Accountant II

City of Chesapeake Virginia; Chesapeake (VA); On-site; USD 68,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Chesapeake is seeking a qualified Accountant II to join the Department of Public Works. You will ensure accurate recording, reconciliation, analysis, and reporting of departmental revenues and expenditures.

You will research accounting issues, identify discrepancies, and support financial operations across divisions. A Bachelor's in accounting and at least three years' experience are required; Master’s is desirable and CPA is preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in accounting or closely related field.
• Minimum of three years of related, full-time accounting experience.
• Master's degree is desirable; CPA certification preferred.
• Strong Excel skills and ability to analyze financial data.

Responsibilities

• Prepare, audit, and maintain financial reports, including expenditure analyses and project cost tracking.
• Research accounting issues, identify discrepancies, and recommend solutions.
• Coordinate financial activities across Public Works divisions and external agencies.
• Monitor revenues, expenditures, budgets, and encumbrances to ensure accuracy and compliance.
• Assist with year-end audits and grant closeouts; maintain financial data in Munis and other systems.

Skills

Advanced Excel

Accounting

Research & analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting or closely related field

Master's degree in accounting, business, public administration or related field (desirable)

Tools

Munis

Project management tools

Job description

8:00 am to 5:00 pm; Monday-Friday with 1-hour lunch break. Employees may be expected to work hours in excess of their normally scheduled hours in response to short-term department needs and/or City-wide emergencies.

Work Site Location

Work Site Location 306 Cedar Rd

Position Driving Requirement

Position Driving Requirement O - Occasional

Pay Grade

Pay Grade GE15

Pay Basis

Pay Basis Semi-Monthly

Advertised Salary

$68,040 – $100,000; Depending on qualifications and experience.

Job Description

City of Chesapeake Department of Public Works

Are you an experienced accounting professional who can turn complex financial information into accurate reporting, practical solutions, and reliable support for departmental operations?

The City of Chesapeake Department of Public Works is seeking an Accountant II who will help ensure the accurate recording, reconciliation, analysis, and reporting of departmental revenues and expenditures. The Accountant II will research accounting issues, identify discrepancies, recommend solutions, and support the Department’s financial and administrative operations.

What Success Looks Like

• Produce accurate journal entries, reconciliations, and monthly financial reports that support sound financial decision making.
• Monitor revenues, expenditures, project balances, and encumbrances to identify discrepancies and resolve accounting issues promptly.
• Analyze financial activity and recommend effective strategies and procedures for addressing account variances, billing concerns, and project related accounting needs.
• Maintain accurate financial information across Munis, project management tools, and internal tracking logs.
• Prepare complete and accurate fiscal year end audit documentation required by the City’s external auditors.
• Coordinate financial activities across all Public Works divisions, including capital project accounting, debt allocation, budget preparation, payroll, accounts receivable, and accounts payable.
• Successfully administer assigned special projects, including year end reconciliations, grant closeouts, Capital Improvement Program rollovers, and specialized financial initiatives.
• Build productive working relationships with Public Works staff, the Finance Department, the Budget Office, and external agencies to verify information, resolve concerns, and provide technical accounting support.
• Provide dependable backup support to the Department’s designated fiscal and administrative leadership to ensure continuity of operations.

Key Responsibilities

The Accountant II will:

• Research and analyze financial and accounting records related to Public Works operations to identify process sequences, discrepancies, and required account resolutions.
• Prepare, enter, and audit journal entries involving payroll adjustments, expenditure transfers, revenue allocations, and month end closing requirements.
• Recommend, plan, implement, and administer solutions for account variances, billing issues, project related accounting needs, and other financial matters affecting Public Works programs.
• Coordinate and participate in processing financial data related to capital projects, debt allocation, operational and Capital Improvement Program budgets, payroll, accounts receivable, and accounts payable.
• Prepare, audit, and maintain financial reports, including expenditure analyses, project cost tracking, budget monitoring, and grant or reimbursement documentation.
• Verify, monitor, and reconcile departmental accounts, project balances encumbrances and supporting documentation to ensure compliance with City policies and financial standards.
• Collect, enter, update, and maintain accurate financial data in multiple Public Works systems.
• Work with Public Works divisions, the Finance Department, the Budget Office, and external agencies to verify data, resolve issues, respond to inquiries, and provide technical accounting support.
• Administer assigned accounting projects and financial initiatives.
• Provide supervision and guidance to subordinate administrative or accounting staff as needed.
• Assist with implementing policies and procedures and provide requested documentation in support of internal and external audits.
• Review and approve journal entries, requisitions, invoice payments, and financial reports when serving as backup to fiscal and administrative leadership.
• Assist with budget monitoring and departmental financial activities.
• Attend or conduct departmental meetings and participate in training sessions, seminars, and workshops to maintain accounting expertise and knowledge of City financial systems.
• Research historical accounting data, audit internal practices, and help streamline workflow processes.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support the financial operations of Public Works.

The City of Chesapeake offers an exceptional range of benefits. Please browse our Benefits Brochure, for a full list of benefits and employee perks.

Required Qualifications

Vocational/Educational Requirement: Requires a bachelor’s degree in accounting or closely related field. Master’s degree in accounting, business, public administration or a related field desired.

