Accountant Iii (Office Of Departmental Financial Services)

Salary : $71,987.00 - $89,408.00 Annually
Location : MI, MI
Job Type: Certified-Regular Civil Service
Job Number: 20220413201003ACCTIIIOCFO-JS
Department: Off Chf Financial Officer
Opening Date: 05/23/2023
Closing Date: 3/24/2024 12:00 AM Eastern
Bargaining Unit: 7100
Description
Be a Part of the City You Love!
The Office of the Chief Financial Officer - Office of Departmental Financial Services Division is seeking to fill several Accountant III positions.
Position Summary
Accountant III is an experienced level accounting professional within the City of Detroit Office of the Chief Financial Officer that requires minimal direction and supervision. The Accountant performs complex accounting duties that are required to support timely and accurate financial statement reporting. The key services provided include, but are not limited to: preparing, analyzing, interpreting, and presenting accounting data; operating, maintaining, and modifying accounting systems; using accounting information to recommend solutions to management problems and structuring of organization programs; managing, operating, and analyzing cost accounting systems in connection with functions, activities and financial operations; and designing, implementing, and assessing internal control processes and systems. Accountant III positions may delegate assignments to subordinate staff engaged in budget preparation, purchasing activities, payroll analysis, and grants management. Many of these services will be performed within the appropriate modules of the ERP Cloud that impact the operations of this position.
Examples of Duties
MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Plans, assigns and coordinates the work of Accountant I and II and other clerical and administrative staff
• Using ERP Cloud applications performs the following activities:
  • Creation of Financial Reports
  • Editing of reporting templates
  • Use of Business Intelligence Publisher templates and data models
  • Creation of Transactions Business Intelligence dashboard and reports
  • Analysis of data through SmartView and Account Monitor

Performs complex accounting functions consistent with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), standardized bookkeeping processes, accounting terminology, accounting techniques, and other financial rules and regulations

Researches, analyzes, and implements accounting rules and regulations as stipulated by Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) or other regulatory agencies

Evaluates fiscal accounting work including budget preparation, purchasing activities, payroll and general ledger analyses, grants, bonds, revenue, cost allocation, capital assets, expenditures, and other accounting activities

Analyzes accounting systems or modifies and adapts conventional accounting and analytical techniques to solve a variety of accounting problems

Conducts searches and complex examinations of budget and financial records to provide factual data on the amount and type of funds available for submission to others within the employing entity who will use the data to prepare budget estimates and reprogramming actions

Analyzes program operations for impact upon the accounting or financial management system

Plans, coordinates, and conducts audits and develops reports on work processes and accounting systems

Independently conducts the complete range of tax examinations and related investigations of a broad range of business taxpayers such as sole proprietorships, partnerships, fiduciaries, and sizable corporations

Researches and analyzes information to establish the proper interpretation and application of pertinent tax laws

Identifies accounting problems such as inadequate maintenance of fund controls, inaccurate records and reports, improper methods for document control, and lack of documentary evidence to support performance of regulatory reconciliations

Compiles centrally requested cost reports and reports of variance from standards. Develops reports comparing actual results to plans and budgets

Uses conventional accounting methods to reconcile payroll system and general ledger payroll data and to analyze internal controls over accounts receivable overpayments

Persuades program managers and other officials in positions of decision- making authority with widely differing goals and interests to follow a recommended course of action consistent with established budget/financial management policies, objectives, or regulations

Influences or persuades representatives of an audited organization to accept critical or controversial observations, findings, and recommendations when representatives of audit subjects are reluctant to agree that costly errors were made, that corrective action is required, or that suggestions for change will improve operations

Influences and persuades taxpayers to comply with requirements for information to resolve outstanding problems and issues or to pay tax liability when the taxpayers or their representatives hold strong opposing views, and/or are hostile, skeptical, or uncooperative requiring the Accountant to use tact, persuasiveness, and diplomacy to obtain the desired results

Provides skeptical and fearful individual and business taxpayers with information on agency products and services, and in-depth authoritative tax advice and assistance to increase compliance with tax laws and regulations through increased knowledge

Provides experience in using the specific procedures of automated systems to find, review, or change accounting data in transaction files, ledgers, accounts, summary reports, and financial statements

Designs new and changing system and program environments due to new laws, regulations, and standards

Prepares, examines, or analyzes accounting records, financial statements, or other financial reports to assess accuracy, completeness, and conformance to reporting and procedural standards

Reports to management regarding the finances of establishment

Computes taxes owed and prepares tax returns, ensuring compliance with payment, reporting, or other tax requirements

