Accounting Supervisor

Under general direction, plans, schedules, assigns, reviews, supervises, and participates in the daily operations and activities of staff performing a variety of accounting functions in the Finance Department; interprets internal control guidelines and best practices; participates in the development of policies and procedures for assigned division activities; performs complex accounting work; assists in the preparation of fiscal reports and financial statements; coordinates assigned activities with other departments, outside agencies, and the general public; provides complex staff assistance to management staff in areas of expertise; and performs related duties, as assigned.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives general direction from assigned management personnel. Exercises direct supervision over technical staff.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is a full supervisory-level class in the Accountant series that exercises independent judgment on diverse and specialized accounting operations with accountability and ongoing decision-making responsibilities associated with the work. Incumbents are responsible for planning, organizing, supervising, reviewing, and evaluating the work of staff and for providing technical support to management in a variety of areas. Performance of the work requires the use of independence, initiative, and discretion within established guidelines.

Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Plans, organizes, assigns, supervises, and reviews the work of assigned accounting staff; trains staff in work procedures; provides policy guidance and interpretation to staff; evaluates employee performance; counsels employees, and effectively recommends initial disciplinary action; assists in selection and promotion.
• Participates in the development of goals, objectives, best practices, policies and procedures, and changes to applicable accounting functions; recommends and implements policies and procedures including standard operating procedures for assigned operations; establishes schedules and methods for assigned functions; participates in maintaining and monitoring work plans to achieve division and department goals and objectives.
• Monitors activities of assigned accounting functions, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, cash receipts, utility billing, payroll, and others; identifies opportunities for improving service delivery and procedures; provides recommendations concerning process changes; reviews with appropriate management staff; implements improvements and modifications.
• Coordinates assigned services and operations with other divisions and outside agencies.
• Participates in annual budget preparation; identifies resource needs; prepares detailed cost estimates with appropriate justifications; monitors expenditures; performs responsible financial, accounting, and/or budgetary document processing, document review, and program support work.
• Provides staff assistance to management; prepares and presents periodic fiscal reports, staff reports, and other written materials; prepares various reports on operations and activities, including workload and workflow statistics; supervises the establishment and maintenance of reports, records, and files; ensures proper documentation of operations and activities.
• Answers questions and provides information to the public, staff, and other departments regarding assigned functions; investigates and responds to complaints and sensitive issues; recommends corrective action to resolve issues.
• Monitors and coordinates the preparation, balancing, and reconciliation of various accounting records; prepares or directs the preparation of records and reports for submission to various regulatory and other governmental agencies; oversees, reviews, and prepares a variety of journal entries, including accounts receivable aging analyses, audits, and post cash receipt transactions.
• Establishes and maintains internal control procedures.
• Monitors changes in laws, regulations, and technology which may affect operations of the assigned accounting functions; implements policy and procedural changes after approval.
• Manages the maintenance, modification, operation, and implementation of assigned modules of the City's core financial system; identifies and resolves ongoing functional and technical issues; coordinates and tests system modifications; recommends operational and procedural changes to the system, as necessary.
• Provides technical support to end users of the City's core financial system; responds to end user requests for information on system use; investigates, troubleshoots, and resolves end user issues; develops, coordinates, and tests system/report modifications to address user needs; coordinates and conducts training sessions, as necessary.
• Performs duties of professional and technical subordinate staff as required.
• Plans, coordinates, and carries out special projects as assigned.
• Maintains files, databases, and records related to accounting and financial information; oversees destruction of records.
• Ensures staff observe and comply with all City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of employee supervision, including work planning, assignment, review and evaluation, discipline, and the training of staff in work procedures.
• Principles and practices of leadership.
• Principles and techniques for working with groups and fostering effective team interaction to ensure teamwork is conducted smoothly.
• Basic principles and practices of budget administration and monitoring.
• Principles, practices, methods, and techniques of generally accepted accounting principles, governmental accounting, auditing, and financial reporting.
• Operational characteristics, services, and activities of assigned accounting programs and functions.
• Internal control and compliance audit principles and practices.
• City personnel rules, policies, and labor contract provisions.
• Financial management software systems.
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules, regulations, and procedures relevant to assigned areas of responsibility.
• Principles and procedures of recordkeeping.
• City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff.
• The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.

Ability to:

• Assist in developing and implementing goals, objectives, practices, policies, procedures, and work standards.
• Select and supervise staff, provide training and development opportunities, ensure work is performed effectively, and evaluate performance in an objective and positive manner.
• Understand, interpret, and apply all pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures, and standards relevant to the work performed.
• Identify problems, research and analyze relevant information, and develop and present recommendations and justification for solutions.
• Perform the most complex accounting work.
• Research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods, procedures, and techniques.
• Analyze financial data, participate in the planning and evaluation of financial programs, and make sound recommendations for improvement.
• Effectively represent the department and the City in meetings with governmental agencies, community groups, various business, professional, and regulatory organizations, and in meetings with individuals.
• Implement financial procedures and controls.
• Perform complicated mathematical calculations and analyses.
• Respond to complaints or inquiries from citizens, staff, and outside organizations.
• Prepare clear, effective, accurate, and comprehensive reports, correspondence, and other written materials.
• Maintain accurate logs, records, and written records of work performed.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
• Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments.
• Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education/Training/Experience:

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Education:

• Equivalent to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in accounting, economics, finance, business administration, or a related field.

Experience:

• Three (3) years of increasingly responsible experience in municipal accounting or related experience.

Licenses; Certificates; Special Requirements:

• None.

The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone. This is primarily a sedentary office classification although standing in work areas and walking between work areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 10 pounds.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.