City of Spokane
Department Purpose
Provides accounting and financial services and support to the organization. The department is responsible for the development, implementation, and maintenance of effective financial accounting systems and controls. Position Purpose
Responsible for managing all aspects of the accounting workflow, including general ledger, AR, AP, fixed assets, and payroll. This position is also responsible for leading and managing process improvement and systems integration, with a focus on improving service delivery, reducing manual efforts and leveraging best practices. Responsible for establishing, implementing, and ensuring compliance with city-wide accounting policies and procedures and for setting goals, objectives and priorities for both the Accounting Department staff and accounting staff citywide. Supervision Exercised
Work is performed with considerable independence within the framework of general policies established by the Chief Financial Officer. Provides direction, training and assistance to professional, administrative and technical positions. The following responsibilities and requirements are functions the individual who holds or desires the position must be able to perform unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation. Key Responsibilities
Produces periodic, annual financial statements, and ad hoc reports as required or requested by the Chief Financial Officer; Responsible for managing and maintaining the General Accounting and Financial Reporting functions of the city and the financial services area including A/P, A/R, Payroll, and Fixed Assets; Convey financial and regulatory concepts clearly and concisely for the City Council, Mayor, city officials, staff, and the general public both orally and in writing; Effectively identify, collect, organize and document data and information for subsequent assessment, analysis, and investigation using current software and techniques; Provide technical guidance on complex accounting issues. Ensure comprehensive and consistent accounting policies including compliance with GAAP and all other applicable standards; Establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, other city employees and departments, city officials, outside Boards and Commissions, and the public. Understand the City’s political environment and sensitivities and possess the ability to function effectively within that environment; Oversee financial and accounting system controls, including partnering with IT in system implementations, conversions and upgrades; Responsible for designing and maintaining, in coordination with the City’s Internal Audit staff, a system of internal controls for the safeguarding of assets and the integrity and accuracy of financial reporting; Responsible for the implementation of corrective actions identified as part of an audit or other review of operations; Ensures that the accounting department and all functions managed thereunder are staffed with qualified personnel capable of meeting all of the department’s technical, collaborative and other detailed responsibilities and carrying out all other departmental objectives; Recruit/retain competent accounting staff; provide leadership, coaching, guidance and support; oversee professional development plans to assist employees to reach their full potential; Responsible for organizing and directing accounting personnel and the integrity of the city’s financial data; Performs other duties as assigned. Requirements
Knowledge
Financial statements and reports used in municipal accounting; Administering a large municipal accounting function together with other related functions, including experience in planning, organizing, directing and coordinating the activities/work of a large staff of managerial, professional, technical accounting and clerical personnel; The principles, practices and techniques of accounting as they refer to municipal bond indebtedness and bond sales; Professional and governmental accounting principles and procedures, and the principles of fund accounting; Applicable statutes, codes, laws and guidelines; Use of personal computers and software (MS Word, MS Excel, MS Outlook), including the ability to create and understand complex formulas; Payroll functions/activities; Technology and software, management procedures and practices as applied to accounting. Ability
Independently identify and carry out strategic vision and objectives; Maintain confidentiality and discretion; Negotiate and resolve business issues/problems while maintaining a high level of professionalism at all times; Receive information from various sources and make sound decisions within scope of assigned authority; Quickly analyze, understand, and communicate complex and innovative financial situations, problems and opportunities; Read, understand, and interpret the nature of contracts, municipal policies and procedures, procurement requirements, and pertinent laws, ordinances, and regulations; Assess priorities to meet deadlines. Working Conditions
Work is conducted primarily in an office setting. It may involve frequent attendance at meetings to include some irregular hours and potentially out-of-town travel. Incumbents in this classification are expected to communicate verbally, in person, and by telephone. A computer terminal is used and may require the use of repetitive arm-hand movements. Any combination equivalent to the experience and education that would likely provide the relevant knowledge and abilities would be qualifying. Generally, this will include: Education
A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration or related field of study. Experience
Seven (7) years of increasingly progressive professional accounting experience with a minimum of three (3) years’ experience in state or municipal government. Three (3) years of direct supervisory experience of an accounting group. An MPA, MBA or CPA may substitute two (2) years of work experience. Behavioral Standards
As an exempt employee of the City of Spokane, the Director of Accounting is subject to the City’s Code of Ethics set forth in Chapter 1.04A of the Spokane Municipal Code. As such, “it is the policy of the City of Spokane to uphold, promote, and demand the highest standards of ethics from all of its employees who shall maintain the utmost standards of responsibility, trustworthiness, integrity, truthfulness, honesty and fairness in carrying out their public duties, avoid any improprieties in their roles as a public servant including the appearance of impropriety, and never use their City position, authority or resources for personal gain.” EEO Statement
We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity within our organization. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, familial status, genetic information, veteran/military status, or disability status.
