Accountant - Payroll

DEADLINE TO APPLY:  11:59PM on Tuesday, April 9, 2024

THE POSITION

The City of Hayward is excited to announce its recruitment for the position of Accountant! The Accountant performs a variety of professional accounting duties related to preparing financial statements, reviewing and reconciling fiscal records, and monitoring financial transactions in accordance with prescribed accounting systems and generally accepted principles of accounting and auditing. The current vacancies are for an Accountant

• General Ledger and Accountant

• Payroll within the Finance Department; however, this list may be used for any future vacancies. The current vacancy offers a hybrid working schedule!

The ideal candidate has a background in government taxation, experience with CALPERS, and knowledge of FLSA. Individuals who have experience filing quarterly taxes, processing W-2's, and working in Munis are highly desirable. The ideal candidate will be able to work independently, take initiative to research items as needed, and will exercise good judgment.

A Payroll Accountant performs a variety of advanced professional and confidential accounting work under limited direction to carry out complex confidential accounting and auditing assignments. The incumbent leads and participates in the preparation of a variety of accounting reports and assists in the preparation, organization, and management of City-wide centralized payroll including processing the bi-weekly and special pay run. 

We are also hiring for an Accountant for General Ledger, to apply, please visit:  https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/haywardca

Duties may include but are not limited to the following:

Prepare or review journal entries; perform bank reconciliations and reconciliations of general ledger control accounts with subsidiary accounts.

Contribute to the preparation of the City's cost allocation plans in compliance with federal regulations and prepare budgeted cash transfers for internal costing and charging purposes.

Assist in payroll processing, responds to staff regarding payroll related questions, and updates information in payroll systems.

Responsible for preparing various State and Federal tax reporting requirements and will assist the Payroll Technician in reconciling and issuing W-2s.

Maintain and update records for the City's fixed asset group of accounts in accordance with Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) valuation, quality assessment, and reporting requirements.

Coordinate audits with external auditors and other governmental agencies.

Assist in the preparation of annual financial reports, grant reporting, and the City's Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR); review, reconcile, and prepare annual audit schedules and adjusting journal entries.

Examine and analyze accounting transactions to ensure accuracy; correct financial records as necessary; analyze, verify, and prepare various financial reports and statements; assist in monitoring various accounts and verify availability of funds and accurate coding and classification of expenditures; research and analyze transactions to resolve problems.

Update and maintain the City's long-term debt payment schedules, ensure debt service payments are made in a timely manner, and assist with annual disclosure reporting.

Recommend or implement changes in accounting and auditing systems and procedures; participate in operating a variety of automated office and computerized financial information systems and test various budgetary accounting programs.

Assist in research, education, and implementation of new Government Accounting Standards Board Statements.

Answer questions and provide information to the public and City departments; research requested information and make recommendations in response to inquiries and/or complaints.

Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other City employees and the public using principles of good customer service.

Perform related duties as assigned.

JOB RELATED AND ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

• Generally accepted accounting and auditing principles for municipal governments, including fund accounting.

• Modern office equipment and methods including use of computer applications in word processing, spreadsheet, database, and graphic presentation.

• Effective oral and written presentation techniques and practices.

• Financial reporting and payroll processes.

• Pertinent local, state and federal laws, rules and regulations, especially as related to accounting, auditing and payroll.

• Principles and practices of good customer service.

• Principles and practices of work safety.

Ability to:

• Use automated financial management systems.

• Learn applicable local, state, and federal laws, rules and regulations, especially as related to accounting and auditing.

• Examine and verify a wide variety of financial documents and reports.

• Prepare a variety of routine financial statements, reports and analyses.

• Use a variety of personal computer applications in word processing, spreadsheet, database, and graphic presentation.

• Maintain confidentiality of information.

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

• Work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a respectful, tactful and effective manner.

• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

• Independently apply accounting principles to the maintenance and reporting of financial and accounting transactions and audit of financial records.

• Monitor accounting activities relative to compliance with local, state, and federal requirements and professional standards.

• Prepare effective oral and written presentations.

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION

Any combination equivalent to experience and education that could likely provide the required knowledge and abilities would be qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience: Two (2) years of professional accounting experience.

Education: Possession of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in accounting, finance, or a related field.

License and Certificates: Possession and maintenance of, or ability to obtain, a valid Class C California driver's license may be required.

SELECTION PROCEDURE

Candidates must submit a completed City of Hayward job application and responses to the Supplemental Questionnaire which fully describe the nature of their professional experience and qualifications.   Applications submitted without all required materials will not be considered.

Based on the information provided, employment applications will be reviewed for minimum qualifications.  Those best qualified may be invited to the next phase of the process, which may include an oral, practical, written examination and/or supplemental questionnaires reviewed by subject matter experts.

The examination process will result in a ranked eligible register of candidates for hiring consideration by the department derived from any of the exam processes mentioned above.  Actual hire depends on success in the departmental selection process.

Candidates under final consideration for employment with the City should expect to undergo an employment background/reference check that may include, but is not limited to: employment history, medical evaluation, confirmation of educational credentials and degrees, licenses including driver's license, registrations, certificates, and other credentials as part of the appointment process. Some positions, depending on the nature of the work, also require a credit check and a review of Summary Criminal History obtained from the State Department of Justice through Live Scan Fingerprinting.

Applicants will be notified electronically via Government Jobs as to their status in the selection process.  It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure they can receive email notice from Neogov/Government Jobs and the City of Hayward.

APPLICATIONS

Candidates are encouraged to apply online at www.hayward-ca.gov under the Current Vacancies tab or at www.GovernmentJobs.com.  Paper applications can be obtained by visiting the Human Resources Department at Hayward City Hall located at 777 B Street, Hayward, CA  94541.  Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Apply prior to the closing time of the job announcement and allow at least one (1) hour to submit your application if you are a new user to the system.  Our on-line application system is provided by Government Jobs. If you have problems while applying online, please contact the Government Jobs Help Desk at  (855) 524-5627.

The City of Hayward is an Equal Opportunity Employer