Accountant I

The City of Temecula is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Position Description

The City of Temecula is seeking a full-time, benefited Accountant I in the Finance Department responsible for grant and Capital Improvement Project (CIP) financial administration, single audit and internal control monitoring and Community Facilities District (CFD) administration.

Accountant I Position
Specific job duties include:

• Preparation of monthly reimbursement billing requests for CIP grants
• Analysis of budget vs. actuals for CIP projects and related funding sources
• Preparation of budget adjustments throughout the fiscal year
• Conduct quarterly reconciliations of expenditures and revenues
• Assist in the preparation of the annual CIP Budget, CFD Budget and Levy process
• Assist in the preparation of the annual Schedule of Expenditure of Federal Awards (SEFA)
• Serve as liaison between all City departments in grant administration

Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate will be a skilled communicator with a friendly and approachable demeanor, who thrives in a team environment and excels at building strong, positive relationships. Strong candidates will possess one or more years of professional accounting experience, and an understanding of cost accounting principles is desirable. The ideal candidate will possess outstanding attention to detail and have strong analytical and organizational skills. Strong candidates have a working knowledge of fund accounting, cash flow principles, federal/state/local grant funding sources, significant experience in preparing intricate accounting adjustments, and have the ability to communicate effectively between departments.

Highly qualified candidates will have experience in:

• Independently creating complex account reconciliations, journal entries and budget adjustments
• Specific expertise in CIP budgeting, Schedule of Expenditure of Federal Awards (SEFA) reporting, grant administration, progress billing, and creating agenda reports for City Council
• ERP systems, Microsoft Excel (Intermediate/Advanced skill level), Microsoft Word, Tyler MUNIS

Hybrid telecommuting may be available for California residents only.

DEFINITION

Under general supervision, analyzes financial information and prepares reports and records pertaining to the City's financial activities.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

The Accountant I is an Advanced Journey level classification in the Professional Accounting series. The employee is expected to exercise independent judgment to perform a full range of governmental accounting duties. Work is performed within a framework of established procedures and with only occasional instruction or assistance. The employee requires professional accounting training and experience, has broader decision-making authority, and performs difficult and complex statistical and financial work that involves discretion and independent judgment.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives general supervision from the Director of Finance or his/her designee.

May provide lead supervision to assigned staff.

Examples of Duties

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Coordinates and prepares postings, balancing, and monthly/quarterly/annual reconciliation of the General Ledger and subsidiary accounts; prepares bank reconciliation statements
• Assists in the preparation of quarterly financial statements, including the analysis of expenditure and revenue variances from budget.

• Research, interpret and apply Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB), Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) and other professional accounting standards

• Reviews, analyzes, and audits financial records and transactions to ensure completeness and accuracy of information and calculations; prepares journal entries for adjusting and correcting records as necessary

• Analyzes, reconciles, and maintains records of various financial accounts; verifies availability of funds and classification of expenditures; researches and analyzes transactions to resolve problems and ensure adherence to budget

• Prepares a variety of financial reports, statements, and schedules for internal use and as required by county, state, and federal agencies; assists with the preparation of financial statements for the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR); conducts research and analysis of financial information; reconciles related data for submission; prepares notes, tables, and charts for inclusion in reports

• Performs comprehensive financial activity studies as directed; provides analysis of various funds upon management request

• Provides technical guidance and training to technical and clerical accounting staff

• Serves as a technical resource to City staff; provides advice and technical assistance related to accounting procedures and financial system processes

• Analyzes financial documentation processes to ensure accuracy of financial reporting and recommends changes as necessary

• Participates in the coordination of the month-end and year-end closing and audit processes, provides technical support for audits; conducts research, provides analyses, and prepares workpapers and audit schedules for independent auditors

• May develop, monitor, and maintain records on the City’s fixed assets; records asset additions and deletions; determines value of assets; calculates and records depreciation schedules, periodically reconciles fixed asset schedules to general ledger

• Performs routine technical accounting work in the administration and maintenance of special fund accounts; balances and reconciles expenditures against invoices; monitors and prepares periodic reports on special funds and expenditures

• May participate and review the work of staff responsible for providing customer service involving the issuance of business license certifications and cashiering. Assist with the processing of business licenses, research and respond to customer’s inquiries.

• Identifies and researches issues, errors and problems and develops and provides recommendations to ensure issues are fully resolved

• May participate in the preparation of the City payroll and the maintenance of payroll records and reports

• May participate in departmental budget preparation and administration; analyzes expenditures and revenue transactions against budget projections and historical data; prepares worksheets and summaries of budget data

• Prepares and writes a variety of reports and documentation, including detailed Risk Management incident reports

• Performs other duties of a similar nature

Minimum Qualifications

A combination of education, experience, and training that has provided the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities is required for entry into the classification. The City of Temecula utilizes equivalencies to substitute two years of applicable experience and similar responsibility for one year of college in order for a candidate to meet Minimum Qualifications. A typical combination of education, experience, and training for this classification includes:

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college/university in Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field; and one (1) year of general accounting experience.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

• Principles, practices, and methods of modern accounting, budgeting, and financial reporting
• Federal, state, and local laws and regulations pertaining to governmental accounting
• Specialized accounting and report writing software, Microsoft Excel/Word software
• Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB), Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB)
• Occupational hazards and safety measures appropriate to work performed

Skill to:

• Operate various types of standard office equipment, including a personal computer and related software
• Operate a motor vehicle in a safe manner

Ability to:

• Evaluate situations, identify problems, and exercise sound independent judgment within established guidelines
• Effectively and accurately analyze data and information using established criteria in order to determine consequences, identify alternatives, and draw logical conclusions
• Prepare accurate, comprehensive, and precise financial statements, reports, and analysis
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing
• Establish and maintain courteous, cooperative, and effective working relationships with those encountered in the course of work
• Interpret, explain, and apply pertinent policies, procedures, and standards
• Plan, organize, and prioritize projects and tasks in order to meet strict deadlines
• Use proper English, spelling, grammar and punctuation
• Serve as emergency services worker in the event of an emergency

LICENSES AND/OR CERTIFICATES

Possession of a valid California Class C driver's license and an acceptable driving record.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Satisfactory results from a background investigation and administrative screening. The administrative screening may include a pre-employment drug screening for positions which are designated as safety sensitive or security sensitive, including but not limited to being responsible for the care and custody of children and operating heavy equipment.

