City of Bellflower

This recruitment is open on a continuous basis and may close at any time. Interested individuals are encouraged to apply immediately. The first review of applications will be on Monday, November 17, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. Applications received after November 17, 2025, may not be considered.

This recruitment requires that a resume, licenses you hold, and degree be uploaded with your application to be considered complete. While not required, you may include a cover letter addressing your professional accounting, budgeting, or auditing experience as part of your application submission. Applicants appearing best qualified based upon a review of the application, materials, and responses to supplemental questions will be invited to participate in the testing process. 

Under general direction, plans, directs, administers, supervises, and participates in the daily operations and activities of the Finance Department, including accounting, financial reporting, budgeting, audits, cash management, investments, debt issuance and administration, revenues, payroll, accounts payable and receivable, business licensing, purchasing, and fixed assets; coordinates assigned activities with other departments and outside granting and regulatory agencies; provides highly responsible and complex staff assistance to the Director of Finance/City Treasurer; and performs related work as required.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives general direction from the Director of Finance/City Treasurer. Exercises general and direct supervision over assigned staff.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

This is a management classification that manages assigned accounting and finance programs, operations, and activities. Responsibilities include performing diverse, specialized, and complex work involving significant accountability and decision-making responsibility. The incumbent organizes and oversees day-to-day financial activities and operations and is responsible for providing professional-level support to the Director of Finance/City Treasurer in a variety of areas. Successful performance of the work requires an extensive professional background as well as skill in coordinating departmental work with that of other City departments and external agencies. This class is distinguished from the Director of Finance/City Treasurer in that the latter has overall responsibility for all finance and accounting functions and for developing, implementing and interpreting public policy.

EXAMPLES OF TYPICAL JOB FUNCTIONS

  • Plans, manages, and oversees the implementation of assigned finance and accounting programs, operations, and activities for the City, Public Facilities Corporation, Financing Authority, and Successor Agency including accounting, financial reporting, budgeting, audits, cash management, investments, debt issuance and administration, revenues, payroll, accounts payable and receivable, business licensing, purchasing, and fixed assets.
  • Manages and participates in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for assigned operations and activities; recommends within departmental policy, appropriate service and staffing levels; recommends and administers policies and procedures.
  • Develops and standardizes procedures and methods to improve and continuously monitors the efficiency and effectiveness of assigned programs, service delivery methods, and procedures; assesses and monitors workload, administrative and support systems, and internal reporting relationships; identifies opportunities for improvement and recommends to the Director.
  • Participates in the selection of, trains, motivates, and evaluates assigned personnel; provides or coordinates staff training; works with employees on performance issues; implements discipline and termination procedures.
  • Participates in the development and administration of the City’s and department budget; forecasts additional funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; directs the monitoring of and approves expenditures; recommends adjustments as necessary.
  • Manages the City’s banking, cash, daily reconciliation of transactions, and related safeguarding of funds.
  • Assists in the implementation of ERP systems, streamlining financial processes, improving data accuracy, and enhancing reporting capabilities across the organization.
  • Participate in planning, preparing for, and coordinating calendar and fiscal year-end closing and audits; prepares audit schedules and serves as point of contact for external auditors during the annual auditing process; and assists in the successful implementation of ERP systems, streamlining financial processes, improving data accuracy, and enhancing reporting capabilities across the organization.
  • Prepares, analyzes, reviews, and comments on a variety of financial reports, statements, and schedules, including the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR).
  • Participates in the development, revision, and maintenance of policy and procedure manuals governing fiscal matters; monitors financial procedures of all City departments, including internal audits and checks and balances; ensures that necessary corrective actions are taken.
  • Maintains and reconciles a variety of ledgers, reports, and accounting records; examines accounting transactions to ensure accuracy; approves journal vouchers to post transactions to accounting records.
  • Oversees the monitoring of purchases to ensure compliance with budgetary and contractual requirements.
  • Reviews quarterly and annual federal and state payroll tax returns; ensures tax returns are filed in a timely manner.
  • Serves as a liaison for the assigned programs to other City departments and outside agencies; negotiates and resolves significant and controversial issues.
  • Provides highly complex staff assistance to the Director of Finance/City Treasurer; develops and reviews staff reports and other necessary correspondence related to assigned activities and services; and prepares and delivers financial presentations to council and other external stakeholders, ensuring clear communication of complex financial information and supporting strategic decision-making.
  • Conducts a variety of organizational studies, investigations, and operational studies; recommends modifications to assigned programs, policies, and procedures, as appropriate.
  • Attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of public agency finance and accounting; researches emerging products and enhancements and their applicability to City needs.
  • Monitors changes in regulations and technology that may affect assigned functions and operations; implements policy and procedural changes after approval.
  • Receives, investigates, and responds to difficult and sensitive problems and complaints in a professional manner; identifies and reports findings and takes necessary corrective action.
  • Performs other duties as assigned.

