Senior Accountant (Social Services)

Sr. AccountantThe Sr. Accountant position performs advanced level financial accounting work in the analysis, reviewing, and reporting of finances for the Charlottesville Department of Social Services. Works under limited supervision and reports to the DSS Deputy Director of Administration. Contribute to the delivery of programs and services in Charlottesville that support meeting essential needs, which promote self-sufficiency, and that enhance the quality of life for all residents in our community. The preferred hiring amount is between $70,360.84 - $88,137.29 annually. Starting offer is based on applicable education, experience, and internal equity. This full-time, exempt position offers a comprehensive benefits package, including 13 paid holidays plus one floating holiday, vacation and sick leave, health insurance with employer contribution, employer-paid life insurance, gym membership reimbursement, tuition assistance, and professional development opportunities. This position is also eligible for the following retirement benefits:Choice of retirement plan: Defined Benefit Pension Plan: Provides a monthly benefit upon retirement, calculated using a defined formula based on earnings history, years of service, and age. The plan includes a 5-year vesting period and requires an employee contribution of 5% of salary.Defined Contribution 401a Plan: Employer makes fixed contributions to an individual account, which are invested, and returns are credited to the account. The account balance is used to provide retirement benefits. Vesting occurs at 33% after one year, 67% after two years, and 100% after three years of service. No salary contribution is required.Voluntary 457 Deferred Compensation PlanEligibility to purchase prior service credit under the Defined Benefit PlanThe City of Charlottesville manages its own retirement system and does not participate in VRS; however, a Portability Agreement is available for eligible employees. For additional details, please refer to the "Benefits" tab within this posting or visit the City's Employee Benefits webpage.Note: This job opportunity is advertised with a closing date of "Continuous." If interested in being considered, an application should be submitted as soon as possible. Applications may no longer be considered once a reasonable number of applications has been received or once a candidate to fill the position is identified. Applications may be evaluated on a continuous basis and interviews may be conducted as soon as possible during the recruitment. This job announcement may close at any time after 7 calendar days.To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations will be considered to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The essential functions of the job are not limited to those listed in the job description. The City retains the discretion to add to or change the duties of the position at any time.Reconciles all funds and accounts for assigned areas of responsibility; researches discrepancies, collection information, non-reconciliation of accounts, and reports findings to management in compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).Assists in planning, reviewing, preparing and monitoring routine and special monthly and annual budgets and budget projections for assigned areas of responsibility. Determines how data impacts financial statements.Works regularly as a liaison to other agencies/departments and/or component units to provide information and to resolve accounting issues.Responsible for knowing and following accounting pronouncements issued by various regulatory bodies, such as the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB), and recommends revisions to established policies and procedures as indicated.Prepares and submits routine and special costing, audit, financial and budgetary analysis reports and statements for City, State and Federal agencies, as required.Provides, tracks, monitors, and verifies bank wire transfers, disbursements and appropriations for assigned accounts and funds, according to supervisor's instructions.Provides technical support and advice to external auditors and regulatory agencies; prepares and assists with review of annual audit and financial schedules for assigned areas of responsibility.Leads preparation and review of assigned portion of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for accuracy and completeness.Conducts financial analysis and reports on efficiency and effectiveness of departmental financial programs.Conducts general ledger management, such as posting, fixing errors, and reconciliation of accounts and journal transfers, of various departments' programs.Conducts internal audits of payroll, accounts payable, accounting, and grants; assists external auditors.Prepares and disburses customer and/or client accounting documents and correspondence and resolves inquiries by customers, clients and/or the general public for assigned areas of responsibility.Approves expenditures for assigned accounts, funds, and other financial areas of responsibility, as delegated by supervisor.Recommends changes to existing departmental policies and procedures or new department policies and procedures.Participates in the development of procedures and suggests data reporting changes.Responsible for appropriate use and maintenance of City equipment, tools and other resources, including work time.Regular and reliable attendance.Other DutiesCompletes special projects, as assigned.May direct or supervisor staff or review the work of less experienced staff.May train and lead less experienced financial staff, as needed.Performs additional duties to support operational requirements as apparent or assigned.Education and Experience: Candidates may qualify by demonstrating the required knowledge and skills outlined for the job through experience(s) other than formal education.Bachelor's degree in accounting or related field AND 5 years accounting experience.ORTwo years of college-level coursework AND 7 years of accounting experience.ORAn equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered in lieu of the specific requirements listed above.Preferred:Certification as a CPA.Experience with SAP or similar ERP system.Certifications/Licenses/Other Requirements: Required to successfully pass a pre-employment background check and pre-employment drug screen.Job KnowledgeComprehensive knowledge of accounting theory, terminology, principles, and practices.Thorough knowledge of the laws, ordinances and regulations governing municipal finance.ReadingAdvanced: ability to read, understand, and interpret financial reports and financial policies and procedures.WritingIntermediate: ability to organize data and write clear and concise reports, prepare business letters, expositions, and summaries with proper format, punctuation, spelling, and grammar, using all parts of speech.MathAdvanced: ability to apply fundamental concepts of theories, work with advanced mathematical operations methods and functions of real and complex variables.Communication SkillIntermediate: Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with co-workers, city staff, financial agencies, auditors, and vendors. Provides and receives complex information. Contacts that may involve stressful, negative interactions which requires high levels of tact and the ability to respond to aggressive interpersonal interactions. Elements of persuasion may be necessary to gain cooperation and acceptance of ideas.Independence and Decision-MakingGeneral Direction: normally performs the job by following general instructions or established standard operating procedures and/or policies. There is some discretion when making decisions among a few easily identifiable choices of the appropriate procedure or policy to apply to duties. Performance is reviewed frequently.Technical SkillAdvanced: high level skills and extensive knowledge in approaches and systems, which affect the design and implementation of major programs and/or processes organization wide. Independent judgment and decision-making abilities are necessary to apply technical skills effectively. Expert level of skill of agency's systems and software with the ability to manipulate, write own reports, customize data and teach others. Expert knowledge of Microsoft Office programs.Fiscal ResponsibilitiesManages and reviews financial transactions, accounting, budget, and purchasing documents; and does research to audit documents for assigned unit or division. May recommend budget allocations.