Description
ACCOUNTANT I or ACCOUNTANT II
Full-Time/Represented
Open/Competitive
(Open Until Filled)
The City of Pico Rivera's vision and values are to safeguard the public's trust through open and transparent business practices that consistently maintain our credibility of strong ethical stewardship of all resources. We strive to provide responsive and consistent customer service to the community and our employees; who we trust to always own the problem and solution of all our business challenges. We recognize that we must engage our workforce in productive and respectful dialogue as our success internally hinges on the dynamic and interdependent partnerships within; thus improving our chances of external success.
The goal is to positively impact our community by optimizing and engaging our workforce to improve the human experience and quality of life in the City of Pico Rivera. The City is committed to forging a model of 21st Century government to better serve the community and its employees.
The Department
The mission of the Administrative Services Department is to provide sound and prudent financial management, auditing, budgeting, treasury management, procurement, revenue oversight, and grants and capital project administration while adhering to best practices and ensuring adequate internal controls.
The Department adheres to a management philosophy of "continuous improvement," designing and documenting business systems to automate the procedures of our processes while remaining flexible to adapt to the City’s changing organizational needs and providing excellent customer service to our internal and external stakeholders.
ACCOUNTANT I or ACCOUNTANT II
One position exists in the Administrative Services Department. The position serves under the direction of the Senior Manager. The level of appointment will be determined by the candidate's experience.
SALARY RANGE
$6,277 - $7,630 per month for Accountant I
$6,591 - $8,011 per month for Accountant II
City Hall is open Monday through Thursday, 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM. Employees work a 4/10 schedule from 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM. This position could also be required to work non-traditional hours including nights, early mornings, weekends, and holidays based on the needs of the department.
Essential Duties
The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed by employees in this classification. Functions that are within the scope of work, responsibilities, and framework of the job title may be added, modified, or deleted to meet the needs of the City. Additional duties/responsibilities that are outside of the scope of work may fall under the Management Rights guidelines as reference in the Memorandum of Understanding.
The ideal candidate will have the ability to perform the following essential tasks and duties:
Accountant I
- Participate in the posting, balancing, and reconciliation of the general ledger and subsidiary accounts.
- Assist in the preparation of financial and statistical statements and various reports for Federal, State, and other outside agencies, as well as for internal accounting.
- Prepare fund balance projections and review them with operating departments.
- Monitor and report on the status of State and Federal grants.
- Assist departmental personnel with budget activity, proper expenditure coding, document preparation, and other accounting-related activities.
- Assist in compiling supporting documents for reconciliation, reviewing and posting daily cash collections, and importing third-party payments into the financial system.
- Assist in preparing schedules for the financial audit.
- Compile the monthly balance sheets, cash receipts, and disbursement statements; prepare journal entries and adjustments to the general ledger; prepares a variety of financial and statistical reports, including year-end and month-end reporting.
- Compile and prepare financial statements, general and subsidiary ledgers, supporting schedules, and other financial and statistical reports; establish and maintain complete files and records related to assigned functions; participate in the maintenance of various computer files and records; input and retrieve a variety of fiscal and statistical information.
- Advise operating departments on established City accounting procedures and regulations.
- Participate in the operation of automated financial management systems; identify, develop, and implement new applications as needed.
- Perform related duties as assigned.
- May serve as backup for other positions within the department.
Accountant II
- Ensure that assigned accounting program activities are carried out in accordance with established policies and procedures and general accounting standards.
- Correct and reconcile account balances to external data; identifying actual or potential problems and recommending corrective or preventative action.
- Develop financial statements and reports such as HUD section 8.
- Predict the effects of changes in operating programs and interpreting new and existing federal and state regulations relative to their assigned areas of responsibility.
- Maintain ledgers for Enterprise Funds such as Golf Course fund and Electric fund and provides financial reports to outside contractors.
- Prepare monthly bank reconciliations; support the year-end close process, file unclaimed properties to State Controller’s Office.
