Job Specifications
Class Summary
The City of Spokane invites applications for the position of
Director of Accounting
DEPARTMENT PURPOSE
Provides accounting and financial services and support to the organization. The department is responsible for the development, implementation, and maintenance of effective financial accounting systems and controls.
POSITION PURPOSE
Responsible for managing all aspects of the accounting workflow, including general ledger, AR, AP, fixed assets, and payroll. This position is also responsible for leading and managing process improvement and systems integration, with a focus on improving service delivery, reducing manual efforts and leveraging best practices. Responsible for establishing, implementing, and ensuring compliance with city-wide accounting policies and procedures and for setting goals, objectives and priorities for both the Accounting Department staff and accounting staff citywide.
SUPERVISION EXERCISED
Work is performed with considerable independence within the framework of general policies established by the Chief Financial Officer. Provides direction, training and assistance to professional, administrative and technical positions.
Examples Of Job Functions
The following responsibilities and requirements are functions the individual who holds or desires the position must be able to perform unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Produces periodic, annual financial statements, and ad hoc reports as required or requested by the Chief Financial Officer;
Responsible for managing and maintaining the General Accounting and Financial Reporting functions of the city and the financial services area including A/P, A/R, Payroll, and Fixed Assets;
Convey financial and regulatory concepts clearly and concisely for the City Council, Mayor, city officials, staff, and the general public both orally and in writing;
Effectively identify, collect, organize and document data and information for subsequent assessment, analysis, and investigation using current software and techniques;
Provide technical guidance on complex accounting issues. Ensure comprehensive and consistent accounting policies including compliance with GAAP and all other applicable standards;
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, other city employees and departments, city officials, outside Boards and Commissions, and the public. Understand the City’s political environment and sensitivities and possess the ability to function effectively within that environment;
Oversee financial and accounting system controls, including partnering with IT in system implementations, conversions and upgrades;
Responsible for designing and maintaining, in coordination with the City’s Internal Audit staff, a system of internal controls for the safeguarding of assets and the integrity and accuracy of financial reporting;
Responsible for the implementation of corrective actions identified as part of an audit or other review of operations;
Ensures that the accounting department and all functions managed thereunder are staffed with qualified personnel capable of meeting all of the department’s technical, collaborative and other detailed responsibilities and carrying out all other departmental objectives;
Recruit/retain competent accounting staff; provide leadership, coaching, guidance and support; oversee professional development plans to assist employees to reach their full potential;
Responsible for organizing and directing accounting personnel and the integrity of the city’s financial data;
Performs other duties as assigned.
REQUIREMENTS
Knowledge of:
Financial statements and reports used in municipal accounting;
Administering a large municipal accounting function together with other related functions, including experience in planning, organizing, directing and coordinating the activities/work of a large staff of managerial, professional, technical accounting and clerical personnel;
The principles, practices and techniques of accounting as they refer to municipal bond indebtedness and bond sales;
Professional and governmental accounting principles and procedures, and the principles of fund accounting;
Applicable statutes, codes, laws and guidelines;
Use of personal computers and software (MS Word, MS Excel, MS Outlook), including the ability to create and understand complex formulas;
Payroll functions/activities;
Technology and software, management procedures and practices as applied to accounting.
Ability to:
Independently identify and carry out strategic vision and objectives;
Maintain confidentiality and discretion;
Negotiate and resolve business issues/problems while maintaining a high level of professionalism at all times;
Receive information from various sources and make sound decisions within scope of assigned authority;
Quickly analyze, understand, and communicate complex and innovative financial situations, problems and opportunities;
Read, understand, and int
About the Company
City of Spokane has an innovative, professional and diverse workforce that is continuously working to serve our community. The City of Spokane has about 2,000 employees and operates a Mayor-Council, or “strong mayor,” form of government. The Mayor is the head of the executive branch, similar to the governor's role at the state level and the President's role at the federal level. The City Administrator, meanwhile, serves in the capacity of the City's chief operating officer. The other key elected members in our government are...
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