Principal Accountant or Trainee
General Description
This is highly responsible professional, managerial, supervisory, and administrative work in planning, coordinating and directing the accounting functions, staff and activities of the Governmental Accounting Section within the Finance Department. The employee develops, coordinates, implements, and administers complex financial systems. The work entails management of Capital Projects including TIFs and Special Assessments, and the Debt Service funds including overseeing complicated accounting transaction processing, internal/external financial reporting and ensuring audit compliance requirements. This position assists with the preparation of the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report and supporting schedules for submission to the GFOA. The employee manages, and directs the accounts receivables, special assessments and ambulance conveyance billing functions. Work is characterized by a high degree of independent judgment, discretion and considerable initiative. This position also serves as the liaison to the Public Health Madison and Dane County Joint Venture, Metropolitan Unified Fiber Network, and the Business Improvement District Component Unit. Work is performed under the general supervision of the Accounting Services Manager, and participates in the formulation of accounting and financial policies and procedures as part of the Finance Department's Management Team.
A completed application will include a cover letter in the Attachments section of the application. In your cover letter (one page maximum) please highlight the following:
- Present a brief summary of your capabilities in leading employee teams and work groups through an external audit process.
- Discuss your achievements implementing Enterprise Resource Planning or other types of software solutions.
**Failure to submit a cover letter with your application will result in immediate elimination from the recruitment process.**
NOTE: Based on the selected candidate's qualification and experience this position may be hired as a trainee position. If hired as a trainee position work assignments and applicable training are structured to provide for advancement to the class of Principal Accountant (as outlined below). The specifics of the training program will be based on the knowledge, skills and abilities of the appointee. The training program and salary advancement will be agreed upon prior to appointment. Salary is at the trainee level and expected to progress up to a 18/14 upon successful completion of the training program, which will last about two (2) years.
APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED UNTIL THE CLOSING DATE, HOWEVER THE FIRST CONSIDERATION DATE IS MARCH 17TH.
Examples of Duties and Responsibilities
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) System Administrator.
- Formulate and analyze process flows to determine impact on ERP and respective city-wide subsidiary systems.
- Consult with Departments/Divisions and determines process and reporting requirements.
- Develop and direct ERP system architecture for effective administration, compliance and reporting.
- Manage ongoing implementation and upgrading of application modules including training and required documentation
- Manage, develop, and participate in ERP system setup and settings including security, workflow, imports, allocations, reporting, conversions, and interfaces.
- Develop custom reporting solutions.
- Maintain effective employee relations by providing recommendations, training, and system support to Finance Department and other City staff.
- Manage, develop, and participate in CaseWare system set-up and settings including security, workflow, imports, allocations, conversions, and reporting for the city's annual CAFR compilation.
Managing accountant for Capital Projects, Debt Service, Special Assessments, and liaison to Public Health Madison and Dane County, MUFN, and Business Improvement District entities.
- Manage and lead all aspects of responsible governmental fund accounting. This includes supervision of daily complex accounting transactions; directing the preparation of the financial statements; participating in compliance reporting for external audits; preparation of annual borrowing Official Statements and debt requirements, IRS arbitrage compliance and reporting.
- Analyze and interpret fiscal impact of proposed legislation.
- Review, and execute city-wide contracts. Encumber contracts to ensure budget compliance.
- Consult and represent the Finance Department at Boards and Commission meetings, Alders, Department/Division heads, and City department staff regarding financial statements, projections, accounting policies and procedures.
- Lead, develop, and respond to diverse accounting issues and concerns.
Manage the accounts receivables, special assessments and ambulance conveyance billing sections and lead governmental accounting staff.
- Develop processes, priorities, and best practice standards for responsible functions.
- Lead and supervise professional, paraprofessional and clerical staff.
- Evaluate section needs, determine appropriate staffing levels and positions.
- Hire new staff; write/revise position descriptions; work with Human Resources to make position description changes/reclassifications.
- Train and develop staff.
- Perform staff disciplinary actions including development of performance plans.
- Participate in employee grievances and recommend resolutions.
- Assist other supervisory staff with racial equity and social justice initiatives.
Perform other responsibilities as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
- Two years of advanced-level accounting experience including at least two years in a technical or project leadership capacity.
- Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in Accounting, or a degree in a related program such as finance, including completion of advanced-level Accounting major coursework.
- CPA license preferred
If an applicant does not possess the specific requirements outlined above, HR will review the application materials to determine if the applicant possesses the following equivalent experience:
Four (4) years experience in applying the following:
- Professional accounting theory, principles and practices; various accounting systems and their applicability to municipal financial operations; data processing and its application to accounting systems.
- Computer software applicable to the duties of the position.
Two (2) years experience in applying the following:
- Methods, principles, and practices of effective conflict resolution.
Familiarity with the following:
- Principles and practices of governmental budgeting and purchasing procedures and practices.
- The full range of supervisory principles and practices, labor relations and personnel management.
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.
For the complete list of the knowledge, skills, and abilities, please reference the classification specification.
Special Requirements
Ability to meet the transportation requirements of the position.
Physical Requirements:
Work is primarily sedentary in nature and performed in an office environment. Employees will be expected to use standard office equipment such as a telephone, computer, calculator, copier, and fax machine.