Accounting Manager

Accounting Manager

The City of Bell is seeking a collaborative, innovative, and service-oriented professional to join our Finance Department as an Accounting Manager. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced finance leader to help support the City's continued modernization efforts and contribute to a high-performing organization committed to serving the community. Under the direction of the Finance Director, the Accounting Manager plans, organizes, coordinates, and oversees the operations and activities of the Accounting Section within the Finance Department. The position provides advanced professional accounting, financial reporting, budgetary, audit coordination, and administrative support services while helping ensure fiscal integrity, operational efficiency, and regulatory compliance. The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker with strong technical accounting knowledge, excellent leadership skills, and a commitment to public service and teamwork.

The Accounting Manager oversees and coordinates accounting operations and financial activities within the Finance Department. Responsibilities include financial reporting, budget administration, audit coordination, policy development, treasury and debt management support, and supervision of accounting personnel. The position also assists in implementing strategic financial initiatives and ensuring compliance with applicable governmental accounting standards, laws, and regulations.

The City of Bell is a dynamic and evolving organization focused on innovation, accountability, and community engagement. Employees have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact while working in a collaborative environment that values professionalism, integrity, and continuous improvement.

Essential Functions:

• Assume management responsibility for assigned services and activities of the Accounting Section of the Finance Department.
• Plans, directs and coordinates the operations and activities of the Accounting Section of the Finance Department.
• Manage and participate in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for assigned programs.
• Monitor and evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; recommend within departmental policy, appropriate staffing levels; assesses and monitors workload, administrative and support system, and internal reporting relationships; identifies opportunities for improvement; directs implementation of change.
• Develops and implements financial policies and procedures and ensures that activities are conducted in accordance with laws, ordinances, rules and regulations; recommends and administers policies and procedures.
• Develops and implements long and short-term strategic plans in support of department goals and objectives.
• Plan, direct, coordinate and review the work plan for assigned staff; assign work activities, projects, and programs; review and evaluate work products, methods, and procedures; meet with staff to identify and resolve problems.
• Oversee and participate in the development and administration of the City's annual budget; coordinates budget related activities with the Finance Director, department heads and departmental staff; ensures budget is prepared in a timely and expeditious manner; participates in the forecasting of revenue/expense; monitors and approves expenditures; implements adjustments.
• Provide highly responsible complex professional accounting services; interpret and apply accounting standards and determine applicability to department operations; prepare and/or review highly complex financial schedules and statements; ensure processes and financial record keeping is in compliance with accounting standards
• Works closely with internal and external auditors who are tasked with oversight of the City's financial records and operations for compliance with mandated standards; ensures access to required materials; reviews audit reports and prepares appropriate responses to audit findings.
• Confers with banking and financial institutions with respect to the City's fiscal operations including loans, investments, debt re-structuring and related matters.
• Advise and participate in the design and implementation of automated financial information systems and updates; continuously evaluate potential system improvements; ensure changes in laws and regulations are addressed in system updates; train users on system changes
• Monitor and supervise the preparation of cash flow and financial performance forecasts, various financial schedules, general ledger transactions, fixed assets, and debt management activities.
• Provide management with accurate and complete financial information including financial statements; variance reports, cash flows, financial analyses and projections and statistical reports; supervise compliance with all accounting and financial requirements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, governmental accounting standards, federal, state and local rules and regulations
• Plans, directs and coordinates the section's work program; meets with staff to identify and resolve problems; assigns projects and programmatic areas of responsibility; reviews and evaluates work methods and procedures.
• Selects, trains, motivates and evaluates staff; provides or coordinates staff training; conducts performance evaluations; implements discipline procedures; ensures the provision of a high performing section of the Finance Department to serve the needs of the City.
• Provide responsible staff assistance to the Finance Director; conduct a variety of organizational studies, investigations, and operational studies; recommend modifications to financial policies and procedures as appropriate.
• Represents the City, the section and department in various boards, committees, and with community business and citizen leaders.
• Attend and participate in professional group meetings; maintain awareness of new trends and developments in the fields of finance and accounting; incorporate new developments as appropriate.
• Respond to and resolve difficult and sensitive citizen inquires and complaints.
• Attends Council Meetings in the absence of the Finance Director.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Qualifications Guidelines

To qualify for this position, an individual must possess a combination of experience, education, and/or training that would likely produce the knowledge and abilities required to perform the work. A desirable combination of qualifications is described as follows:

Education: Equivalent to Bachelor's Degree in accounting or a related field from an accredited university or college. (Master's degree preferred).

Experience: Four (4) years of progressively responsible administrative and management experience in finance and accounting. Ability to speak Spanish is desirable.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Operations, services and activities of a comprehensive financial services department including finance, fund accounting according to GAAP, budget, treasury, investments, business licensing, purchasing, payroll, and internal audit.
• Principles and practices of strategic plan development and implementation.
• Principles and practices of budget preparation and administration.
• Principles and practices of public administration.
• Standards, principles and practices of government finance, loans, and accounting.
• Principles and practices of investment management.
• Principles and practices of leadership, motivation, team building and conflict resolution.
• Organizational and management practices as applied to the analysis and evaluation of programs.
• Principles and practices of organization, administration and personnel management.
• Comprehensive knowledge of all local, State, and Federal rules, regulations, and pertinent ordinances and mandates affecting the financial operations of a municipality.

Ability to:

• Plan direct and control the administration and operations of the Accounting Section of the Finance Department.
• Formulate substantive recommendations on the City's finance, debt management and investment programs.
• Skillfully represent the agency in all types of contract negotiations.
• Identify and respond to public and City Council issues and concerns.
• Assist in the preparation and development of the City's annual budget.
• Develop and implement department policies and procedures.
• Supervise, train and evaluate assigned personnel; schedule work, set priorities and monitor work progress.
• Interpret and apply provisions of codes, regulations, statutes and ordinances relevant to municipal fiscal management.
• Gain cooperation through discussion and persuasion.
• Work effectively with the business community including financial institutions, as well as representatives from other public agencies to meet the goals and objectives of all parties.
• Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions and implement recommendations in support of goals.
• Interpret and apply City and department policies, procedures, rules and regulations.
• Communicate clearly, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The City of Bell is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to creating an inclusive workplace. The City does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified individuals with disabilities throughout the recruitment process upon request.