Job Title: Principal Accountant

SUMMARY

Under general supervision, performs highly responsible and complex administrative and professional accounting work; provides professional and technical guidance to professional accounting staff; assists in the preparation of the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report; researches and analyzes difficult and highly technical transactions; maintains fiscal accountability for programs funded by grants and other methods, assists in the development and installation of new accounting and cost systems; and performs other duties as assigned.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

This confidential class is part of the flexibly staffed Accountant Series. Incumbents follow general guidelines and technical and administrative standards, exercising independence in resolving problems and/or developing recommendations on potential solutions. The Principal Accountant exhibits a high level of expertise in terms of knowledge, skills, and abilities. This class is distinguished from the Senior Accountant and Accountant I/II classification by the Principal Accountant's responsibility for performing the most complex accounting work for the City or having a supervisory or lead role in providing technical and professional guidance in the day-to-day work of professional staff.

The Accountant Series includes Accountant, Senior Accountant, and Principal Accountant. Depending upon assignments, some positions may be permanently allocated to this level and some positions may be designated as flexibly staffed at various levels in the series.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED:

General direction is provided by the Accounting Manager and Finance Director. Responsibilities may include direct supervision or lead work of professional, technical, and clerical personnel.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include, but are not limited to, the following.

• Assists in the preparation of the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) by gathering information, modifying and running focus reports, preparing detailed reconciliations of balance sheet accounts, preparing adjustments, schedules, and footnotes, and (in conjunction with the Accounting Manager) oversees the production of all aspects of the CAFR; assists and takes a major role in working closely with the external auditors towards the facilitation and completion of the annual, external audits, and production of the CAFR.
• Assists City departments and related organizations in a myriad of accounting issues including review and approval of accounting transactions; researches and analyzes transactions to resolve questions and budget problems.
• Provides professional and technical guidance to professional accounting staff; maintains professional competence; reviews and applies new or revised laws, regulations, and accounting standards; participates in the Accounting management team to plan, organize, direct, problem solve, and provides leadership to the staff in order to accomplish to objectives of the division, maintains high quality work products, and professionalism.
• If assigned to a supervisory or lead role, plans, directs and reviews the work of professional and technical staff performing a wide range of accounting activities; instructs staff in work procedures; provides input into selection, work evaluation and disciplinary decisions.
• Assists in determining scope, objectives, data and procedures necessary to conduct the operational activities of the assigned unit.