This position is a leadership position responsible for providing oversight and guidance to all City departments and agencies on city policies, internal control procedures, and compliance matters. The person in this role reviews, assesses, and evaluates all City policies, procedures, and controls in place to determine whether management’s design, implementation, and operation of control activities provide reasonable assurance of achieving objectives related to the effectiveness and efficiency of ... more details
Company DescriptionA best-in-class city that attracts best-in-class talent, Philadelphia is an incredible place to build a career. From our thriving arts scene and rich history to our culture of passion and grit, there are countless reasons to love living and working here. With a workforce of over 30,000 people, and more than 1,000 different job categories, the City of Philadelphia offers boundless opportunities to make an impact.As an employer, the City of Philadelphia values inclusion, integrity, innovation, empowerment, and hard work above all else. We offer a vibrant work environment, comprehensive health care and benefits, and the experience you need to grow and excel. If you’re interested in working with a passionate team of people who care about the future of Philadelphia, start here.What we offerImpact - The work you do here matters to millions. Growth - Philadelphia is growing, why not grow with it? Diversity & Inclusion - Find a career in a place where everyone belongs.Benefits - We care about your well-being.Agency DescriptionThe Office of Director of Finance was created by the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter, adopted by the electors of the City on April 17, 1951, to give the Mayor and the City government a principal officer responsible for the financial, accounting, and budgeting functions of the executive branch. The Director of Finance is thus the chief financial officer of the City and all powers and duties concerning finances, accounting, and budgeting in the executive branch are directly or indirectly the Director's. The Director of Finance is also the Chairman of the Board of Pensions and Retirements and an ex-officio member of the board of various quasi-governmental agencies, including the Pennsylvania Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority. The City of Philadelphia operates on a fiscal year between July 1st and June 30th.Job DescriptionThis position is a leadership position responsible for providing oversight and guidance to all City departments and agencies on city policies, internal control procedures, and compliance matters. The person in this role reviews, assesses, and evaluates all City policies, procedures, and controls in place to determine whether management’s design, implementation, and operation of control activities provide reasonable assurance of achieving objectives related to the effectiveness and efficiency of operations, accuracy and reliability of financial reporting, and compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and governmental accounting standards. This position also monitors and tracks compliance to all City standard accounting policies and procedures to maintain consistency and integrity in financial management practices. Work is performed under the general direction of the City’s First Deputy Finance Director and Chief Accounting Officer.Essential FunctionsEnsures compliance with all applicable standards recommended by the Office of the City Controller, as well as policies and directives of all City oversight entities, including (but not limited to) the Administrative Board and Civil Service Commission, as well as state, federal and non-governmental entities where necessary;Collaborates with regulatory bodies such as the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB), U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), and Committed of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) to stay abreast of regulatory updates and industry best practices.Works with the City’s Chief Accounting Officer to establish and enforce a strong system of internal controls that mitigates risk to the City’s financial condition, protects the City’s assets, ensures all accounting data is correct for reliable financial reporting.Continually evaluates and updates standard accounting procedures to help the city adapt to shifting environments, evolving demands, changing risks, and new priorities.Evaluates accounting practices to improve operational efficiency; updates and automates processing procedures; develops, implements and monitors policies and procedures that support systems as they relate to accounting functions;Develops and implements Standard Accounting Procedures, Administrative Board Rules or other necessary regulations across all city departments, agencies, and affiliated third-party entities to ensure consistency and compliance with established standards.Reviews and evaluates operational controls that City departments design and propose to the Director of Finance and determines their impact to City’s established procedures, their effectiveness in mitigating risk and ensuring a strong system of internal control, and presents necessary recommendations for revisions or acceptance to management for approval;Reviews the Office of the City Controller’s annual audit report on Internal Control, formulates correction action plans to execute applicable audit recommendations, and collaborates with Accounting Bureau and various City departments to establish new, or enforce existing, control procedures that resolve audit findings; continually tracks progress against findings to ensure ongoing compliance.Formulates, creates and monitors enforcement strategies and ensures compliance with respect to new legislation, executive orders, Administrative Board Rules, Standard Accounting Procedures, federal and state regulations; or other applicable rules that may exist.Collaborates with the Accounting Bureau, City agencies, and outside