Senior Accountant

Salary : $93,352.68 - $114,612.96 Annually
Location : Novato, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 2025-10
Department: Administrative Services
Division: Finance
Opening Date: 03/10/2025
Closing Date: Continuous

Job Description

Come Join Our Team!
THE CITY OF NOVATO IS RECRUITING
FOR

SENIOR ACCOUNTANT
Application Deadline: Open Until Filled

*First Review of Applications on Monday, March 24, 2025*
The City of Novato is seeking a highly skilled and detail-oriented Senior Accountant to join our dynamic Finance team. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced accounting professional to play a critical role in maintaining the City's financial integrity and supporting key financial functions, including general ledger management, financial reporting, and complex analysis.

We are looking for a proactive and analytical leader who thrives in a fast-paced environment and enjoys problem-solving. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in governmental accounting, financial reporting, and internal controls, along with the ability to provide technical guidance to staff and collaborate with multiple departments. This position offers the opportunity to take on challenging projects, contribute to process improvements, and ensure compliance with accounting principles and regulations.

At the City of Novato, we value professionalism, innovation, and teamwork. If you are passionate about accounting in the public sector and are eager to make a meaningful impact on our community, we encourage you to apply!

Additional Benefits

• Flexible work hours with potential for scheduled telecommute days
• 9/80 work schedule, every other Friday off
• City monthly contribution up to $2,893.54 toward health premium
• Accrue vacation at a rate of 80 hours per year, to start
• Provided with 40 hours of sick leave upon hire
• 14 paid holidays per year
• 108 hours of Administrative Leave per year
• Qualified Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Agency
• Free parking on site
• Office is within walking distance of terrific restaurants, shopping, and the downtown SMART station

THE CITY OF NOVATO

Novato residents enjoy a thriving and family-oriented community with abundant educational, recreational, retail, and business opportunities. Residents are actively involved in important local quality of life decisions and the future direction of their City. The City Council encourages a high level of interaction between its citizenry and city government so that important issues are collaboratively explored and ideas are shared to develop the best possible outcomes. With a population of nearly 56,000, the community continues to foster a small-town atmosphere due to its low population density, large open space areas and parks, vibrant downtown, and inclusive community. With an abundance of natural beauty, a rich history, comfortable neighborhoods, a diversified economy, a promising life sciences industry, and passage of Measure M, the City is well-positioned to continue to thrive into the 21st century!

Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

DEFINITION
Under administrative direction, performs a wide range of advanced professional accounting work in maintaining the general ledger and in performing various complex analytical work; applies principles of accounting to analyze financial information; provides information on accounting practices, procedures, and the City's computer-based financial system; prepares, examines, analyzes, and verifies financial statements and records; prepares financial and statistical reports; may provide lead supervision to other accounting staff; provides highly responsible staff assistance to the Finance Director in a variety of fiscal and administrative assignments; and performs related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
This is an advanced journey-level class in the accounting series. The Senior Accountant is expected to perform the full range of professional accounting work; have a thorough knowledge of accounting systems and procedures, and have the ability to exercise independent judgement and analytical skills within established systems and procedures under the direction of the Finance Director. This class is distinguished from the Accountant II and Accountant I class by the complexity of the work assigned and the addition of lead responsibilities.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Receives general direction from the Finance Director. May exercise lead direction over other accounting department staff.
Example of Duties
Depending on assignment, essential duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Essential Functions

