Accounting Manager

**This position is open until filled with a first review date of 8/5/2024.**

The City of Palm Desert provides exemplary and sustainable services, amenities and programs for the benefit of the local and surrounding communities. When you interact with a City employee, you will find our collaborative, driven and efficient staff working together to provide strategic solutions for the community and each other. We are a city focused on external and internal customer service and try to find a way to say “yes,” while not compromising the City’s or our own integrity.

Our efforts are guided by our core values: Integrity Stewardship Service Community Innovation Teamwork Our employees are passionate about innovation, collaboration and growth, which is supported by the City’s Council and Executive Team. We are an environment that thrives on making changes, pivoting quickly, and is full of movers and shakers. We are constantly striving to improve processes and better our approach so that we can better support the needs of the City. If you have growth mindset and find change exciting, the City of Palm Desert may be your ideal working environment

THE OPPORTUNITY Exciting Opportunity to Assist in Leading Our Accounting Division

We are currently looking for a talented individual to help lead our Finance Department. The ideal candidate should have a strong accounting background, prior supervisory and leadership experience, and outstanding collaboration skills. Other key qualities we are looking for include:

Being passionate, dedicated, and eager to innovate. Having a positive attitude. Paying attention to detail. Being willing to learn. Join our remarkable team and make a real impact We offer an excellent opportunity for professional growth and the chance to work with an exceptional team.

Under administrative direction, assists the Deputy Director and Director of Finance in planning, organizing, overseeing, coordinating, and reviews the functions and activities of the Accounting Division within the City’s Finance Department; directs, supervises, and participates in in the work of staff performing professional, technical and clerical accounting and related duties to ensure regulatory compliance with laws, regulations, governmental accounting standards, and City policies and procedures; as part of the management team, may direct and manage the reconciliation of daily cash receipts and general ledger accounts, tracking and payment of debt services, and payroll disbursement; recommends the effective use of department resources to improve organizational productivity and customer service; coordinates accounting activities with other divisions and departments; provides highly complex and responsible support to the Deputy Director and Director of Finance in areas of expertise; and performs related duties as assigned.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED Receives supervision from the Deputy Director of Finance or designee.

Exercises direct and indirect supervision over professional, technical, and clerical support staff.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS This is a division manager classification. The incumbent is responsible for managing and providing leadership for the assigned staff and the assigned operations programs, and projects of the Accounting Division, including but not limited to General Ledger accounting, financial reporting, cash receipts/disbursement, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and payroll, and is responsible for providing advanced professional accounting support and coaching as assigned.

The incumbent also assists with Finance Division activities as needed. The incumbent organizes and oversees day-to-day Division activities and operations including administration of accounting-related policies, procedures, and services. Responsibilities emphasize diverse, specialized, and complex work involving significant accountability and decision-making.

Successful performance of the work requires an extensive professional background in accounting, prior supervisory and leadership experience, as well as skill in coordinating work and collaborating with other City divisions, departments, and public agencies.

