Chief Accountant - Central Accounting

Salary: $76,902.59 - $119,214.36 Annually
Location : City Hall, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301, FL
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: FS004-08
Department: Finance
Division: CENTRAL ACCOUNTING
Opening Date: 06/03/2026
Closing Date: 7/10/2026 11:59 PM Eastern


POSITION SUMMARY
This is responsible financial, administrative and supervisory work of considerable difficulty assisting the Director of Finance, Controller or Treasurer by planning and directing the activities of professional and clerical staff in the management of the City's Central Accounting or Treasury Divisions and with financial reporting.


Performs complex professional level accounting duties, including general ledger reconciliation, financial reporting, audit preparation, grant reporting and payroll. Performs complex financial analysis for various programs within the city; and performs a variety of professional accounting functions relative to assigned areas of responsibility. An employee in this class exercises considerable initiative and independent judgment in planning, installing, revising and maintaining accounting procedures and in the preparation of statements and reports.

This job classification is included within the bargaining unit represented by Federation of Public Employees and therefore is subject to the terms and conditions of the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the City of Fort Lauderdale and Federation of Public Employees.

This is a Management Category III position which includes six (6) additional Management Vacation Days and a Vehicle Allowance of $250/month.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS


Essential functions are the basic job duties that an employee must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation. The list of essential functions, as outlined herein, is intended to be representative of the tasks performed within this classification. The omission of a function does not preclude management from assigning essential duties not listed herein if such duties relate to the position.

• Plans, directs and supervises the work of professional and clerical accounting staff assuring work is performed in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), departmental guidelines and applicable regulatory requirements
• Assists with internal and external audits, gathers and presents requested documents, and provides explanations of departmental policies and procedures
• Ensures an accurate and timely month-end and year-end closing and in preparation of the City's Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR)
• Approves journal entries, wires and other documents prepared by employees supervised
• Analyzes existing organization and systems in order to develop and recommend new work procedures, controls and forms to promote efficient and effective operations for fiscal management.
• Participates with the Information Technology Services Department in the design and development of, and acts as departmental liaison for procurement and implementation of financial management systems.
• Prepares and reviews reports for upper management, policymakers, and other departments.
• Performs related work as required

Assigned to the Central Accounting Division:

• Coordinates all requests and responses to external auditors regarding the ACFR
• Participates in the development of citywide budgets, the departmental budget, and monitors citywide and capital expenditures during the fiscal year
• Recommends to the Controller the establishment of new funds, accounts and policies to ensure compliance with laws, regulations and GAAP applicable to governmental agencies
• Manages various accounting functions such as recording capital assets and pensions.

JOB REQUIREMENTS, PREFERENCES & WORK ENVIRONMENT

1. Bachelor's Degree in Accounting or Finance.
2. Three (3) to five (5) years of progressively responsible accounting and/or fiscal management experience.
3. Three (3) years in municipal accounting and auditing
4. Two (2) years supervisory experience required.
5. Additional qualifying experience or completion of coursework at an accredited college or university in a job-related field, may substitute on a year-for-year basis for the required experience or education.
6. If claiming Veterans' Preference, you must attach a copy of the DD214 Member 4 form (or other supporting claim documents) to your on-line application.

Preferences:

1. A Master's degree from an accredited college or university in accounting, finance, or business administration or any of the following professional certifications:
   • Certified Public Accountant (CPA),
   • Certified Government Finance Officer (CGFO) designation,
   • Certified Public Finance Officer (CPFO) designation, or
   • Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM) designation.

As public servants, employees may be required to work immediately before, during, and/or after an emergency. All employees must be available and able to work assigned shifts as determined by their Department Heads.


PHYSICAL STANDARDS REQUIRED TO PERFORM ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
The position is generally sedentary. Employees sit most of the time but may walk or stand for brief periods of time.


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

HOW TO APPLY & SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION


Applicants who qualify will be subject to an extensive selection process and screening program, which may include, but not be limited to evaluation of training and experience; written test; interview; employment record, background check; medical examination; and drug screen. The expected duration of the selection process varies by position.

The City of Fort Lauderdale is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action, inclusive employer and a Drug Free Workplace. The City of Fort Lauderdale does not discriminate based on age, citizenship status, color, disability, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. Veterans' preference per Florida law.

For technical support with your application, contact from 9 am to 9 pm EST, Monday to Friday, at View phone number on click.appcast.io or

The City of Fort Lauderdale offers a comprehensive benefits package to all regular full-time employees including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and short-term disability insurance.

Click for an overview of employment information including our benefits package.

Say "Hello" to the City of Fort Lauderdale and Say "Goodbye" to Your Student Loan! Under the U.S. Department of Education's Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program, the remaining balance on your student loan may be forgiven after you have made 120 qualifying monthly payments while working full-time at the City of Fort Lauderdale. Click for more information or to see if you qualify.


In addition to the competitive benefits package and salary, the City of Fort Lauderdale participates in the Florida Retirement System (FRS) which offers an investment option and a pension option and requires a 3% contribution from employees. All new City of Fort Lauderdale employees are automatically enrolled in FRS. Click to view additional information on the Florida Retirement System.
01


Have you graduated from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance?

• Yes
• No

02


How many years of progressively responsible experience do you possess in professional accounting and other fiscal management?

• 1-2 years experience
• 3-4 years experience
• 5-6 years experience
• 7-8 years experience
• More than 9 years experience
• No experience

03


How many years of work experience do you possess in municipal accounting and auditing?

• 1-2 years experience
• 3-4 years experience
• 5-6 years experience
• More than 7 years experience
• No experience

04


Do you possess at least 2 years of supervisory experience?

• Yes
• No

05


Do you possess any of the following professional certifications:

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
• Certified Government Finance Officer (CGFO) designation
• Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM) designation
• Certified Public Finance Officer (CPFO) designation
• No Certification

06


Select the option that best describes your role in external financial audits.

• Assisted with audit preparation
• Primary department contact for auditors
• Managed audit activities for a division or department
• Led organization-wide audit coordination
• No experience

07


Select the option that best describes your experience with the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR).

• Assisted with ACFR preparation
• Prepared sections of the ACFR
• Managed ACFR preparation
• Responsible for final review and issuance
• No experience

08


Select the option that best describes your experience using governmental financial management systems.

• End user
• Advanced user
• System administrator or lead user
• Led implementation or major system upgrades
• No experience

09


Describe your experience leading or supervising an accounting function. Include the size of the team and your primary responsibilities.
10


Describe your experience preparing, reviewing, or monitoring municipal or governmental budgets. Include your level of responsibility.
11


Describe your experience performing or overseeing complex account reconciliations. Include the types of accounts reconciled and your level of responsibility.
12


Your application must support your answers to the supplemental questions. If your answers are not reflected in the work experience section, your application may be removed from consideration. Have you demonstrated your education, training and experience in your application to support your responses above?

• Yes
• No

Required Question