ACCOUNTING SPECIALIST

Located on the western shore of Lake Michigan, Milwaukee is an urban hub bursting with energy. Milwaukee provides a casual sophistication – big city appeal without the big city hassles. We are accessible and affordable, and our residents are welcoming. Milwaukee has evolved through the years, bringing together its unsurpassed charm with a breathtaking art museum, top-flight cultural attractions, professional sports, lakefront festivals, recreational opportunities, and great restaurants.

The City of Milwaukee is proud to employ a diverse workforce that is committed to providing exemplary service to the City’s residents. If you have a passion for being a part of an inclusive team of public servants, please consider the following opportunity.

The Accounting Specialist works closely with City departments to ensure compliance with the accounting and financial reporting provisions of the City of Milwaukee. During the forthcoming multi-year Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system implementation, the Accounting Specialist will serve across multiple functional areas.

ACCOUNTING

• Ensure accounting compliance with the laws, regulations, and requirements established by the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), the Government Accounting Standards Board (GASB), and the City's policies and procedural guidelines and internal accounting controls.
• Serve as Accountant for processing, monitoring, analyzing, and reporting transactions.
• Keep apprised of trends in accounting for optimization of best practices.
• Assist in daily coordination of divisional activities.
• Support management in addressing policies and procedural issues and requirements.
• Take initial lead in addressing challenging work assignments.
• Assist in developing and updating accounting and reporting procedures.
• Serve as an additional point of contact for the auditor's requests during the annual audit.
• Promote teamwork amongst the accountants.

FINANCIAL REPORTING

• Ensure financial reporting compliance with the laws, regulations, and requirements established by GAAP, GASB, and the City's policies and procedural guidelines and internal accounting controls.
• Prepare and review financial reports.
• Perform periodic account reconciliations.
• Assist in year-end closing activities, including analysis, reconciliation, accruals, and adjustments.
• Assist in preparing fund financial statements and supporting schedules for the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR).
• Prepare schedules for the annual financial and single audit; address questions from auditors.
• Process and/or review audit confirmations.
• Develop queries to facilitate financial reporting.

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND SPECIAL PROJECTS

• Maintain continuous communication with departments and other divisions within the Office of the Comptroller.
• Provide ongoing guidance and technical assistance to City departments and accounting staff.
• Assist in special projects, including diligent testing of the City's ERP system during conversion, upgrades, and updates.
• Maintain accurate recordkeeping.

We welcome qualified individuals with disabilities who are interested in employment and will make reasonable accommodations during the hiring process in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, as amended by the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) of 2008.

1. Bachelor’s degree with a major in accounting, business administration, finance, or a closely-related field from an accredited college or university.
2. Two years of progressively responsible professional accounting experience.
3. Ability to travel independently throughout the City of Milwaukee by public transportation, walking, bicycling, or driving.

Technical

• Knowledge of the principles and best practices of accounting and financial reporting.
• Knowledge of GAAP, GASB, and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) requirements.
• General knowledge of auditing techniques and procedures.
• General knowledge of business and management principles.
• Knowledge of and proficiency using automated enterprise financial systems.
• Knowledge of software conversion, multi-year project accounting, and federal regulations.
• Ability to proficiently use spreadsheets, databases, and word processing software.
• Ability to read, understand, and interpret budgets, financial statements, accounting policies and procedures, and audit reports.
• Knowledge of mathematics and the ability to make accurate calculations.
• Ability to learn quickly and take on responsibility for new assignments on a regular basis as needs dictate.

The current salary range (Pay Range 2JX) is $72,768-$92,612 annually, and the resident incentive salary range for City of Milwaukee residents is $74,951-$95,390. Appointment above the minimum is possible based upon level of experience and other qualifications and is subject to approval.

BENEFITS – The City of Milwaukee provides a comprehensive benefit program that includes the following:

·       Defined Benefit Pension Plan

·       457 Deferred Compensation Plan

·       Health and Dental Insurance

·       Paid Parental Leave

·       Comprehensive Wellness Program

·       Onsite Clinic Services

·       Onsite Employee Assistance Program

·       Alternative Work Schedules

·       Long Term Disability Insurance

·       Group Life Insurance

·       Tuition Benefits

·       Paid Vacation

·       12 Paid Holidays

·       Paid Sick Leave and other paid leaves

·       Flexible Spending Arrangement

·       Commuter Value Pass

For full details of the benefits offered by the City of Milwaukee, please visit https://city.milwaukee.gov/der/benefits.

THE SELECTION PROCESS will be job related and will consist of one or more of the following: an evaluation of education, experience and/or responses to supplemental questions; a written or performance test, a structured interview, or other assessment methods. The Department of Employee Relations reserves the right to call only the most qualified candidates to structured interviews and performance examinations. Structured interviews may include written exercises. Selection process component weights will be determined by further analysis of the job.

INITIAL FILING DATE – The selection process will be held as soon as practical after the date listed above. Receipt of applications may be discontinued at any time after this date without prior notice. However, recruitment may continue until the needs of the City have been met. Qualified applicants will be notified of the date, time, and place of the selection process components. Unless otherwise required by law, the City of Milwaukee will not provide alternative selection process dates or times. The applicant is responsible for attending all phases of the job selection process at the time and place designated by the City of Milwaukee.

·       APPLICATIONS and further information may be accessed by visiting www.jobapscloud.com/MIL.

·       If you would like assistance completing an application, please contact the Department of Employee Relations at (414) 286-3751 or staffinginfo@milwaukee.gov.

·       The Department of Employee Relations is located at City Hall, 200 E. Wells St., Room 706, Milwaukee, WI 53202.

EEO Code = 202

The City of Milwaukee values and encourages diversity and is an equal opportunity employer.