Accounting

The accounting program coordinates preparation of the City’s budget, issues financial reports, and administers the disbursement of City funds in accordance with adopted fiscal policies and internal control procedures.

Program Goals

• Developing and implementing effective and efficient financial planning, reporting, and accounting systems that help the operating departments achieve their objectives.

Program Activities

• Financial planning and reporting. Coordinating preparation of the five-year financial plan and annual budgets; coordinating annual and special audits; preparing annual State Controller’s Reports; issuing interim financial reports on the City’s fiscal and budgetary status; calculating the annual appropriation limit; maintaining on-line access of financial information to department fiscal officers and other City system users.

• Payroll. Processing the City’s employee payroll; filing monthly and annual reports with taxing authorities and regulatory agencies; coordinating employee benefit coverage; processing payments for insurance benefits and withheld taxes; providing payroll statistics to various departments and agencies.

• Accounts payable. Processing the City’s accounts payable and issuing checks to vendors; filing annual reports required by regulatory agencies; reviewing internal controls and adhering to established payable procedures; maintaining vendor files; reviewing vendor contracts.

• General accounting services and policies. Maintaining the general ledger system and chart of accounts; preparing daily cash deposits and reports; reconciling monthly bank statements; establishing accounting and purchasing systems and practices; coordinating cooperative purchasing opportunities; reviewing contract documents for compliance with City procurement procedures; coordinating FEMA/OES disaster cost recovery activities; reviewing claims to recover the cost of providing state-mandated services (SB90); maintaining historical records of the City’s financial performance.

• Support services. Processing and distributing interdepartmental and U.S. mail; reviewing formal bids for purchases of supplies, equipment and services; inventorying and ordering copier/printer paper supplies.