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City of Stanton

Accountant/Senior Accountant

City of Stanton, Stanton, California, United States, 90680

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Open Until Filled. Apply Early! The first review date is: January 12, 2026

WORK SCHEDULE:

4-day workweek (Monday-Thursday/7am-6pm)

REMOTE WORK:

Upon approval by the Department Head, the successful candidate may be approved to work remotely up to 25% of the work week after completing a minimum of six (6) months of employment with satisfactory performance evaluation.

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION Accountant ($6,468 - $8,255 per month)

Under general supervision of the Finance Director and/or Accounting Manager, performs a variety of professional accounting duties that involve the application of judgement and discretion in the analysis and application of accounting principles and practices in maintaining fiscal controls and records, budgeting, preparing transactions, and initiating reports, provides highly responsible assistance in conducting comprehensive financial analyses and studies; and performs related duties as assigned.

This is the entry level class within the Accountant job series. The Senior Accountant class is distinguished from the Accountant by the level of discretion and independent action and knowledge of the City’s accounting systems and processes, and complexity of work assigned. Accountant has no direct supervisory responsibility but may provide technical assistance to lower-level staff.

Senior Accountant ($7,139 - $9,111 per month)

Under general supervision of the Finance Director and/or Accounting Manager, performs professional municipal accounting work of a technical and complex nature, including analytical reviews of financial data, maintaining fiscal records and maintaining the integrity of the financial system. The incumbent will participate in the supervision and coordination of accounting work assignments and functions, and perform other related duties as required.

This is the advanced, journey-level classification in the series. Senior Accountant is distinguished from the Accountant by the performance of the full range of duties as assigned, working independently, and exercising judgement and initiative. Incumbents may assume full responsibility for specialized functions, such as payroll or accounts receivable. Successful performance of the work requires thorough knowledge of governmental accounting practices and procedures, fund accounting, and fiscal management. The Senior Accountant may lead lower-level staff if assigned. The Senior Accountant is distinguished from the Accounting Manager, which exercises staff supervision, and works more extensively with departmental managers on budgeting and financial planning matters.

Appointment will be made at the Accountant or Senior Accountant level depending on experience and qualifications at the City's discretion. An Accountant may be promoted to a Senior Accountant upon meeting the minimum qualifications for the position and recommendation of the department head and approval by the City Manager.

The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.

Accountant • Duties

Maintain and reconcile a variety of ledgers, reports and account records; examine and correct accounting transactions to ensure accuracy; prepare journal vouchers to adjust and correct errors in accounting records; perform month end, fiscal year end and calendar year end accounting system processing.

Monitor and balance various accounts verifying availability of funds and classification of expenditures; research and analyze transactions to resolve problems.

Prepare and analyze a variety of fiscal reports, statements and schedules; prepare new year, mid year and year end reports; ensure timely preparation and submission of various reports.

Provide financial and budgetary planning assistance to City departments; provide technical assistance and training to City staff in matters related to accounting, payroll and budget principles and practices.

Participate in the compilation and preparation of the City’s annual budget; prepare cash flow and expenditure projects.

Administer and maintain the City’s automated accounting system; train staff in the use of software programs; troubleshoot and resolve operational problems.

Identify opportunities for improving service delivery methods and procedures; develop and implement accounting and fiscal control systems and procedures; review, develop and modify accounting methods to improve existing procedures, to ensure conformity to policy and to increase effectiveness; ensure compliance with sound accounting practices and applicable regulations.

Assist with annual audit; coordinate and prepare working papers; answer technical questions; prepare the comprehensive Annual Financial Statements.

Coordinate and review the work plan for assigned accounting programs; meet with staff to identify and resolve problems; assign work activities and projects; monitor work flow; review and evaluate work products, methods and procedures.

May exercise technical and functional supervision over technical and clerical staff.

Perform related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Senior Accountant • Duties

Maintain, analyze and reconcile subsidiary and general ledger accounts.

Prepare and file monthly, annual and special reports due to other entities.

Prepare and analyze monthly, annual and special financial statements and other reports; develop forecasts and projections; explain variances as directed.

Assist in preparation of information for treasury functions.

Perform detail year-end functions.

Prepare monthly and year-end revenues and expenditure journal accruals.

Perform internal audit of investments, revenues, expenditures, and miscellaneous revenues from various City departments and facilities.

Research and organize technical and statistical data.

Assist in preparation of operating and capital budgets; prepare and monitor department’s budget.

Coordinate and assist auditors during annual audits; conduct internal audits; analyze and audits transactions for City programs and activities and prepare related reports.

Monitor and prepare costs reports for State and Federal grants; review and audit grant contracts and other documents to ensure grant compliance.

Conduct fixed asset inventory of City department assets and maintain all records related to fixed asset schedules, including infrastructure assets.

