Job Description

CLASS SUMMARY

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The City of Spokane invites applications for the position of

Director of Accounting

DEPARTMENT PURPOSE

Provides accounting and financial services and support to the organization. The department is responsible for the development, implementation, and maintenance of effective financial accounting systems and controls.

POSITION PURPOSE

Responsible for managing all aspects of the accounting workflow, including general ledger, AR, AP, fixed assets, and payroll. This position is also responsible for leading and managing process improvement and systems integration, with a focus on improving service delivery, reducing manual efforts and leveraging best practices. Responsible for establishing, implementing, and ensuring compliance with city-wide accounting policies and procedures and for setting goals, objectives and priorities for both the Accounting Department staff and accounting staff citywide.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

Work is performed with considerable independence within the framework of general policies established by the Chief Financial Officer. Provides direction, training and assistance to professional, administrative and technical positions.

EXAMPLES OF JOB FUNCTIONS

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The following responsibilities and requirements are functions the individual who holds or desires the position must be able to perform unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Produces periodic, annual financial statements, and ad hoc reports as required or requested by the Chief Financial Officer; Responsible for managing and maintaining the General Accounting and Financial Reporting functions of the city and the financial services area including A/P, A/R, Payroll, and Fixed Assets; Convey financial and regulatory concepts clearly and concisely for the City Council, Mayor, city officials, staff, and the general public both orally and in writing; Effectively identify, collect, organize and document data and information for subsequent assessment, analysis, and investigation using current software and techniques; Provide technical guidance on complex accounting issues. Ensure comprehensive and consistent accounting policies including compliance with GAAP and all other applicable standards; Establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, other city employees and departments, city officials, outside Boards and Commissions, and the public. Understand the City's political environment and sensitivities and possess the ability to function effectively within that environment; Oversee financial and accounting system controls, including partnering with IT in system implementations, conversions and upgrades; Responsible for designing and maintaining, in coordination with the City's Internal Audit staff, a system of internal controls for the safeguarding of assets and the integrity and accuracy of financial reporting; Responsible for the implementation of corrective actions identified as part of an audit or other review of operations; Ensures that the accounting department and all functions managed thereunder are staffed with qualified personnel capable of meeting all of the department's technical, collaborative and other detailed responsibilities and carrying out all other departmental objectives; Recruit/retain competent accounting staff; provide leadership, coaching, guidance and support; oversee professional development plans to assist employees to reach their full potential; Responsible for organizing and directing accounting personnel and the integrity of the city's financial data; Performs other duties as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS

Knowledge of:

Financial statements and reports used in municipal accounting; Administering a large municipal accounting function together with other related functions, including experience in planning, organizing, directing and coordinating the activities/work of a large staff of managerial, professional, technical accounting and clerical personnel; The principles, practices and techniques of accounting as they refer to municipal bond indebtedness and bond sales; Professional and governmental accounting principles and procedures, and the principles of fund accounting; Applicable statutes, codes, laws and guidelines; Use of personal computers and software (MS Word, MS Excel, MS Outlook), including the ability to create and understand complex formulas; Payroll functions/activities; Technology and software, management procedures and practices as applied to accounting.

Ability to:

Independently identify and carry out strategic vision and objectives; Maintain confidentiality and discretion; Negotiate and resolve business issues/problems while maintaining a high level of professionalism at all times; Receive information from various sources and make sound decisions within scope of assigned authority; Quickly analyze, understand, and communicate complex and innovative financial situations, problems and opportunities; Read, understand, and interpret the nature of contracts, municipal policies and procedures, procurement requirements, and pertinent laws, ordinances, and regulations; Assess priorities to meet deadlines.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work is conducted primarily in an office setting. It may involve frequent attendance at meetings to include some irregular hours and potentially out-of-town travel. Incumbents in this classification are expected to communicate verbally, in person, and by telephone. A computer terminal is used and may require the use of repetitive arm-hand movements.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

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Any combination equivalent to the experience and education that would likely provide the relevant knowledge and abilities would be qualifying. Generally, this will include:

Education:

A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration or related field of study.

Experience:

Seven (7) years of increasingly progressive professional accounting experience with a minimum of three (3) years' experience in state or municipal government. Three (3) years of direct supervisory experience of an accounting group. An MPA, MBA or CPA may substitute two (2) years of work experience.

