THE CITY OF RICHMOND
Best known for its unique history and role in the World War II home front effort, the City of Richmond, with an estimated population of 110,000, is located 16 miles northeast of San Francisco on the western shore of Contra Costa County. Between 1940 and 1945, tens of thousands of workers from all over the country streamed into the City to support wartime industries. The City was home to four Kaiser shipyards which housed the most productive shipbuilding operations of World War II, launching 747 ships during that time. The City was also home to approximately 55 war-related industries – more than any other city of its size in the United States. Today, the City is an important industrial, commercial, transportation, oil refining, shipping and government center. The City operates a council-manager form of government consisting of six council members and a mayor elected at-large.
Richmond residents are active and engaged, with a rich heritage of cultural and racial diversity. The Five-Year Strategic Business Plan, developed as a blueprint, guides the City’s day-to-day operations and its capital improvement and revitalization programs. The strategic plan’s goals are based on the understanding that investment of financial, physical, and staff resources made today ensures that the City’s quality of life is enhanced and preserved for its future residents.
THE POSITIONS
The City of Richmond’s Finance Department is recruiting for two unique positions, Budget Administrator and Accounting Manager. Reporting to the Finance Director/Treasurer, these experienced professionals will lead the City’s budgetary and accounting functions and support City Departments to
ensure proper fiscal management, budgeting, and accounting, and ensure sound fiduciary practices. The City’s Original Adopted General Fund Annual budget for Fiscal Year 2020-2021 is $160 million while the overall Operating budget, including the Capital Improvement Plan budget, is $340M (all funds).
THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
BUDGET ADMINISTRATOR
The Budget Administrator coordinates, plans, organizes, trains and provides technical assistance and directs the preparation and execution of all budgets, the City’s Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan, all non-departmental revenue estimates, Financial Reviews and Financial Forecasts. The candidate selected for this position will be responsible for overseeing and participating in the development and continued updating of the City’s budgets and providing financial information and analyses to executive management and the City Council.
The ideal candidate will be a strong analytical thinker with municipal experience and functional knowledge of California municipal revenue and finance principles. Experience will include managing operating and capital improvement program budgets and leading the overall citywide budget processes. The incumbent’s knowledge base must include principles, practices, and methods of financial management, modern public administration, and human resources management. The successful candidate must possess strong independent judgment to design effective budget models for the City.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Plans, organizes, directs and coordinates the City’s budget processes.
- Forecasts revenues and expenditures for the City’s General Fund.
- Prepares the Finance Department’s and all nondepartmental budgets.
- Reviews, analyzes and edits all budget submissions. Assists departments by providing training and technical expertise in budget preparation.
- Prepares financial and budgetary materials for City Manager and Council Budget Review Sessions, public hearings and Council meetings; participates in the development of financial planning strategies.
- Reviews and approves, within delegated authority limits, requests for budgetary changes, travel and training, and contractual services by City department staffs and/or directors during the fiscal year.
- Plans, organizes and directs preparation and presentation of Mid-year and Third Quarter Financial and Budget Reviews for the City Council.
- Conducts complex budgetary and financially oriented research, studies, and reports.
- Monitors all of the City’s long-term debt.
- Works with the City’s Department Heads in planning Capital Project Budgets to be funded with Grant Funds. Oversees and monitors grant activities to ensure compliance with grantor agencies’ policies and regulations.
ACCOUNTING MANAGER
The Accounting Manager plans, organizes, and administers the work of the accounting function of the City’s Finance Department and acts as Deputy City Treasurer. The candidate selected for this position will be responsible for municipal accounting procedures and records in the areas of accounts payable, revenue, general ledger and grant program accounting, appropriation accounting and general obligation, and revenue bonds. In addition to supervising professional accounting and office support staff, this position is responsible for the City’s cash management function, including investments, banking and banking relationships, debt service administration, and cash flow analysis and administration.
The ideal candidate for this position has broad subject-matter knowledge of program procedures, operations, and financial recordkeeping systems and can use their technical knowledge, analytical skills, and strong independent judgment to effectively assess long-range financial and accounting problems, and to ensure accurate reporting of the City’s financial position.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Develops and directs the implementation of goals, objectives, policies, procedures, and work standards; directs the preparation and administration of the unit’s budget.
- Confers and advises City staff regarding accounting, financial, and technical procedures and legal requirements.
- Directs the preparation, maintenance, verification, and reconciliation of a wide variety of accounting reports, invoices, records, statements, and data processing.
- Develops, reviews, and recommends improved accounting methods and procedures; and directs the implementation of new financial systems.
- Assists various federal, state, and private auditors in the audit of the City’s financial records.
- Interprets and applies legal and administrative concepts to various accounting functions.
- Coordinates work activities with other unit staff to ensure proper interface of accounting transactions and adjustments.
- Maintains current knowledge of legislation affecting City accounting practices and procedures; and implements revised procedures as required; and performs internal audits and analysis of control systems.
- Prepares a variety of complex analytical, statistical, and narrative reports and correspondence required by City administration and federal, state, and private agencies.
- Prepares and publishes the City’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report.
- Manages the City’s banking relationship and services; administers the City’s debt service and bonded debt programs.
Both the Budget Administrator and the Accounting Manager must be able to provide clear vision and ongoing direction for their areas of responsibility; demonstrated professional experience working with the complexities of municipal organizations is a plus but not a requirement; experience with large-scale system implementations and financial technology as well as knowledge and experience with MUNIS is desirable. Successful candidates will exhibit excellent presentation skills, written and verbal communication skills; have a track record of collaborative leadership; will have excellent interpersonal skills, understand internal policies and procedures, technical principles, methodologies, techniques, external laws and regulations governing area of work, and demonstrate the ability to apply applicable knowledge to improve operations.
EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICAITONS
Qualified applicants for both the Budget Administrator and the Accounting Manager will have a B. A. degree in Accounting, Finance, Public or Business Administration or a closely related field from an accredited college or university AND five (5) years of progressively responsible experience with financial and/or budgetary systems which would demonstrate the above knowledge and abilities, INCLUDING at least two (2) years of supervisory experience.
For Budget Administrator, a Master’s Degree may be substituted for one year’s experience.
License Certification
Possess a valid California Driver’s License or have access to another form of personal transportation.
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
MONTHLY SALARY RANGE: $8,117 – $9,868 with potential total annual compensation with benefits at $161,349. Appointment will be made within this range depending upon qualifications. The salary is complemented by a generous benefits package that includes:
RETIREMENT. CalPERS 2.7% @ 55 for classic employees (8% employee contribution); 2% @ 62 for employees new to CalPERS (6.75% employee contribution).
MEDICAL. Managed through CalPERS with multiple options. Maximum benefit paid by the City of Richmond is the Kaiser HMO family rate.
DELTA DENTAL, VISION SERVICE PLAN & EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM are provided at no cost to the employee.
LIFE INSURANCE. 2x annual salary up to $250,000 benefit.
LONG TERM DISABILITY INSURANCE. 60% of salary up to $5,000 per month after 30 day waiting period.
PAID HOLIDAYS (12 per calendar year), Floating Holidays (five per calendar year), and Administrative Leave (5 days per fiscal year).
VACATION. Ten days, increasing after three years and vacation credit for prior employment.
SICK LEAVE. Twelve days annual sick leave and payment for unused sick leave.
TO APPLY
Please visit: https://agency.governmentjobs.com/richmondca/default.cfm
The deadline to apply for this position is TUESDAY, May 11, 2021.
The City of Richmond is an Equal Opportunity Employer that actively encourages workforce diversity.