Accountant III - Citywide Examination (1654)

Company Description

THIS IS A CITYWIDE EXAM

San Francisco is a vibrant and dynamic city, on the forefront of economic growth & innovation, urban development, arts & entertainment, as well as social issues & change. This rich tapestry of culture and ideas is sustained by our City's commitment to heighten the quality of life for the diverse population of San Franciscans and residents of the greater Bay Area. Our employees play an important role not only in making our City what it is today, but also in shaping the future of San Francisco.

Specific information regarding this recruitment process are listed below:  

• Application Opening: February 3, 2025
• Application Deadline: March 3, 2025

Important Note: Transcripts must be submitted along with application or emailed to karena.phung@sfgov.org by the filing deadline to verify accounting courses completion per the minimum qualifications. Failure to submit transcript will result in disqualification from the examination process. Refer to the qualifications for additional experience and education verification information. 

Job Description

Under general direction, this class performs complex accounting duties including but not limited to: assists in providing directives and training to enhance operation efficiencies; reviews, analyzes, inputs, and posts citywide and departmental accounting transactions; participates in year-end closing activities and analyses; monitors fund expenditure projections to actual, identifies and resolves spending issues; provides management with status reports on accounting and financial activity; presents and explains accounting activity to financial and non-financial managers, co-workers and clients interprets and explains existing accounting, auditing and fiscal policies, procedures and transactions; prepares and reviews detailed complex financial reports; monitors department's financial activities; provides accounting services and technical assistance to resolve issues.

According to Civil Service Commission Rule 109, the duties specified below are representative of the range of duties assigned to this job code/class and are not intended to be an inclusive list.

1. Performs complex accounting functions in connection with budget preparation, purchasing activities, payroll analysis and grants management.

2. Processes and pre-audits accounting documents and transactions in conformance with established procedures and controls.

3. Reviews, prepares, reconciles and supervises the preparation of complex financial reports.

4. Reviews, reconciles and audits accounting records of receipts, disbursements and encumbrances to ensure fiscal accuracy and control.

5. May supervise subordinate staff by delegating, planning, directing and assigning accounting work. Includes training, coaching, and evaluating staff performance.

6. Performs fiscal year-end closing activities.

7. Analyzes, recommends new or updated fiscal policies, procedures and internal controls and re-aligns business practices to improve operations.

8. Maintains current knowledge of applicable ordinances, rules, regulations, policies and standards.

9. Presents and explains reports to financial and non-financial managers, co-workers, and clients.

10. May coordinate, define, develop and maintain financial data extracts, reports and interfaces.

11. Participates in the identification of functional processing and reporting requirements, end-users testing and documentation, implementation support for financial processing and reporting systems.

12. Participates in the identification, creation and maintenance of accounting codes and structures to ensure accurate recording, reporting and control in financial systems.

13. Performs special projects and other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university, preferably with major course work in accounting, finance, business administration, or related field. Such education must include eighteen(18) semester units or twenty-four ( 24) quarter units of coursework in accounting. AND

Four (4) years of professional accounting which includes analysis or problem solving. Experience must include: Working with an automated financial system, (preferably a government system) performing difficult and responsible accounting, as well as preparing financial records and reports. OR

2. City and County of San Francisco Employees with four (4) years of professional accounting experience including experience as a 1652 Accountant II.

Substitution:

A Master's degree in accounting, business administration, computer information systems, public policy, or a closely related field may be substitut