CHIEF ACCOUNTANT

Company: City of Fort Lauderdale, FL
Location: Fort Lauderdale
Posted on: January 21, 2023

Job Description:

POSITION SUMMARY The City of Fort Lauderdale employees possess a passion for public service demonstrated by a high degree of enthusiasm, self-reliance, and job proficiency. They effectively convey the vision and mission of the organization and provide excellent service and satisfaction to our internal and external customers. This is responsible financial, administrative and supervisory work of considerable difficulty assisting the Director of Finance, Controller or Treasurer by planning and directing the activities of professional and clerical staff in the management of the City's Central Accounting or Treasury Divisions and with financial reporting. Performs complex professional level accounting duties, including general ledger reconciliation, financial reporting, audit preparation, grant reporting and payroll. Performs complex financial analysis for various programs within the city; and performs a variety of professional accounting functions relative to assigned areas of responsibility. An employee in this class exercises considerable initiative and independent judgment in planning, installing, revising and maintaining accounting procedures and in the preparation of statements and reports. Say "Hello" to the City of Fort Lauderdale and Say "Goodbye" to Your Student Loan! That's right! Under the U.S. Department of Education's Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program, the remaining balance on your student loan may be forgiven after you have made 120 qualifying monthly payments while working full-time at the City of Fort Lauderdale! Please visit www.fortlauderdale.gov/PublicServiceLoanForgiveness for more information or to see if you qualify. The City offers a wide variety of benefits to employees. In addition to the competitive benefits package and salary, the City participates in the Florida Retirement System (FRS) which offers an investment option and a pension option, and requires a 3% contribution from employees. New hires are automatically enrolled in FRS. ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS Essential functions are the basic job duties that an employee must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation. The list of essential functions, as outlined herein, is intended to be representative of the tasks performed within this classification. The omission of a function does not preclude management from assigning essential duties not listed herein if such duties relate to the position.

• Plans, directs and supervises the work of professional and clerical accounting staff assuring work is performed in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), departmental guidelines and applicable regulatory requirements
• Assists with internal and external audits, gathers and presents requested documents, and provides explanations of departmental policies and procedures
• Ensures an accurate and timely month-end and year-end closing and in preparation of the City's Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR)
• Approves journal entries, wires and other documents prepared by employees supervised
• Analyzes existing organization and systems in order to develop and recommend new work procedures, controls and forms to promote efficient and effective operations for fiscal management.
• Participates with the Information Technology Services Department in the design and development of, and acts as departmental liaison for procurement and implementation of financial management systems.
• Prepares and reviews reports for upper management, policymakers, and other departments.
• Performs related work as requiredIf assigned to the Central Accounting Division:
  • Coordinates all requests and responses to external auditors regarding the CAFR
  • Participates in the development of citywide budgets, the departmental budget, and monitors citywide and capital expenditures during the fiscal year
  • Recommends to the Controller the establishment of new funds, accounts and policies to ensure compliance with laws, regulations and GAAP applicable to governmental agencies
  • Manages various accounting functions such as recording capital assets and pensions.If assigned to the Treasury Division:
    • Develops and implements program for reporting of uncommon, miscellaneous revenues and creates procedural timetable for effective revenue collection
    • Develops internal controls, systems and procedures related to revenue billing, collection and cash handling by City departments or contracted collection agencies
    • Assists with identifying alternative sources of revenue and maximizing collections of existing revenue sources
    • Ensures grant compliance with regulatory requirements and prepares the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards ("SEFA").
    • Assists with the issuance and compliance of debt and ensures payments are timely.
    • Develops and implements controls to ensure proper recording of various receivables and revenues
    • Develops internal controls to ensure the timely recording and reconciliation of various billings, collections and cash transactions JOB REQUIREMENTS & WORK ENVIRONMENT Bachelor's Degree in Accounting or Finance.Three (3) to five (5) years of progressively responsible accounting and/or fiscal management experience. Three (3) years in municipal accounting and auditing; and two (2) years supervisory experience required.A Master's degree from an accredited college or university in accounting, finance, or business administration or any of the following professional certifications;
      • Certified Public Accountant (CPA) status,
      • Certified Government Finance Officer (CGFO) designation,
      • Certified Public Finance Officer (CPFO) designation, or
      • Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM) designation may be substituted for one (1) year of the experience requirement. No substitution is allowed for the required municipal accounting experience. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS Essential Employees may be required to work during a declared emergency. The employee's Department Head will determine who will be required to work. PHYSICAL STANDARDS REQUIRED TO PERFORM ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: The position is generally sedentary. Employees sit most of the time but may walk or stand for brief periods of time. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. HOW TO APPLY/ VETERAN INFORMATION Depending on the number of applications and the quality of their education and experience, the examination may consist of one or more of the following tests: Evaluation of Training and Experience, Oral Interview, Written Examination, or other assessment method. Applicants must attain a minimum score of 70 in each part of the examination in order to qualify. All successful applicants will be required to pass a medical examination, including drug screening, prior to appointment. An eligible veteran who enters an open-competitive examination shall receive preference points added to the total passing score earned in the examination as provided for in the Florida Statutes. To obtain veteran's preference, candidates MUST submit a copy of separation papers and the City of Fort Lauderdale's veteran's preference claim form ( J-204) ) . The City of Fort Lauderdale is AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY (EEO) AND AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER . All applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender (including identity or expression), marital status, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability or any other protected classification as defined by applicable law (except as limited by Personnel Rules, Collective Bargaining Agreements, or bona fide occupational qualifications). In compliance with the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988, the City of Fort Lauderdale is committed to providing a safe, quality-oriented and productive work environment consistent with the standards of the community in which it serves. Alcohol and drug abuse pose a threat to the health and safety of City's employees and to the security of the City's equipment and facilities. For these reasons, the City is committed to the elimination of drug and alcohol use and abuse in the workplace. Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) protects qualified individuals with disabilities from employment discrimination. Under the ADA, a person has a disability if he has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity.The physical demands described within the job description are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job . In compliance with the ADA, the City of Fort Lauderdale will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.The City of Fort Lauderdale offers a comprehensive benefits package to all regular full-time employees including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and short-term disability insurance.Click here for an overview of employment information including our benefits package.

Keywords: City of Fort Lauderdale, FL, Fort Lauderdale , CHIEF ACCOUNTANT, Accounting, Auditing , Fort Lauderdale, Florida