Chief Accountant

$95,680.00 - $111,716.80 Annually

• Starting Salary: $95,680.00
• After Six Months of Successful Employment: $97,760.00
• After One Year of Successful Employment: $99,424.00
• Maximum salary is achieved after four successful years of employment.
  
  

NOTE: Annual salary adjustments may also occur, based on collective bargaining agreements.

The Chief Accountant reports to the Director of Finance and is responsible for maintaining an accurate and compliant accounting system in accordance with the State Uniform Accounting Act, the City Charter, City Ordinances, and generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). This role ensures the financial integrity of the City's operations by overseeing all accounting activities, supervising staff, and producing comprehensive financial reports.

Illustrative Examples of Work

• Maintain and oversee the City’s accounting systems and records
• Ensure compliance with applicable state and municipal laws, regulations, and accounting standards
• Supervise and provide leadership to the Accounting, Payroll, and Water & Sewer Divisions of the Finance Department
• Prepare and present accurate monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements and reports
• Develop and implement accounting policies and systems to improve efficiency and accuracy
• Train and evaluate accounting staff; assign and monitor workloads to ensure timely and accurate completion
• Communicate with other departments regarding accounting issues and resolutions
• Coordinate and prepare schedules for the City’s annual audit
• Maintain and update the general ledger and Chart of Accounts
• Manage the record retention system for all accounting files and documentation
• Perform financial analyses to support decision-making by leadership and City Council
• Attend City Council, Civil Service Commission, and other special meetings as required
• Interpret and implement Council resolutions related to Finance
• Draft and maintain clear, concise documentation, procedures, and correspondence for internal and external stakeholders
• Stay up to date on laws, policies, and best practices in governmental accounting
• Perform other duties as assigned
  
  

By the closing date of this announcement, an applicant must:

• Be a citizen of the United States or resident alien with the right to work in the United States; AND
• Have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a closely related field; AND
• Have two years of full-time paid supervisory experience in the field of accounting; AND
• Have at least two years of full-time paid work experience related to governmental accounting.
  
  

NOTE: Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or other relevant certifications preferred.

PARTS OF EXAMINATION AND WEIGHTS

Excel Test - Pass/Fail Assessment Center - 100%

NOTE: If the number of candidates who pass the Excel Test exceeds five, an evaluation will be made, and the five candidates with the most relevant combination of education and experience will be invited to the Assessment Center. Applicants must pass the Excel Test and the Assessment in order to be placed on the eligible list.

• Strong knowledge of governmental accounting principles and financial reporting
• Proven leadership and supervisory experience in a finance or accounting environment
• Proficiency with accounting software and computer applications
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to analyze complex financial data and make sound recommendations
• Attention to detail and strong organizational skills
  
  

NOTE: At the time of appointment, applicants are required to pass a pre-employment medical examination conducted by a physician authorized by the City of Livonia.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this examination is to establish an eligible list to fill current, future, regular, and/or temporary vacancies.

HOW TO APPLY: Applications can be completed anytime online at www.governmentjobs.com/careers/livonia. If work experience and/or specific skills are listed as qualifications, it will be the responsibility of the applicant to describe their experience and/or skills sufficiently in the Education and Work Experience sections of the application so that it may be determined if they meet the stated qualifications. Applicants who do not comply will be disqualified from further consideration. Attachments or resumes are not accepted in place of completing the information requested on the official application. Applicants will be notified by e-mail of the next steps in the examination process.

PROBATIONARY PERIOD: Appointees must satisfactorily complete a six-month probationary period before the appointment will be considered regular.