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.

• Providing quality customer service.

• Protecting the City’s resources from unauthorized use.

Program Activities

• Financial planning and reporting. Coordinating preparation of the two-year financial plan and annual budgets; preparing the comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR); coordinating annual and special audits; preparing annual State Controller’s Reports; issuing interim financial reports on the City’s fiscal and budgetary status; preparing the cost allocation plan; calculating the annual appropriation limit; and maintaining online 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 and reporting with the Human Resources Department; processing payments for insurance benefits and withheld taxes; and 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 and encumbrance files;and reviewing contract pay estimates.

• General accounting services and policies. Maintaining the general ledger system and chart of accounts; preparing daily cash deposits and reports; reconciling monthly bank statements; providing accounting services to various trusts and government agencies,  including the Central Coast Cities Self Insurance Fund; establishing accounting and purchasing policy systems and practices; coordinating cooperative purchasing opportunities; reviewing contract documents for compliance with City purchasing policies; administering the City’s real and personal property management systems; coordinating Federal Emergency Management Agency/Office of Emergency Services disaster cost recovery activities; reviewing claims to recover the cost of providing state-mandated services (SB90); and maintaining historical records of the City’s financial performance.

• Support services. Processing and distributing interdepartmental and U.S. mail; administering formal bids for purchases of supplies, equipment and services (placing bid notices, opening bids, reviewing insurance endorsements, coordinating contract execution, and monitoring insurance after bid award); and inventorying and ordering copier/printer paper supplies.