Chief Accountant

City of Plant City (FL); Florida; On-site; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Plant City (FL) seeks an experienced accounting leader to plan, organize, coordinate, and manage accounting and reporting activities within the finance department. The role provides technical supervision and ensures compliance with GASB and state requirements.

The position involves developing policies, overseeing the general ledger, year-end closing, audits, and enhancing internal controls. A CPA/CGFO is preferred, with substantial government accounting background and supervisory

Qualifications

• Knowledge of GASB pronouncements and governmental accounting standards
• Knowledge of governmental internal controls and auditing standards
• Knowledge of budgeting and financial reporting systems
• Ability to plan, organize, and motivate personnel
• Ability to analyze financial data and discern management problems
• Ability to communicate effectively in writing and speech

Responsibilities

• Oversee general ledger and subsidiary ledgers including fixed assets, accounts receivable, accounts payable, payroll, and benefits
• Coordinate year-end closing, audit readiness, and external audits
• Develop, implement, and monitor internal controls to safeguard City assets
• Prepare complex financial reports and schedules for management and auditors
• Provide guidance to accounting staff and supervise their performance and training

Skills

GASB pronouncements and governmental A

Education

Bachelor’s degree in accounting

Master’s degree in accounting (preferred)

Five years government finance experience

Three years supervisory experience

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

Performs highly responsible, professional, and technical work involving administrative and supervisory duties in planning, organizing, coordinating, and managing accounting and reporting activities within the finance department. This position provides technical supervision of practices consistent with governmental accounting requirements imposed by the State and other governing bodies.

The following duties are illustrative and not exhaustive. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

• Participates in formulating accounting policies and procedures, and monitors their implementation; evaluates effectiveness, and recommends changes to systems and controls.
• Maintains and monitors the general accounting system for the City in accordance with the Uniform Accounting System of the Florida Department of Financial Services Bureau of Local Government.
• Oversees the City’s financial management system and works with departments to improve financial processes and reporting.
• Prepares special reports and financial analysis for management.
• Reviews financial data, such as: bond documents, monthly financial reports, actuarial reports, and funding requests to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
• Evaluates and recommends technology solutions that improve efficiency, internal controls and financial reporting.
• Coordinates financial system upgrades, testing, and implementation of new accounting modules.
• Develops, implements, and monitors internal controls to safeguard City assets.
• Provides guidance and consultation to supervisory, professional, and clerical accounting staff on specific accounting functions; evaluates the performance of subordinate staff providing guidance and training to ensure effective and timely completion of assignments.
• Oversees the accuracy and completeness of accounting functions in the general ledger and subsidiary ledgers including fixed assets, general accounting, accounts receivable, accounts payable, notes and bonds payable, cash and investments, payroll, employee benefits, and utility billing.
• Oversees the preparation of schedules, year‑end closing entries, various schedules, work papers, reports for the external auditors, completion of the City’s annual audit, and preparation of the Annual Financial Report.
• Works collaboratively with and provides data with financial data to the City’s external auditors.
• Participates in administrative meetings to provide technical guidance.
• Performs month‑end and quarter‑end closing and prepares quarterly and annual financial reports.
• Provides leadership, guidance, training, and supervision to accounting staff to ensure effective performance, accuracy, and operational effectiveness.
• Other duties as assigned.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to carry out each essential duty or responsibility satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and abilities; education and/or experience; and certificates or licenses required in order to fill the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) pronouncements and governmental accounting standards
• Knowledge of governmental internal controls and auditing standards.
• Knowledge of modern management principles and practices.
• Knowledge of computer systems pertaining to accounting and financial management.
• Knowledge of budgeting and financial reporting systems.
• Ability to plan, organize, and motivate personnel.
• Ability to analyze financial data and discern underlying management problems.
• Ability to maintain effective working relationship with directors, employees, and other agencies.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment in financial management, evaluating situations, and making decisions.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing on individual and group levels.
• Ability to prepare complex reports.

Education and Experience

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a Bachelor’s degree in accounting or a closely related field.
• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a master’s degree in accounting or a closely related field, preferred.
• Five (5) years of progressively responsible government finance and accounting experience, including three (3) years in a supervisory capacity.
• A combination of education, training, and experience may be considered at the City Manager’s discretion.

Certificates and Licenses

• Must be bondable.
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or Certified Government Finance Officer (CGFO) certificate, preferred.
• Possession of a valid Florida Driver License and be insurable by the City’s current insurance provider.
• National Incident Management System (NIMS) training will be required according to job duties and responsibilities within one (1) year of employment.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Manages, supervises, and evaluates personnel as assigned.

Code:

Constant = 2/3 or more of the time

Frequent = from 1/3 to 2/3 of the time

Occasional = up to 1/3 of the time

N/A = Not applicable

Physical Skills

• Heavy lifting (45 lbs. and over)
• Moderate lifting (15 to 44 lbs.)
• Light lifting (under 15 lbs.)
• Heavy carrying (45 lbs. and over)
• Moderate carrying (14 to 44 lbs.)
• Light carrying (under 15 lbs.)
• Reaching above shoulder
• Use of fingers
• Both hands required
• Climbing (use of legs and arms)
• Climbing (legs only)
• Good near vision
• Good distant vision
• Both eyes required
• Depth perception
• Distinguishing basic colors
• Distinguishing shades of colors
• Good hearing (with or without hearing aid)
• Straight pulling
• Pulling hand over hand
• Pushing
• Walking
• Standing
• Crawling
• Kneeling
• Bending
• Balancing
• Stooping
• Jumping
• Running
• Throwing
• Driving (cars, small vans, pick‑ups, etc.)
• Driving & operating (heavy equip., trucks, etc.)
• Other

Environmental Conditions

Code:

Constant = 2/3 or more of the time

Frequent = from 1/3 to 2/3 of the time

Occasional = up to 1/3 of the time

N/A = Not applicable

• Work Inside
• Work Outside
• In the Heat
• In the Cold
• In High Humidity
• In Dampness or Chilliness
• In Dry Conditions
• In or with Noisy Conditions
• In Darkness
• In or with Dusty Conditions
• With Silica, Asbestos, etc.
• With Fumes or Gases
• With Smoke or Flames
• With Chemicals
• With Solvents
• With Grease or Oils
• With Radiant Energy
• With Electrical Energy
• On Slippery Surfaces
• On Uneven Surfaces
• In or With Moving Objects
• In or With Ladders/Scaffolding
• At Heights above Ground Level
• Below Ground Level
• In Water
• With Explosives
• With Poor Ventilation
• With Odors
• With Unusual Fatigue Factors
• Other Relevant Information: