Description
Come Join the Finance Department at the City of Pacifica where everyone counts!
Under general direction, the Senior Accountant performs and supervises professional accounting and auditing work of staff responsible for providing financial accounting and record-keeping in connection with general ledger, budget preparation, and budgetary control, purchasing activities, payroll; and performs a variety of professional accounting tasks relative to assigned area of responsibility.
The Organization
The City of Pacifica is a General Law City incorporated in 1957 and operates under the Council/Manager form of government. Legislative authority is vested in a five-member City Council elected by district for four-year overlapping terms. The Mayor is selected each year by a majority vote of the other Council members. The Council appoints the City Manager, City Attorney, and members of advisory commissions and committees.
Pacifica is a full-service city (approximately 200.75 FTE) with a proposed FY2024-25 general fund budget of $48.1 million. The City delivers municipal services through seven departments: the City Manager's office (including the City Clerk, Economic Development, and City Attorney), Administrative Services (Finance, Human Resources and IT Divisions); Parks, Beaches, and Recreation; Community Development; Public Works (Field Services & Engineering and Wastewater); Police, and Fire (via North County Fire Authority). Employees are represented by eight bargaining units. The City Administration is in a newly renovated City Hall just two blocks from the Pacific Ocean. This prime location opens up various opportunities for recreational activities during a lunch break, such as a strong along Beach Boulevard or a relaxing picnic by the waterfront, where you can clear your mind with the soothing view of the waves.
During the Spring of 2023, the City Council undertook a comprehensive strategic planning process, which resulted in the Pacifica Strategic Plan 2023-2030 establishing strategies to achieve the following five overarching goals during the seven-year period.
Enhance organizational and fiscal stability
Improve and steward City infrastructure, streets, ad facilities.
Prioritize protection and development of affordable housing.
Pursue climate change adaptation and mitigation.
Broaden public communications and collaboration.
THE DEPARTMENT
The Finance and Administrative Services Department provides high-quality support services to all City departments and the community, including Finance, Human Resources, Information Technology, and Risk Management functions, and ensures compliance with City policies and procedures. The Department is responsible for all financial operations, properly recording financial transactions, providing reliable technology resources, implementing best practices in employee relations, providing outstanding customer service, and promoting a positive work environment for a talented workforce. Department staff prepare the annual operating and capital budgets, coordinate the external audit process, etc. The ideal candidate will be contributing and joining a team of five team members.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Direction is provided by the Deputy Finance Director. Responsibilities may include direct and indirect supervision of technical and clerical personnel.
ESSENTIAL AND IMPORTANT DUTIES
AN EMPLOYEE IN THIS POSITION MAY BE CALLED UPON TO DO ANY OR ALL OF THE FOLLOWING ESSENTIAL DUTIES:
Supervises and/or participates in various financial and accounting activities within the Finance Department, including posting, balancing, and reconciliation of General Ledger and subsidiary accounts and City bank accounts.
Performs complex and difficult accounting work, including the related monitoring of personal deadlines and the deadlines of others to ensure adherence to quality and timely work products.
Performs as a project manager for complex financial systems implementation and serves as a liaison to Finance staff and other departments in the implementation of all financial modules for the Financial Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system.
Participates in fiscal and accounting work in connection with budget preparation, purchasing activities, and payroll analysis.
Processing and pre-auditing accounting documents and transactions in conformance with established procedures and controls.
Prepares work papers, financial statements and various reports for internal accounting and for Federal, State and other outside agencies.
Reviews, reconciles and audits accounting records of receipts, disbursements and encumbrances to ensure fiscal accuracy and control.
Delegates, plans, directs, and assigns accounting work to lower-level staff. May be required to train, coach, monitor and evaluate staff performance.
Assists with fiscal year-end closing, prepares bank reconciliation, and prepares quarterly and annual financial reports.
Makes journal entries and keeps balance sheets on all transactions to ensure the maintenance of accurate accounting records.
Monitors and reports on the status of State and Federal grants; reviews and audits grant contracts, amendments and other documents to ensure grant compliance.
Performs fixed assets accounting, monitors and maintains accurate and up-to-date records on City's fixed assets.
Prepares investment activity summary and quarterly treasurer’s reports.
Analyzes, recommends improvements, develops, and implements fiscal policies, procedures, and internal controls and re-aligns business practices with technology.
Maintains and researches current knowledge of applicable ordinances, rules, regulations, and policies. Clearly presents and interprets reports to financial and non-financial managers, co-workers, and clients.
Assists in coordinating, designing, developing and maintaining data extracts, reports and interfaces.
Maintains effective working relationships with all levels of staff and the public.
Perform related duties as assigned.
EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS
Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to qualify is:
Education and Training:
Equivalent to a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in accounting or business administration or related field, and
Experience:
Four (4) years of recent, progressively responsible experience in the field of professional accounting and auditing. Supervisory experience is desirable.
