Senior Accountant- Department of Finance (Accounts Payable)

The Finance Department is currently seeking to fill one (1) full-time Senior Accountant vacancy in the Accounting Division. If you are interested in this position, please apply!

The mission of the Finance Department is to manage, protect, and report on City of San José financial resources to enhance the City’s financial condition for residents, businesses, and investors.

The Finance Department has five core divisions

• Accounting
• Administration
• Debt & Treasury Management
• Purchasing & Risk Management
• Revenue Management

The Finance Department works in partnership with the departments of Human Resources, Information Technology, and Public Works as the City’s Strategic Support City Service Area to effectively develop, manage, and safeguard City fiscal, physical, technological, and human resources to enable and enhance the delivery of City services and projects.

The Finance Department has a $27.6 million operating budget and 126 budgeted full-time equivalent (FTE) positions.

This position performs critical supervisory, operational, compliance, reporting, and system-coordination functions that are essential to maintaining accurate and timely accounts payable processing, financial reporting support, and Citywide compliance requirements. This position also serves as a key liaison between cross-departmental fiscal staff.

The main duties include, but are not limited to the following:

• Lead and oversee the daily operations of the Accounts Payable (AP) section.
• Supervise, train, and provide guidance to Accounts Payable staff.
• Ensure all City payments are processed accurately, timely, and in compliance with City policies, accounting standards, and internal controls.
• Review and approve complex accounts payable transactions and resolve escalated payment issues.
• Manage and oversee month-end close activities related to Accounts Payable to ensure accurate and timely financial reporting.
• Monitor and strengthen internal controls to safeguard City assets and maintain the integrity of financial records.
• Coordinate and respond to Public Records Act requests related to Accounts Payable records.
• Prepare and review Proof of Payment documentation and other financial records.
• Provide support for internal and external audits by preparing documentation, responding to inquiries, and implementing audit recommendations.
• Research, analyze, and resolve complex vendor payment issues, invoice discrepancies, and departmental concerns.
• Collaborate with City departments, vendors, and external stakeholders to improve Accounts Payable processes and ensure efficient service delivery.
• Develop, implement, and maintain Accounts Payable policies, procedures, and best practices to improve operational efficiency and compliance.
• Monitor Accounts Payable performance metrics and identify opportunities for process improvements and automation.
• Ensure compliance with applicable governmental accounting standards, laws, regulations, and City policies.
• Perform financial analysis, prepare reports, and present recommendations to management regarding Accounts Payable operations and process improvements.

(These qualifications are typically required. An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to satisfactorily perform the duties of the job may be substituted.)

Education

Completion of a Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in Accounting, Business Administration, or related field, including at least 18 semester units in accounting subjects.

Experience

Four (4) years of experience at the working level of a professional accountant.

Acceptable Substitution

None

Competencies

The ideal candidate will possess the following competencies, as demonstrated in past and current employment history. Desirable competencies for these positions may include:

Job Expertise - Demonstrates knowledge of and experience with applicable professional/technical principles and practices, Citywide and departmental procedures/policies and federal and state rules and regulations related to accounts payable.

Analytical Thinking - Approaches a problem or situation by using a logical, systematic, sequential approach

Communication Skills - Effectively conveys information and expresses thoughts and facts clearly, orally and in writing; demonstrates effective use of listening skills; displays openness to other people's ideas and thoughts.

Fiscal Management - Understands the relationship of the budget and resources to the strategic plan.

Planning - Acts to align own unit's goals with the strategic direction of the organization; Defines tasks and milestones to achieve objectives, while ensuring the optimal use of resources to meet those objectives.

Problem Solving - Approaches a situation or problem by defining the problem or issue; determines the significance of problem; collects information; uses logic and intuition to arrive at decisions or solutions to problems that achieve the desired outcome.

Supervision - Sets effective long and short-term goals based on a good understanding of management practices; establishes realistic priorities within available resources; provides motivational support; empowers others; assigns decision-making and work functions to others in an appropriate manner to maximize organizational and individual effectiveness.

Teamwork & Interpersonal Skills - Develops effective relationships with co-workers and supervisors by helping others accomplish tasks and using collaboration and conflict resolution skills

Social Awareness - Demonstrates the ability to read or sense other people’s emotions and how they influence the situation of interest or concern; demonstrates empathy and organizational awareness.

The salary range for a Senior Accountant is $118,460.16 - $144,318.72 Annually. The actual salary shall be determined by the final candidates’ qualifications and experience. Employees in the Senior Accountant classification receive an approximate five percent (5%) ongoing non-pensionable compensation pay, which is included in the range above.

Selection Process

The selection process will consist of an evaluation of the applicant's training and experience based on the application and responses to all the job specific questions. You must answer all the following supplemental questions to be considered, or your application may be deemed incomplete and withheld from further consideration.

Only those candidates whose backgrounds best match the position will be invited to proceed in the selection process. Additional phases of the selection process will consist of one or more interviews. For questions, please reach out to Michelle R. Harrison at hr_finance@sanjoseca.gov.