2A14

PAY RANGE: N29

ACCOUNTING ASSISTANT DIRECTOR

GENERAL DEFINITION

This is managerial level accounting work directing the city's centralized accounting, verification, grants accounting, contract auditing and payroll operations through subordinate supervisors. The employee functions as across the board assistant to the Accounting Director and is responsible for directing day to day operations of the Accounting Division. The employee directs the control of subsidiary and general ledger accounts, the processing of the City payroll, and the preparation of reports reflecting the financial position of the City. An important aspect of the work is insuring that accounting activities comply with accepted accounting standards. The employee is supervised by the Accounting Director.

ALLOCATING FACTORS: (The following criteria must be met in order for a position to be allocated to this class.)

• The position must function as an across-the-board assistant to the Accounting Director and supervise subordinate accounting managers in the City's central Accounting Division.

• Only one position will be allocated to this class.

TYPICAL EXAMPLES OF WORK (ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY)

Directs, through subordinate supervisors, the activities of general accounting staff engaged in posting transactions to appropriation journals and general ledgers, preparing periodic reports of the status of budget and revenue accounts or preparing special statements to demonstrate the financial position of the municipal government; ensures that controls over disbursement are maintained; ensures updates to Governmental Accounting Standards Board pronouncements are implemented effectively.

Directs, through subordinate supervisors, the financial verification staff engaged in verifying documentation of municipal accounting transactions by collecting and matching purchase orders, contracts, encumbrances, payment vouchers and vendor's invoices; ensures that transactions are processed in a timely manner.

Directs, through subordinate supervisors, the processing of city payrolls and supporting records; ensures that Civil Service Regulations and labor contract changes are implemented; directs the processing of health and welfare benefits deductions and payments; directs IRS audits of i.e. calculated, missed imputed wages and taxes and recommends revisions to payroll procedures.

Directs, through subordinate supervisors, the activities of a grants accounting staff engaged in the analyzing and monitoring of departmental grants accounting operations and in performing grants accounting; reviews and approves financial reports on grants and ensures that reports comply with accounting standards and federal and state guidelines; ensures that grant recipients conform to municipal accounting standards and funding agency reporting requirements.

Directs, through subordinate supervisors, the financial reporting on pension accounts; interprets actuarial information; coordinates technical accounting direction provided by staff to other City departments for complex bank reconciliations and cash processing; researches and communicates findings for settlements or other high impact accounting issues for the City.

Anticipates operational and agency needs; sets priorities and deadlines; provides resources; optimizes use of personnel; modernizes processes and conformity with professional and institutional standards and guidelines for municipal accounting, auditing and reporting; participates in policy development and its procedural implementation; deals with officials to resolve accounting and reporting issues; reviews the propriety of major transactions for compliance with federal and state regulations and guidelines.

Performs related work as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• the standards, guidelines and requirements for governmental accounting as promulgated by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board and the Financial Accounting Standards board

• the principles, standards and practices of the accounting profession

• managerial theory and practice

• the uses and applications of computer systems to accounting, fiscal reporting and the preparation of the City's payroll

• the principles and practices of supervision

• the principles, practices and techniques of contract auditing

• the principles of public finance.

ABILITY TO:

• direct the work of a large staff of professional, technical and clerical personnel

• administer a large centralized municipal accounting program

• resolve technical accounting problems and issues as encountered in municipal accounting

• enlist the cooperation of officials to implement policy and procedural changes

• present ideas effectively, both orally and in writing

• exercise judgment and discretion in applying and interpreting policies and procedures consistent with overall policy and objectives

• establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, departmental officials, and the public

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. Applications submitted by candidates for this class will be reviewed based on training and experience requirements as approved on 1/15.)

EDUCATION:

Completion of a bachelor's degree program at an accredited college or university, with major course work in accounting.

AND

Option 1: Finance Department

GENERAL EXPERIENCE:

Six years of accounting experience, two years of which have been in a supervisory capacity.

AND

SPECIFIC EXPERIENCE:

Two years as Accounting Manager in the City's central Accounting Division.

OR

Option 2: City Controller’s Office

AND

GENERAL EXPERIENCE:

Six years of auditing experience, two years of which have been in a supervisory capacity.

AND

SPECIFIC EXPERIENCE:

Four years as Audit Manager in the City’s central auditing agency.

Option 3: Other Governmental Accounting Experience

AND

GENERAL EXPERIENCE:

Thirteen years of post bachelor’s degree accounting or auditing experience for a government agency or for an accounting firm providing accounting or auditing services to a government agency, which has included six years of progressively responsible managerial experience.

Or any equivalent combination of education and experience determined to be acceptable by the Office of Human Resources which has included the bachelor's degree with major coursework in accounting and the specific experience as indicated.

PHYSICAL AND MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS

Ability to physically perform the duties and to work in the environmental conditions required of a position in this class.

Class Established 10/52

Spec. Revised:

CSC - 11/96

Ad. Board - 3/97

Spec. Revision:

CSC – 11/14

Ad. Board – 1/15

Latest Spec. Revision:

CSC – 7/18

Ad. Board – 8/18