What are the responsibilities and job description for the Principal Accountant position at City of Madison, WI?
General Description
The City of Madison Finance Department is looking to hire our next Principal Accountant. This is a key leadership role in the Finance Department that is responsible for citywide financial reporting, enterprise resource planning, accounting policies, and internal control procedures. The Enterprise Accounting and Procurement unit in the Accounting Services section includes eight (8) full time employees and is responsible for general and enterprise accounting, accounts payable, and procurement.
A strong candidate will be knowledgeable of modified and accrual basis of accounting for governmental entities; accounts payable and purchasing card administration; procurement processes; internal controls; key management, communication, and team-building principles; and preparation of financial reports and other financial documentation.
The City of Madison has over 3,000 employees and provides public safety, public works, transit, library, parks and recreation, and planning, community and economic development services to nearly 300,000 residents. The City operates a convention center and parking, stormwater, sewer, and water utilities. It has a joint venture public health department with Dane County and has a community development and public housing authority. The City typically issues nearly $150 million of general obligation debt annually to fund equipment and long-term assets.
The position offers a hybrid work schedule of a maximum of three days per week on a remote basis. A greater in-office presence may be required periodically for meetings, events, training, onboarding, or other operational needs. This schedule may change based on operational needs and organizational requirements. The position is headquartered at the City-County Building in Madison, WI.
IMPORTANT: APPLICANTS MUST INCLUDE A COVER LETTER THAT DESCRIBES YOUR EXPERIENCE, TRAINING, AND EDUCATION AS IT RELATES TO THIS POSITION AND THAT SPECIFICALLY ADDRESSES THE FOLLOWING TWO (2) PROMPTS
1 ) Describe your experience with governmental accounting, financial reporting, and internal controls. Please include the most complex financial reports you have been responsible for, the tools used, and the organization where you gained this experience.
2) Describe your experience in leading a team or work effort, including your approach to building cohesive and inclusive teams. Please include the size of your team and your role in leading the team.
***YOUR COVER LETTER MUST BE ATTACHED IN THE ATTACHMENTS SECTION OF YOUR APPLICATION. APPLICATIONS RECEIVED WITHOUT A COVER LETTER ATTACHED OR WITH A COVER LETTER THAT FAILS TO ADDRESS THE ABOVE PROMPTS WILL IMMEDIATELY BE ELIMINATED FROM CONSIDERATION***
Our Community
The City of Madison is regularly included in lists of top places to live. A thriving food scene, more than 200 miles of trails for hiking, biking and snowshoeing, excellent healthcare, and of course great transit work together to help meet Madison’s vision to be inclusive, innovative, and thriving.
- #11 Best Places to Live in the Nation - U.S. News and World Report – 2023
- #1 Best Places to Live - Livability.com – 2021 and 2022
- #1 Best Cities for Families - SafeHome.org – 2019
- #2 ranked among top 30 mid-sized US cities for green commuting - CommercialCafe – 2024
- More Madison rankings and accolades can be found on the City's Webpage and on Destination Madison.
Black, Indigenous, people of color, women, trans, nonbinary, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. We value the unique blend of lived experiences and diverse perspectives that comes from non-traditional education pathways and the variety of transferrable skills each candidate brings to the table. We value diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Even if every item on the job posting doesn’t match your experience perfectly, we encourage you to apply and share how your skills and experience can best serve our community.
Employees may be eligible for loan forgiveness through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
Examples of Duties and Responsibilities
Perform professional and technical functions in procurement, proprietary, and governmental fund accounting:
- Oversee all aspects of City procurement. Direct the processing, operations, and staff of the procurement unit of the Finance Department.
- Lead and direct Finance Department staff in the preparation and publication of the City’s Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) and reporting requirements. Prepare complex accounting transactions and oversee the City’s accounts payable program.
- Provide technical support and training to city agency staff, including preparation of supporting training documentation. Maintain and recommend system policies and procedures.
- Ensure accurate and timely compliance with the various reporting requirements for other governmental entities and adherence to city-wide procurement guidelines, with assistance from lower level staff.
- Develop, implement, upgrade, and manage accounting and other complex Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) financial system applications, and other city-wide subsidiary systems.
Lead, supervise, and direct staff to manage daily activities and projects for Procurement, Proprietary, and Governmental Accounting funds:
- Provide leadership, policy direction, training, and expert advice to professional and technical staff in the functional areas of governmental accounting, financial management, and procurement services.
- Delegate and monitor work responsibilities and projects with the participation of lower level supervisors.
- Foster an environment of inclusion wherein all employees are treated respectfully, are valued for their strengths, and feel they can safely express themselves.
- Hire, evaluate, and train new Finance Department staff. Work with current staff to develop proper accounting techniques, complete continuing education requirements, and perform disciplinary measures as necessary to accomplish the goals of the procurement and accounting functional areas.
- Demonstrate the ability to be highly organized, detail-oriented, and accurate while adhering to deadlines; ability to work under pressure while handling multiple priorities; and ability to be diplomatic, tactful, and courteous, including during adverse situations.
Provide assistance to other City agencies and elected officials:
- Serve as a leader and resource in coordinating financial and procurement transactions; and advising personnel of accounting issues, systems, policies and procedures, and local, state, and federal regulations.
- Serve as technical advisor to elected officials and committees in evaluating and developing policies related to procurement.
- Communicate and maintain trusting relationships with City staff, business partners, and residents.
Perform other responsibilities as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
- Five (5) years of progressively responsible professional accounting experience, including conducting complex financial reporting, implementing enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, developing accounting and internal control policies, and ensuring organizational practices conform with governmental accounting standards. At least two (2) years of experience must be in governmental (fund) accounting. This may include experience in state or municipal government, public utilities, school districts, special authorities, or other governmental entities; AND
- Two (2) years of supervisory experience that includes overseeing a variety of professional staff, which may include other supervisors, multiple program areas, and/or performing a wide scope of management duties.
- Certified Public Accountant (CPA) may substitute for three (3) years of experience.
- Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, or closely related area may substitute for two (2) years of experience.
- Associate's degree in finance, accounting, or closely related area may substitute for one (1) year of experience.
For a complete list of the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities, please see the class specification.
The City of Madison strives to provide exceptional customer service to all its residents and visitors. Therefore, successful candidates will have demonstrated ability to effectively work with multicultural communities.
Special Requirements
- Ability to be bonded. Ability to meet the transportation needs of the position.
- The employee will be expected to attend meetings and provide presentations outside the normal work schedule, including evenings and weekends.
Work is performed in an office environment, using equipment such as a computer, telephone, copier, etc.