Accounting Manager

Accounting Manager

The Finance Department is looking for their next Accounting Manager. The successful candidate will have exceptional management and leadership skills, combined with expertise and experience in overseeing various accounting functions including payroll, accounts payable, general ledger, reporting, and cash and investments.

Work is characterized by a substantial amount of managerial, administrative, and supervisory functions to ensure effective operation of the division. The incumbent is responsible for the maintenance and review of the City's accounting processes and procedures to ensure efficiency and compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, policies, and procedures, GAAP, GASB, and BARS. To that end, having a CPA or CGFM is strongly preferred. A high level of integrity and honesty, as well as strong customer service approach, are essential to success.

A cover letter and resume are required with your online application in order for your application to be considered complete. Please note that you cannot attach documents to your application after it has been submitted. If you have any questions or concerns regarding your online application, please call our office at (253) 856-5270 and we will do our best to assist you.

This is a full-time, benefited position that is not represented by a union. This recruitment is open until filled and may utilize multiple steps to narrow down the applicant pool. Applications will be reviewed as they are received. Interviews are tentatively scheduled for the week of March 10. Salary : $11,296.00- $13,754.00 per month, depending on experience.

General Purpose : Under the direction of the Finance Director or designee, plan, organize, and manage the operations of the Accounting Division of the Finance Department. The incumbent is responsible for overseeing the accounting functions including payroll, accounts payable, general ledger, capital assets, tax processing and reporting, procurement, daily cash flow and investment management, as well as the ACFR preparation. Incumbent must possess strong leadership skills and demonstrated ability to manage and motivate others.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities : Manage the Accounting Division of the Finance Department by planning, organizing, and directing the daily activities and workflow of employees engaged in performing payroll, general ledger, procurement, accounts payable, capital assets, daily cash flow and investment management, and financial reporting duties; and provide motivation, leadership, team building, mentoring, training, and direction for the assigned workgroup.

Peripheral Duties and Responsibilities : Perform related duties as assigned.

Successful Incumbents for this Position Will : Have the knowledge of : Governmental accounting, budgeting, and reporting principles and practices; Payroll rules, laws, regulations and practices; Principles and practices of cash flow, investment, and financial management; Current literature, tends, and developments in the field of accounting; Methods, principles, and practices of effective conflict resolution; Applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, codes, and ordinances; Business and tax laws, rules, and regulations related to municipal accounting; Principles and practices of supervision, organization, training, and performance evaluation; Computer systems and applications related to accounting and auditing functions; City organization, operations, policies, objectives, and procedures; Technical aspects of accounting.

Be skilled in : Understanding and applying Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP); Understanding and applying Government Accounting Standard Board (GASB) Statements; Understanding and applying Payroll rules, laws, and regulations including Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and applicable union contracts; Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) principles and procedures; Municipal investment laws and regulations; Applying principles and practices of leadership, teambuilding, motivation, and common-sense management techniques; Effective management and supervision of assigned staff, projects, and work responsibilities; Effectively organizing and expressing ideas through the use of oral and written communications; Operation of a personal computer and related complex software including spreadsheet, database and presentation programs; Application of research and analysis methods to define and resolve financial issues; Application of internal control methods, procedures, and management.

Have the ability to : Understand and apply the Budgeting, Accounting, and Reporting System (BARS); Analyze and prepare complex financial statements and reports; Exercise a high degree of independent judgment in defining and resolving issues, policies, and procedures within scope of authority; Establish and maintain trust, confidence, and effective working relationships with assigned staff, co-workers, elected officials, managers, supervisors, employees, and the public; Work effectively on several projects concurrently; Read, interpret, apply, and explain codes, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures; Perform a wide variety of professional accounting duties; Analyze and prepare a variety of complex records, reports, and other financial documents including financial statements, technical financial reporting, and special reports and projects as assigned; Work confidentially with discretion; Define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions; apply common sense understanding to solve practical problems; Meet schedules and timelines; Work independently with little direction and make decisions with broad guidelines; Provide technical expertise and information regarding accounting principles, practices, and policies; Develop, modify, and recommend improvements in existing accounting procedures and introduce new procedures to expedite system; Demonstrate ability to positively interact with diverse individuals to accomplish a common goal; Effective presentation of information to groups of managers and employees; Respond to common inquiries or complaints from personnel, regulatory agencies, or the public; Develop, and implement missions, strategic goals, and objectives for the assigned division; Add, subtract, multiply, and divide; compute fractions, ratios, percentages, and proportions, draw and interpret graphs and charts; and apply these concepts to practical situations.

Skills for the position may be gained through education, certification, relevant job experience or a combination, such as : Education : Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Public Administration, or related field; and Experience : Five (5) years of professional governmental accounting experience including three (3) years of lead / supervisory experience.

Licenses and other information : Certified Public Accountant (CPA) is highly desirable; Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM) is highly desirable; Must have experience in payroll, accounts payable, general ledger and financial reporting; Knowledge of and experience with principles and practices of cash flow and investment management; Knowledge of laws and regulations governing municipal investment; Valid Washington State driver's license, or the ability to obtain within thirty (30) days of employment; Multilingual desirable; Must successfully pass a position specific background inquiry.

Machines, tools, and equipment used : Typical business office machinery and equipment including, but not limited to, personal computer, telephone, fax and copy machine, calculator, and projector.

Physical demands : While performing the duties of this job, the incumbent is regularly required to use arms, hands, and fingers to reach, handle, feel, or operate objects, materials, tools, equipment, or controls. The incumbent is frequently required to sit, talk, and hear normally with or without mechanical assistance. The incumbent is frequently required to lift and / or move up to 50 pounds with or without assistance. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close, distance, color and peripheral vision; depth perception; and the ability to adjust focus.

Working conditions : Work is performed in a typical office environment. The incumbent may be exposed to individuals who are irate or hostile and may be subject to long hours due to the attendance at evening meetings. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.