vendors where applicable, on implementation of new governmental accounting standards issued by the Government Accounting Standards Board (GASB) and formulates an implementation and compliance action plan where necessary.Reviews the city’s draft Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) to ensure compliance with all GASB regulations, and the accuracy and reliability of financial statements.Reviews the city’s draft Schedule of Expenditures or Federal Awards (SEFA) report to ensure compliance with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations referred to as the Uniform Guidance and the Commonwealth of PA’s Single Audit Requirements, and the accuracy and reliability of financial statements. Monitors letters from Pennsylvania’s Audit Resolution agencies and ensures proper corrective action plans were taken to resolve audit issues.Leads training and compliance meetings for accounting/financial management staff citywide on Standard Accounting Procedures; federal, state and private grant regulations, and tracking and resolving audit findings;Identifies compliance best practices and assesses the City’s current related initiatives and guidelines to ensure adherence;Completes, or participates on, special projects as assigned.Competencies, Knowledge, Skills and AbilitiesStandards, guidelines and requirements for governmental accounting as set forth in various Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) statementsStandards, guidelines and requirements as set forth in the Green Book (Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government issued by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) and the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO)).Standards, guidelines and requirements as set forth in the OMB’s Uniform Guidance and Commonwealth of PA’s Single Audit Supplemental requirementsPrinciples, standards and practices of the accounting professionFinancial statements and reports used in municipal accountingManagerial theory and practiceUses and applications of computer systems to accounting, fiscal reporting and preparation of payrollPrinciples and techniques of accounting as they refer to municipal bond indebtedness and bond salesGovernment Finance Officers Association (GFOA) best practicesABILITY TO:Resolve complex technical accounting problems and issues encountered in municipal accountingEnlist the cooperation of officials to implement policy and procedural changesPresent ideas effectively both orally and in writingEstablish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, departmental officials, and the publicExercise judgment and discretion in applying and interpreting policies and procedures consistent with overall policy and objectives; develop and enforce an effective system of internal controls to mitigate financial risk in a large, complex organization.Manage numerous initiatives concurrently while using resources effectively and efficiently. Operates successfully in a large bureaucracy.QualificationsCompletion of a bachelor's degree program at an accredited college or university, with major course work in accounting.Ten plus years of accounting or auditing experience preferably within a government setting or providing services to government agencies. Demonstrates proficiency in financial management and compliance plus five years of managerial experience showcasing strong leadership and decision – making skills.Additional InformationTO APPLY: Interested candidates must submit a cover letter and resume.Salary Range: $100,000 - $145,000 Discover the Perks of Being a City of Philadelphia Employee:Transportation: City employees get unlimited FREE public transportation all year long through SEPTA’s Key Advantage program. Employees can ride on SEPTA buses, subways, trolleys, and regional rail for their daily commute and more.Parental Benefits: The City offers its employees 6 weeks of paid parental leave.We offer Comprehensive health coverage for employees and their eligible dependents.Our wellness program offers eligibility into the discounted medical planEmployees receive paid vacation, sick leave, and holidaysGenerous retirement savings options are availablePay off your student loans faster - As a qualifying employer, City of Philadelphia employees are eligible to participate in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. Join the ranks of hundreds of employees who have already benefited from this program and achieved student loan forgiveness.Unlock Tuition Discounts and Scholarships - The City of Philadelphia has forged partnerships with over a dozen esteemed colleges and universities in the area, ensuring that our employees have access to a wide range of tuition discounts and scholarships. Experience savings of 10% to 40% on your educational expenses, extending not only to City employees but in some cases, spouse and dependents too!Join the City of Philadelphia team today and seize these incredible benefits designed to enhance your financial well-being and personal growth!*The successful candidate must be a city of Philadelphia resident within six months of hireEffective May 22, 2023, vaccinations are no longer required for new employees that work in non-medical, non-emergency or patient facing positions with the City of Philadelphia. As a result, only employees in positions providing services that are patient-facing medical care (ex: Nurses, doctors, emergency medical personnel), must be fully vaccinated.The City of Philadelphia is an Equal Opportunity employer and does not permit discrimination based on race, ethnicity, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, source of income, familial status, genetic information or domestic or sexual violence victim status. If you believe you were discriminated against, call the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations at 215-686-4670 or send an email to [email protected].For more information, go to: Human Relations Website: http://www.phila.gov/humanrelations/Pages/default.aspx
