Accounting Manager

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY

The Accounting Manager partners with the Chief Financial Officer in directing the accounting activities of the District in a manner consistent with organizational values. This position performs complex administrative, technical, and professional work in directing and supervising assigned functional areas of the Finance Bureau, including general accounting, A/P, A/R and billing.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (The following statements are illustrative of the duties and responsibilities of the position and do not list every duty that may be required of the employee for this position. The District retains the right to change the duties and responsibilities of the position at any time without notice.)

Leadership and Management

• Works in coordination with the Chief Financial Officer to direct, manage, and oversee the activities and services of assigned functional areas in the Finance Bureau, including general accounting, A/P, A/R and billing, and other accounting functions.
• Manages assigned Finance staff by communicating job expectations; planning, monitoring, and evaluating job results; coaching, mentoring, rewarding, and disciplining employees; resolves personnel concerns and issues; advises the Chief Financial Officer of activities and issues needing attention.
• Monitors and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; allocates resources accordingly; initiates, coordinates, and enforces systems, policies, and procedures.
• Plans, directs, and coordinates work activities; assigns projects and programmatic areas of responsibility; reviews and evaluates work methods and procedures; meets with staff to identify and resolve problems.
• Assesses and monitors workload, administrative support systems, and internal reporting relationships; identifies opportunities for improvement.
• Participates in the development and administration of the Finance Bureau budget; forecasts funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; approves expenditures and implements budgetary adjustments, as appropriate and necessary.
• Explains, justifies, and defends programs, policies, and activities; negotiates and resolves sensitive and controversial issues.Participates in the selection of staff; orients and trains employees, developing personal growth opportunities.
• Maintains a safe and healthy working environment by establishing and enforcing organization values, adhering to legal requirements.

Accounting Responsibilities

• Directs the month-end close process and the creation of monthly financial reports.
• Directs the preparation of a variety of complex financial reports and related activities including the annual financial audit and the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report; serves as the liaison with the external auditors.
• Develops and implements internal controls and continuous process improvements.
• Achieves budget objectives by scheduling expenditures, analyzing variances, and initiating corrective actions.
• Develops, monitors, and maintains complex financial information and reports to provide accurate and timely financial recommendations for decision-making purposes; prepares, reviews, and presents staff reports and informational documents to Board or other groups, as required.
• Manages accounting and financial software system functions including maintaining security and access rights for users, implementing system controls, and monitoring system issues.
• Identifies potential areas of opportunity for business process improvements; compares best practices and analyzes and/or estimate financial impact of the improvements.
• Drives operational efficiencies by implementing process and/or policy enhancements that create improved controls and service levels.
• Designs, develops, and maintains process to improve, advance or simplify data gathering and/or reporting and analytics; automates new and existing reporting by using various software tools and develop new management reports to support the District’s needs.
• Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops, reviewing professional publications, establishing personal networks, and participating in professional societies. Advises the CFO on necessary improvements.
• Complies with federal, state, and local legal requirements by studying existing and new standards, legislation, and/or best practices. Anticipates new standards, legislation and/or best practices and enforces adherence to requirements and advising the CFO on necessary changes and/or improvements.
• Manages and participates in internal projects, as needed, and as assigned by the Chief Financial Officer.
• Performs other related duties as needed.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, LICENSES & CERTIFICATIONS (An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position is qualifying.)

• Bachelor’s Degree in accounting, finance, or a closely related field. Master’s Degree is preferred.
• CPA certification is preferred.
• Minimum of five (5) years of increasingly responsible experience in accounting or finance, including two (2) years of supervisory experience.
• Experience in governmental accounting preferred.
• Possess and maintain a valid Colorado Driver’s license with an acceptable driving record in accordance with the SMFR’s Driving Records Policy.
• Must obtain CPR certification within one (1) year of hire.

NECESSARY KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).
• Knowledge of governmental accounting concepts and principles.
• Knowledge of budgetary concepts and principles.
• Knowledge of finance principles and practices including short and long-term money markets, municipal bonds, and interest rates.
• Knowledge and skills in managing people and processes.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to effectively manage multiple priorities
• Strong communication and presentation skills.
• Advanced financial analyst skills, working with all aspects of financial and operational data.
• Knowledge of applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
• Ability to work independently and set priorities.
• Ability to interact well with a diverse population with outstanding interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely with all employees, both verbally and in writing, maintaining composure in difficult situations.
• Ability to gather relevant data, analyze problems, evaluate alternatives, and make sound judgements.
• Ability to present complex findings to a variety of audiences in an understandable manner.
• Ability to select, supervise, train, motivate and evaluate staff; ability to provide goals, direction, and effective leadership.
• Demonstrated project management, research and data analysis, and organizational skills.
• Strong understanding of the organization’s values, goals, and objectives.
• Ability to effectively prioritize tasks in a high-pressure environment.
• Strong customer service orientation.
• Ability to analyze data, develop conclusions, and demonstrate critical thinking.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment and initiative within established guidelines.
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships.
• Ability to manage interpersonal and organizational conflict and create a team-oriented, collaborative environment.
• Ability to use standard business computer software.
• Demonstrated commitment to valuing and respecting diversity, with an understanding of how to effectively incorporate diversity initiatives into the organization.
• Demonstrated ability to develop partnerships and work with a variety of people and cultures who work on different shifts and in various geographic locations.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

• Works under the general direction of the Chief Financial Officer.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED:

• Supervises professional, technical, and administrative staff.

EQUIPMENT AND SYSTEMS

• Requires frequent use of equipment, including personal computer (including various software packages, database, and spreadsheet programs), SMFR automobiles, calculators, telephones, facsimile machines, copy machines, printers, and other general office equipment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to perform climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, sitting, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, seeing and repetitive motions.
• Medium work: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close and distance vision acuity and the ability to adjust his or her focus, allowing a broad field of vision.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND GENERAL INFORMATION

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee primarily works in a climate-controlled office environment. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

BENEFITS

South Metro Fire Rescue’s compensation philosophy is designed to attract and retain highly skilled and motivated employees. As such, SMFR’s compensation is more than base pay. All regular fulltime SMFR employees enjoy a total compensation package including: base wages, leave accruals, medical, dental, vision and life insurance employer paid premiums, Retiree Health Savings, Death & Disability and employer paid pension contributions as well as a positive work culture including a robust Fitness, Wellness and Rehabilitation Program, educational opportunities and support, job security and other positive non-monetary values which are intended to collectively position SMFR as an employer of choice in its geographic area. SMFR recognizes that being an employer of choice has different meaning to different people depending on what elements a person highly values. But SMFR's overall goal is to be a great place to work.