Supplemental Information

WORKING CONDITIONS & PHYSICAL DEMANDS :

The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand and sit; talk or hear both in person and by telephone; use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate equipment needed to carry out duties of the position; and reach with hands and arms. The employee frequently stands or walks, and lifts and moves records and documents or objects weighing up to 50 pounds alone, and up to 100 pounds with assistance. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

The employee is regularly required to use written and oral communication skills; read and interpret data; use math and mathematical reasoning; analyze and solve problems; learn and apply new information; perform highly detailed work on multiple, concurrent tasks; meet intensive and changing deadlines and interact with City staff, customers, vendors, contractors, and the public.

The employee typically works in office conditions; the noise level is frequently quiet or moderately quiet, at or below 50 decibels.

This recruitment will establish an eligibility list which may be used to fill future vacancies in the same classification or below in the same classification series for both project and authorized positions.

PLEASE NOTE: If you are a CalPERS annuitant, please be advised that this position does not meet the statutory criteria for post-retirement employment because the incumbent will be performing regular staff duties for an undetermined duration. Employment in this capacity would require you to rescind your retirement and reinstate as a current member of CalPERS.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION :
Flexibly Staffed: Yes
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Conflict of Interest: Not Required
Department: Finance
Bonding Required: No

The City of Temecula is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Benefit Summary for Full-Time Represented Employees

Full-time represented employees enjoy a generous allotment of $1,800 per month to purchase a variety of benefit options detailed below.

City Contributions
The City provides a Health Flex Contribution (HFC) of$600 per month that may be used for enrollment in the City’s health, dental, or vision insurance, or a health flexible spending account. Any unused portion of the HFC will be forfeited.

A Cafeteria Allotment of $1,200 per month may be used to pay premiums for health, dental, vision, mandatory group life and disability insurance, and health or dependent care flexible spending accounts. Any unused cafeteria allotment will be paid to the employee as taxable income.

Health Insurance
The City’s health plans are administered by CalPERS. We offer a variety of health plans, including HMOs and PPOs.

Dental Insurance
Dental coverage is offered through MetLife. Employees have the option of HMO or PPO plans with rich benefits at competitive rates.

Vision Insurance
EyeMed provides the City’s vision plan. In addition to extensive coverage at a low rate, EyeMed partners with service providers and retailers throughout the region.

Life and AD&D Insurance
All City employees are required to enroll in a basic life and AD&D group policy in the amount of $50,000. Additional life insurance is also available for employees and their family members.

Short- and Long-Term Disability
All City employees are required to enroll in short- and long-term disability insurance. This insurance pays 2/3 of the employee’s wages if the employee is off work due to an illness or injury outside of work.

Flexible Spending Accounts
The flexible spending accounts provided by the City allow you to pay for certain health and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.

Supplemental Plans
Supplemental plans through Aflac can help you bridge the gap in your existing health insurance. Plans include Accident Indemnity, Hospital Indemnity and Critical Illness Protection.

Retirement
Authorized employees are enrolled in the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS). The City offers the followingretirement plans depending upon eligibility:

Classic Tier 1 Members:
This category applies to employees hired by the City of Temecula before 9/24/11. The retirement formula is 2.7% @ 55 with an 8% employee contribution; however, the City pays 5% of the employee's contribution.

Classic Tier 2:
This category applies to employees hired by the City of Temecula on or after 9/24/11, and are considered "classic"CalPERSMembers . The retirement formula is 2% @ 60 with a 7% employee contribution; however, the City pays 4% of the employee's contribution.

PEPRA Members:
This category applies to employees who are hired by the City of Temecula after 1/1/13 and are new toCalPERSmembership. The retirement formula is 2% @ 62 with a 7.25% employee contribution.

Deferred Compensation Plans
The City partners with both MissionSquare and Nationwide Retirement Solutions to provide you with additional options to fund your retirement.

Comprehensive Annual Leave (CAL)
The City encourages work/life balance. We offer paid Comprehensive Annual Leave (CAL) that can be used for rest and relaxation, personal business or personal/family illness.

Holidays
City employees receive a total of 13 paid holidays each calendar year. This includes 12 observed holidays and one floating holiday each year.

Bonding Leave
The City believes bonding with a new child is vitally important for families. Employees are provided up to eight weeks of bonding leave for the purpose of bonding with their child in connection with birth, adoption, or foster care placement. Bonding leave is paid at the rate of 2/3 of the employee’s base salary and may be used for up to one year following the birth, adoption or foster care placement.

Tuition Reimbursement
The City offers Tuition Reimbursement of up to $1,500 per fiscal year for job related education or training that will benefit the employee in their position.

ComputerLoan Program
After one full year of employment, the City provides employees with an interest-free loan of up to $2,000 to purchase a personal computer, iPad, or similar "computer tablet" device.

Closing Date/Time: 9/9/2024 11:59 PM Pacific

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