Senior Accountant (20544701)

Come Join the Finance Department at the City of Pacifica where everyone counts!

Under general direction, the Senior Accountant performs and supervises professional accounting and auditing work of staff responsible for providing financial accounting and record-keeping in connection with general ledger, budget preparation, and budgetary control, purchasing activities, payroll; and performs a variety of professional accounting tasks relative to assigned area of responsibility.

The Organization

The City of Pacifica is a General Law City incorporated in 1957 and operates under the Council/Manager form of government. Legislative authority is vested in a five-member City Council elected by district for four-year overlapping terms. The Mayor is selected each year by a majority vote of the other Council members. The Council appoints the City Manager, City Attorney, and members of advisory commissions and committees. 

Pacifica is a full-service city (approximately 200.75 FTE) with a proposed FY2024-25 general fund budget of $48.1 million. The City delivers municipal services through seven departments:  the City Manager's office (including the City Clerk, Economic Development, and City Attorney), Administrative Services (Finance, Human Resources and IT Divisions); Parks, Beaches, and Recreation; Community Development; Public Works (Field Services & Engineering and Wastewater); Police, and Fire (via North County Fire Authority). Employees are represented by eight bargaining units. The City Administration is in a newly renovated City Hall just two blocks from the Pacific Ocean. This prime location opens up various opportunities for recreational activities during a lunch break, such as a strong along Beach Boulevard or a relaxing picnic by the waterfront, where you can clear your mind with the soothing view of the waves. 

During the Spring of 2023, the City Council undertook a comprehensive strategic planning process, which resulted in the Pacifica Strategic Plan 2023-2030 establishing strategies to achieve the following five overarching goals during the seven-year period.

• Enhance organizational and fiscal stability
• Improve and steward City infrastructure, streets, ad facilities.
• Prioritize protection and development of affordable housing.
• Pursue climate change adaptation and mitigation.
• Broaden public communications and collaboration.

THE DEPARTMENT

The Finance and Administrative Services Department provides high-quality support services to all City departments and the community, including Finance, Human Resources, Information Technology, and Risk Management functions, and ensures compliance with City policies and procedures. The Department is responsible for all financial operations, properly recording financial transactions, providing reliable technology resources, implementing best practices in employee relations, providing outstanding customer service, and promoting a positive work environment for a talented workforce. Department staff prepare the annual operating and capital budgets, coordinate the external audit process, etc. The ideal candidate will be contributing and joining a team of five team members. 

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Direction is provided by the Deputy Finance Director. Responsibilities may include direct and indirect supervision of technical and clerical personnel.

ESSENTIAL AND IMPORTANT DUTIES

AN EMPLOYEE IN THIS POSITION MAY BE CALLED UPON TO DO ANY OR ALL OF THE FOLLOWING ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Supervises and/or participates in various financial and accounting activities within the Finance Department, including posting, balancing, and reconciliation of General Ledger and subsidiary accounts and City bank accounts.
• Performs complex and difficult accounting work, including the related monitoring of personal deadlines and the deadlines of others to ensure adherence to quality and timely work products.
• Performs as a project manager for complex financial systems implementation and serves as a liaison to Finance staff and other departments in the implementation of all financial modules for the Financial Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system.
• Participates in fiscal and accounting work in connection with budget preparation, purchasing activities, and payroll analysis.
• Processing and pre-auditing accounting documents and transactions in conformance with established procedures and controls.
• Prepares work papers, financial statements and various reports for internal accounting and for Federal, State and other outside agencies.
• Reviews, reconciles and audits accounting records of receipts, disbursements and encumbrances to ensure fiscal accuracy and control.
• Delegates, plans, directs, and assigns accounting work to lower-level staff. May be required to train, coach, monitor and evaluate staff performance.
• Assists with fiscal year-end closing, prepares bank reconciliation, and prepares quarterly and annual financial reports.
• Makes journal entries and keeps balance sheets on all transactions to ensure the maintenance of accurate accounting records.
• Monitors and reports on the status of State and Federal grants; reviews and audits grant contracts, amendments and other documents to ensure grant compliance.
• Performs fixed assets accounting, monitors and maintains accurate and up-to-date records on City's fixed assets.
• Prepares investment activity summary and quarterly treasurer’s reports.
• Analyzes, recommends improvements, develops, and implements fiscal policies, procedures, and internal controls and re-aligns business practices with technology.
• Maintains and researches current knowledge of applicable ordinances, rules, regulations, and policies. Clearly presents and interprets reports to financial and non-financial managers, co-workers, and clients.
• Assists in coordinating, designing, developing and maintaining data extracts, reports and interfaces.
• Maintains effective working relationships with all levels of staff and the public.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to qualify is:

Education and Training:

Equivalent to a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in accounting or business administration or related field, and

Experience:

Four (4) years of recent, progressively responsible experience in the field of professional accounting and auditing. Supervisory experience is desirable.

Experience in a public agency or governmental accounting experience is highly desirable.

Certification:

Must possess a valid California Class C driver’s license and have a satisfactory driving record.

Knowledge of:

• Generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and basic principles, practices, and procedures of Accounting as applied to Governmental Accounting Standards (GASB).
• Principles, practices, methods, procedures, and techniques used in governmental accounting, financial administration, and budgeting.
• Application of data processing to accounting and financial management. Budget preparation and administration, auditing, preparation of financial statements, basic billing and collection procedures, grant and fund accounting, and record-keeping.
• Modern office practices, procedures, methods, and equipment, including computer systems and applicable software.
• Principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluation.
• Federal and State grant regulations and guidelines.

Skills:

• Operate standard office equipment, including a computer and a variety of word processing and software applications, including financial and accounting programs.
• Prepare, examine and verify financial documents, reports, and transactions
• Prepare a variety of financial statements, reports and analyses.

Abilities:

• Plan, assign, supervise and coordinate the work of accounting staff.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Read, interpret and record data accurately
• Analyze complex issues and prepare clear and comprehensive financial reports and statements.
• Interpret, explain, and apply applicable laws, codes, and regulations.
• Communicate clearly both orally and in writing and follow written and oral directions
• Work independently and as part of a team, making sound decisions within established guidelines.

Physical Demands:

The ability to maintain effective audio / visual discrimination and perception to the degree necessary for the successful performance of duties.