Experience: In addition to satisfying the vocational/education standards, this class requires a minimum of three years of related, full-time equivalent experience.

Special Certifications and Licenses: Depending on department operational needs, may require valid driver’s license and driving record in compliance with City Driving Standards. Certified Public Accountant certification desired.

Special Requirements: Employees may be expected to work hours in excess of their normally scheduled hours in response to short-term department needs and/or City-wide emergencies. Emergency operations support work and work locations may be outside of normal job duties.

Preferred Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years of governmental accounting experience
• Strong accounting research and analysis skills
• Advanced Excel skills
• Ability to work well with minimum supervision and to interact well with others

Job Open Date

Job Open Date 08/14/2026

Job Close Date

Job Close Date 08/28/2026

Special Instructions to Applicants

ADA Checklist

Overall Physical Strength Demands

Overall Physical Strength Demands

Overall Physical Strength Demands S=Sedentary - Exerting up to 10 lbs. occasionally or small weights frequently; sitting most of the time.

Physical Demands

C = Continuously- 2/3 or more of the time.F = Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time.O = Occasionally- Up to 1/3 of the time.R = Rarely- Less than 1 hour per week.N = Never- Never occurs.

Standing

Standing Occasionally- Up to 1/3 of the time.

Sitting Continuously- 2/3 or more of the time.

Walking

Walking Occasionally- Up to 1/3 of the time.

Lifting

Lifting Rarely- Less than 1 hour per week.

Lifting Amount

Lifting Amount Exerting up to 10 lbs

Carrying

Carrying Rarely- Less than 1 hour per week.

Carrying Weight

Carrying Weight Exerting up to 10 lbs

Pushing/Pulling

Pushing/Pulling Rarely- Less than 1 hour per week.

Pushing/Pulling Weight

Pushing/Pulling Weight Exerting up to 10 lbs

Reaching

Reaching Rarely- Less than 1 hour per week.

Handling Continuously- 2/3 or more of the time.

Fine Dexterity

Fine Dexterity Continuously- 2/3 or more of the time.

Kneeling

Kneeling Rarely- Less than 1 hour per week.

Crouching

Crouching Rarely- Less than 1 hour per week.

Crawling Rarely- Less than 1 hour per week.

Bending Rarely- Less than 1 hour per week.

Twisting

Twisting Rarely- Less than 1 hour per week.

Climbing

Climbing Occasionally- Up to 1/3 of the time.

Balancing Rarely- Less than 1 hour per week.

Vision

Vision Continuously- 2/3 or more of the time.

Hearing

Hearing Continuously- 2/3 or more of the time.

Talking

Talking Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time.

Foot Controls

Foot Controls Rarely- Less than 1 hour per week.

Machines, Tools, Equipment and Work Aids Used

Computer, calculator, software programs, phone, printing/copying/scanning machines, other basic office equipment

Protective Equipment Required

No

Health and Safety

D = DailyW = Several Times Per WeekM = Several Times Per MonthS = SeasonallyN = Never

Mechanical Hazards

Mechanical Hazards N = Never

Chemical Hazards

Chemical Hazards N = Never

Electrical Hazards

Electrical Hazards N = Never

Fire Hazards

Fire Hazards N = Never

Explosives

Explosives N = Never

Communicable Diseases

Communicable Diseases N = Never

Physical Danger or Abuse

Physical Danger or Abuse N = Never

Other

If Other, Description

D = DailyW = Several Times Per WeekM = Several Times Per MonthS = SeasonallyN = Never

Dirt and Dust

Dirt and Dust N = Never

Extreme Temperatures

Extreme Temperatures N = Never

Noise and Vibration

Noise and Vibration N = Never

Fumes and Odors

Fumes and Odors N = Never

Wetness/Humidity

Wetness/Humidity N = Never

Darkness or Poor Lighting

Darkness or Poor Lighting N = Never

Primary Work Location

Non-Physical Demands

C = Continuously- 2/3 or more of the time.F = Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time.O = Occasionally- Up to 1/3 of the time.R = Rarely- Less than 1 hour per week.N = Never- Never occurs.

Time Pressures

Time Pressures Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time.

Emergency Situations

Emergency Situations Occasionally- Up to 1/3 of the time.

Frequent Change of Tasks

Frequent Change of Tasks Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time.

Irregular Work Schedule/Overtime

Irregular Work Schedule/Overtime Occasionally- Up to 1/3 of the time.

Performing Multiple Tasks Simultaneously

Performing Multiple Tasks Simultaneously Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time.

Working Closely with Others as Part of a Team

Working Closely with Others as Part of a Team Continuously- 2/3 or more of the time.

Tedious or Exacting Work

Tedious or Exacting Work Continuously- 2/3 or more of the time.

Noisy/Distracting Environment Rarely- Less than 1 hour per week.

Other

If Other, Description

Can anyone assist the employee in performing the primary tasks assigned to this position? If yes, identify the eligible task(s)

No

Professional References

Professional References

Please provide contact information for professional references.

Minimum Requests 0

Maximum Requests 4

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• * Do you possess a valid driver's license and a driving record that is in compliance with the City's Driving Standards? Please review position requirements for details.
  • Yes
  • No