Experience in a public agency or governmental accounting experience is highly desirable.
Certification:
Must possess a valid California Class C driver’s license and have a satisfactory driving record.
Knowledge of:
Generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and basic principles, practices, and procedures of Accounting as applied to Governmental Accounting Standards (GASB).
Principles, practices, methods, procedures, and techniques used in governmental accounting, financial administration, and budgeting.
Application of data processing to accounting and financial management. Budget preparation and administration, auditing, preparation of financial statements, basic billing and collection procedures, grant and fund accounting, and record-keeping.
Modern office practices, procedures, methods, and equipment, including computer systems and applicable software.
Principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluation.
Federal and State grant regulations and guidelines.
Skills:
Operate standard office equipment, including a computer and a variety of word processing and software applications, including financial and accounting programs.
Prepare, examine and verify financial documents, reports, and transactions
Prepare a variety of financial statements, reports and analyses.
Abilities:
Plan, assign, supervise and coordinate the work of accounting staff.
Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
Read, interpret and record data accurately
Analyze complex issues and prepare clear and comprehensive financial reports and statements.
Interpret, explain, and apply applicable laws, codes, and regulations.
Communicate clearly both orally and in writing and follow written and oral directions
Work independently and as part of a team, making sound decisions within established guidelines.
Physical Demands:
The ability to maintain effective audio / visual discrimination and perception to the degree necessary for the successful performance of duties.
Job PDF:
PDF icon Senior Accountant - FINAL 7.11.2022 EXHIBIT A.pdf
Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate will be an experienced Senior Accountant professional who enjoys working on diverse projects in a fast-paced environment. The successful candidate will have prior experience in accounting operations with solid technical skills and a collaborative spirit.
We are looking for a talented problem solver with a strong customer service acumen and a passion for process improvement. Exceptional communication skills will be critical to success in this position as a colleague and when interacting with department teams.
The ideal candidate must have the ability to effectively use technology to maximize limited resources and eliminate manual efforts will also be important to success in this position.
Benefits
Benefits: The City of Pacifica provides a highly competitive compensation and benefits package that includes the following:
Retirement: The City contracts with CalPERS to provide a retirement plan that utilizes the formula of 2.5% @ 55 for "Classic members" or 2% @ 62 for "PEPRA members." Classic Members contribute 8% employee contribution plus 2.5% employer cost share for a total contribution of 10.5%. PEPRA members pay 6.75% employee contribution plus 2.5% employer cost share for a total contribution of 9.25%. The City does not participate in Social Security.
Insurance: The City provides its employees with a medical insurance allowance that allows employees to purchase medical insurance through CalPERS medical benefits plan. Some plans require employee contributions.
Employees with proof of qualifying health insurance coverage through another group health plan may qualify for a "Health In-Lieu Payment" when declining city coverage.
The City contributes toward a dental insurance plan and vision plan for employee and all eligible dependents.
The City pays premiums for:
Life insurance premium in the amount of two (2) times annual salary up to $200,000.
Long term disability insurance (to begin sixty days after onset of non-work-related illness or injury).
Deferred Compensation: May participate in the 457 deferred compensation plan with one of three offered plans.
Vacation: Accrual begins at ten (10) days annually and increases based upon years of service.
Sick Leave: Twelve (12) days per calendar year
Administrative Leave: 60 hours per fiscal year
Holidays: Thirteen (13) holidays (includes two floating holidays pro-rated based upon hire date) per year.
Bargaining Unit: Unrepresented Management "At Will, status
For additional information please view our Employee Information page at http://www.cityofpacifica.org/depts/asd/hr/employeeinformation/default.asp.
Special Instructions
APPLICATION PROCESS
Interested candidates must submit a completed online employment application in CalOpp.org. Resumes in lieu of a completed application will not be accepted. Applications can be obtained online at https://www.calopps.org/city-of-pacifica.
Examination and Selection Process
Applicants will be assessed on the application submitted. Applicants may be screened to the most qualified and invited to the next step in the recruitment process which may include panel interviews and a skills assessment.
The Oral Panel Interview Examination will be virtual and will be scheduled for Wednesday, October 23, 2024.
Candidates will be invited and notified by October 16, 2024 if they are moving forward in the employment process.
After a mutual interest has been established, the final candidate must pass a City of Pacifica background check which includes but is not limited to the Department of Justice fingerprinting scan and professional reference check.
Human Resources has the right to revise this process as needed based on business needs.
At the City of Pacifica, we are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity. All aspects of employment including the decision to hire, promote, discipline, or discharge, will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs. To us, equal opportunity employment is not just about compliance, it’s about who you are, how you can help our City and who you want to be. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and residents.
TO APPLY
https://www.calopps.org/pacifica/job-20544701
