Accountant, Senior

PURPOSE

To provide professional level accounting and finance support, including the preparation and the supervision of the preparation of various manual and automated financial reports including those required for year-end closing and audits; work with operating departments to develop accounting procedures and ensure compliance; provide technical advice.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is the advanced journey-level class in the Accounting series. Positions at this level are distinguished from other classes within the series by the level of responsibility assumed and the complexity of the duties assigned.

Employees perform the most difficult and responsible types of duties assigned to classes within this series. Employees at this level are required to be fully trained in all procedures related to assigned areas of responsibility.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives general direction from the Financial Services Supervisor, Chief Financial Officer or other assigned staff.
Exercises functional and technical supervision over assigned support and professional staff.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES

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

1. Assist the Chief Accountant in the preparation of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Statements, including compilation and verification of all financial data, and preparation of closing entries, financial statements, footnotes and supporting schedules.

2. Manage the annual external audit process, including coordinating audit committee reviews, performing variance analysis, providing information regarding applicable policies and procedures, facilitating interviews with operating department personnel, and providing all pertinent reports and schedules.

3. Work with other departments or divisions to evaluate accounting needs; provide assistance in account classification and maintenance; develop uniform procedures.

4. Provide advice on expenditure controls, laws and regulations affecting fiscal activities, and related issues.

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. Analyze and reconcile the County General Ledger; make adjustments and report results; review all budgetary accounts for reasonableness.

7. Audit, propose changes in procedures, and train staff in internal controls over accounting transactions and assets; assist with implementation of new General Accounting Standards Board (GASB) pronouncements.

8. Prepare and monitor the Debt Service Funds; monitor all debt covenants and ensure compliance.

9. Reconcile all property tax receipts.

10. Maintain and update the County Chart of Accounts.

11. Perform specialized accounting studies as assigned.

12. May supervise assigned accounting staff.

13. Perform related duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

• Generally accepted accounting principles.

• Accounting systems and procedures.

• Cost accounting systems.

• Principles, practices, and procedures of finance.

• Internal controls and auditing procedures.

• Mainframe and personal computer accounting environments.

• Public sector accounting needs.

• Administrative organization, and regulations affecting financial operations and reporting.

• Fund collection trends.

• Cash flow prediction.

• Accrual level requirements.

• GASB reporting requirements.

Skills to:

• Exercise judgment in responding to and resolving complex issues.

• Communicate effectively orally and in writing financial or non-financial information to others.

• Work accurately under pressure and time constraints.

Ability to:

• Prepare and evaluate a wide variety of accounting reports.

• Read, interpret, apply relevant laws, rules and regulations.

• Establish and maintain fiscal records.

• Establish procedures and implement new policies.

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

• Evaluate and make recommendations on internal controls required to ensure the accuracy of accounting information captured and maintained within the automated accounting environment.

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

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

• Certified Public Accountant or Master's degree in Finance, Accounting, Public Administration, Business, or a related field. OR

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Public Administration, Business, or a related field AND two (2) years of experience in accounting, accounting operations, reconciliation, bookkeeping, financial analysis, or auditing. OR

• Associate's degree in Finance, Accounting, Public Administration, Business, or a related field AND four (4) years of experience in accounting, accounting operations, reconciliation, bookkeeping, financial analysis, or auditing. OR

• High School diploma or equivalent AND seven (7) years of experience in accounting, accounting operations, reconciliation, bookkeeping, financial analysis, or auditing.

ADDITIONAL LICENSES, CERTIFICATES, PHYSICAL ABILITIES AND SPECIALTY REQUIREMENTS

• A comprehensive background check which includes a credit history report.