Chief Accountant - City of Birmingham
Chief Accountant - City of Birmingham

Chief Accountant - City of Birmingham

Birmingham Full-Time 81058 - 125736 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead financial operations and ensure compliance with laws and standards.
  • Company: City of Birmingham, committed to transparency and community service.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, medical and dental insurance, generous leave, and retirement plans.
  • Why this job: Make a real difference in the city's financial health and community welfare.
  • Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in Accounting and supervisory experience required.
  • Other info: Join a supportive team with opportunities for professional growth.

The predicted salary is between 81058 - 125736 £ per year.

The City of Birmingham is seeking a Chief Accountant to oversee daily financial operations and ensure compliance with federal, state, and local laws, as well as GAAP and GASB standards. This role establishes and maintains financial systems, policies, and internal controls; oversees accounting functions including reporting, reconciliations, payables and receivables, and audits; assists with budget development and monitoring; and supervises accounting staff.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS: The City of Birmingham provides competitive pay and comprehensive benefits packages to include medical and dental insurance, employer-sponsored retirement plan (pension), generous paid holidays, sick and vacation leave, and more. The pay range for this job is listed below: $81,058 - $125,736

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: The following are job-related qualifications that are required for employment consideration for this position:

  • Option A:
  • Bachelor's degree or higher in Accounting from an accredited college or university.
  • Experience performing and/or reviewing financial documents (e.g., audited financial statements), revenue, and the budget.
  • Experience directly supervising employees performing financial work (e.g., verifying financial data for accuracy) or supervising employees who supervise others.
  • Option B:
    • Bachelor's degree or higher in Accounting from an accredited college or university.
    • Experience as a Principal Accountant in the Merit System.

    PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: The following are job-related qualifications deemed desirable by the City of Birmingham:

    • Certified Public Accountant (CPA).
    • Certified Public Finance Officer (CPFO).

    TYPICAL JOB DUTIES:

    • Oversees the Accounts Payable (AP) and/or Accounts Receivable (AR) process by entering requisitions and payments, generating invoices and account statements and reconciling funds using accounting software in accordance with professional standards to maintain finances for a department or jurisdiction.
    • Oversees internal and external audits of financial records by acting as the point of communication, distributing audit-related tasks, and implementing changes identified during the audit consistent with Generally Accepted Auditing Standards (GAAS) and auditor transaction testing techniques to maintain compliance with professional standards and regulations.
    • Oversees the maintenance of banking records by researching banking and account information to provide recommendations to the department or jurisdiction regarding which banking institutions to utilize.
    • Performs the financial closing process at the end of an accounting period (i.e., monthly, quarterly, yearly) by analyzing account balances and performing balance sheet reconciliations to ensure compliance with federal, state and local guidelines and laws.
    • Oversees the maintenance of the general ledger (GL) by reviewing and approving journal entries, auditing the GL for accuracy, creating journal entries and general ledger adjustments, and reconciling the general ledger to other financial records to ensure completeness of information and compliance with federal, state and local guidelines and laws.
    • Engages in activities designed to ensure professional development, awareness of developments in the field, and knowledge of relevant practices, rules, laws, policies, and/or guidelines.
    • Supervises staff by assigning and distributing work, directing staff in their job duties, monitoring progress of work, providing feedback and/or training.

    PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Job is primarily sedentary involving sitting for long periods of time, but may involve occasional walking or standing for brief periods.

    WORK ENVIRONMENT: Work is conducted almost exclusively indoors in an office setting. Work involves use of standard office equipment, such as computer, phone, copier, etc.

    EEO STATEMENT: The Personnel Board of Jefferson County provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

    ACCOMMODATION: To request an accommodation in the application or hiring process due to your own ongoing medical condition or disability, please contact our Accommodations Coordinator at accommodationrequest@pbjcal.org or phone at 205-279-3500 (select option 1) Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Central Time.

    NOTE: This job posting may close before, or be extended beyond, the listed Target Close Date based on the employment needs of the Merit System.

    DISCLAIMER: This job posting is not meant to be an all-inclusive list of the job duties, responsibilities, or skills and abilities required for this position and may be changed at the discretion of the Personnel Board at any time.

    Chief Accountant - City of Birmingham employer: Birminghamalcitycouncil

    The City of Birmingham is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth. With competitive pay, comprehensive benefits including medical and dental insurance, and a generous retirement plan, employees are encouraged to thrive in their roles while contributing to the community. The Chief Accountant position not only provides a chance to lead financial operations but also fosters an environment of continuous learning and development within a vibrant city setting.
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    Contact Detail:

    Birminghamalcitycouncil Recruiting Team

    StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

    We think this is how you could land Chief Accountant - City of Birmingham

    ✨Tip Number 1

    Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance world, especially those who might know someone at the City of Birmingham. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to insider info or even a referral.

    ✨Tip Number 2

    Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your knowledge of GAAP and GASB standards. We want you to show off your expertise and confidence when discussing financial operations and compliance during the interview.

    ✨Tip Number 3

    Don’t forget to research the City of Birmingham’s financial practices and recent developments. This will help you tailor your answers and demonstrate your genuine interest in the role and the organisation.

    ✨Tip Number 4

    Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team and makes it easier for us to keep track of your application.

    We think you need these skills to ace Chief Accountant - City of Birmingham

    Financial Operations Management
    Compliance with GAAP and GASB Standards
    Financial Reporting
    Reconciliations
    Accounts Payable (AP) Management
    Accounts Receivable (AR) Management
    Audit Coordination
    Budget Development and Monitoring
    Supervisory Skills
    General Ledger Maintenance
    Analytical Skills
    Communication Skills
    Problem-Solving Skills
    Attention to Detail
    Certified Public Accountant (CPA)

    Some tips for your application 🫡

    Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the Chief Accountant role. Use keywords from the job description to show we’re on the same page!

    Showcase Your Qualifications: Don’t forget to emphasise your qualifications, especially if you have a CPA or CPFO. We want to see how your background makes you the perfect fit for overseeing financial operations.

    Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. We appreciate straightforwardness, so avoid fluff and focus on what really matters in your experience and skills.

    Apply Through Our Website: Remember to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the position.

    How to prepare for a job interview at Birminghamalcitycouncil

    ✨Know Your Numbers

    As a Chief Accountant, you'll need to demonstrate your expertise in financial operations. Brush up on key accounting principles, GAAP, and GASB standards. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these in previous roles, especially in overseeing audits and managing budgets.

    ✨Showcase Leadership Skills

    This role involves supervising staff, so highlight your experience in leading teams. Prepare examples of how you've assigned tasks, provided feedback, and developed your team members. This will show that you can manage the accounting functions effectively.

    ✨Prepare for Scenario Questions

    Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills. Think of scenarios where you've had to resolve discrepancies in financial records or implement changes after an audit. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses.

    ✨Research the City of Birmingham

    Familiarise yourself with the City of Birmingham's financial practices and any recent news related to their budget or financial management. Showing that you understand their specific challenges and goals will set you apart as a candidate who is genuinely interested in the position.

    Chief Accountant - City of Birmingham
    Birminghamalcitycouncil
    Location: Birmingham
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