Senior Accountant (Assigned to Payroll)

About the Role

This position serves as the advanced journey-level, full supervisory role within the City's professional Accountant series. The incumbent acts as a key leader under general direction, responsible for supervising, directing, and coordinating the work of assigned finance and fiscal support staff. The role is distinguished by its full supervisory responsibility for designated teams, setting it apart from non-supervisory accounting levels.

The core mission of this position is to ensure the integrity and accuracy of the City's financial operations. Incumbents exercise day-to-day responsibility for complex areas including investments, grant administration, and the preparation of the City's annual budget. The role requires performing sophisticated accounting, fiscal analysis, and auditing tasks to maintain City fiscal records and financial transactions. As a central figure in the finance department, the incumbent prepares complex financial statements, manages revenue collection, and serves as a primary liaison with external auditors, government agencies, and the public.

Day in the Life

A typical day involves balancing high-level oversight with detailed financial analysis. The incumbent plans and assigns work to their team, providing necessary training and conducting performance evaluations. They oversee the month-end close process, reviewing journal vouchers and reports to ensure accuracy before finalizing financial statements.

Significant time is dedicated to managing the City's financial health through the coordination of the annual budget and the five-year forecast. The role requires rigorous oversight of investments, grant administration, and the reconciliation of City cash accounts with banks. The incumbent also acts as a first point of contact for contract auditors, preparing documentation for annual audits and resolving complex accounting or procedural issues that arise within the finance department and across other City divisions.

Hiring Process

Candidates must demonstrate a combination of education and experience that provides the required knowledge and abilities. A typical qualification path includes a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in accounting, business administration, or a related field, combined with three years of professional accounting experience. This experience must include two years with a government agency and one year in a functional supervisory capacity. Possession of an appropriate California Driver License is also required.

Equal Opportunity

The City is an equal opportunity employer. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job. The working environment is an office setting with continuous contact with staff and the public, requiring the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.