Job Description
Job description
The City of Birmingham seeks a highly qualified and driven Chief Accountant to aid in overseeing the accounting operations within its Finance Department. The Chief Accountant will manage the daily activities of an accounting division, including supervising Principal Accountants who in turn oversee Senior Accountants, Accountants, and administrative staff in executing various governmental accounting tasks. Reporting to the Assistant Director of Finance, the Chief Accountant is guided by broad practices, policies, and objectives but must also apply significant independent judgment in carrying out sophisticated and professional accounting duties. The role involves setting short- and long-term objectives for the team, managing daily operations, delegating and reviewing work, and providing guidance and advice to direct reports and other staff. Additional responsibilities encompass managing financial records and accounts, preparing financial statements, reconciling accounts, handling receivables and payables, and contributing to departmental audits. This description does not encompass all job functions; additional essential functions may be required.
A CAREER WITH THE CITY OF BIRMINGHAM
With the motto of Putting People First, the City of Birmingham works to ensure employees and the citizens of Birmingham are the number one priority. Employment with the City provides an opportunity to work in an environment that fosters a culture of teamwork and community, supports equity and justice, promotes employee growth and development, and encourages individualism, while also emphasizing accountability to fellow coworkers and the community. Putting People First also means that, as an employer, the City of Birmingham strives to provide and maintain a highly competitive compensation structure, excellent health and medical benefits, and a strong and secure retirement and pension plan, along with other employee wellness benefits and programs. Working with the City of Birmingham provides not only the opportunity for a productive and secure career, but also a career that provides meaning and the opportunity to truly make a difference.
Website:
To learn more about the City of Birmingham, please visit www.birminghamal.gov.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATION:
To be considered for employment in this position, a candidate must possess the following:
• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance OR a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with a minimum of 30 semester hours in accounting coursework.
• Experience supervising employees to include training and directing the work of multiple subordinates.
• Experience using automated computer systems to post and balance financial transactions.
• Experience reconciling financial accounts and reviewing journal entries.
• Experience preparing, analyzing, reviewing, and approving accounting functions such as general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, financial statements, payroll, budgeting.
• Experience using Microsoft Office Suite to include Excel and Word.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Preferred qualifications are experiences, education, and/or other job-related qualifications considered to be highly desirable by Merit System agencies. The preferred qualifications may be used by the hiring agency to identify applicants to invite to participate in subsequent selection processes.
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Governmental Financial Manager (CGFM), or Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE).
• Master's degree in accounting, finance, or business administration.
• Experience working as an internal or external auditor, reviewing financial reports, and writing financial reports.
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
The City of Birmingham offers a competitive compensation and benefits package, including:
• Salary range: $77,854 - $120,764 (starting salary is commensurate with education and experience)
• Flexible work arrangements including remote/telework options for up to two days per week and alternative work schedules (e.g., four 10-hour days). Such flexible work arrangements must be approved by the Department Director.
• A City-sponsored pension retirement plan. The City of Birmingham provides a Tier 3 “defined benefit” plan where employee retirement payments are computed using a formula that considers several factors, such as length of employment and salary history.
• Excellent medical insurance with employee monthly contribution as low as $32.50/month
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Behavioral health plan
• Group Term Life & AD&D Insurance, Voluntary Term Life & AD&D, Whole Life Insurance, and Short-term Disability options
• Paid vacation and sick leave
• Generous holiday schedule
• Membership and admission benefits for City attractions such as the Birmingham Zoo, Birmingham Museum of Art, Southern Museum of Flight, and more.
The City of Birmingham seeks a highly qualified and driven Chief Accountant to aid in overseeing the accounting operations within its Finance Department. The Chief Accountant will manage the daily activities of an accounting division, including supervising Principal Accountants who in turn oversee Senior Accountants, Accountants, and administrative staff in executing various governmental accounting tasks. Reporting to the Assistant Director of Finance, the Chief Accountant is guided by broad practices, policies, and objectives but must also apply significant independent judgment in carrying out sophisticated and professional accounting duties. The role involves setting short- and long-term objectives for the team, managing daily operations, delegating and reviewing work, and providing guidance and advice to direct reports and other staff. Additional responsibilities encompass managing financial records and accounts, preparing financial statements, reconciling accounts, handling receivables and payables, and contributing to departmental audits. This description does not encompass all job functions; additional essential functions may be required.
A CAREER WITH THE CITY OF BIRMINGHAM
With the motto of Putting People First, the City of Birmingham works to ensure employees and the citizens of Birmingham are the number one priority. Employment with the City provides an opportunity to work in an environment that fosters a culture of teamwork and community, supports equity and justice, promotes employee growth and development, and encourages individualism, while also emphasizing accountability to fellow coworkers and the community. Putting People First also means that, as an employer, the City of Birmingham strives to provide and maintain a highly competitive compensation structure, excellent health and medical benefits, and a strong and secure retirement and pension plan, along with other employee wellness benefits and programs. Working with the City of Birmingham provides not only the opportunity for a productive and secure career, but also a career that provides meaning and the opportunity to truly make a difference.
Website:
To learn more about the City of Birmingham, please visit www.birminghamal.gov.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATION:
To be considered for employment in this position, a candidate must possess the following:
• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance OR a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with a minimum of 30 semester hours in accounting coursework.
• Experience supervising employees to include training and directing the work of multiple subordinates.
• Experience using automated computer systems to post and balance financial transactions.
• Experience reconciling financial accounts and reviewing journal entries.
• Experience preparing, analyzing, reviewing, and approving accounting functions such as general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, financial statements, payroll, budgeting.
• Experience using Microsoft Office Suite to include Excel and Word.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Preferred qualifications are experiences, education, and/or other job-related qualifications considered to be highly desirable by Merit System agencies. The preferred qualifications may be used by the hiring agency to identify applicants to invite to participate in subsequent selection processes.
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Governmental Financial Manager (CGFM), or Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE).
• Master's degree in accounting, finance, or business administration.
• Experience working as an internal or external auditor, reviewing financial reports, and writing financial reports.
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
The City of Birmingham offers a competitive compensation and benefits package, including:
• Salary range: $77,854 - $120,764 (starting salary is commensurate with education and experience)
• Flexible work arrangements including remote/telework options for up to two days per week and alternative work schedules (e.g., four 10-hour days). Such flexible work arrangements must be approved by the Department Director.
• A City-sponsored pension retirement plan. The City of Birmingham provides a Tier 3 “defined benefit” plan where employee retirement payments are computed using a formula that considers several factors, such as length of employment and salary history.
• Excellent medical insurance with employee monthly contribution as low as $32.50/month
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Behavioral health plan
• Group Term Life & AD&D Insurance, Voluntary Term Life & AD&D, Whole Life Insurance, and Short-term Disability options
• Paid vacation and sick leave
• Generous holiday schedule
• Membership and admission benefits for City attractions such as the Birmingham Zoo, Birmingham Museum of Art, Southern Museum of Flight, and more.
💡 Quick Summary
Seeking a career-building opportunity? The Chief Accountant position is now open for candidates interested in the Accountant Jobs sector. This role in Birmingham offers a professional environment and growth potential.
Requirement Snapshot: Candidates should possess basic communication skills, a proactive attitude, and the ability to work in a team. Experience in Accountant Jobs is a plus.
