Principal Accountant - Department of Finance

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The City of San José is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants for all job openings will be considered without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status or any other consideration made unlawful under any federal, state or local laws. The City of San José is committed to offering reasonable accommodations to job applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact us at 408-535-1285, 711 (TTY), or via email at CityCareers@sanjoseca.gov.

The Finance Department is currently seeking to fill one (1) full-time Principal Accountant vacancy in the Accounting Division. If you are interested in this position, please apply (see instructions below)!

The mission of the Finance Department is to manage, protect, and report on City of San José financial resources to enhance the City’s financial condition for residents, businesses, and investors.

The Finance Department has five core divisions:

• Accounting
• Administration
• Debt & Treasury Management
• Purchasing & Risk Management
• Revenue Management

The Finance Department works in partnership with the departments of Human Resources, Information Technology, and Public Works as the City’s Strategic Support City Service Area to effectively develop, manage, and safeguard City fiscal, physical, technological, and human resources to enable and enhance the delivery of City services and projects. The Finance Department has a $27.4 million operating budget and 128 budgeted full-time equivalent (FTE) positions.

The Department of Finance currently has one (1) vacant Principal Accountant position in the Accounting Division overseeing the Accounts Payable and Payroll units.  Under general supervision from the Deputy Director, this Principal Accountant directs and manages the Disbursement for the Accounts Payable and Payroll functions of the Accounting Division.  The Principal Accountant has three direct reports (1 supervising accountant and 2 senior accountants) and eleven indirect reports (1 senior accountant, 4 accountants, and 6 paraprofessionals/clerical positions). 

This position manages all aspects of the City’s payroll process including the generation of 7,500 bi-weekly paychecks and all related finance payroll process and associated accounting entries ensuring they are accurately journalized in the City’s General Ledger for the preparation of financial reports related to the City’s payroll.  The accurate and timely monitoring of these items affect all department personnel budget expenses for a gross annual payroll of over $1.0 billion.  Responsibilities also include communicating issues and organizational changes related to payroll processes through City publications, Finance websites, payroll training programs, ensuring compliance with the requirements of the City’s 13 bargaining unit agreements and 2 non-union employee groups, as well as defining and documenting system changes related to payroll requirement, and working with the Information Technology Department to implement changes required in the Oracle PeopleSoft HR / Payroll System. 

In addition to payroll, this position oversees key Accounts Payable functions including annual processing of approximately 20,500 vendor payments totaling $1.06 billion and compliance to various reporting requirements.   

The essential duties of this position include, but are not limited to the following: 

• Supervising the disbursements for the Account Payable and Payroll units within the Accounting Division.
• Facilitating and maintaining fiscal and internal controls in the payroll and accounts payable areas.
• Overseeing the preparation of financial reports according with federal and state rules, regulations and laws, City policies and procedures, and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
• Developing, implementing, and evaluating fiscal policies, procedures, and practices and initiating action for improvement.
• Reviewing and approving accounting transactions pertained to payroll and accounts payable for input into the various financial systems of the City and its related entities and departments.
• Directing and participating in the resolution of complex fiscal, financial, and accounting issues which have a significant impact on the City’s financial condition and/or operations.
• Managing all aspects of the Accounts Payable and Payroll functions, including coordination of City-wide annual audits and various special audits involving state and federal agencies, CPA firms, the City’s independent auditor, and the City Auditor.
• Overseeing and providing technical guidance on accounting issues related to payroll and accounts payable.
• Serving as the Accounting Division liaison for Public Records Act (PRA) requests related to Payroll and Accounts Payable, coordinating with the City Attorney’s Office, City Clerk, and other departments to ensure timely, accurate, and compliant responses.
• Providing assistance to City departments regarding City accounting policies and procedures and resolving complex accounting and financial issues.
• Conducting City-wide training sessions related to payroll and accounts payable processes and procedures.
• Establishing job expectations, performing probationary and annual performance appraisals, and managing performance and disciplinary issues.
• Serving as the Acting Deputy Director of Finance, Accounting or representing the Deputy Director in the incumbent’s absence.

(These qualifications are typically required.  An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to satisfactorily perform the duties of the job may be substituted.) 