• Performs advanced professional level financial accounting duties, including general accounting, cash management, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and other accounting functions.
• Prepares financial and statistical statements, fiscal reports, and financial reviews in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)
• Provides technical assistance, lead direction, training, and work review to assigned staff engaged in such activities as accounts payable and receivables, investments, revenue, collections, business licensing, and cashiering; organizes and assigns work, sets priorities, and follows up to ensure coordination and completion of assigned work.
• Maintains and supervises the maintenance of general ledger and subsidiary ledgers of various funds; performs year-end review of accounts, prepares adjusting and closing entries, and prepares year-end financial statements; reconciles information produced by automated financial reporting systems with accounting records.
• Analyzes and reconciles expenditure and revenue accounts; processes transfers of expenditures and appropriations; prepares, analyzes, and verifies statements of financial condition, including schedules of balance sheets, investments, cash balances, fund balances, revenue, expenditure, and statistical reports.
• Assists with the annual financial audit, coordinates with auditors, and prepares audit schedules.
• Implements new Government Accounting Standards Board (GASB) pronouncements.
• Responds to special requests for financial data and analysis, provides information to other local, state, and federal agencies as requested.
• Prepares financial analyses, cost studies and other special financial projects; may oversee the work of consultants.
• Participates in financial and cost analysis activities related to matters that fall within the scope of bargaining.
• Oversee, direct, and participate in grant administration, compliance, reporting, and reimbursement.
• Assists City departments/divisions with evaluating City financial controls.
• Attend, provide reports, agenda materials, or support for City Council meetings, as necessary.
• Oversees, prepares, coordinates, and participates in the audit process with external auditors and other auditing agencies; assists outside auditors and explains City policies and procedures.
• Provides, or arranges for, the provision of necessary audit schedules, deadlines, reports, data, and information; establishes and assigns deadlines for City operating departments to submit needed data.
• Gathers, analyzes, and interprets audit data and prepares audit documentation.
• Performs internal control auditing of departmental revenue collections and petty cash funds.
• Participates in the investment of City funds; formulates recommendations and maintains financial records concerning City investments.
• Assists accounting department staff with debt management and Successor Agency reporting activities.
• Coordinates activities with the Information Technology Division to develop, modify, and assist in problem resolution relative to the City's automated financial management systems; advises users on City's automated financial system.
• Advises departments on the interpretation of policies and guidelines related to the City's financial services and fiscal management.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Additional Duties:
In addition to the duties listed in the Essential Duties section, employees in this classification may perform the following duties:

• Assists in the preparation of the annual City budget and mid-year review.
• As needed, reviews payroll information; assists and participates in payroll and employee benefit payment activities, including maintaining associated wage, salary, payroll tax, pension, and benefit payment records; participates in the preparation of quarterly tax returns, W-2's, and various mandated reports in compliance with Federal and State requirements.

Typical Qualifications
Knowledge of:

• Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) statements, governmental audit procedures and their application to governmental accounting systems, accounting transactions, financial analysis, financial reporting, financial statement preparation, and research techniques.
• Municipal accounting and budgetary principles, practices, operations, and procedures.
• Knowledge of applicable Federal, State, and local laws, regulatory codes, ordinances, and procedures affecting municipal finance administration.
• Complex statistical research and analysis techniques.
• Principles and practices of fund accounting.
• Project management principles and practices.
• Confidential record keeping methods.
• Effective time management principles and practices.
• Principles of payroll processing, management, and reporting.
• Principles and practices of governmental cost and budgetary accounting and analysis.
• Approved principles and standard practices of centralized computer-based accounting, auditing, treasury management, and revenue administration.
• Current computer systems and application programs such as Microsoft Office Suite, and Enterprise Resource Planning systems.
• English grammar, vocabulary, syntax, spelling, and punctuation at a level sufficient to perform the duties of the position and communicate and write in a clear, concise, and understandable manner for staff and the public.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff.

Ability to:

• Perform a wide variety of complex professional accounting work.
• Apply accounting theory and expertise to work assignments.
• Interpret and explain accounting policies and procedures.
• Analyze fiscal data and draw logical conclusions.
• Use critical thinking and sound logical principles to identify and resolve problems and issues relating to fiscal and/or administrative operations.
• Review and verify the accuracy of financial data.
• Analyze, post, balance, and reconcile financial ledgers, reports, and accounts.
• Communicate clearly and accurately, both orally and in writing.
• Create and maintain complex spreadsheets used for tracking and analysis.
• Maintain confidentiality as required.
• Prepare accurate financial reports.
• Understand, interpret, and apply all pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures, and standards relevant to work performed.
• Understand and support program objectives in relation to departmental goals and procedures.
• Work independently with minimal supervision, using sound judgment in the course of work.
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with internal staff and external customers and contacts.
• Interpret and successfully carry out instructions in a timely manner furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
• Organize and prioritize a variety of projects and multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner; organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines.
• Review the work of other accounting and administrative personnel in specified work areas.
• Calculate figures and amounts, such as but not limited to, discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume; apply concepts of basic algebra.
• Develop and present complex information to City Council, boards, and commissions, as necessary.
• Attend state, regional, or local meetings and training opportunities as deemed necessary.
• Operate common office machines including telephone, computer, and copier.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy and legal guidelines in politically sensitive situations.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Education: Possession of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in accounting, finance, or a closely related field.
Possession of an advanced business or public administration degree, or certification as a Public
Accountant (CPA) is desirable.