- Maintain HUD Section 8 ledger and provides support to external department by preparing the monthly financial reports in support of the Voucher Management System (VMS) monthly reporting and annual HUD REAC System reporting.
- Reconcile and prepare schedules in support of the city-wide audit.
- Serve as a backup for payroll including review of timesheets for accuracy, payroll updates and changes and bi-weekly payroll processing and filing of state and federal payroll reports and taxes and reconciles payroll liabilities monthly.
- Serve as a backup for procurement including review of contracts and agreements, budget verification and submission of purchase orders.
- Communicate with supervisor, employees, other departments, state/federal agencies, auditors, banking personnel, the public, outside agencies, and other individuals as needed to coordinate work activities, review status of work, exchange information, resolve problems, or give/receive advice/direction.
- Maintain confidentiality of departmental issues and documentation.
- Perform related duties as assigned.
- May serve as backup for other positions within the department.
Qualifications
ACCOUNTANT I
Knowledge of: - Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and Basic Principles of Accounting as applied to Governmental Accounting Standards.
- Principles and practices of municipal government accounting.
- Principles and practices of automated financial systems.
- Account analyses.
- Financial statement preparation.
- Auditing.
- Basic billing and collection procedures.
- Basic principles of mathematics.
- Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
- External governmental bodies and agencies related to the area of assignment.
Skills/Ability to:- Operate standard office equipment including a computer and a variety of word processing and software applications, including financial and accounting programs.
- Prepare, analyze, and verify financial records and reports.
- Prepare journal entries.
- Maintain and improve advanced automated accounting systems and procedures.
- Analyze and interpret complex financial data and reports and verify financial records.
- Use tact, discretion, initiative, and independent judgment within established guidelines.
- Organize work, setting priorities, meeting critical deadlines, and following up on assignments with a minimum of direction.
- Interpret and follow instructions and policy guidelines.
- Analyze financial and statistical data and draw conclusions.
- Demonstrate productive interpersonal skills by establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with others and conveying technical information to non-accountants.
- Organize and prioritize multiple tasks.
- Analyze and solve problems.
- Research and interpret data.
- Ability to utilize problem-solving techniques.
Experience: - One (1) year of technical accounting or general administrative experience is required.
- Governmental accounting experience is preferred.
Education:Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in accounting, business administration or a closely related field is required.
ACCOUNTANT II
Knowledge of: - Thorough knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and Basic Principles of Accounting as applied to Governmental Accounting Standards.
- Principles and practices of municipal government accounting.
- Principles and practices of automated financial systems.
- Account analysis.
- Financial statement preparation.
- Auditing.
- Basic billing and collection procedures.
- Basic principles of mathematics.
- Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
- External governmental bodies and agencies related to area of assignment.
Skills/Ability to:
In addition to those skills/abilities listed for Accountant I:- Applications of statistical and mathematical data processing to accounting procedures and methods of data collection and evaluation.
- Advanced proficiency with Excel and spreadsheet software programs, web browsers, query tools, integrated financial systems, and/or other types of records management systems.
- Thorough understanding of internal control methods and working knowledge of federal, State, and local accounting laws, codes, and regulations.
- Analyzing and interpreting complex financial data and reports and verifying financial records.
- Using tact, discretion, initiative, and independent judgment within established guidelines.
- Organizing work, setting priorities, meeting critical deadlines, and following up on assignments with minimal direction.
- Ability to apply accounting principles to the analysis of complex accounting problems.
- Make decisions and recommendations regarding accounting activities.
- Ability to utilize problem-solving techniques in finding solutions to complex accounting problems.
Experience: - Two (2) years of professional level accounting experience is required.
- Governmental accounting is highly desirable.
Education:Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in accounting, business administration or a closely related field is required.
An applicant with a college degree obtained outside the United States must have education records evaluated by a credential's evaluation service. This evaluation must be submitted by the application deadline.
Proof of education such as but not limited to, university/college transcripts and degrees must be submitted online with your application. Applicants are responsible for attaching proof of education, certification, and/or license to each position for which they apply.