Education

Completion of a Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university with an emphasis in Accounting, Finance, or a closely related field, including eighteen semester units of accounting.

Experience

Five years of increasingly responsible professional experience in accounting or financial management including two years of supervising professional accountants.

Acceptable Substitution

None

Licenses/Certificates

Possession of a valid State of California driver's license authorizing operation of a motor vehicle in California.

(Incumbents may be required to have different combinations of the listed qualifications, certifications or more specific job-related qualifications depending on the position.)

Certifications

Possession of a Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) Certification and/or a Certified Public Accountant (CPA)

The ideal candidate will possess the following competencies, as demonstrated in past and current employment history.  

Job Expertise: Demonstrates knowledge of and experience with accounting professional/technical principles and practices, Citywide and departmental accounting procedures/policies and federal and state rules and regulations, including Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), and State of California Tax and Labor codes.

Analytical Thinking: Approaching a problem or situation by using a logical, systematic, sequential approach. 

Communication Skills: Effectively conveys information and expresses thoughts and facts clearly, orally and in writing; demonstrates effective use of listening skills; displays openness to other people's ideas and thoughts.

Computer Skills: Experienced with common business computer applications including but not limited to: MS Outlook, MS Word, MS PowerPoint, MS Access, and MS Excel. 

Initiative: Exhibits resourceful behaviors toward meeting job objectives; anticipates problems, is proactive, and avoids difficulties by planning ahead; displays willingness to assume extra responsibility and challenges; pursues continuing education opportunities that promotes job performance.

Leadership: Leads by example; demonstrates high ethical standards; remains visible and approachable and interacts with others on a regular basis; promotes a cooperative work environment, allowing others to learn from mistakes; provides motivational supports and direction. 

Multi-Tasking: Can handle multiple projects and responsibilities simultaneously; has handled a wide variety of assignments in past and/or current position(s).

Supervision: Sets effective long and short-term goals based on a good understanding of management practices; establishes realistic priorities within available resources; provides motivational support; empowers others; assigns decision-making and work functions to others in an appropriate manner to maximize organizational and individual effectiveness. 

Teamwork & Interpersonal Skills: Develops effective relationships with co-workers and supervisors by helping others accomplish tasks and using collaboration and conflict resolution skills.

Selection Process: 

The selection process will consist of an evaluation of the applicant's training and experience based on the application and responses to the job specific questions. Only those candidates whose backgrounds best match the position will be invited to proceed in the selection process. Additional phases of the selection process will consist of one or more interviews.  You must answer all questions to be considered, or your application will be deemed incomplete and withheld from further consideration.  If you have questions about the duties of these positions, the selection or hiring processes, please contact Rebecca Hannagan at HR_Finance@sanjoseca.gov.  

Additional Information:

Employment Eligibility:  Federal law requires all employees to provide verification of their eligibility to work in this country. Please be informed that the City of San Jose will NOT sponsor, represent or sign any documents related to visa applications/transfers for H1-B or any other type of visa which requires an employer application.  

You must answer all job-specific questions to be considered for this vacancy or your application will be deemed incomplete and withheld from further consideration. Applicants are expected to write their own essays/responses.  

Please note that applications are currently not accepted through CalOpps or any other third party job board application system.

This recruitment may be used to fill multiple positions in this, or other divisions or departments. If you are interested in employment in this classification, you should apply to ensure you are considered for additional opportunities that may utilize the applicants from this recruitment.

Please allow adequate time to complete the application and submit before the deadline or the system may not save your application.  If your online application was successfully submitted, you will receive an automatic confirmation email to the email address you provided.  IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE THE CONFIRMATION, please email CityCareers@sanjoseca.gov and we will research the status of your application. 

AI and the Hiring Process

We recognize that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming part of daily life and can be a valuable tool for learning, research, and professional growth. We encourage candidates to use AI responsibly as a support in preparing application materials, live assessments, and interviews. However, we value authenticity, accuracy and truthfulness. Application responses and interview answers must reflect your own knowledge, skills, and experiences. While AI can supplement preparation, it cannot replace the originality and judgment we look for in our employees. This ensures fairness, transparency, and equity for all applicants in the hiring process.