Accountant IV (OCFO - CONTROLLER DIVISION - CURRENT OCFO EMPLOYEES ONLY)

OFFICE OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER - CONTROLLER DIVISION ACCOUNTANT IV

(CURRENT

OCFO EMPLOYEES ONLY

) Be a Part of the City You Love! The Office of the Chief Financial Officer - Controller division is accepting applications for an Accountant IV position. Position Summary Accountant IV is an advanced level accounting professional within the City of Detroit Office of the Chief Financial Officer that requires nominal direction and supervision. The Accountant performs highly complex accounting duties which are required to support timely and accurate financial statement reporting. The key services provided include, but are not limited to: preparing, analyzing, interpreting, and presenting accounting data; operating, maintaining, and modifying accounting systems; using accounting information to recommend solutions to management problems and structuring of organization programs; managing, operating, and analyzing cost accounting systems in connection with functions, activities and financial operations; and designing, implementing, and assessing internal control processes and systems. Many of these services will be performed within the appropriate modules of the ERP Cloud that impact the operations of this position. Plans, assigns, and coordinates the work of Accountant I, II and III and other clerical and administrative staff through proper workflows Using ERP Cloud applications performs the following activities: Creation of Financial Reports Editing of reporting templates Use of Business Intelligence Publisher templates and data models Creation of Transactions Business Intelligence dashboard and reports Analysis of data through SmartView and Account Monitor Independently plans and conducts a variety of assignments or investigations Analyzes accounting systems or modifies and adapts conventional accounting and analytical techniques to solve a variety of accounting problems Performs highly complex accounting functions consistent with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), standardized bookkeeping processes, accounting terminology, accounting techniques, and other financial rules and regulations Researches, analyzes and implements accounting rules and regulations as stipulated by Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB), or other regulatory agencies Independently conducts the complete range of tax examinations and related investigations of a broad range of business taxpayers such as sole proprietorships, partnerships, fiduciaries, and sizable corporations Designs new and changing system and program environments due to new laws, regulations, and standards Conceives new approaches to existing programs; Operates new and old systems concurrently; Establishes programs central to the mission of the agency; Resolves problems of vital importance to the agency where there are conflicting economic and public interests Applies advanced technology, as necessary Comprehensively plans, analyzes, determines cost/benefit relationships, and coordinates a great variety of functions, operations, teams, or interfacing administrative systems Resolves issues where governing laws and regulations are highly interpretive and/or precedents are non-existent, obscure, or conflicting Plans and coordinates problem resolutions that involve a number of organizational entities Develops creative solutions to controversial problems Develops new systems for tax examination, tax management control, and tax documentation systems Conducts examinations that require an integrated analysis of intricate and complex accounting systems, business activities, and financing over a broad range of industries, occupations, and specialized entities Develops and applies unique or extensive probing and analysis techniques and methods Advises a number of directors and prepares a number of regular and recurring special purpose reports Works with a variety of accounting systems or environments where there is significant interface with automated management systems Serves as an expert or authority in some aspect of accounting or in the application of accounting to some mission-related program(s) Develops audit plans and defining problem areas for the comprehensive analysis of the overall operations of an organizational entity to predict the effects of proposed policies Conducts complex examinations that include investigating accounting records reflecting the complete range of reorganizations, mergers, leveraged buyouts, capitalization, or other similar business transactions Conducts examinations that involve points of law, that are without precedent and that require intensive and extensive legal research to locate cases and evaluate potential effects of decisions or interpretations Plans and executes modifications to these types of activities and programs: accounting systems, accounting program operations, and the management, control, and flow of accounting system input documents and source data. May also plan and execute changes to the content and nature of financial reports and application of computer technology to accounting functions. Advises agency managers on the pertinence of accounting data to program operations Reviews, analyzes, and evaluates trial balance and other financial statements to ensure conformance with established agency policies, applicable regulations, and generally accepted governmental accounting practices Prepares, examines, or analyzes accounting records, financial statements, or other financial reports to assess accuracy, completeness, and conformance to reporting and procedural standards Reports to management regarding the finances of establishment Develops, implements, modifies, and documents recordkeeping and accounting systems, making use of current computer technology Supervises the analysis and reconciliation of fiscal and accounting records and reports from automated financial information systems; Reviews transactions for accuracy, completeness, and conformity to reporting and procedural standards Reviews fiscal accounting work including budget preparation, purchasing activities, payroll, and general ledger analyses, grants, bonds, revenue, cost allocation, capital assets, expenditures, and other accounting activities Approves journal entries, reconciles dates, and manages inter-agency billings and transfers required to support financial reporting Develops ad-hoc reports by direct access or through extracted data using various data files or databases; Compares budget to actual; Presents and explains reports orally and in writing to management, accounting staff, and other stakeholders; Functional and technical knowledge of preparing workpapers, narratives, leads, and supporting schedules Provides experience in using the specific procedures of automated systems to find, review, or change accounting data in transaction files, ledgers, accounts, summary reports, and financial statements Identifies, creates, and maintains accounting codes and structures to ensure accurate recording, reporting, and control in financial systems Maintains ledger and computer systems required to conduct payroll and financial reporting; Initiates internal controls and procedures to comply with GASB, IRS and other recognized Accounting Standard setting bodies Supervises grant management, monitoring and administrative duties and activities (e.g. financial, set-up, post-award, and closeout, etc.) to ensure timely expenditures and reimbursement, and regulatory and audit compliance Assists in the preparation of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR). Performs special projects and other duties as assigned Education Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, with major course of work in accounting, finance, business administration, statistics, or a closely related field. Such education must include at least twenty-four (24) semester (36 terms) credits of coursework in accounting and statistics (21 hours in accounting and 3 hours in statistics). Experience Four (4) years of experience in preparing journal entries and analyzing accounting data. Must have two (2) years of verifiable experience leading teams or providing instructions to subordinate staff. Licensing and Certifications Possession of a CPA and/or CMA certification is preferred. Possession of a CPA may be substituted for one year of Accountant II experience. Possession of a Certified Management Accountant certification (CMA) may be substituted for six months of Accountant II experience. There may be requirements for some positions that the applicants have the CPA and/or CMA. Equivalency Equivalent combinations of education and experience that provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities will be evaluated on an individual basis.

