DESCRIPTION
Under general direction, performs advanced level professional accounting and financial analysis work in the maintenance and control of the City's accounting systems; performs related duties as required.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
The Senior Accountant is a single position classification which supervises and performs complex accounting functions in the Administrative Services Department. This classification is distinguished from the Accountant classification by difficulty and complexity of work performed, supervisory responsibility and the use of a high degree of independent judgment in making decisions. Incumbents in this classification provide guidance to professional level staff.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED 
Works under the general supervision of the Deputy Director of Administrative Services/Finance.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED 
May supervise the work of para-professional and/or professional staff.

The following functions are typical for this classification.  The incumbent may not perform all of the listed functions and/or may be required to perform additional or different functions from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.  

Essential functions include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Performs the most difficult and specialized professional accounting work in the maintenance of financial records (e.g. bank reconciliations, CIP projects, fixed assets and grants). 
• Monitors and records financial transactions and assures compliance with state and federal regulations, City policies and goals, and governmental accounting standards. 
• Assists in the accounting for complex financing projects and agreements (e.g. bonds and leases). 
• Performs month-end and year-end closing of books, including all necessary entries and reconciliations.
• May prepare or assist in the preparation of complex financial reports such as the annual State Controller's Report, the Annual Street Report and the Successor Agency's Recognized Obligation Payment Schedule (ROPS). 
• Maintains City's debt records including coordinating payments to fiscal agents, preparation and dissemination of disclosure information and reconciling statements.
• Assists in the preparation and maintenance of the City's annual budget, Single Audit and Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, and various grant audit reports. 
• May assist in the selection of employees. 
• Maintain the City's chart of accounts; perform set-up and closing of general ledger at year-end; and assist in implementation and maintenance of the City's ERP system/database. 
• Provides technical and functional assistance/backup to Department staff as needed.
• May assist in the managing the City's investment portfolio.
• May perform duties of the Deputy Director of Administrative Services/Finance in his/her absence. 

QUALIFICATIONS 
Any combination of education and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities in qualifying.  A typical would be:

Education and Experience
Possession of a Bachelor's degree in accounting, finances, business administration or closely related field and four (4) years of increasingly complex professional level accounting experience.
 
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Knowledge of: generally accepted accounting principles within a municipality; advanced practices, procedures and principles of business accounting, auditing and budgeting; applicable Federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations pertaining to government accounting and/or public finance;  record keeping procedures; office procedures and equipment; applications of electronic data processing to accounting procedures; methods of data collection and evaluation; principles and practices of supervision and leadership.
 
Ability to: analyze complex accounting activities, develop conclusions and make sound recommendations; apply accounting and auditing principles and procedures; interpret and apply related laws and regulations; prepare and present reports of related activity; direct the preparation and maintenance of accurate records; work independently with little direction; supervise, plan and organize work for subordinate staff to meet deadlines; exercise sound judgment; communicate effectively both orally and in writing; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships.

Possession of or ability to obtain a California Class C driver's license and a satisfactory driving record is required.

California Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) Pull Notice System  
An incumbent appointed to this position is subject to enrollment in the California DMV Pull Notice Program.  The Pull Notice program provides information on the incumbent's driving record and Driver's License status on a periodic basis to the City of South Gate.  An employee assigned a City vehicle must acknowledge receipt and understanding of City Administrative Regulations covering the use of City vehicles.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT
The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. 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 frequently required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms.  Incumbents may be exposed to repetitive motion.  The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.  Incumbents are not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions.

RECRUITMENT PROCESS:
 
Application Packets Must Include:  A fully completed online employment application which: 

• Covers at least the past 10 years of employment history (or longer if you have other relevant experience). 
• Responses to the supplemental questionnaire. 
• Must be specific in describing your qualifications for this position.  Failure to state all pertinent information may lead to elimination from consideration.  Stating "See Resume" is not an acceptable substitute for a completed application.
• Individuals who require a reasonable accommodation to participate in any phase of the application or selection process must advise Human Resources and make such a request during the application process.  Every effort will be made to provide a reasonable accommodation where requested.   

1. Application Review: The first phase will be a detailed review and appraisal of each candidate's application.  This phase is for qualifying purposes only.  There is no weight assigned to this phase.  Those candidates who meet the minimum qualifications may be invited to the next phase. 
2. Written Examination:  If a written exam is given, a minimum of 70% must be obtained on the written exam in order to be eligible to continue to the next phase of the selection process which will consist of an oral appraisal interview.   
3. Oral Appraisal Interview: A minimum of 70% must be obtained to pass the oral appraisal interview.  
4. Employment Eligibility List:  The Employment Eligibility List will be established after completion of the examination process.  Current and future vacancies will be filled from this list.  Lists typically last for 12 months, but may be extended or abolished in accordance with the City's Civil Service rules and regulations.  

• The City supports a Drug-Free Workplace. 
• All potential employees are required to successfully complete a thorough background investigation, fingerprinting, and pass a post-offer pre-employment medical examination (which will include a drug/alcohol screening). 
• New employees must complete a verification form designated by the United States Department of Homeland Security, Citizenship and Immigration Services, that certifies eligibility for employment in the United States of America.