BEHAVIORAL STANDARDS

As an exempt employee of the City of Spokane, the Director of Accounting is subject to the City's Code of Ethics set forth in Chapter 1.04A of the Spokane Municipal Code. As such, "it is the policy of the City of Spokane to uphold, promote, and demand the highest standards of ethics from all of its employees who shall maintain the utmost standards of responsibility, trustworthiness, integrity, truthfulness, honesty and fairness in carrying out their public duties, avoid any improprieties in their roles as a public servant including the appearance of impropriety, and never use their City position, authority or resources for personal gain."

EEO STATEMENT

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity within our organization. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, familial status, genetic information, veteran/military status, or disability status.

INSURANCE BENEFITS

Eligibility:

Coverage begins for new hires and their dependents on the first day of the month following 30 consecutive days of employment.

Eligible Dependents:

Spouse or Domestic Partner, birth, adopted children or children placed for adoption, Domestic Partner's children, step-children who live with employee, and any child for whom employee is legal guardian or for whom coverage is required by a Qualified Medical Support Order. Adult children under age 26 are eligible.

Medical

Qualified employees may select from two health carrier options; a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) administered by Group Health Cooperative or a Preferred Provider Option (PPO) administered by Premera Blue Cross. The monthly premium, and to add coverage for eligible dependents varies depending on the medical plan selected.

Dental

Dental insurance is provided by Delta Dental of Washington. The monthly premium is minimal for employee and eligible dependents.

Vision

Vision coverage is included in the medical plan selected. Costs for eye exams and hardware; lenses, frames or contacts varies depending on the medical plan selected.

Life Insurance - Employee Only

Basic Term Life Insurance is provided at one-and-a-half times the employee's annual base salary to a maximum of $100,000. The City pays the monthly premium in full.

Life Insurance - Eligible Dependent(s)

Basic Term Life Insurance is provided at $6,000 for spouse/domestic partner and $2,000 for each child. The City pays the monthly premium in full.

AFLAC

Supplemental insurance is optional and is provided by AFLAC to help pay benefits that major medical insurance does not cover. The employee pays 100% of the monthly premium.

Flexible Spending Account

The City offers two optional Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) - Health Care FSA and Dependent Care FSA. The Health Care FSA allows an employee to use pre-tax dollars to receive reimbursement for eligible medical, dental, and vision expenses. The Dependent Care FSA allows an employee to receive reimbursement for eligible daycare expenses for dependent children up to age 13 and other eligible dependents as defined by IRS Code. Employees can elect to contribute up to $2,550 per year for the Health Care FSA and $5,000 per year for the Dependent Care FSA.

LegalShield

Prepaid legal services and/or prepaid identity theft programs are optional. These programs pay for a limited amount of documents to be reviewed, limited trial defense representation, the preparation of a standard will, identity theft consultation, restoration and monitoring according to terms of contract.

Pet Insurance

Get cash back on the everyday care your pet needs to stay healthy! Nationwide/Voluntary Pet Insurance is an optional plan in which City of Spokane Employees can enroll.

Voluntary Term Life Insurance

Voluntary Term Life Insurance is optional and is provided through The Standard Insurance Company and is subject to application review and approval. Additional coverage up to $300,000 is available for employees and their spouse/domestic partner. Dependent children can be insured for up to $10,000 each. The employee pays 100% of the monthly premium.

RETIREMENT BENEFITS

Spokane Employees' Retirement System

The Spokane Employees' Retirement System (SERS) is a defined benefit pension plan covering non-uniformed employees whose positions are classified under the Civil Service Merit System. Contributions and earnings are tax deferred.

Deferred Compensation

Enrollment in the City-sponsored 457 Deferred Compensation Plan administered by ICMA-RC allows participants, on a voluntary basis, to defer a portion of their salary on a before or after tax basis.

WORK/LIFE PROGRAMS

Employee Assistance Program

The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a referral and counseling service administered by Deer Oaks. It provides a myriad of services to employees and their household members. Services include receiving confidential assistance for personal issues, such as managing stress, depression, parenting, alcohol/drugs, grief, etc. Each household member is eligible to receive up to eight counseling sessions per issue per year at no charge. There is also a benefit relating financial or legal concerns in addition to Worklife/Convenience services and online tools.

Employer Sponsored Bus Pass (ESBP) Program

The City of Spokane encourages employees to use alternatives to driving alone to work and participates in the ESBP Program offered by Spokane Transit Authority (STA). The program provides employees a bus pass for unlimited rides free of charge.