ACCOUNTING SERVICES MANAGER

CLASS DESCRIPTION

General Responsibilities:

This is highly responsible professional and managerial work in directing the accounting functions of the City Comptroller’s Office. The work focuses on the development, coordination and implementation of the City’s accounting and financial reporting systems, with managerial responsibilities in the areas of general accounting, payroll, financial management and purchasing services. Under the general direction of the City Comptroller, this position requires considerable professional expertise, independent judgment and discretion in the achievement of program objectives.

Examples of Duties and Responsibilities:

Provide leadership, policy direction and expert advice to professional and technical staff in the functional areas of general accounting, payroll, financial management and purchasing services. Assign and monitor the work of employees both directly and through subordinate supervisors. Identify and recommend operating changes to improve the effectiveness and coordination of related functions and operations. Meet with staff relative to the resolution of operational issues. Develop and maintain a system of employee involvement and feedback. Participate in and/or oversee the hiring, training, evaluation and discipline of assigned professional and technical staff.

Oversee the development and maintenance of internal financial reporting systems, e.g., to encompass departmental budgets, payroll, purchasing and other accounting reports utilized in the ongoing evaluation of internal operations. Provide regular public reporting of City financial information (e.g., budgetary performance, financial condition, and analysis of fiscal trends) for use by Mayor, Common Council and other users. Direct the preparation and production of the City’s annual financial statements and reports. Coordinate and serve as liaison to the independent auditors. Ensure compliance with the various reporting requirements of other governmental entities, including periodic financial, payroll and other reporting requirements. Prepare ad hoc reports relating to a variety of City financial issues. Prepare and summarize accounting information to support staff analysis and special studies of City operations. Participate in and/or direct other staff in the development of complex studies and analyses relative to accounting and other financial issues. Make related policy/operational recommendations. Represent the Comptroller’s Office and make presentations to the Board of Estimates, Common Council, other public bodies and the public, as required.

Oversee the utilization and development of the City’s automated financial accounting system, in liaison with the City’s Information Services department and software vendors. Develop policies and procedures to ensure the adequacy of related internal controls and the user security structure. Oversee staff training in the proper and effective use of financial software for system users. Organize financial system user groups to facilitate appropriate sharing of automated financial system information.

Develop internal accounting system applications to maintain and enhance accounting information for other City departments and system users. Identify improvements to current accounting procedures and systems (e.g., relative to general accounting, payroll, fixed assets, capital project accounting, long-term debt information, arbitrage calculations, grant accounting and other areas). Identify and respond to any deficiencies in existing accounting information; and evaluate and respond to new and emerging accounting information requirements. Evaluate the related use of automation and recommend and implement improvements.

Develop and document accounting policies and procedures. Evaluate current accounting and administrative policies for adequacy and conformance with applicable governmental accounting practices and standards. Analyze and report on current statutory requirements. Identify and recommend areas for improvement. Develop and coordinate the implementation of improved accounting and financial management policies for the City. Ensure that all current accounting and administrative policies and procedures are adequately documented.

Support the City’s labor negotiations activities through the provision of financial information and evaluation of labor contract proposals. Prepare data for use by the City labor negotiations team during the bargaining process. Participate in the development of the City’s bargaining position. Evaluate and analyze the financial implications of union bargaining proposals. Represent the City’s interests in labor negotiation sessions, as a member of the City’s labor negotiations team. With assigned staff, ensure that changes to laws, labor contracts and benefit plans are implemented effectively.

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledges, Skills and Abilities:

Thorough knowledge of professional accounting theory, principles, and practices to include generally accepted accounting principles and practice applicable to municipal financial operations, and relevant automated financial information systems. Thorough knowledge of public administration principles. Thorough knowledge of various financial analytic techniques. Working knowledge of budgetary principles and procedures. Working knowledge of financial reporting standards and requirements for local government organizations. Ability to plan, coordinate, develop and direct related programmatic activities and staff. Ability to select, train, assign, direct and monitor the work of professional and technical staff. Ability to evaluate accounting systems, policies and procedures and effectively implement improvements. Ability to perform complex accounting and financial analyses and to prepare effective financial and statistical reports. Ability to evaluate the fiscal impacts of labor contract modification and related proposals. Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing. Ability to establish and maintain effective working and public relationships. Ability to maintain adequate attendance.

Training and Experience:

Three years of directly related experience requiring advanced level accounting experience in directing governmental accounting and reporting programs, and supporting professional staff. Such experience will normally be gained after graduation from an accredited four-year college with a major in accounting or a related field, supplemented professional certification and/or by advanced level accounting study. Other combinations of training and/or experience which can be demonstrated to result in the possession of the knowledges, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the duties of these positions will also be considered.

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