PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT

The City of Tucson Business Services Department is seeking an experienced, detail-oriented individual to serve as a Principal Accountant to manage financial functions. The successful candidate will manage accounting and financial data, audit activities, and supervise employees in safeguarding City assets and financial resources.

The successful candidate would have a strong accounting background and analytical skills to handle the financial activities for the division, and to work in collaboration with other divisions and city departments, as well as outside agencies and consultants. The successful candidate should be highly self-motivated, capable of handling large volumes of work proficiently, and comfortable working in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.

The position performs professional and highly technical accounting work of a varied nature and has the responsibility for major elements of the general accounting and budgetary systems such as development of accounting and reporting systems for federal grants, capital improvement projects, and various financial reports such as the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the Single Audit, the Expenditure Limitation Report, Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (AZEQ) Report, Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) and HUD’s Real Estate Assessment Center (REAC). HUD's Real Estate Assessment Center (REAC) FDS report for two Housing Authorities as well as monthly VMS submissions to HUD for two Housing Authorities, preparation of Quarterly and Annual Financial Reports for five Partnerships within the Housing Authority.

This position supervises additional support staff. Requires a conceptual grasp of complex accounting systems or sub-systems, as well as new systems development. The position in HCDD requires a working knowledge of the regulations and reporting requirements for various HUD programs such Public Housing, Section 8, CDBG and HOME.

Other responsibilities may include:
• Reviewing and auditing work prepared by departmental financial staff
• Cash forecasting
• Internal auditing and analysis
• Preparing budgets, financial reports, statements, notes for multiple fiscal year ends, and reconciliations for effective control of federally regulated programs

The classification performs related duties as required.

The classification performs related duties as required. This classification performs front-line supervisor duties; plans and directs work of others, hires, trains, prepares performance appraisals, and approves leave time of others. This classification decisions are defined by policies, standards and precedents but require independent thinking. The work done is determined by following established standard procedures or policy, the position has flexibility in which to apply which policy and/or procedure. This classification is supervised by the Finance Manager.

Provides lead direction (supervision) regarding training and work assignment and review to professional staff; organizes work, sets priorities, instructs staff in work procedures; provides input into hiring decisions, performance evaluations and disciplinary actions  

Prepares and directs the preparation of financial statements including the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report and various other financial reports; reviews and analyzes central and departmental accounting staff’s work  

Researches and analyzes difficult and highly technical transactions; reviewing applicable accounting standards and pronouncements, implementing best practices, reaching out to other agencies Reviews and recommends modifications to accounting systems and procedures; reviews and analyzes accounting procedures for conformance with laws, regulations and accepted accounting practices  

Reviews accounting documents to ensure accuracy of information and calculations; Examines supporting documentation to establish proper authorization and conformance with agreements, contracts, state and federal regulations

Minimum Education Level & Type: Bachelor’s Degree

Minimum Experience Qualifications: At least 3 years finance, accounting and use of accounting software

Minimum requirements must be met as stated above.  We will not accept experience in lieu of education, or education in lieu of experience.

An updated, chronological resume is required to be uploaded.

A copy of your degree or transcripts must be uploaded.

Bachelor's Degree in Finance, Accounting, or related field.

Please note: An uploaded resume is required for this application. Failure to upload your resume will be considered an incomplete application. The uploaded resume will need to support the information selected/provided in the submitted application.

Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be evaluated on the education and work experience in their employment profile and their responses to their supplemental questions. The most qualified applicants will then be invited to participate in the following assessments:

• Virtual Oral Board Interviews will be conducted late December 2021 - early January 2022

Upon completion of all examination processes, the highest scoring applicants will be placed on the Civil Service Employment List.  An applicant's ranking on the Civil Service list will be based on their final score which will be calculated as:      

• 10% of your rating for education and work experience
• 15% of your rating for your resume review
• 75% of your rating for your oral board interview   

This recruitment will establish a civil service list that will be utilized to fill vacancies occurring within the next 6 months.

Veterans, Native American, or Disability preference points will be added to the final score for those that are placed on the Civil Service Employment List.  If you qualify for preference points as outlined in the Employment Profile, you must present your documentation prior to your oral board interview.  The DD 214 must be a copy that indicates characterization of service.  

If you are in need of Americans with Disabilities Act-related accommodation during the testing process, please email Erin Gallego at erin.gallego@tucsonaz.gov at least 48 hours prior to the evaluation.

**The City of Tucson values the safety of our employees, our residents, our community, and our visitors. In support of these values, if you are selected for this job, you must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, except when vaccination is not medically advised or violates your sincerely held religious beliefs. If you are invited to join our team, you must submit proof that you are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to your initial HR representative, or you must request an exemption from your representative. New employees must either provide proof of vaccination or be granted a medical or religious exemption before working with the City of Tucson.**

You are encouraged to print this bulletin because it contains important dates and information that will not be available online once this position closes.

Communications throughout this process will be sent via email exclusively so please ensure your browser accepts emails from jobs@tucsonaz.gov and check your email account regularly. Failure to respond or follow instructions will result in disqualification. All email inquires should be directed to Erin.Gallego@tucsonaz.gov

To ensure accurate payroll information for tax purposes, the successful candidate will need to provide their original Social Security Card or original letter from the Social Security Administration with their social security number prior to beginning work with the City of Tucson.

The City of Tucson hires lawful workers only - US citizens or nationals and non-citizens with valid work authorization - without discrimination. Federal immigration laws require all employers to verify both the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States. In its efforts to meet the law's requirements, the City of Tucson participates in the E-Verify program established by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Social Security Administration (SSA) to aid employers in verifying the eligibility of workers.

Retired City of Tucson employees receiving benefits from the Tucson Supplemental Retirement System who are considering reemployment with the City should be aware that pursuant to Section 22-37(g) of the Tucson City Code, retirement benefits shall be suspended during the period of reemployment with the City of Tucson unless you have been separated at least twelve consecutive months before returning to work AND you return to a non-permanent employment classification. Creditable service does not accrue during any reemployment period.