Typical Qualifications
Knowledge of:

  • Administrative principles and practices, including goal setting, program development, implementation, and evaluation, and project management.
  • Principles and practices of public agency finance, including general and governmental accounting, auditing, and reporting functions.
  • General Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and General Accepted Auditing Standards (GAAS).
  • Principles and practices of public agency budget development and administration and sound financial management policies and procedures.
  • Public agency contract administration, grants administration, and general principles of risk management related to the functions of the assigned area.
  • Organization and management practices as applied to the development, analysis, and evaluation of programs, policies, and operational needs of the assigned functional area.
  • Principles and practices of employee supervision, either directly or through subordinate levels of supervision, including work planning, assignment, review and evaluation, and the training of staff in work procedures.
  • Applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules, regulations, ordinances, and organizational policies and procedures relevant to assigned area of responsibility.
  • Practices of researching finance and accounting issues, evaluating alternatives, making sound recommendations, and preparing and presenting effective staff reports.
  • Recent and on-going developments, current literature, and sources of information related to finance and accounting.
  • Record keeping principles and procedures.
  • Modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment and applications related to the work.
  • English usage, spelling, vocabulary, grammar, and punctuation.
  • Techniques for effectively representing the City in contacts with governmental agencies, community groups, various business, professional, educational, and regulatory organizations, and with property owners, developers, contractors, and the public.
  • Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff.

Ability to:

  • Recommend and implement goals, objectives, policies, procedures, work standards, and internal controls for providing effective and efficient services.
  • Administer finance and accounting programs, operations, and activities in an independent and cooperative manner.
  • Plan, organize, assign, review, and evaluate the work of staff; train staff in work procedures.
  • Evaluate and develop improvements in operations, procedures, policies, or methods.
  • Research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods, procedures, and techniques.
  • Prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, policies, procedures, and other written materials.
  • Analyze, interpret, summarize, and present administrative and technical information and data in an effective manner.
  • Interpret, apply, explain, and ensure compliance with federal, state, and local policies, procedures, laws, and regulations.
  • Conduct complex research projects, evaluate alternatives, make sound recommendations, and prepare effective technical staff reports.
  • Effectively represent the department and the City in meetings with governmental agencies, community groups, and various businesses, professional, and regulatory organizations and in meetings with individuals.
  • Establish and maintain a variety of filing, record keeping, and tracking systems.
  • Organize and prioritize a variety of projects and multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner; organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines.
  • Operate modern office equipment including computer equipment and software programs.
  • Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone, and in writing.
  • Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
  • Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education and Experience:

Equivalent to graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in accounting, finance, business administration, or a closely related field and five (5) years of increasingly responsible professional accounting or auditing experience, including three (3) years of supervisory experience. A Master’s degree in public administration, related field, or CPA license is preferred.

Licenses and Certifications:

Possession of an appropriate, valid driver’s license and insurability at regular rates for the City’s automobile insurance.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer, to operate a motor vehicle, and to visit various City and meeting sites; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person, before groups, and over the telephone. This is primarily a sedentary office classification although standing in work areas and walking between work areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects weighing up to 25 pounds.

ENVIRONMENTAL ELEMENTS

Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives and contractors in interpreting and enforcing departmental and City policies and procedures.

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