Perform records management functions in accordance with adopted retention schedule.

Review payroll, cash receipts and expenditure data input.

Review accounts receivable aging schedule/billings; annual and quarterly payroll tax returns; prepare all bank reconciliations, and maintain appropriate records.

Participate in the development and implementation of departmental goals, objectives, policies and priorities.

Verify and approve daily cash receipts.

Assist with fund management relating to cash inflow and outflow.

Perform other duties as assigned.

EXPERIENCE/TRAINING/EDUCATION Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Accountant

Two (2) years of professional governmental accounting and auditing experience.

Equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in accounting or a related field.

Senior Accountant

Equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in accounting or a related field.

Four (4) years of progressively responsible governmental accounting and auditing experience.

KNOWLEDGE Accountant

Basic understanding of operational characteristics, services and activities of a governmental accounting program.

Modern principles and practices of governmental accounting, auditing, budgeting, reporting and financial analysis.

Application of generally accepted governmental accounting principles and procedures to a variety of accounting audits, transactions and problems.

Cost accounting and fixed asset accounting theory and practices.

Sound principles and practices of financial auditing.

Financial research and report preparation methods and techniques.

Automated financial management systems.

Principles and practices of budget preparation and administration.

Pertinent Federal, State and local laws, codes and regulations including Federal and State Tax regulations.

Modern office practices, methods and computer equipment.

Safe driving principles and practices.

Senior Accountant

Modern principles, practices, and methods of public and governmental accounting and financing, including program budgeting and auditing and their application to municipal operations.

General principles and practices of data processing and its applicability to accounting and municipal operations.

Principles and procedures of municipal accounting, auditing, and budgeting.

Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and Basic Principles of Accounting as applied to Governmental Accounting Standards (GASB).

Principles and practices of automated financial and data processing systems and applications.

Applicable laws regulating governmental accounting and fiscal operations.

Financial and statistical reporting.

Journal and ledger accounting systems.

Accounting laws and City policies and procedures involved in the preparation and processing of payroll and accounting records.

Pertinent Federal, State and local laws, codes and regulations including Federal and State Tax regulations.

Methods and techniques for record keeping and report preparation and writing.

Modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment and applications related to work, including word processing and spreadsheet software.

Usage of proper English, spelling, and grammar.

ABILITIES/SKILLS

Operate modern office equipment including computer equipment.

Perform responsible and difficult accounting work involving the use of independent judgment and personal initiative under minimal supervision.

Apply accounting principles to the maintenance of governmental financial and accounting transactions and the auditing of financial records.

Prepare, analyze and maintain the full range of financial records, reports, analyses and statements.

Examine and verify the full range of financial documents and reports.

Develop, revise, install and utilize manual and automated fiscal management systems.

Conduct audits of financial systems.

Analyze situations carefully and adopt effective courses of action.

Research, collect, compile and analyze information and data.

Interpret, explain and ensure compliance with Federal, State and local policies, procedures, laws, codes and regulations.

Use modern auditing and accounting methods, procedures, forms and records.

Supervise technical and clerical staff.

Provide, resolve and implement solutions to operational problems.

Assist in designing and implementing operating systems, policies and procedures.

Exercise good judgment, flexibility, creativity and sensitivity in response to changing situations and needs.

Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

Establish, maintain and foster positive and harmonious working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Ability to work in a standard office environment requiring prolonged sitting, standing, walking, reaching, twisting, turning, kneeling, bending, squatting, crouching and stooping in the performance of daily activities.

Movements frequently and regularly require using the wrists, hands and fingers to operate computers and office equipment.

Occasional overtime, weekend and/or evening work may be required.

Ability to hear and convey detailed or important instructions or information verbally and accurately.

Average visual acuity to prepare and read documents.

Ability to communicate with both the public and co‑workers in a clear and concise manner.

Adapt to standard office sounds generated by office equipment as well as standard noise levels resulting from communication with co‑workers and the general public.

APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCEDURE An official City of Stanton online job application must be filled out in its entirety. Applications may be accompanied by a resume describing experience, education, and training in relation to the requirements of the position. However, resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a City employment application.

All applications will be reviewed and only those candidates determined to be

most

qualified based on experience and education, as submitted, will be invited to participate in the selection process. The selection process may include, but is not limited to oral interview and/or written exams and oral presentations. Successful candidates will be placed on the employment eligible list from which hires may be made. The list is valid for up to one year, unless exhausted sooner.

Once an employment offer has been made, all candidates will participate in a confidential background investigation, have their fingerprints reviewed by the Department of Justice and be required to take a pre‑employment medical exam which may include a drug and alcohol test prior to employment.

The City of Stanton is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital or veteran status, disability, genetic status or any other legally protected status.

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