Description ABOUT THE POSITION: The Accountant/Auditor is a full-time position assigned to the City of Monterey Finance Department. The ideal candidate will possess excellent technical, customer service, and organizational skills and an understanding of generally accepted accounting principles. Moreover, the successful candidate will be detail-oriented, and innovative, and enjoy collaborating with other team members and interacting with the public.
The Finance Department's goals are to proactively manage the City's financial functions in a manner that maintains the City's fiscal integrity, addresses its long-range financial needs, provides timely, accurate, and user-friendly financial information, and provides outstanding products and services to its customers. ABOUT THE CITY OF MONTEREY: Nestled along California's Central Coast, the City of Monterey is known for its natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, hospitality, and sense of community. The City of Monterey is a full-service charter city operating under a Council-Manager form of government.
The City of Monterey is a full-service city that provides police, fire, public works, planning, recreation, and parks services and operates its conference center, sports center, parking, and marina facilities. WHY WORK FOR US. The City of Monterey offers a competitive benefits package to full-time employees.
Some of these benefits include a Health Spending Fund, Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance, Vacation Accruals, Sick Leave, 14 Paid Holidays, Education Incentive Pay, Tuition Reimbursement Programs, CalPERS Retirement, and more. Application Process All applicants must submit a resume and cover letter with your application. Please include on your resume and/or application what field your degree is in.
A limited number of applicants who clearly show that they most closely meet the needs of this position in terms of training, experience, education, and other job-related characteristics will be accepted to participate in the selection process. This process will include evaluation and initial screening of the standard on-line City application to determine which candidates progress to the next phase of the recruitment process. The subsequent selection process may include a written test/written exercise, performance exercise, panel interview, and a final departmental interview.
The Human Resources Department reserves the right to make changes to components of the examination process. As a condition of employment, the selected candidate will be required to successfully pass a Live Scan fingerprint background check and reference check. Depending on the position, as a condition of employment, the selected candidate may also be required to pass a physical exam including a drug screen and a federal background check to gain access to military and police facilities and systems.
Positions that require work on a military installation will involve job duties performed on-site and therefore require passing a background check conducted by the Department of Defense (DoD). Candidates who successfully progress through all phases of this recruitment process will be placed on an eligible list. The eligible list is active for 12 months and may be used to fill additional positions including lower-level positions, regular part-time, and part-time temporary seasonal, determined to have similar duties and requirements.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER: The City of Monterey provides outstanding services to the public and is deeply committed to a community and workforce that is inclusive, equitable, and diverse. We welcome and encourage applications from all qualified applicants, including underrepresented minorities that contribute to the diversification and enrichment of ideas and perspectives. The City of Monterey does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, or based on an individual's status in any group of class protected by applicable federal, state or local law.
SUMMARY: Under general direction, to perform a variety of governmental accounting, auditing, and/or data processing functions in the maintenance of accounting records for City departments, programs and special funds. DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS: The Accountant/Auditor is the third level of the accounting series. It differs from the lower class of Accounting Specialist in that the Accountant/Auditor interprets policies for staff and the general public and performs higher level accounting functions including general ledger and compiling and analyzing financial data for compliance with regulations and policies.
The Accountant/Auditor differs from the next higher class of Senior Accountant in that the latter is a management level classification and performs the most advanced and complex accounting tasks within the Finance Department. Examples of Duties ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. Factors such as regular attendance at the job are not routinely listed in job descriptions, but are an essential function.
Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following: Perform basic accounting activities, including general ledger, accounts payable and receivable, payroll, grants, and special funds. Perform work in compliance with state and federal regulations, City policies and procedures, and government accounting standards. Maintain and reconcile accounting records, research financial issues, and resolve discrepancies within scope of authority and training; duties may vary according to job assignment.
Maintain financial records and associated accounting systems. Process transactions, update accounts, compile documentation, and generate reports; review and validate data. Maintain additional accounting and technical transaction databases as needed; review and process payroll data.
Compile, summarize, and analyze financial data, and prepare and file special financial reports. Monitor accounting documents for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with City policies and practices. May provide training and assistance to subordinate staff.
Support the relationship between the City of Monterey and the general public by demonstrating courteous and cooperative behavior when interacting with citizens, visitors, and City staff. Maintain confidentiality of work-related issues and City information. Perform other job-related duties within the scope of this job classification as assigned.
Typical Qualifications MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Education: Completion of a Bachelor's degree from a college or university in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a closely related field. Experience: Two (2) years experience in governmental accounting. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
Supplemental Info Knowledge of: City policies and procedures. State and federal laws, statutes, rules, and regulations governing municipal accounting functions. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles for Public Sector financial management.
Business and personal computers, and financial spreadsheet software applications. Skill in: Interpreting and applying state and federal accounting rules and regulations, and City policies. Monitoring financial documents, and assuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
Reviewing interrelated financial and technical records, and identifying and reconciling errors. Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with co-workers. Communicating effectively verbally and in writing.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT: Physical Demands Standing & Walking - Primarily sedentary classification although standing in work areas and walking between work areas may be required. Sitting - Ability to work in a seated position at a computer station for extended periods of time. Lifting - Ability to safely lift up to 20 pounds; this requirement includes bending at knees to facilitate proper lifting techniques.
Manual Dexterity - Ability to perform multiple work activities requiring a significant level of physical and mental coordination, such as operating a computer keyboard; copying, and adding machines. Visual - Ability to read printed materials and view a computer screen for long periods. Hearing and Speech - Ability to communicate in person, before groups, and over the telephone.
Mobility - Ability to work in a standard office setting and operate a motor vehicle to visit various meeting sites, reach, carry, push, pull, stoop, and bend. 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.
DISASTER SERVICE WORKERS: All City of Monterey employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the City requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.