Position Summary Position: Senior Accountant in the City of La Mesa Finance Department. The role is an in‑person position located in La Mesa City Hall, on a 9/80 schedule: Monday‑Thursday 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. and alternating Fridays 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. La Mesa City Hall is closed on alternating Fridays.The Senior Accountant will be a member of the management team, responsible for general ledgers, journal entries, state/federal/agency reporting, month‑end and year‑end close, and working directly with auditors for all audits, including the single audit. The incumbent will supervise an Accountant and an Accounting Technician in the accounts payable unit.About the Department The Finance Department is a collaborative and service‑oriented team comprised of the Finance Director, three managers, and six professional staff members dedicated to supporting the City's financial operations and long‑term financial health. Core responsibilities include accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, purchasing, business licensing, general accounting, budget monitoring, financial planning and forecasting, preparation of the City's annual operating and capital budgets, and preparation of the annual comprehensive financial report.About the Position Supervision, planning, organization and participation in the most complex and difficult work of staff responsible for general accounting, payroll, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and other functions of the Finance Department; perform advanced professional accounting duties; and participate in budgeting and other technical finance work.Ideal Candidate The ideal candidate is an experienced accounting professional who demonstrates strong ethics, advanced technical skills, and excellent analytical abilities. They should be committed to public service and have a solid understanding of governmental accounting principles, financial reporting, internal controls, budgeting, and relevant regulatory requirements, including GAAP and GASB standards. Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel and financial management systems is essential. They should have strong problem‑solving skills and be ready to contribute to problem solving, streamlining and automating processes, training and mentoring staff, while exercising the autonomy to take ownership of their unit as part of the decision‑making team. The candidate should hold a bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or a closely related field from an accredited college or university. Previous supervision and coaching of staff in a financial services setting is required. A Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license is highly desirable.Key Responsibilities Supervise, plan, train, and review the work of staff responsible for general accounting, payroll, accounts payable, cash receipts and accounts receivable; participate in performing the most complex work of the department.Representative Duties Supervise, plan, train, and review the work of staff responsible for general accounting, payroll, accounts payable, cash receipts and accounts receivable; participate in performing the most complex work of the department.Direct the preparation and processing of accounts payable, accounts receivable and payroll; train assigned employees in their areas of work including acceptable methods, procedures, and techniques; verify the work of assigned employees for accuracy, proper work methods, techniques, and compliance with applicable standards and specifications.Set up and maintain controls, journals, ledgers and supporting financial records necessary to comply with accounting procedures, laws, ordinances, agency reporting requirements, and other regulations.Prepare, enter, review and update monthly journal entries and budget adjustments; prepare various reconciliations and reports including Investment Report, state and federal financial status reports, City bank reconciliations, special revenue fund reconciliations, investment earnings reconciliation, and other financial reconciliations and reports.Assist in the analysis of the financial information needs of City departments and development of financial systems to fulfill those needs; evaluate and make recommendations to improve the effectiveness of current systems and procedures.Perform fiscal year‑end closing and reconciling entries including accruals, infrastructure, pension and other post‑employment benefits liabilities, compensated absences, fixed assets, and encumbrances.Coordinate and act as liaison with City and other agency auditors for various year‑end audits; prepare records, schedules, work papers, and worksheets in support of the audits; assist with the preparation and review of financial statements, required supplementary information, and notes to the financial statements.Prepare various financial reporting to other government agencies, including Annual State Controller's Report, Annual Street and Road Report, and Annual Government Compensation Report.Assist with preparation of City‑wide budget; prepare assigned division budgets; prepare and enter City‑wide equipment reimbursement schedules.Perform analysis and research of CIP and Grant Funded project expenditures and revenues; prepare related reconciliations and reports; coordinate and assist with outside audits of grant funded projects.Assist in the development and implementation of goals, policies, and priorities relating to the accounting, budget and financial management activities of the City.Respond to public inquiries in a courteous manner; provide information within the area of assignment; resolve complaints in an efficient and timely manner.Perform related duties as required.Supervision Received and Exercised Receives general direction from assigned supervisory or management staff. Exercises direct supervision over professional, technical and clerical personnel.Minimum Qualifications Equivalence to a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in accounting, business administration or a related field. Minimum of four years of increasingly responsible and recent professional level experience in accounting, finance or auditing work, including supervisory experience. Certified Public Accountant (CPA) certification is desirable. Additional years of experience may be substituted for the education requirement on a year‑for‑year basis.Knowledge Operational characteristics, services, and activities of a municipal finance administration, particularly in the areas of municipal accounting, budgeting, recordkeeping, investing, debt finance, auditing, and data processing.Principles and practices of financial management and accounting.Principles and practices of program development and administration.Methods and techniques of budget preparation, program analysis, and revenue forecasting.Principles and practices of municipal budget preparation and administration.Principles of supervision, training and performance evaluation.Generally accepted accounting principles.Fund accounting standards as set forth by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board.Modern office practices, procedures, methods and equipment.Modern principles and practices of purchasing and stores.Pertinent federal, state and local laws, codes and regulations.Skills And Abilities Supervise, organize, and review the work of staff.Independently perform the most difficult and complex accounting and financial reporting functions.Interpret, explain and enforce department policies and procedures.Prepare financial statements, reports and analyses.Design and install new and improved accounting and record‑keeping systems.Examine and verify financial documents and reports.Use various computer applications to perform job functions.Work independently in the absence of supervision.Interpret local, state and federal legislation and regulations as it relates to municipal finance.Understand and follow oral and written instructions.Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.Operate a variety of office and computer equipment in a safe and effective manner.Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.Physical Demands and Working Environment Standard office setting. Incumbents require sufficient mobility to work in an office setting; stand or sit for prolonged periods of time; operate office equipment including use of a computer keyboard; ability to verbally communicate to exchange information.Vision: see in the normal visual range with or without correction; vision sufficient to read computer screens, printed documents, and overhead presentations and to operate assigned equipment. Hearing: hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.Equal Opportunity Statement The City of La Mesa is an Equal Opportunity and Americans with Disabilities Act compliant employer. The City values veterans and transitioning military. All qualified candidates and veterans are welcome to apply.Management Benefits Management benefits are provided at the direction of the City Manager. The City Manager may periodically adjust the Management benefits package. Although Management employees are not represented, certain Management benefits are administered according to the terms of other bargaining unit MOUs. These MOUs and applicable policies and procedures may be consulted for guidance when determining if/how other benefits afforded to represented employees should be applied to Management employees. Exceptions to Management benefits, as summarized in the benefit summary, may be made by the City Manager. In the case of any dispute or question concerning the application of Management benefits, the matter shall be decided by the City Manager.#J-18808-Ljbffr