Accountant IV
Salary: $69,954.00 - $91,749.00 Annually
Location: Coleman A Young Municipal Center, MI
Job Type: Certified-Regular Civil Service
Job Number: 202501FIN13201004MGH
Department: Off Chf Financial Officer
Opening Date: 09/12/2025
Bargaining Unit: 7100-Senior Accountants Analysts and Appraisers As
The Accountant class performs professional accounting work requiring application of accounting theories, concepts, principles, and standards. Accountants in this class complete or oversee a variety of professional assignments involving the design, maintenance, and implementation of accounting systems, the systematic classification and assessment of accounting data, and the preparation of related managerial and financial reports. Accountants in this class are responsible for accounting tasks involved in preparing, analyzing, interpreting and presenting accounting data; operating, maintaining, and modifying accounting systems; using accounting information to recommend solutions to management problems and structuring of organization programs; managing, operating, and analyzing cost accounting systems in relation to business activities, and designing, implementing, and assessing internal control processes and systems.
Examples of Duties:
- Performs complex accounting functions consistent with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), standardized bookkeeping processes, accounting terminology, accounting techniques, and other financial rules and regulations
- Researches, analyzes, and implements accounting rules and regulations as stipulated by Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) or other regulatory agencies
- Conducts searches and complex examinations of budget and financial records to provide factual data on the amount and @type of funds available for submission to others within the employing entity who will use the data to prepare budget estimates and reprogramming actions
- Prepares, examines, or analyzes accounting records, financial statements, or other financial reports to assess accuracy, completeness, and conformance to reporting and procedural standards
- Independently conducts the complete range of tax examinations and related investigations of a broad range of business taxpayers such as sole proprietorships, partnerships, fiduciaries, and sizable corporations
- Maintains ledger and computer systems required to conduct payroll and financial reporting
- Assists in the preparation of the Consolidated Annual Financial Report (CAFR)
- Provides experience in using the specific procedures of automated systems to find, review, or change accounting data in transaction files, ledgers, accounts, summary reports, and financial statements
- Designs new and changing system and program environments due to new laws, regulations, and standards
- Resolves issues where governing laws and regulations are highly interpretive and/or precedents are non-existent, obscure or conflicting
- Develops new systems for tax examination, tax management control, and tax documentation systems
- Develops and applies unique or extensive probing and analysis techniques and methods
- Identifies accounting problems such as inadequate maintenance of fund controls, inaccurate records and reports, improper methods for document control, and lack of documentary evidence to support performance of regulatory reconciliations
- Posts journal entries, reconciles dates, and manages inter-agency billings and transfers required to support financial reporting
- Checks data and compares reports or transactions to source documents, or authorizations against transactions to ensure their acceptability for further processing
- Drafts simple instructions to describe internal accounting procedures for a procedures manual
- Assists in executing portions of an audit plan that tracks process flow, verifies reported data, or assures that functional operating instructions generate desired results
- Reports to management regarding the finances of establishment
- Performs grant management, monitoring and administrative duties and activities (e.g. financial, set-up, post-award, closeout, etc.) to ensure timely expenditures and reimbursement, and regulatory and audit compliance
- Compiles centrally requested cost reports and reports of variance from standards. Develops reports comparing actual results to plans and budgets
- Serves as an expert or authority in some aspect of accounting or in the application of accounting to some mission-related program(s)
- Performs special projects and other duties as assigned
Minimum Qualifications:
Experience:
For entry into the Accountant position, no work experience is required; however, the minimum education requirements must be met. One year of professional experience performing or auditing the systematic classification and evaluation of accounting data and the preparation of related financial and managerial reports is preferred but not required. Accountants must demonstrate proficiency with integrated word processing and spreadsheet functions.
For selection, to an Accountant level II or higher, in addition to the minimum education requirements, more progressive levels of experience are required based on the following:
Accountant IV - at least four (4) years of experience
For Accountant IV, the Accountant must have two (2) years of verifiable experience leading teams or providing instructions to subordinate staff. Grant accounting experience is required.
Equivalency:
Equivalent combinations of education and experience that provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities will be evaluated on an individual basis.
Evaluation Plan:
Interview: 70%
Evaluation of Training, Experience, & Personal Qualifications: 30%
Total of Interview and Evaluation T.E.P: 100%
Additional points may be awarded for:
Veteran Points: 0 - 15 points
Detroit Residency Credit: 15 points
LRD: 09/10/2025
Employment Benefits:
The City of Detroit offers a competitive and comprehensive employee benefit package. We pride ourselves on the longevity of our employees. Part of the reason for the low turnover rate is the exceptional benefit package listed below. Benefits include, but are not limited to the following:
HEALTH:
Medical - Eligible for hospital, surgical, and prescription drug benefits.
Dental
Vision
INSURANCE:
Life Insurance - Optional group insurance available to employee and their family. The City pays 60% of premium for first $12,500 of employee life insurance. Employee may purchase, at own expense, life insurance for spouse and each dependent.
Long-Term Disability Insurance (Income Protection Plan) - The City offers disability insurance through payroll deductions for persons who become disabled and who are not yet eligible for a service retirement.
PAID TIME OFF:
Sick Leave
Vacation
Holidays
OTHER LEAVE BENEFITS:
The City also has the following paid and unpaid leaves; funeral leave, Family and Medical Leave, jury duty, military duty leave, unpaid personal leave,
RETIREMENT BENEFITS:
City Employees Retirement System
As a regular City employee you automatically become a member of the General Retirement System. This entitles you to a retirement allowance after:
Completion of thirty (30) years of service;
At age sixty (60) if you have at least ten (10) years of service, or
At age sixty-five (65) with eight (8) years of service.
In the event of disability, other eligibility rules apply);
An early, actuarially reduced, retirement is offered after you have attained at least twenty-five (25) years of service;
Employees are vested after ten (10) years of service, regardless of age.
ADVANCEMENT OPPORTUNITIES - Employees have many opportunities for growth and career advancement throughout all City departments and divisions.
Have a successful career with the City of Detroit. Always remember that you are a part of a team with a common Vision of delivering excellent service to the citizens of the City of Detroit.