Senior Accountant

Position Summary

The City of La Mesa invites applications for the position of Senior Accountant. This is an in-person position located in La Mesa City Hall. The position works a 9/80 schedule: Monday-Thursday 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. and alternating Fridays 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. La Mesa City Hall is closed on alternating Fridays.

About the Department

The Finance Department is a collaborative and service-oriented team comprised of the Finance Director, three managers, and six professional staff members dedicated to supporting the City’s financial operations and long-term financial health. The department provides a wide range of high-quality services to internal City departments, City employees, and members of the public, with a strong commitment to responsive and excellent customer service. Core responsibilities include accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, purchasing, business licensing, general accounting, budget monitoring, financial planning and forecasting, preparation of the City’s annual operating and capital budgets, and preparation of the annual comprehensive financial report.

About the Position

The Senior Accountant is responsible for general ledgers, journal entries, state/federal/agency reporting, month-end close, year-end close, and working directly with auditors for all audits, including the single audit. The incumbent will supervise an Accountant and an Accounting Technician in the accounts payable unit.

Key Responsibilities

• Supervise, plan, train, and review the work of staff responsible for general accounting, payroll, accounts payable, cash receipts and accounts receivable; participate in performing the most complex work of the department.
• Direct the preparation and processing of accounts payable, accounts receivable and payroll; train assigned employees in their areas of work including acceptable methods, procedures, and techniques; verify the work of assigned employees for accuracy, proper work methods, techniques, and compliance with applicable standards and specifications.
• Set up and maintain controls, journals, ledgers and supporting financial records necessary to comply with accounting procedures, laws, ordinances, agency reporting requirements, and other regulations.
• Prepare, enter, review and update monthly journal entries and budget adjustments; prepare various reconciliations and reports including Investment Report, state and federal financial status reports, City bank reconciliations, special revenue fund reconciliations, investment earnings reconciliation, and other financial reconciliations and reports.
• Assist in the analysis of the financial information needs of City departments and development of financial systems to fulfill those needs; evaluate and make recommendations to improve the effectiveness of current systems and procedures.
• Perform fiscal year end closing and reconciling entries including accruals, infrastructure, pension and other post-employment benefits liabilities, compensated absences, fixed assets, and encumbrances.
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• Coordinate and act as liaison with City and other agency auditors for various year-end audits; prepare records, schedules, work papers, and worksheets in support of the audits; assist with the preparation and review of financial statements, required supplementary information, and notes to the financial statements.
• Prepare various financial reporting to other government agencies, including Annual State Controller's Report, Annual Street and Road Report, and Annual Government Compensation Report.
• Assist with preparation of City-wide budget; prepare assigned division budgets; prepare and enter City-wide equipment reimbursement schedules.
• Perform analysis and research of CIP and Grant Funded project expenditures and revenues; prepare related reconciliations and reports; coordinate and assist with outside audits of grant funded projects.
• Assist in the development and implementation of goals, policies, and priorities relating to the accounting, budget and financial management activities of the City.
• Respond to public inquiries in a courteous manner; provide information within the area of assignment; resolve complaints in an efficient and timely manner.

Minimum Qualifications

• Education and Experience Guidelines
• Education/Training: Equivalent to a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in accounting, business administration or a related field AND Experience: At least four years of increasingly responsible and recent professional level experience in accounting, finance, or auditing work, including supervisory experience.
• Note: Additional years of experience as described above may be substituted for the education requirement on a year-for-year basis.
• License or Certificate: Certification as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) is desirable.