.
The noise level is usually moderate.
A pre-hire background check will be conducted on all candidates who are selected for employment with the Department of Social Services. It will include a criminal record check and a child abuse/neglect registry search.
Additionally, a driving record check and education verification may be conducted if applicable.
The Charlottesville Department of Social Services is unable to hire any applicant, intern, or volunteer if the criminal record check reveals a conviction for, or arrest awaiting final disposition of a barrier crime as set forth in § 63.2-1719 of the Code of Virginia.
The City Charlottesville conducts job related background checks, reference checks, and pre-employment drug tests, in accordance with federal, state, and local law, of applicants who reach the final stages of the employment selection process.
The City’s policy has not changed because of the decriminalization of marijuana in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Marijuana remains an illegal drug under federal law, and it continues to be a violation of the US Department of Transportation regulations and the City’s policy prohibiting employees from testing positive for marijuana.

Nice To Haves

Certification as a CPA.
Experience with SAP or similar ERP system.

Responsibilities

Reconciles all funds and accounts for assigned areas of responsibility; researches discrepancies, collection information, non-reconciliation of accounts, and reports findings to management in compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
Assists in planning, reviewing, preparing and monitoring routine and special monthly and annual budgets and budget projections for assigned areas of responsibility.
Determines how data impacts financial statements.
Works regularly as a liaison to other agencies/departments and/or component units to provide information and to resolve accounting issues.
Responsible for knowing and following accounting pronouncements issued by various regulatory bodies, such as the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB), and recommends revisions to established policies and procedures as indicated.
Prepares and submits routine and special costing, audit, financial and budgetary analysis reports and statements for City, State and Federal agencies, as required.
Provides, tracks, monitors, and verifies bank wire transfers, disbursements and appropriations for assigned accounts and funds, according to supervisor's instructions.
Provides technical support and advice to external auditors and regulatory agencies; prepares and assists with review of annual audit and financial schedules for assigned areas of responsibility.
Leads preparation and review of assigned portion of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for accuracy and completeness.
Conducts financial analysis and reports on efficiency and effectiveness of departmental financial programs.
Conducts general ledger management, such as posting, fixing errors, and reconciliation of accounts and journal transfers, of various departments' programs.
Conducts internal audits of payroll, accounts payable, accounting, and grants; assists external auditors.
Prepares and disburses customer and/or client accounting documents and correspondence and resolves inquiries by customers, clients and/or the general public for assigned areas of responsibility.
Approves expenditures for assigned accounts, funds, and other financial areas of responsibility, as delegated by supervisor.
Recommends changes to existing departmental policies and procedures or new department policies and procedures.
Participates in the development of procedures and suggests data reporting changes.
Responsible for appropriate use and maintenance of City equipment, tools and other resources, including work time.
Regular and reliable attendance.
Completes special projects, as assigned.
May direct or supervisor staff or review the work of less experienced staff.
May train and lead less experienced financial staff, as needed.
Performs additional duties to support operational requirements as apparent or assigned.