Accountant is a journey level professional accounting position in the Financial Reporting Section of the Finance Department, assigned to perform a full range of professional accounting and audit work for the City and the Housing Authority. Accountants work independently, under general supervision, and are expected to have a thorough knowledge of professional accounting principles, practices, and procedures and to exercise independent judgment within established accounting systems. Accountants prepare financial statements, review fiscal records, and monitor financial transactions. Work may include indirect supervision of lower level professional, technical and clerical personnel.

In addition to meeting the minimum qualifications, the ideal candidate will have: professional audit experience; governmental accounting experience; a thorough knowledge of governmental accounting and auditing standards and practices, and applicable State, Federal and local government laws and regulations influencing City operations and fiscal management; the ability to work with a diverse group of City departments and manage projects; and strong analytical skills. They will be pro-active, self-motivated and committed, able to work in a fast-paced environment while consistently delivering high-quality work on a timely basis.

 

Ideal candidates will also exemplify the following critical attributes:

A resourceful professional who stays current with information, technology, trends and developments relevant to the field

A strong collaborator and consensus builder with a demonstrated ability to maintain and cultivate successful working relationships inside and outside of the organization

An excellent communicator (verbally and in writing) with a demonstrated ability to prepare written reports and records in a clear, concise manner

An analytical thinker with a demonstrated ability to think logically, take initiative and react calmly under pressure in order to arrive at sound conclusions

A team player with exceptional organizational skills and a demonstrated ability to plan and organize work for self and others in order to ensure that work is completed efficiently and in a timely manner

• Perform a variety of financial analyses for other departments, divisions, and outside auditors
• Post, balance, reconcile and monitor the City's General Ledger and subsidiary accounts
• Prepare financial statements and various financial reports for Federal, State, and other outside agencies
• Recommend, design, and implement changes in accounting systems and procedures
• Assist departmental personnel with budget activity, proper expenditure coding, document preparation, and other accounting related activities
• Prepare fund balance projections and review with operating departments
• Research and analyze transactions to resolve budget problems
• Prepare and review all journal vouchers for correctness and accuracy
• Provide analysis of available funds at management's request
• Review a variety of bank reconciliations, claims, reports, and schedules for accuracy and completion
• Stay current with new developments in government accounting and auditing
• Audit and process payments for various contracts and miscellaneous expenses
• Provide technical guidance to lower level accounting personnel
• May provide indirect supervision to technical support staff

Knowledge of: Generally accepted accounting and auditing theory, generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and practices, generally accepted governmental auditing standards (GAGAS) and their application to a wide variety of accounting, auditing and fiscal transactions; governmental accounting principles and practices; principles of financial administration, including budgeting and reporting; cost accounting principles and systems; internal controls; financial system applications; modern office practices, procedures, methods and equipment.

Ability to: Analyze and interpret financial documents and reports and draw logical conclusions; prepare a variety of financial statements and reports; perform financial analyses and budget projections; perform complex professional accounting and auditing work, and make appropriate and effective recommendations; analyze and evaluate accounting, auditing, and fiscal data, and develop logical conclusions; interpret and apply legal and procedural regulations pertinent to governmental accounting, auditing and fiscal operations; perform mathematical calculations rapidly and accurately; recognize and identify risk and potential problems, solve problems by selecting a solution among several alternatives; plan, manage, and perform auditing and accounting tasks, and perform detailed work involving numerical data; establish and maintain collaborative  working relationships with others; communicate effectively, orally and in writing; and train and direct less experienced accounting personnel.

Experience and Education: Any combination equivalent to experience and education that could likely provide the required knowledge and abilities would be qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be: Experience - Sufficient professional accounting and/or auditing experience which demonstrates possession of the required knowledge and abilities. Experience in governmental accounting in a financial environment similar to that of the City of Santa Rosa is highly desirable. Education - A Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university with major work in accounting or closely related field.

 

 

The City of Santa Rosa is located just 55 miles north of San Francisco and 30 miles east of the Pacific Ocean with a population of approximately 180,000. Santa Rosa is the seat of Sonoma County and the center of trade, government, commerce, and medical facilities for the North Bay. The surrounding area is home to over a hundred wineries and vineyards and many beautiful parks and recreational facilities, including golf courses. Santa Rosa is in the center of a nationally recognized cycling area. We boast many attractions associated with large cities, including a symphony, performing arts center, theater productions and internationally recognized restaurants, yet still retain the warmth and small town feel of decades past. Santa Rosa has been named one of the 50 greenest cities in the United States with one of the top five mid-sized downtowns in California.