Assistant Chief Accountant

City of Livonia, MI

$84K — $99K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or a related field from an accredited institution.
  • Minimum of two years of full-time experience in governmental accounting.
  • Understanding of governmental accounting principles and financial reporting.
  • Leadership experience in an accounting environment.
  • Proficiency with accounting software and financial applications.

Responsibilities

  • Assist in supervising daily accounting operations, including payroll and accounts payable/receivable.
  • Prepare and review journal entries and account reconciliations for monthly and year-end closings.
  • Coordinate preparation for annual audits and assist with workpaper documentation.
  • Manage grant accounting, ensuring compliance with federal regulations.
  • Support the Chief Accountant in updating the City's chart of accounts for accurate financial reporting.
  • Collaborate with departments for financial data and budget monitoring.
  • Contribute to process improvements and financial system upgrades.

Benefits

  • Accrue vacation and sick leave based on years of service, starting at eight hours/month.
  • Receive fourteen paid holidays each year.
  • Medical and prescription coverage options through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan.
  • Eligible for a clothing voucher of $125 each fiscal year after probation.
  • Complimentary membership to the Jack E. Kirksey Recreation Center.
Full Job Description
Salary: $84,780.80 - $99,132.80 Annually
Location : City Hall, City of Livonia, MI
Job Type: Regular Full-Time
Job Number: 1272 o.c.
Department: Accounting
Opening Date: 05/29/2026
Closing Date: 6/28/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

SALARY INFORMATION
$84,780.80 - $99,132.80 Annually
  • Starting Salary: $84,780.80
  • After Six Months of Successful Employment: $90,417.60
  • After One Year of Successful Employment: $92,248.00
  • Maximum salary is achieved after four successful years of employment.

NOTE: Annual salary adjustments may also occur, based on collective bargaining agreements.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
Under the supervision of the Chief Accountant, the Assistant Chief Accountant supports the management of the City's accounting operations and ensures accurate and timely financial reporting. This position assists in supervising accounting staff, maintaining internal controls, preparing financial reports, and coordinating audits. The Assistant Chief Accountant plays a key role in daily operations, special projects, grant compliance, and continuous improvement initiatives.
Illustrative Examples of Work:
  • Assists in overseeing the daily operations of the accounting division, including payroll, accounts payable/receivable, general ledger maintenance, water administration, and fixed asset accounting
  • Prepares and reviews journal entries, account reconciliations, and financial schedules to support monthly and year-end closings
  • Assists in the preparation of interim and annual financial statements and reports
  • Supports the annual audit function, including preparation of workpapers and coordination of tasks assigned to other staff members
  • Manages grant accounting and reporting, including the preparation and maintenance of the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA), ensuring compliance with Uniform Guidance and all applicable federal grant requirements
  • Assists the Chief Accountant in maintaining and updating the City's chart of accounts to ensure accurate classification, consistency across departments, and alignment with financial reporting standards and operational needs
  • Helps ensure compliance with GAAP, GASB, and applicable federal, state, and local regulations
  • Participates in the development and implementation of internal controls and accounting policies
  • Collaborates with departments to provide financial data, resolve discrepancies, and support budget development and monitoring
  • Contributes to the identification and implementation of process improvements and financial system upgrades
  • Other duties as assigned

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND APPLICATION PROCESS
By the closing date of this announcement, an applicant must:
  1. Be a citizen of the United States or resident alien with the right to work in the United States; and
  2. Have a bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or a closely related field, from an accredited college or university; and
  3. Have at least two years of full-time paid work experience related to governmental accounting.