Examples of typicAL JOB FUNCTIONS

(Illustrative Only) Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

Assumes management responsibility for assigned accounting programs, functions, and activities which may include, but are not limited to, general accounting, financial reporting, cash receipts/disbursement, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and payroll. Assists the Director in the development and the implementation of goals, objectives, policies, procedures, and work standards for the department. Direct, oversee and participate in the development of the accounting work plan; assign work activities, projects, and programs; monitor workflow; review and evaluate work products, methods and procedures. Continuously monitors and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of Accounting Division service delivery methods and procedures; assesses and monitors staff workloads, administrative and support systems, and internal reporting relationships; identifies opportunities for improvement and reviews with the Deputy Director and/or Director; coordinates the implementation of improvements. Directs and participates in the maintenance and reconciliation of the City’s General Ledger, subsidiary accounts, and daily cash receipts; ensures that all transactions are supported by required documentation and authorization, and comply with applicable agreements, contracts, grants, and state and federal regulations. Assists in the preparation and administration of the City’s budget; prepares expenditure and revenue calculations and projections as well as historical comparisons and trend analysis; assists in determining impacts of State legislation and varying economic factors. Manages the servicing of City debt obligations; oversees the administration of various loan accounts and records to ensure that payments, reimbursements, collections, and mandated forms/documentation comply with requirements; receives debt payoffs. Reviews all payables and disbursements for accuracy and compliance with requirements, including payroll calculations and remittances; implements the provisions of Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) statements to ensure compliance with retirement plan funding requirements. Participates in complex studies and analysis having a financial impact; coordinates/collaborates with other departments to gather data and provide input; reviews and analyzes information; prepares study report and recommendations as appropriate. Coordination of audit processes for assigned areas; directs the preparation of accounting schedules and data worksheets and their provision to auditors; responds to questions from auditors on various documents or transactions. Directs and participates in the development and submission of required financial reports and statements, including various year-end reporting, the State Controller Report, and the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR). Supervises the day-to-day operations of assigned professional, technical, and clerical staff; motivates, evaluates, and participates in the selection of assigned personnel; works with employees on performance issues; provides or coordinates staff training and coaching; works with employees on performance issues; coordinates and implements disciplinary procedures as necessary. Provide information and guidance regarding accounting processes; interfaces with the public to respond to questions and resolve issues related to debt, taxes, and property assessments. Provides complex staff assistance to the Deputy Director and Director of Finance; conducts organizational and operational studies, special projects, and investigations; prepares staff reports and other necessary correspondence related to assigned activities and services for presentation to various commissions, committees, and boards. Assists in representing the Finance Department to other City departments, the City Manager's office, officials, neighborhood associations, outside agencies, and the general public; explains and interprets departmental programs, policies, and activities; negotiates and resolves significant and controversial issues Attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in municipal accounting; research emerging products and enhancements and their applicability to City needs; monitors changes in regulations and technology that may affect accounting programs and operations. Monitors changes in laws, regulations, and technology that may affect City or departmental operations related to areas of assignment; implements policy and procedural changes as required. Receives, investigates, and responds to difficult and sensitive problems and inquiries in a professional manner; researches information; identifies and reports findings and takes necessary corrective action. Be an integral team player, which involves flexibility, cooperation, and communication. Performs other duties as assigned. Knowledge of: Applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules, regulations, ordinances, and City policies and procedures relevant to assigned area of responsibility. Principles, practices, and methods of public and governmental accounting, including auditing, reporting, and payroll administration as applied to municipal operations. Cash handling practices and controls Principles and practices of data processing and its applicability to accounting operations. Accounting cycles and associated reporting requirements. The principles, practices, functions, and activities of municipal government administration, including the analysis and evaluation of projects, programs, policies, procedures, and operational needs. Principles and practices of managerial planning, organizing, directing, staffing, and financial control, as well as goal setting and program development/implementation. Principles and practices of employee supervision, including work planning, assignment, review and evaluation, and the training of staff in work procedures. Public agency budgetary, contract administration, administrative practices, and general principles of risk management related to the functions of the assigned area. Professional methods of researching issues, evaluating alternatives, making sound recommendations, and preparing and presenting effective staff reports. Recent and on-going developments, current literature, and sources of information related to assigned programs and services. Modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment and applications related to the work. English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation. Techniques for effectively representing the City in contacts with governmental agencies and various business, professional, regulatory, and legislative organizations. Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff.

Ability to: Interpret, apply, explain, and ensure compliance with federal, state, and local policies, procedures, laws, and regulations. Recommend and implement goals, objectives, policies, procedures, work standards, and internal controls for an accounting work unit. Research, analyze, recommend, and evaluate new service delivery methods, procedures, and techniques. Conduct complex research projects, evaluate alternatives, make sound recommendations, and prepare effective technical staff reports. Receive, investigate, and respond to difficult and sensitive problems and inquiries in a professional manner. Plan, organize, assign, review, and evaluate the work of staff. Train staff in work procedures. Establish and maintain a variety of filing, record keeping, and tracking systems. Organize and prioritize a variety of projects and multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner; organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines. Effectively use computer systems, software, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks. Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines. Exercise appropriate discretion when dealing with the public and employees on sensitive or confidential matters. Evaluate programs and services from an operational and productivity standpoint. Apply safe work practices. Provide excellent customer service. Skillfully and safely operate a motor vehicle when required while performing work duties. Communicate effectively in English, both orally and in writing. Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education and Experience: Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying.

A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Equivalent to graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in accounting, business administration, public administration, or a related field; AND seven (7) years of increasingly responsible experience in accounting in a governmental or public agency setting, including three (3) years of audit management experience, and three (3) years of supervisory experience.

Licenses and Certifications: Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California Driver’s License by time of appointment. Current licensure as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Management Accountant (CMA), and/or Certified Public Finance Officer (CPFO) preferred. Public sector experience preferred.

Physical Demands Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person, before groups, and over the telephone.

This is primarily a sedentary office classification although standing and walking between work areas may be required.

Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information.

Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 20 pounds with the use of proper equipment.

Reasonable accommodations will be made for individuals on a case-by-case basis.

Environmental Elements Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances.

Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

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