Senior Accountant

About the Department

Under general direction of the Finance Manager, performs a variety of advanced-level professional accounting, auditing, and statistical work involved in preparing, maintaining, analyzing, verifying, and reconciling complex financial transactions, statements, records, and reports; performs a variety of grant administration duties; and provides highly responsible assistance regarding all aspects of City finances.

Position Duties

• Prepares, maintains, analyzes, verifies, and reconciles complex financial transactions, statements, records, and highly technical reports; reconciles assigned accounts and makes adjustments as necessary; ensures and maintains internal controls.
• Oversee and verify cash, banking functions, reconciliations, balances, transfers and transmittals; audit fiscal documents.
• Maintains and updates records for the City's fixed asset accounts in accordance with Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) valuations, quality assessment, and reporting requirements.
• Participates in the management of CIP accounting and budgeting of funds.
• Assist with audit functions and special reviews; provide research; report findings; perform special projects; and participate in meetings or committees as assigned.
• Responsible for the preparation of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) and related year-end financial statements, schedules, and reports; prepares and verifies the accuracy of year-end financial statements for use in preparation of the ACFR.
• Prepare and process journal entries; maintain general ledger; prepare and distribute monthly financial statements; analyze data and provide input for budget; support budget activities for other departments.
• Participate in budget preparation and administration; prepare cost estimates for budget recommendations; submit justifications for projects, equipment, and staff; and monitor and control expenditures.
• Report investment information; prepare reports; and, coordinate and oversee time-sensitive and cyclical accounting functions.
• Coordinates grant accounting and preparation of annual Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA).
• Review and assist with accounts receivable, accounts payable, and payroll processing including benefits, taxes, insurance premiums and other deductions and related accounting and reporting to meet legal requirements; coordinate and work with human resources staff.
• Ensure that work is handled on a priority basis, organized, and completed in a timely manner; check for accuracy, completeness and conformance to applicable policies, rules and regulations.
• Recommend and assist in the implementation of goals and objectives; establish schedules and methods for operational activities; and, implement policies and procedures.
• Evaluate operations and activities of assigned responsibilities; recommend improvements and modifications; and prepare various reports on operations and activities.
• Plan, prioritize, assign, supervise and review the work of staff involved in assigned operations, conduct performance evaluations; participate in the selection of staff; provide or coordinate staff training; work with employees to correct deficiencies; and, implement discipline procedures.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other City employees and the public using principles of good customer service.
• Answer questions and provide information to the public; investigate complaints and recommend corrective action as necessary to resolve complaints.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• Government Accounting Standards Board (GASB) pronouncements and implementation procedures.
• Generally accepted accounting principles related to municipal governmental finance; internal controls appropriate to accounting procedures.
• Equipment, tools and materials, computer equipment and software used in modern accounting office operations.
• Modern office methods and procedures including methods of electronic storage and transmittal of financial of data.
• Methods and techniques of compliant payroll processing and administration.
• Mathematics and statistics related to accounting processes.
• Techniques and principles of effective interpersonal communication.
• Principles and practices of good customer service.
• Principles and methods of report writing.
• Principles of supervision, training and performance evaluations.
• Principles of budget monitoring, preparation, and reporting.
• Principles and practices of working safely.
• Pertinent local, State and Federal laws, ordinances, City functions, policies, rules and regulations.

 
Ability to:

• Organize, implement and direct auditing and accounting operations and activities.
• On a continuous basis, know and understand all aspects of the job; intermittently analyze work papers, reports and special projects; identify and interpret technical and numerical information; observe and problem solve operational and technical policy and procedures.
• Review and process accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, and auditing functions.
• Understand the organization and operation of the City and of outside agencies as necessary to assume assigned administrative responsibilities.
• Interpret and explain pertinent City and department policies and procedures.
• Assist in the development and monitoring of the City’s budget.
• Supervise, train and evaluate assigned staff.
• Develop and recommend policies and procedures related to assigned operations.
• Provide high quality, economical services to the Citrus Heights community, placing emphasis on responsive customer service.
• Demonstrate a civic entrepreneurial spirit by generating new, innovative ideas and development of better methods to accomplish tasks and complete projects.
• Foster an environment that embraces diversity, integrity, trust and respect.
• Be an integral team player, which involves flexibility, cooperation and communication.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and effective manner.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Maintain a high level of confidentiality of a wide range of sensitive information when assigned to human resource or payroll related functions.
• Use principles of effective office safety including use of equipment in a proper and safe manner, use of preventative personal ergonomic techniques, and maintenance of safe housekeeping in personal and common workspaces.
• Operate personal computer with proficiency and familiarity.

Experience and Training
Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:
 
Experience:
Three years of increasingly responsible professional level experience in auditing, accounting or finance related operations.
 
Training:
Equivalent to the completion of the Bachelor’s degree with major course work in business administration, accounting, finance, public administration or a related field.
 
License or Certificate:
May need to possess a valid California driver’s license and proof of automobile liability insurance as required by the position.

Other Qualifications

On a continuous basis, sit at desk for long periods of time; intermittently twist to reach equipment surrounding desk; perform simple grasping and fine manipulation; use telephone, and write or use a keyboard to communicate through written means; and lift or carry weight of 10 pounds of less.

Citrus Heights, with a population of 87,432 is a unique established community in Sacramento County. Conveniently located between downtown Sacramento and Roseville, Citrus Heights is an easy commute to nearly all major employment zones in greater Sacramento, including Rancho Cordova, Folsom, Natomas, and South Placer County.