PARTS OF EXAMINATION AND WEIGHTS

Excel Test - Pass/Fail Interview - 100%
If the number of candidates who pass the Excel test exceeds eight, an evaluation will be made the eight candidates with the most relevant combination of education and experience will be invited to the Interview. Applicants must pass the Excel Test and Interview to be placed on the eligible list.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

  • Knowledge of governmental accounting principles and financial reporting
  • Leadership and supervisory experience in a finance or accounting environment
  • Proficiency with accounting software and computer applications
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • Ability to analyze complex financial data and make sound recommendations
  • Attention to detail and strong organizational skills

NOTE: At the time of appointment, applicants are required to pass a pre-employment medical examination conducted by a physician authorized by the City of Livonia.
PURPOSE: The purpose of this examination is to establish an eligible list to fill current, future, regular, and/or temporary vacancies.
HOW TO APPLY: Applications can be completed anytime online at If work experience and/or specific skills are listed as qualifications, it will be the responsibility of the applicant to describe their experience and/or skills sufficiently in the Education and Work Experience sections of the application so that it may be determined if they meet the stated qualifications. Applicants who do not comply will be disqualified from further consideration. Attachments or resumes are not accepted in place of completing the information requested on the official application. Applicants will be notified by e-mail of the next steps in the examination process.
PROBATIONARY PERIOD: Appointees must satisfactorily complete a six-month probationary period before the appointment will be considered regular.
The following is a brief overview of the benefits offered for this position. A new employee orientation will occur for each new, regular employee and will include detailed information about the benefit offerings. The benefits listed below are for full-time employees. Part-time employees are eligible for benefits but the amount of benefit will differ from what is listed below.

PAID TIME OFF
Employees receive vacation and sick time based on their years of service. New employees accrue vacation and sick time at a rate of eight hours per month. Upon completion of the six-month probationary period, employees are also entitled to four personal business days each year.

There are fourteen paid holidays each calendar year: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, President's Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving Day, Day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year's Eve.

MEDICAL BENEFITS
Medical and prescription drug coverage is offered through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. An employee has the choice between four plans and pays a monthly premium determined annually during each open-enrollment period which is in January of each year. New employees are eligible for medical coverage the first of the month following 30 days of employment.

The City also allows full-time employees who have health insurance through another provider to opt out of the City's medical coverage and receive $1,000 per year (paid monthly) in lieu of coverage.

DENTAL & VISION
Dental and vision insurance are also available for regular employees through Delta Dental and EyeMed, respectively. The employee pays a monthly premium determined annually during each open-enrollment period which is in January of each year. New employees are eligible for these insurances the first of the month following employment.

LIFE INSURANCE
The City covers the premium of a Life Insurance policy in the amount of one times the annual base salary plus $2,000.00 for full-time employees. Coverage begins the first of the month following 30 days of employment.

DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLAN
The City offers a Defined Contribution (401a) plan which is currently administered by Empower Retirement. Employees contribute 4.5% with a contribution rate of 13% from the City. Contributions for new employees begin six months from the date of hire. The City's contributions and earnings on those contributions are vested after four years of service.

Employees who wish to contribute more than 4.5% can open a Deferred Compensation (457) plan which is also administered by Empower Retirement.

RETIREMENT HEALTH SAVINGS PLAN
The City has established a Retirement Health Savings Plan for employees to assist with healthcare related costs in retirement. The Employee contributes 2% of their pay and the City contributes $100 per paycheck to this Plan. The City's contributions and earnings on those contributions are vested after four years of service.

CLOTHING VOUCHER
Each regular, general employee who does not otherwise receive a clothing allowance and has completed the six-month probationary period is eligible for a $125 clothing voucher each fiscal year to purchase departmental-approved clothing.

JACK E. KIRKSEY RECREATION CENTER MEMBERSHIP
All regular employees are eligible for a complimentary membership to the Jack E. Kirksey Recreation Center. Employees may also pay the difference in cost to upgrade their membership to add additional members of their household.

VOLUNTARY SUPPLEMENTAL BENEFITS
Employees are eligible to enroll in the City's voluntary supplemental benefit program which offers accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity, and short-term disability coverage along with, identity theft protection and legal assistance.
01

Do you have a bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or a closely related field, from an accredited college or university?
  • Yes
  • No

02

Do you have at least two years of full-time paid work experience related to governmental accounting?
  • Yes
  • No

Required Question

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