Failure to provide all required documents will result in elimination from the selection process.
FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying.
PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS
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
While performing the duties of this class, the employee is regularly required to sit; talk or hear, in person and by telephone; use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate standard office equipment; and reach with hands or arms. The employee occasionally walks and stands and lifts and moves records and documents weighing 20 pounds or less.
Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.
Mental Demands
While performing the duties of this class, the employee is regularly required to use oral and written communication skills; read and interpret data, information and documents; analyze and solve problems; observe and interpret data and situations; use math and mathematical reasoning; learn and apply new skills or information; perform highly detailed work on multiple concurrent tasks; work under changing and intensive deadlines with frequent interruptions.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The employee works under typical office conditions, and the noise level is usually quiet.Licenses and Certifications
- Must possess a valid California Class C Driver's License throughout the course of employment. City employees are registered with the Department of Motor Vehicles, Employee Pull Notice Program.
- Proof of car insurance (to be eligible for mileage reimbursement).
Veteran's credit will amount to 10 points to be added to the interview score. Proof of honorable discharge must be submitted with the application materials in order to be eligible for veteran's credit. Veterans who wish to utilize this credit must have served on a full-time basis (not reserve or auxiliary) in the armed forces for a minimum of six months (180 days).
TESTING: Candidates who pass all qualifying phases (minimum qualification review, written examination, and/or oral interview) will advance to the hiring department who will have access to a pool of candidates to initiate the selection process. Please note that the time frame for the recruitment timeline will vary. We will keep our applicants posted as we progress in the recruitment process.
FINAL FILING DATE: This recruitment will remain open until filled and may close without prior notice.
Selection of applicants will be on a first come, first served basis. As employment applications are received, they will be immediately reviewed. Based on a review of application materials, the best qualified applicants will be invited to to participate in the testing process to further evaluate their job-related experience, education, knowledge, skills and abilities.
SELECTION PROCESS:
All application materials must be submitted online prior to the final filing date/closing of the recruitment. Based on a review of application materials, the best qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the testing process to further evaluate their job-related experience, education, knowledge, skills and abilities. Resumes will be accepted in addition to, but not in lieu of, the required application materials (such as a copy of Bachelor’s Degree, if applicable). This is a competitive process; therefore, be thorough in your responses. All statements made on the application are subject to verification. False statements will be cause for disqualification, removal from the Eligibility List, or discharge from employment.
It is recommended you use a personal email address on your application instead of a work email address. Notifications during this recruitment will be sent by email only (regardless of the notification preference selected during the on-line application process). Notifications will be sent to the email address that is listed on your online application.
For more information regarding this recruitment, please email Human Resources, at spena@pico-rivera.org.
Note: The provisions of this job bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provisions contained within may be modified or revoked without notice.
Physical/Background Check
Upon conditional offer the selected candidate will be subject to background and reference checks and will be required to satisfactorily complete a post offer physical examination including a drug screen at the City's expense.
Probationary Period
New and promotional appointments shall be tentative and are subject to a probationary period of six (6) months.
Emergency Disaster Worker
City employees are registered as an Emergency Disaster Worker and must take an oath. In the event of a declared emergency, City employees shall initially remain at work, or if recalled, shall report to work after completing critical personal and family emergency responsibilities.
Equal Opportunity Employer
The City of Pico Rivera is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, disability (mental and physical), legally protected medical condition (genetic characteristics), marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information or any other bases protected by federal law (including but not limited to Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the American with Disabilities Act of 1990) state or local law. The City of Pico Rivera does not discriminate, or any other basis protected by law, in its employment policies or practices.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Compliance
The City of Pico Rivera provides reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals under ADA, considering each situation on an individual basis. Individuals with qualified disabilities who need reasonable accommodation during the selection process must specify the accommodation needed, in writing, for the application and/or interview phase. If you have questions, please contact the Human Resources Department staff: nkatabyan@pico-rivera.org.
City of Pico Rivera Human Resources, 6615 Passons Blvd., Pico Rivera CA 90660
