Accounting Manager, Accounting chez City of Alexandria, LA, LA

About the Department

The purpose of this classification is to perform plan, direct and coordinate work in the accounting of all City revenues and expenditures, including supervising accounting functions and staff, preparing financial statements and reports, and assisting in the management of the City’s cash flow and investments.

Position Duties

Supervises, directs, and evaluates assigned staff, processing employee concerns and problems, directing work, counseling, disciplining, and completing employee performance appraisals.

Implements and oversees accounting operations for the City; ensures adherence to established policies and procedures; ensures all accounting activities comply with local, state and federal public regulations and requirements.

Manages and reviews the daily operations of department; ensures all transactions, data entry, document processing and related activities comply with appropriate state, federal and local regulations and with accepted accounting principles; verifies the accuracy of all transactions and data; identifies discrepancies; initiates and/or implements corrective actions to resolve discrepancies and correct errors.

Reviews and implements internal controls to reduce potential of errors; tests audit trails to identify potential errors; establishes and reviews policies and procedures to ensure compliance with generally accepted accounting principles.

Manages capital assets; develops and implements capital asset policies; determines valuation and depreciation; maintains all related documentation.

Monitors accounts; reviews cash balances and cash flows; prepares and submits bid requests for certificates of deposits; receives and reviews bids; makes selections; invests excess funds as appropriate.  

Assists subordinate staff with difficult problems and/or customers; provides guidance and direction; performs daily program transactions as workload and staffing levels dictate. 

Reviews reconciliation of multiple bank accounts; identifies discrepancies and needed corrective actions; prepares journal entries and related documentation; enters changes into accounting system.  

Compiles reports for the annual audit; assists auditors with comprehensive annual financial report; coordinates and schedules the annual audit for all departments; submits confirmation notices for audits; researches and resolves problems with annual audit.

Prepares financial statements, summaries and reports; and submits to appropriate department, manager and/or City official; creates and updates queries to obtain information for financial reports; establishes and maintains a variety of department manual records and files; researches information in files upon request.  

Ensures timely preparation of all required tax return, information reporting and the payment of taxes when due; compiles financial data and information; prepares and submits documentation, forms or monies to the appropriate personnel or governing body.

Answers questions and provides information upon request; explains policies and procedures; may assist other departments, financial clerks and/or the general public with completing financial forms.

Maintains file system of departmental records; prepares departmental files; sorts/organizes documents to be filed; files documents in designated order; retrieves/replaces files; conducts records maintenance activities in compliance with guidelines governing record retention.

Prepares or completes various forms, reports, correspondence, lists, checks, purchase orders, expense reports, bank deposits, sales tax reports, or other documents.

Receives various forms, reports, correspondence, invoices, statements, applications, journal entries, bank deposit forms, expense reports, chart of accounts, policies, procedures, manuals, reference materials, or other documentation; reviews, completes, processes, forwards or retains as appropriate.

Communicates with supervisor, City employees, banking personnel, vendors, auditors, outside agencies, and other individuals as needed to coordinate work activities, review status of work, exchange information, or resolve problems.

Maintains a comprehensive, current knowledge of applicable laws/regulations; maintains an awareness of new trends and advances in the profession; attends workshops and training sessions as appropriate.

Operates a personal computer, general office or other equipment as necessary to complete essential functions, to include the use of word processing, spreadsheet, database, or other system software.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, or related field; supplemented by five (5) year(s) of progressively responsible supervisory experience, preferably in governmental accounting; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job.  Certified Public Accountant is preferred.  Must possess a valid driver’s license.  Will be required to obtain a valid State of Louisiana driver’s license at time of appointment and maintain throughout employment for this classification.