Experience: A minimum of three (3) years of progressively responsible accounting experience at a professional level, preferably in a public agency; experience in a municipal environment and in a lead or supervisory role is desirable.

License or Certificate
Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California driver's license and proof of automobile liability insurance as required by the position.

Additional Information
Working Conditions and Environmental Conditions:

Work in a typical office environment utilizing computers. Duties require positions to, on a continuous basis, sit at a desk for long periods of time; intermittently twist to reach equipment surrounding desk; perform simple grasping and fine manipulation; use telephone, write or use a keyboard to communicate through written means; and lift or carry weight of 10 pounds or less.
SELECTION PROCESS

It is important to complete all required application materials, including the supplemental questionnaire and any required additional documents. All applications will be screened for completeness and possession of minimum qualifications. Qualified applications will be reviewed in detail to identify the most qualified candidates to continue in the selection process which may consist solely of an application screening, or may include a written examination, skills assessment, oral appraisal interview, assessment center, or other activity selected by the Human Resources Department and the hiring department. As a result of the selection process an eligibility list of qualified candidates will be established to fill current and future vacancies as long as the eligibility list remains active. Candidates who score the highest in the selection process will be required to pass a reference and background exam prior to receiving a conditional job offer. Candidates receiving a conditional offer of employment will be required to pass a pre-employment medical and drug screen examination prior to receiving a final job offer.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Only Online Applications will be accepted. To be considered for this exciting opportunity, candidates must complete an online application and the required supplemental questionnaire. The supplemental questionnaire is part of the application; please provide sufficient detail to enable your answers to be rated.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: Open Until Filled

*First Review of Applications on Monday, March 24, 2025*
Accommodation: Applicants who may require special assistance in any step of the selection process should advise Human Resources by emailing hr@novato.org upon submittal of application.

The City of Novato is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Salary:
Starting salary is generally the first step of the range listed; however, advanced step appointments may be approved based upon qualifications when warranted. Subsequent salary increases within the range are scheduled yearly and may be granted based upon satisfactory service.

9/80 work schedule with closures on alternate Fridays. Employees work nine hours per day and eight hours per day on the working Friday.
Benefits:

The City participates in the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS). In compliance with AB 340, CalPERS retirement formula is either 2% at 55; employee contributes 9.5% of salary, or 2% at 62; employee contributes 7.25% of salary, depending on eligibility.

The City provides a specific dollar amount to each employee based on the employee's benefit enrollment level to apply to medical, dental, life and disability insurance. The dental program and life insurance policy are mandatory. Health, vision and disability options are available. Employees who do NOT enroll in a healthcare plan through the City will receive up to $250 per month as an addition to their gross earnings.
Other Benefits Information:

• Employee Assistance Program: A City-paid EAP is available for employees and members of their household.
• Long-term Disability Insurance is provided as an optional benefit. Employee pays $9.78 per month if opting in.
• State Disability Insurance (SDI) is provided. Employee pays 0.6% of salary (pre-tax).
• Deferred Compensation Savings Plans (457) are available to employees through a deferred compensation program.
• Employee must pay an amount equal to 1.45% of salary toward Medicare. An equal amount is paid by the City.
• The City does not participate in Social Security.

Leaves:

• The City offers 14 paid holidays;
• 80 hours of vacation after 1 year (graduates to 21 days for 20 years of service); Employees currently working for another agency (state, federal or local) will have their vacation rate adjusted to account for their years of service with that public agency.
• New employees will receive 40 hours of sick leave on their start date. (unused leave applied to service credit at retirement).
• 108 hours of Administrative Leave (prorated based on hire date)

01

Discuss a Government Accounting Standards Board (GASB) Pronouncement that you have implemented or participated in implementing. Alternatively, if you have not implemented a GASB pronouncement, discuss a complex accounting process that you developed or assisted in developing.
02

A key component of accounting is reconciliation and analysis, please discuss a complex analytical document or reconciliation that you created.
03

I understand that this position requires that I successfully complete and pass a pre-employment physical, fingerprinting (LiveScan), and drug screen.

• Yes
• No

04

I certify that all information provided on my application and supplemental questionnaire is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge; and I understand that all information is subject to verification; and that false or incomplete information will result in disqualification from the selection process or dismissal, if hired.

• Yes
• No

Required Question