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Provides accounting and financial services and support to the organization. The department is responsible for the development, implementation, and maintenance of effective financial accounting systems and controls. Position Purpose
Responsible for managing all aspects of the accounting workflow, including general ledger, AR, AP, fixed assets, and payroll. This position is also responsible for leading and managing process improvement and systems integration, with a focus on improving service delivery, reducing manual efforts and leveraging best practices. Responsible for establishing, implementing, and ensuring compliance with city-wide accounting policies and procedures and for setting goals, objectives and priorities for both the Accounting Department staff and accounting staff citywide. Supervision Exercised
Work is performed with considerable independence within the framework of general policies established by the Chief Financial Officer. Provides direction, training and assistance to professional, administrative and technical positions. The following responsibilities and requirements are functions the individual who holds or desires the position must be able to perform unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation. Key Responsibilities
Produces periodic, annual financial statements, and ad hoc reports as required or requested by the Chief Financial Officer; Responsible for managing and maintaining the General Accounting and Financial Reporting functions of the city and the financial services area including A/P, A/R, Payroll, and Fixed Assets; Convey financial and regulatory concepts clearly and concisely for the City Council, Mayor, city officials, staff, and the general public both orally and in writing; Effectively identify, collect, organize and document data and information for subsequent assessment, analysis, and investigation using current software and techniques; Provide technical guidance on complex accounting issues. Ensure comprehensive and consistent accounting policies including compliance with GAAP and all other applicable standards; Establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, other city employees and departments, city officials, outside Boards and Commissions, and the public. Understand the City’s political environment and sensitivities and possess the ability to function effectively within that environment; Oversee financial and accounting system controls, including partnering with IT in system implementations, conversions and upgrades; Responsible for designing and maintaining, in coordination with the City’s Internal Audit staff, a system of internal controls for the safeguarding of assets and the integrity and accuracy of financial reporting; Responsible for the implementation of corrective actions identified as part of an audit or other review of operations; Ensures that the accounting department and all functions managed thereunder are staffed with qualified personnel capable of meeting all of the department’s technical, collaborative and other detailed responsibilities and carrying out all other departmental objectives; Recruit/retain competent accounting staff; provide leadership, coaching, guidance and support; oversee professional development plans to assist employees to reach their full potential; Responsible for organizing and directing accounting personnel and the integrity of the city’s financial data; Performs other duties as assigned. Requirements
Knowledge
Financial statements and reports used in municipal accounting; Administering a large municipal accounting function together with other related functions, including experience in planning, organizing, directing and coordinating the activities/work of a large staff of managerial, professional, technical accounting and clerical personnel; The principles, practices and techniques of accounting as they refer to municipal bond indebtedness and bond sales; Professional and governmental accounting principles and procedures, and the principles of fund accounting; Applicable statutes, codes, laws and guidelines; Use of personal computers and software (MS Word, MS Excel, MS Outlook), including the ability to create and understand complex formulas; Payroll functions/activities; Technology and software, management procedures and practices as applied to accounting. Ability
Independently identify and carry out strategic vision and objectives; Maintain confidentiality and discretion; Negotiate and resolve business issues/problems while maintaining a high level of professionalism at all times; Receive information from various sources and make sound decisions within scope of assigned authority; Quickly analyze, understand, and communicate complex and innovative financial situations, problems and opportunities; Read, understand, and interpret the nature of contracts, municipal policies and procedures, procurement requirements, and pertinent laws, ordinances, and regulations; Assess priorities to meet deadlines. Working Conditions
Work is conducted primarily in an office setting. It may involve frequent attendance at meetings to include some irregular hours and potentially out-of-town travel. Incumbents in this classification are expected to communicate verbally, in person, and by telephone. A computer terminal is used and may require the use of repetitive arm-hand movements. Any combination equivalent to the experience and education that would likely provide the relevant knowledge and abilities would be qualifying. Generally, this will include: Education
A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration or related field of study. Experience
Seven (7) years of increasingly progressive professional accounting experience with a minimum of three (3) years’ experience in state or municipal government. Three (3) years of direct supervisory experience of an accounting group. An MPA, MBA or CPA may substitute two (2) years of work experience. Behavioral Standards
As an exempt employee of the City of Spokane, the Director of Accounting is subject to the City’s Code of Ethics set forth in Chapter 1.04A of the Spokane Municipal Code. As such, “it is the policy of the City of Spokane to uphold, promote, and demand the highest standards of ethics from all of its employees who shall maintain the utmost standards of responsibility, trustworthiness, integrity, truthfulness, honesty and fairness in carrying out their public duties, avoid any improprieties in their roles as a public servant including the appearance of impropriety, and never use their City position, authority or resources for personal gain.” EEO Statement
We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity within our organization. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, familial status, genetic information, veteran/military status, or disability status.
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