Chief Accounting Officer

Salary: $142,743.00 - $183,526.00 Annually
Location : Philadelphia, PA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 2A23-20260817-35-00
Department: FIN Finance
Opening Date: 08/17/2026
Closing Date: 8/30/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
FLSA: Exempt
Bargaining Unit: N
Competition: Department Only Promotional
Residency Waiver: No Waiver
Certification Rule: Rule of List
1. Parts: Training & Experience Evaluation
1. Weight: 90%
2. Parts: Seniority Rating
2. Weight: 10%
3. Parts: N/A
3. Weight: N/A
Salary Range: N033


WHO WE ARE

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 Offer:

Impact - 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.

The City of Philadelphia is a Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program qualified employer.

Learn more here:


Equal Access to Civil Service Testing

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 View phone number on click.appcast.io or send an email to View email address on click.appcast.io. For more information, go to:

The City of Philadelphia is committed to ensuring access to Civil Service examinations by providing appropriate accommodation for candidates with documented medical or religious reasons. Candidates may request accommodation for a Civil Service examination by contacting the Office of Human Resources (OHR) at View phone number on click.appcast.io or by email at View email address on click.appcast.io. The accommodation process is interactive and requires cooperation and communication between the applicant and OHR. Decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis using the required documentation that is submitted. Requests are to be made in a timely manner prior to the scheduled date of the Civil Service examination.

Only an on-line application will be accepted for this exam. Paper applications will not be accepted.

Computers are available in the 3-1-1 Walk-In Center located in Room 167 of City Hall (Weekdays from 9 AM to 5 PM) and at your local Philadelphia Free Library branch.

For inquiries regarding City employment, contact the Office of Human Resources Monday through Friday between 8 AM and 4 PM by telephone at View phone number on click.appcast.io or by email at View email address on click.appcast.io

Information concerning employment with the City of Philadelphia may be found at:

General Definition


This is accounting management work directing all sections and activities of the City's central accounting agency through subordinate managers and supervisors. The employee in this class provides high level strategic thinking to the Director of Finance, advocates for key outcomes and strategies to improve the city's financial health and recordkeeping; provides oversight, leadership and direction to central Finance accounting staff, as well as sets policy and direction for, and gives guidance on, all accounting matters to departmental accounting staff citywide and high-level city officials. The employee is responsible for establishing and implementing City-wide accounting policy and for setting overall goals, objectives and priorities within the Accounting Bureau. Significant to the work is the overall responsibility for implementing financial mandates set forth by the Director of Finance and oversight of all comprehensive financial reporting for the City. Working with administrative, legislative and departmental officials to implement fiscal policies and testifying at City Council and before other boards and hearings, and providing information on the financial state of the City to media, legislators, government agents, and representatives of the financial and economic community are significant to the work. The employee reports to the Director of Finance.
CONTACT INFORMATION
The analyst responsible for reviewing applications and additional documentation for this job opportunity is

Melanie M Chalmers
City of Philadelphia - Office of Human Resources
1401 JFK Blvd., Room 1530
Philadelphia, PA 19102-1675

Phone: View phone number on click.appcast.io
Fax: View phone number on click.appcast.io
Email:


For all other inquiries please contact Customer Service at View phone number on click.appcast.io or email
Notes to Applicants and Projected Exam Information

ELIGIBLE LIST: DEPARTMENTAL-ONLY PROMOTIONAL
Only a departmental promotional eligible list for the City of Philadelphia's Department of Finance will be established as a result of this examination.
Candidates who pass the exam and are placed on the civil service list will be retained on the list for a minimum of one year and a maximum of two years after the establishment of the Eligible List.

PREFERENCE FOR PHILADELPHIA RESIDENTS
Candidates who have maintained a bona fide residence in Philadelphia for at least one year prior to the date of the civil service examination shall have priority over all other people receiving an identical test score.


To receive such preference, candidates must respond to the question regarding residence on this application. This response will be used to determine eligibility for preference for residents. Documentation of residence may be required if there is any question as to whether you meet the residency preference requirements.

If an applicant does not respond to the appropriate residence question, it will be assumed that the applicant does not qualify for residence preference. Eligibility for residence preference must be determined by the date of the test administration. No requests for residence preference will be granted after the test administration.

TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE EVALUATION
Applicants will be evaluated and scored based upon their training and experience credentials. Applicants will not be asked to appear to take a scheduled examination.

Scores in the Training and Experience Evaluation will be based on documentation of education and experience provided by the candidate. To receive full credit for your education and experience, you should submit all relevant documentation including college transcripts, licenses, certifications, paid out of class documentation, etc. and provide a detailed description of your education, experience, and credentials.

An Eligible List will be established the week of 09/21/2026. Please note that this date may change.

TEST REVIEW

In accordance with Civil Service Regulation 9.091D, candidates may review their answer sheets and other test papers to determine if they have been scored correctly or if there has been an irregularity in the administration of the examination. Candidates will have 30 days after the results have been mailed to review their test and to file a written appeal. Call View phone number on click.appcast.io if you wish to schedule a test review.

Level of Education Required


College

Minimum Acceptable Training and Experience
The following statement represents the minimum training and experience standards which will be used to admit or reject applicants for tests.
ANTICIPATED ELIGIBILITY
Candidates who meet all eligibility requirements within 6 months of the application deadline will be admitted to this examination. Successful candidates will be placed on the eligible list but may not be hired or promoted until all requirements have been satisfied.

1. CIVIL SERVICE STATUS:

Presently employed by the City of Philadelphia with permanent Civil Service status in the Finance Department with a performance rating of Satisfactory or higher.
AND
2. EDUCATION:
Completion of a bachelor's degree program at an accredited college or university with major coursework in accounting.

AND 3. GENERAL EXPERIENCE:
Nine years of accounting experience, five of which includes supervisory accounting experience.
AND 4. SPECIFIC EXPERIENCE:
One year of managerial accounting experience as the Accounting Director.
Equivalency Statement

Any equivalent combination of experience determined to be acceptable by the Office of Human Resources that has included the bachelor's degree with major coursework in accounting and specific experience described above.
TRANSCRIPT, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

Candidates MUST submit a copy of their official college or university transcript(s) indicating completion of the educational requirement and all required licenses, registrations or certifications at the time of application. Transcripts MUST indicate conference of the appropriate degree. Candidates with a degree from foreign colleges or universities must submit proof of degree as certified by a professional evaluation service.
Candidates MUST submit a copy of their license, registration or certification.
If you have ever submitted a paper transcript, license, registration or certification for any City of Philadelphia civil service examination, you must submit another document
Option 1 - Upload a paperless transcript, license, registration or certification - One time only!
You may upload documents into your account and attach a document with this application. Once the document is uploaded to your account, it may be attached to all future applications. Attaching your document will save you time and money if you apply for an examination in the future, and you will be assured that your transcript cannot be misplaced.
Your documents should be uploaded and attached to your application before it is submitted. They cannot be uploaded or added to your application electronically after your application has been submitted.
Option 2 - Submit a paper transcript, license, registration or certification - Separate document required for each application

If you submit a paper copy of a transcript, license, registration or certification, the document will be used for this application only. You will have to submit documents again whenever you apply for an examination in the future. Paper documents will not be retained and will not be returned to applicants.
Mailing address for paper transcript and other required materials
Melanie M Chalmers

City of Philadelphia - Office of Human Resources

1401 JFK Blvd., Room 1530

Philadelphia, PA 19102-1675
City of Philadelphia Benefits includes:

• Medical
• Dental
• Prescription
• Vision
• Life Insurance
• Flexible Spending Account
• Hybrid Defined Benefit/Defined Contribution Plan
• Voluntary Deferred Compensation Plan
• Employee Assistant Program
• 13 paid holidays
• Paid sick leave
• Vacation leave
• Paid personal days
• 8 weeks paid Parental Leave
• Backup Child and Adult care
• Wellbeing platform and programs
• Retiree Health Benefits
• Qualified Student Loan Forgiveness Employer
• Tuition Discounts for City Employees

01


Are you presently employed by the City of Philadelphia with permanent Civil Service status in the Office of the Director of Finance with a Performance rating of Satisfactory or higher?

• Yes
• No

Required Question