Accountant I

PURPOSE

To perform professional level accounting and finance support in the areas of cost allocation, accounts analysis and reconciliation, financial information systems development and testing; participate in the development of personal computer based programming, training, and application.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is the entry level class in the professional Accounting series. This class is distinguished from the Accountant II by the performance of more routine tasks and duties assigned to positions within the series. Employees at this level are not expected to perform with the same independence of direction and judgment on matters related to established procedures and guidelines as are positions allocated to the journey level. Since this class is typically used as a training class, employees may have only limited or no directly related work experience.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives general supervision from an Accountant of a higher level.
Supervision is not normally a function of this class.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Develop and test proposed changes to Financial Management Information System; develop and maintain PC based programming to automate account transactions and reconciliation's; develop indirect costs allocation plans and create trial balances, lead sheets and accrual work papers on electronic media for use by independent auditors.
2. Develop annual indirect cost allocation to determine true cost of services and maximize reimbursement from grant and contracted services; review and streamline accounting procedures used and work with data processing to maintain data integrity and system balance.
3. Analyze and reconcile County ledger activities to grant reports, bank statements, payroll and other reports; monitor project accounting with the County.
4. Review County's internal controls and make necessary recommendations; maintain records and accounts necessary to comply with grant procedures.
5. Assists in creating a positive and supportive work environment; enforces a safe workplace; establishes a culture of teamwork and communication; creates a workplace that promotes the organizational values of access and opportunity and actively promotes an environment respectful of living and working in a society accepting of all.
6. Provide personal computer training on spreadsheets, word processing and data base application; provide instruction on FMIS and access to database through system inquiry and reporting language distribution processing and reporting.
7. Act as liaison between County and school districts, cities, and other jurisdictions; advise user departments on accounting procedures.
8. Perform specialized accounting studies as assigned.
9. Perform related duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

• Generally accepted accounting principles, systems, procedures, and controls.

• Principles, practices, and procedures of finance.

• Mainframe and personal computer accounting applications.

• Cost accounting and cost allocation methodology.

• Personal computers and related software, including data transfer.

Ability to:

• Understand and analyze the management accounting needs of a large governmental organization.

• Analyze and/or create accounting solutions using automation techniques.

• Transfer or download information between computer applications or other environments to provide special accounting analysis and reporting.

• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with individuals, whether members of the public or coworkers, from diverse groups and backgrounds.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

• Associate's degree in finance, Accounting, Public Administration, Business, or a related field; OR

• High School diploma or equivalent AND two (2) years of experience in accounting, accounting operations, bookkeeping, financial analysis, or auditing.