Accountant

*This position is open until filled. Early application is encouraged as we will review applications throughout the advertising period and reserve the right to close the position based on the number of applications received.**  

The City of Palm Desert provides exemplary and sustainable services, amenities and programs for the benefit of the local and surrounding communities. When you interact with a City employee, you will find our collaborative, driven and efficient staff working together to provide strategic solutions for the community and each other. We are a city focused on external and internal customer service and try to find a way to say “yes,” while not compromising the City’s or our own integrity.
 
Our efforts are guided by our core values:  

• Integrity 
• Stewardship 
• Service 
• Community 
• Innovation 
• Teamwork  

THE OPPORTUNITY

Under direction, oversees and performs a variety of professional accounting duties that require the application of accounting principles and practices in maintaining fiscal controls and records, preparing transactions, and initiating reports; and performs related duties as assigned.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED 

Receives supervision from management staff.  Does not directly or indirectly supervise other professional staff but may provide work direction to subordinate technical or clerical employees.  

This is a journey-level classification that describes responsibility for performing a full range of professional accounting duties.   Incumbents are expected to work independently and be fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of assigned projects and programs.  Assignments are given within general guidelines and incumbents are responsible for establishing objectives, timelines, and methods to deliver work products.  Work is periodically reviewed for soundness, appropriateness, and conformity to policy and requirements.  

Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Provides responsible professional and technical assistance in the administration and implementation of the City's financial, auditing, and accounting programs, including payroll administration. 
• Reviews and evaluates capitalized fixed assets to ensure accurate reporting and compliance, including preparation and reconciliation of CIP/WIP schedules and participation in year-end close processes.
• Reviews accounting and financial documents to ensure accuracy of information and calculations; maintains expenditure and budgetary control accounts; makes correcting entries and adjustments as necessary.
• Examines supporting documentation to establish proper authorization and conformance with agreements, contracts, grants, and state and federal regulations.
• Performs bank reconciliations; monitors and maintains the City’s bank accounts; runs bank statements; reviews deposits and returned checks; resolves exceptions; prepares and reconciles cash reports.
• Completes month-end closing procedures by balancing funds, maintaining account structure, preparing journal entries, verifying vouchers, processing reallocation and budget adjustments, balancing cash, and producing reports.
• Prepares journal entries and reconciles general ledger and subsidiary accounts by analyzing and recording postings from payroll, accounts payable, cash receipts, accounts receivable, trial balance reports, grants, bonds, debt service payments, and interest income; analyzes expenditures and revenues; reconciles accounts; prepares monthly and annual financial reports.
• Maintains various loan accounts and records by applying and posting payments, reviewing and verifying reimbursements, analyzing accounts, remitting collections, and preparing mandated forms and related documentation.
• Monitors expenditures, revenues, and budget allocations to determine the City's financial status. 
• Calculates and processes monthly payroll remittances including taxes, deferred compensation, insurance, and retirement; assists in implementing the provisions of Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) statements to ensure compliance with retirement plan funding requirements.
• Prepares audit schedules; provides data to auditors for year-end audit; responds to questions from auditors on reviewed documents or transactions.
• Assists in the preparation, analysis, and adjustment of budgets for departmental and City funds; prepares and coordinates budget appropriation transfers.
• Confers with departmental representatives and provides information regarding accounting processes.
• Reviews and recommends modifications to accounting systems and procedures.
• Establishes and maintains internal control procedures and ensures that accounting standards are met.
• Performs financial record keeping, analysis, and reporting of various City programs and projects as assigned.
• Performs duties of a disaster services worker in event of an emergency.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge of:

• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulatory codes, ordinances, and procedures relevant to assigned area of responsibility.
• Modern principles, practices, and methods of public and governmental accounting and financing, including budgeting and auditing and their application to municipal operations. 
• Accounting cycles and associated reporting requirements.
• General principles and practices of data processing and its applicability to accounting operations. 
• Principles and practices of data research, analysis, and report preparation.
• Record keeping principles and procedures. 
• Modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment and applications related to the work.
• English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation. 
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff.

Ability to:

• Interpret, apply, and explain applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules, regulations, ordinances, and City policies and procedures relevant to assigned area of responsibility.
• Perform a diverse range of accounting tasks in the analysis and reporting of financial transactions.
• Prepare, examine, analyze and verify, clear, complete, and concise financial documents and reports.  
• Analyze financial data and draw sound conclusions. 
• Perform arithmetic, financial, and statistical computations accurately.
• Establish and maintain a variety of filing, record-keeping, and tracking systems.
• Organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines. 
• Effectively use computer systems, software, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
• Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone, and in writing.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work. 

Education and Experience:

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Equivalent to graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in accounting, finance, economics, business or public administration, or a closely related field; AND two (2) years of professional accounting experience. 

Licenses and Certifications:

 Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California Driver’s License by time of appointment.

Physical Demands

Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person, before groups, and over the telephone.  This is primarily a sedentary office classification although standing and walking between work areas may be required.   Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information.  Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 10 pounds with the use of proper equipment.  Reasonable accommodations will be made for individuals on a case-by-case basis.

Environmental Elements

Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances.   Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.    

Salary : $91,083 - $125,029