Evaluation Plan Interview:

70%

Evaluation of Training, Experience, & Personal Qualifications:

30% Total of Interview and Evaluation T.E.

P:

100% Additional points may be awarded for:

Veteran Points:

0 - 15 points

Detroit Residency Credit:

15 points

LRD:

09/10/2025

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Knowledge of:

Mastery of the concepts, principles, practices, laws, and regulations of budgeting and/or financing; and the financial and budgetary relationships between subordinate and most senior levels of financial management and budgeting within the employing entity and/or between the organization and programs of other Federal, State, and local governments, private industry, and large public organizations sufficient to do advanced level work such as: Theories, concepts, principles, and practices of accounting, financial, and performance auditing, tax auditing, and financial management Standardized bookkeeping processes, accounting terminology, GAAP, accounting techniques, governmental accounting, budgeting principles, and other financial rules and regulations Rules and regulations as stipulated by GASB and Generally Accepted Auditing Standards (GAAS) Federal, State, County, and City grant policies, procedures, and reporting requirements Grants Management accounting including SEFA and other requirements Fund accounting and fund accounting procedures. Procurement policies, practices, and contractual requirements in order to ensure compliance with financial reporting, tracking, and cost allocation for contracts and procurement actions Techniques commonly used in locating errors in accounting records Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications Office practices and procedures and routine office supplies and equipment Structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar Personal computer capabilities and the application of computer systems to issues of format and content in City and departmental financial management Enterprise resource planning systems for finance, budget, general ledger, human resources, and other management systems and software programs Skill in: Use of personal computers Use of Microsoft Office (e.g. Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint) and other office suite software packages Use of Excel (e.g. Formulas, Pivot Tables, Vlookup, Hlookup, other functions, charts, tables) and other financial management software packages functionality Use of large, complex, multi-departmental financial systems and demonstrate the knowledge required to interpret resulting financial and accounting reports, summaries, and budgets Analytical and problem solving Interpersonal skills to interact effectively with personal contacts in a business-like, customer service oriented manner, and maintain favorable public relations Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times Using mathematics to solve problems Presenting concise financial information to a variety of audiences Ability to: Analyze and interpret fiscal, accounting, and other data and reports Advise City Agencies and the Office of the Chief Financial Officer (OCFO) staff on appropriate accounting polices, procedures, and requirements Maintain general and subsidiary ledgers and journals and to prepare, analyze, and maintain regular financial statements and reports Collect, organize, and interpret accounting data,and regulations; synthesize data and work cross functionally to create and establish accounting guidelines, policies, and memos Prepare accurate and reliable financial reports Present accounting data orally, in writing, or in PowerPoint in a clear and understandable manner to both technical and non-technical users Analyze and recommend improvements in accounting systems Formulate solutions to difficult and complex accounting and related financial problems Utilize independent judgment Understand cost-benefit and business case analyses to provide insight and recommendations regarding best accounting methodology and suggestions to improve outcome Learn and use contemporary financial management software and other related software for program and financial management systems Interact effectively with senior leadership, subordinates, department personnel, and others with tact and diplomacy Listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences Communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand Make mathematical computations Work as part of a team. Physical Demands The employee generally remains in a stationary position for an extended period of time operating standard office equipment which may include computers, telephones, photocopiers, and fax machines. The employee is expected to move about to accomplish tasks such as opening file cabinets and moving files. Must be able to lift, push, pull, and carry up to 20 pounds. Work Environment Work is performed primarily in an office environment. Some work requires travel to meetings, conferences, and other work sites with exposure to seasonal weather conditions.

PROBATIONARY PERIOD

Individuals appointed to a position in this class will be required to serve a probationary period of six months with the possibility of a six-month extension for a total of twelve months. The performance will be carefully evaluated during the probationary period. Continued employment in this class will be contingent upon the successful completion of the probationary period and meeting all of the performance expectation requirements.

THIS RECRUITMENT IS OPEN TO ACTIVE EMPLOYEES ONLY PLEASE ATTACH AN UPDATED RESUME AND ANY CERTIFICATIONS WITH YOUR APPLICATION INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED

Notes:

A review of the applicant's attendance records and work performance will be considered in the promotional process. Person applying must meet the position qualifications, including licensing and certifications. Completion of an evaluation process is required. If you have previously applied for this position, you must re-apply to be considered for this vacancy. The above statements describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to the class. Incumbents may be required to perform job-related responsibilities and tasks other than those stated in this specification. Specific job duties may vary from position to position. The City of Detroit is an Equal Opportunity Employer. No applicant for employment shall be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, or other criteria prohibited by City, State, or Federal law.