Accountant

The City of Hesperia's Finance Division plays a crucial role in overseeing both the immediate and future financial operations of the City. This entails a range of responsibilities, such as developing financial management policies and strategies, spearheading the coordination and preparation of the Annual Budget and Capital Improvement Plan, tracking all revenue and expenses of the City, and furnishing regular reports to the City Council. Additionally, the Division manages all aspects of City debt, and conducts comprehensive financial and program analysis for a range of Citywide projects.
What You'll Do
Maintain accurate and current financial records, adhering to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) guidelines
Ensure accurate handling of Citywide payroll in accordance with federal and state statutes
Manage accounts payable, cash receipts, and cash flows
Generate financial reports for management and department overview
Assist in annual budget preparation and external audit processes
What You Have
The preferred candidate embodies a strong work ethic, reliability, integrity, and commitment to achieving goals. They assume responsibility for their duties, consistently delivering top-quality work within set deadlines.
Demonstrates a high level of professionalism and a dedication to fostering a positive work environment, aligning with the City's goals and mission.
Exhibits strong communication abilities, adept at tailoring the level of detail to suit the audience while maintaining accuracy.
Possesses talent and proficiency in delivering accurate and intricate reports.
Definition:
Under general supervision, performs the higher level accounting functions of the City Finance Division including preparation and maintenance of financial, accounting and statistical reports and records; acts in the absence of administrative accounting personnel; performs related duties as required.
Distinguishing Characteristics:
The Accountant professional journey level class is responsible for performance of higher level accounting functions, maintenance of the general ledger for all funds, maintenance of the purchasing function, and reconciliation of agency bank accounts. This classification is distinguished from lower accounting classifications by the performance of the higher level accounting functions, requiring a high degree of independent judgment and a thorough knowledge of City and departmental functions, policies and procedures.
Supervision Received/Exercised:
General supervision is received from the Deputy Finance Director and/or designee. Incumbents may exercise technical and functional supervision over lower level accounting staff.
Examples of Duties
Performs the full array of duties assigned to classes in the accounting series including general ledger, bank reconciliation and purchasing.
Demonstrates a full understanding of applicable policies, procedures and work methods associated with assigned duties.
Maintains the general ledger for the City and related agencies; input of general ledger data, posting of journal entries, and recording revenue deposits; maintains current budget files, and compiles Treasurer's report for City and related agencies; reconciles operating bank accounts to general ledger, runs daily bank balance reports, and determines adequacy of balances.
Analyzes and prepares various financial reports, assists in reconciliation of statements, and maintains and posts all entries into the financial system.
Prepares detailed account analysis; reviews and analyzes budget to actual variances.
Assists in the preparation of annual or periodic reports, and assists auditors with the annual audit; prepares staff reports and worksheets for council, and participates in special projects as assigned; prepares audit schedule as needed.
Responds to questions and concerns from City departments, private sector, and the general public; provides information as is appropriate and resolves complaints.
Perform other related and peripheral duties as required and necessary for the successful performance of this job.
Typical Qualifications
Education and/or Experience:
Any combination of education and experience that has provided the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary for an Accountant. A typical way of obtaining the required qualifications is to possess the equivalent of three (3) years of directly related experience in accounting, a Bachelor's degree in accounting or a related field and a High School diploma or GED.
License/Certificate:
Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid class "C" California driver's license.
Supplemental Information
Knowledge of:
Principles, practices and terminology of general, fund and governmental accounting, including financial statement preparation and methods of financial control and reporting; budgeting principles and terminology; cost accounting methods and procedures; laws and regulations relating to the financial administration of public agencies; auditing principles and practices; principles and practices of business data processing particularly related to the processing of accounting information and interpretation of input and output data; modern office equipment including a computer and applicable software; methods and techniques for report preparation and writing; complex principles of mathematics.
Skill to:
Operate an office computer and a variety of word processing and software applications.
Ability to:
Operate a computer and spreadsheet software; verify the accuracy of financial data and information; ensure proper authorization and documentation for disbursements; analyze, post, balance and reconcile complex financial data and accounts; make accurate arithmetic calculations; prepare clear, concise and complete financial documents, statements and reports; establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
Working Conditions:
Position requires prolonged or intermittent sitting, standing, walking on level, uneven, or slippery surfaces, reaching, twisting, turning, kneeling, bending, stooping, squatting and crouching. The position also requires grasping, repetitive hand movement and fine coordination in preparing reports and using a computer keyboard in the performance of daily duties. Additionally, the position requires near and far vision when reading correspondence and using a computer and acute hearing is required when providing phone service and communicating in person. The need to lift, carry, push, and pull files, reports and other materials weighing up to 40 pounds is required. The employee may occasionally be required to travel to different sites and locations; when working outdoors the incumbent may encounter extreme weather conditions, including wet, hot, cold, wind, snow, ice, and heavy vehicle traffic. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate when indoors and moderate to loud when outdoors.
AgencyCity of Hesperia
Address9700 Seventh Avenue
Hesperia, California, 92345
Phone760-947-1100
Websitewww.cityofhesperia.us