Senior Accountant V

Department Overview

The Department of Finance provides centralized structure and support for the City of Norfolk’s financial operations, to include financial reporting; debt and cash management; payroll; procurement; risk management; financial system administration and support; accounts payable; collections; and retirement. Finance’s Financial Reporting division is responsible for facilitating the City’s annual external audit, preparing the City’s Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR), and maintaining the integrity of the City’s general ledger accounting system.

Through the provision of assistance and guidance, the Department of Finance is positioned to interact with just about every City department and is a great place to build a career. We work hard, but we also have fun and take care of our greatest resource, our people.

• Responsible for an array of complex, multi-faceted responsibilities including assisting in the preparation of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR), accounting conversions, and state‑mandated comparative cost reporting.
• Serves as the team lead, coordinating the fund accounting team in the preparation of fund financial statements and ensuring all work products comply with GAAP, GASB standards, and established regulatory guidelines.
• Provides technical accounting support and training as required.
• Monitors financial systems and workflows to ensure internal controls are adequate to safeguard the City’s assets.
• In the absence of the Senior Accounting Manager, may perform certain duties of that position.
• Performs other related work as required.
• Supports the Senior Accounting Manager and the City Controller in the furtherance of the Department’s goals.
• Comprehensive oversight of the financial reporting for the City’s fund level and government‑wide financial statements, including review of work by other accounting positions and thorough knowledge of the City’s account structure and federal, state, and other reporting requirements.
• Reconciles, reviews, and approves transactions using the City financial system.
• Prepares audit work papers and schedules.
• Assists with the annual external audit and works closely with the independent auditors to resolve issues, answer questions, and provide guidance.
• Provides accounting support and guidance to other departments.
• Prepares and reviews various reports in compliance with local, state, and federal guidelines.
• Prepares and reviews monthly bank, investment, and other asset/liability reconciliations.
• Reviews the work product of the financial reporting team for quality control and compliance.
• Monitors various funds to ensure the integrity and accuracy of financial information.
• Uses Excel and Word to perform job duties.
• Acts as team leader for Fund Team Accountants.
• Keeps abreast of and implements new GASB pronouncements.
• Position is expected to work more than 40 hours per week during high‑volume times and to meet critical deadlines.
• Other duties as required and assigned.

• Knowledge of accounting principles and auditing standards promulgated by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB), U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA), and the Commonwealth of Virginia Auditor of Public Accounts (APA). Knowledge is normally acquired through a Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or a closely related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Four years of progressive experience in governmental accounting and computer software applications.
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) licensure preferred.

• Monday – Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm