Accountant III

Accountant III

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 mission of the Administrative Services Department is to provide sound and prudent financial management, auditing, budgeting, treasury management, procurement, revenue oversight, 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.

The Accountant III position will perform a variety of advanced level professional work, recording and reporting of financial transactions and budgetary control for the most complex funds for the Accounting Division, including grant and contract management. Incumbents are expected to perform the full scope of professional accounting duties with minimal supervision. Successful performance requires a thorough knowledge of governmental accounting procedures, the ability to exercise sound independent judgment, with frequent communication with the Administrative Services Deputy Director.

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 may be added, modified or removed to meet the needs of the city.

• Develop and implement complex accounting system modifications.
• Oversee and actively participate in the posting, balancing and reconciliation of the general ledger and subsidiary accounts for complex funds, including grant-funded programs.
• Prepare financial statements and various reports for Federal, State and other outside agencies as well as for internal management.
• Develop fund balance projections and review them with operating departments.
• Monitor and report on the status of state and federal grants.
• Maintain and monitor fixed asset records and prepare monthly fixed asset reconciliation, ensuring accurate accounting treatment and reporting.
• Coordinate with the Public Works Department to reconcile vehicle and equipment inventories at fiscal year-end.
• Provide guidance to departmental staff on expenditure coding, documentation, and other accounting-related activities.
• Perform detailed capital project accounting and analysis, including tracking project expenditures, evaluating budget-to-actual performance, ensuring proper capitalization, and coordinating with project managers on financial status and forecasting.
• Responsible for cash management and tracking investment activities.
• Prepare monthly and quarterly treasury reports, including cash flow analysis, investment activity, and reconciliation of bank and investment accounts in compliance with applicable policies and regulations.
• Lead mid-year and year-end audit processes and assist in the preparation, coordination and review of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR).
• Provide training and guidance to assigned staff.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• Accounting principles and practices.
• Principles of financial administration, including budgeting and reporting.
• City government accounting systems and procedures, including procurement, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, finance, and budget transactions directly impacting the General Ledger and other financial reports required by law.
• Bank reconciliation, Interest Allocation, GASB updates, payroll, salaries and benefits recording to the general ledger.
• Understand accounting and auditing for the year-end close process.
• Principles of training and guidance for assigned staff.
• Modern office practices, procedures, methods and equipment.
• Knowledge of fixed asset management, including tracking, depreciation, and maintenance procedures.

Skills/Ability to:

• Conduct internal audits; work in conjunction with private auditors or outside consultants; verify the classification of funds and accounts; verify and check accuracy of computer-generated reports.
• Compile the daily cash status reports, monthly financial statements, etc.
• Prepare journal entries and adjustments to the general ledger.
• Review and reconcile general ledger, journal ledger, subsidiary accounts, bank statements, invoices and other accounting transaction reports.
• Maintain sound budgetary control over City departmental expenditures.
• Exercise independent judgment within established systems and procedures.
• Work under direction and exercise independent judgment in the performance of a variety of complex and difficult professional accounting work with only occasional instructions or assistance.
• Assume accounting responsibility for the most complex funds, including grant-funding programs and reporting of Mid-year and Year-end purchasing within the fixed assets, WIP, and CIP's.
• Examine and verify financial documents and reports.
• Create spreadsheets in Microsoft Excel and experience with other Microsoft Office programs is necessary to perform duties effectively.
• Monitor, maintain, and reconcile fixed asset records accurately; ensure compliance with policies and procedures.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's Degree in accounting, business administration, finance or a closely-related field is required.
• A minimum of two (2) years of city or governmental fund accounting experience related to duties is required.
• Two (2) years of grant and contract compliance and administration experience preferred.
• Proficiency in creating spreadsheets in Microsoft Excel and experience with other Microsoft Office programs.

Proof of education such as but not limited to, high school diploma/GED certificate, 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. Click here for Foreign Education Credentialing instructions.

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

The position requires prolonged sitting, standing, walking, kneeling, squatting, and stooping in the performance of daily activities. The position also requires repetitive hand and finger movement and fine coordination in preparing reports using a computer keyboard. The incumbent is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls and reach with hands and arms. The position also requires both near and far vision in reading written reports and work-related documents. Acute hearing is required when providing phone and personal service. The nature of the work also requires the incumbent to drive motorized vehicles. The need to lift, drag and push files, paper, and documents weighing up to 20 pounds is also required.

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; and interact with City officials, media, citizens groups, employees and others encountered in the course of work.

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

Candidates must possess:

• A valid Class C California Driver's License throughout the course of employment and/or a valid California Identification Card. (City employees are registered with the Department of Motor Vehicles, Employee Pull Notice Program.)
• Proof of car insurance (to be eligible for mileage reimbursement based on the IRS issued rates).