Resolves issues where governing laws and regulations are highly interpretive and/or precedents are non-existent, obscure, or conflicting

Reviews and posts journal entries, reconciles dates, and manages inter-agency billings and transfers required to support financial reporting

Supervises the creation of accounting codes and structures to ensure accurate recording, reporting, and control in financial systems

Develops new systems for tax examination, tax management control, and tax documentation systems

Acts as a liaison between accounting staff, financial staff, information systems staff, and other key departmental staff in order to keep abreast of issues and initiatives that may impact accounting and financial information

Reviews grant management, monitoring and administrative duties and activities (e.g. financial, set-up, post-award, closeout, etc.) to ensure timely expenditures and reimbursement, and regulatory and audit compliance

Presents, prepares and explains to financial and non-financial managers, co-workers and clients including an analysis of the issues, problems and trends identified

Assists in the preparation of the Consolidated Annual Financial Report (CAFR)

Serves as an expert or authority in some aspect of accounting or in the application of accounting to some mission-related program(s)

Performs special projects and other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications
Education
Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, with major course work in accounting, finance, business administration, statistics, or a closely related field. Such education must include at least twenty-four (24) semester (36 terms) credits of coursework in accounting and statistics (21 hours in accounting and 3 hours in statistics).
Experience
Three (3) years of professional experience performing or auditing the systematic classification and evaluation of accounting data and the preparation of related financial and managerial reports are required. Accountant III must demonstrate proficiency with integrated word processing and spreadsheet functions.
Preferred Experience
Previous experience with federal grants, draw downs and grant reconciliations.
License / Certificates
There may be a requirement for some positions to have or be working on achieving a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and/or Certified Management Accountant (CMA) certification.
Equivalency
Equivalent combinations of education and experience that provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities will be evaluated on an individual basis.
Supplemental Information
Evaluation Plan:

• Interview: 70%
• Evaluation of Training, Experience & Personal Qualifications (TEP): 30%
• Total of Computerized Assessment, Interview and Evaluation T.E.P: 100%
• Detroit Residency Credit: 15 Points
• Veteran Points: 0-15 Points

LRD: 05/23/2023
EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS
The City of Detroit offers a competitive and comprehensive employee benefit package. We pride ourselves on the longevity of our employees. Part of the reason for the low turnover rate is the exceptional benefit package listed below. Benefits include, but are not limited to the following:
HEALTH

• Medical - Eligible for hospital, surgical, and prescription drug benefits.
• Dental
• Vision

INSURANCE

• Life Insurance - Optional group insurance available to employee and their family. The City pays 60% of premium for first $12,500 of employee life insurance. Employee may purchase, at own expense, life insurance for spouse and each dependent.
• Long-Term Disability Insurance (Income Protection Plan) - The City offers disability insurance through payroll deductions for persons who become disabled and who are not yet eligible for a service retirement.

PAID TIME OFF

• Sick Leave
• Vacation
• Holidays

OTHER LEAVE BENEFITS
The City also has the following paid and unpaid leaves; funeral leave, Family and Medical Leave, jury duty, military duty leave, unpaid personal leave,
RETIREMENT BENEFITS
City Employees Retirement System
As a regular City employee you automatically become a member of the General Retirement System. This entitles you to a retirement allowance after:
• Completion of thirty (30) years of service;
- At age sixty (60) if you have at least ten (10) years of service, or
- At age sixty-five (65) with eight (8) years of service.
• In the event of disability, other eligibility rules apply);
- An early, actuarially reduced, retirement is offered after you have attained at least twenty-five (25) years of service;
• Employees are vested after ten (10) years of service, regardless of age.
ADVANCEMENT OPPORTUNITIES - Employees have many opportunities for growth and career advancement throughout all City departments and divisions.
Have a successful career with the City of Detroit. Always remember that you are a part of a team with a common Vision of delivering excellent service to the citizens of the City of Detroit
01
Do you possess a Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university, with major course work in accounting, finance, business administration, statistics, or a closely related field?

• Yes
• No

02
Do you have three (3) years of professional experience performing or auditing the systematic classification?

• Yes
• No

03
Please describe your experience with the evaluation of accounting data and the preparation of related financial and managerial reports.
04
Please describe your proficiency with integrated word processing and spreadsheet functions.
05
Please describe your ERP experience (Oracle, SAP), if applicable.
06
Do you have at least 2 years of grant experience? *experience must be indicated in resume* -preferred

• Yes
• No

07
Do you possess or are you in the process of obtaining the following certifications: Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and/or Certified Management Accountant (CMA) certification?If so, please state the certification and completion date.
Required Question