Accountant II/Senior

An official City of West Sacramento application form must be filled out, in its entirety. It is the applicant’s responsibility to explain their qualifications fully and clearly. In addition, applicants must submit a resume and complete the required supplemental questionnaire (if applicable). Incomplete information on the application, resume and/or supplemental questionnaire may be cause for disqualification. Application packages will be reviewed and screened for qualifications. Additional screening criteria will be developed based on the supplemental questionnaire (if applicable).

Preference given to those candidates who possess a CPA license and have at least four (4) years of governmental accounting experience for a municipal finance department. 

An official City of West Sacramento application form must be filled out, in its entirety.  It is the applicant’s responsibility to explain their qualifications fully and clearly.  In addition, applicants must submit a resume and complete the required supplemental questionnaire.  Incomplete information on the application, resume and/or supplemental questionnaire may be cause for disqualification. Application packages will be reviewed and screened for qualifications.  Additional screening criteria will be developed based on the supplemental questionnaire. The top candidates will be referred to the Department for further consideration.
DEFINITION:  The Accountant II performs professional accounting work including the examination, maintenance, verification, analysis, and reconciliation of financial records; assists in developing and installing accounting systems; and prepares accounting and auditing reports. The Senior Accountant performs professional accounting work including the examination, maintenance, verification, analysis, and reconciliation of financial records; assists in developing and installing accounting systems; and prepares accounting and auditing reports.

Upon recommendation an Accountant II may advance to the Senior Accountant following attainment of the minimum qualifications for the position and after he/she has demonstrated the abilities and competencies necessary to perform the full range of Senior Accountant duties.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED:  Receives general direction from the Assistant City Manager-Administrative Services or his/her designee.  May exercise technical and/or direct supervision over other accounting and clerical staff.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS: The Accountant II is considered the journey-level position exercising more independence of direction and judgment and a thorough knowledge of governmental accounting procedures.  This classification is distinguished from the Senior Accountant in that the latter is responsible for the more complex and difficult duties within the department and exercises supervisory responsibilities.

The Senior Accountant is the advanced journey level position of the Accountant series.  This class differs from the Accountant classification by the independent performance of assignments requiring an in-depth knowledge of governmental accounting and familiarity with the City’s financial software and accounting practices.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:  (Illustrative Only):  Management reserves the right to add, modify, change or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Reviews accounting documents to ensure accuracy of information and calculations and makes correcting entries, and examines supporting documentation to establish proper authorization and conformance with agreements, contracts, and state and federal regulations.
• Prepares and maintains control and prepares trial balances and financial reports.
• Prepares journal entries and periodic reconciliations of general ledger, journal, subsidiary accounts and bank statements.
• Compiles and prepares financial statements, general and subsidiary ledgers and supporting schedules.
• Maintains expenditure and budgetary control accounts.
• Prepares cash transfers and loans between funds.
• Provides grant accounting and prepares required annual financial reports.
• Maintains complete accounting record keeping on state, county and other funding sources, including block grants.
• Sets up and maintains financial records for special assessments.
• Issues trust account numbers and reconciles and maintains trust account records.
• Develops, coordinates and implements complex accounting system modifications,
• Implements GASB pronouncements for the preparation of the Comprehensive Annual Financial Statements.
• Prepares a substantial number of year-end work papers to be used in the annual audits.
• Performs city-wide internal audits.
• Coordinates with other department staff to ensure cost accounting and revenue collection functions are consistent with the budget.
• Reviews and troubleshoots accounting functions and procedures as needed.
• Recommends and assists in the implementation of goals and objectives.
• Establishes schedules and methods for the performance of clerical and technical financial duties.
• Implements policies and procedures, as assigned.
• Serves as a resource for City staff in all departments in resolving financial questions and problems.
• Manages the financial functions linked to the general ledger, such as the time entry, budget, capital improvement, work orders, etc., as assigned.
• Serves as back-up to payroll, accounts payable, or accounts receivable.
• Provides basic fund accounting training to City staff.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:  Any combination of training and experience which would provide the required knowledge and skill.  A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and skill would be:

Education:  Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in accounting or closely related filed.

Experience:  Accountant II:  Two (2) years of responsible professional accounting experience. Senior Accountant: Four (4) years of responsible governmental accounting experience.

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATES:  If assigned duties require driving, possession of the appropriate valid California driver’s license.  Possession of a Certified Professional Accountant (CPA) Certificate highly desirable.

WORKING CONDITIONS:  May be required to attend off-hour meetings.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:  Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone.  This is primarily a sedentary office classification although standing in work areas and walking between work areas may be required.  Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter and retrieve data using a computer keyboard, typewriter keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment.  Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information.  Positions in this classification occasionally lift and carry reports and records that typically weigh less than twenty (20) pounds.

ENVIRONMENTAL ELEMENTS:  Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances.  Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing department guidelines, policies and procedures.

An applicant who qualifies for veterans’ preference and successfully places on an eligibility list for initial entrance into employment with the city shall be advanced one rank on the final eligibility list. Where there are five (5) or less qualified applicants, no veterans’ preference shall apply and all applicants shall be placed on the certification list forwarded to the departments for hiring consideration. The exercise of veterans’ preference shall be exhausted upon appointment to a regular position from an eligibility list.