Accountant I/II

This recruitment is currently for an Accountant position within Behavioral Health; however, the resulting eligible list may be used to fill Accountant vacancies in other County departments.

I

Under general direction, to perform a variety of accounting, fiscal analysis, and auditing in the preparation, maintenance, and analysis of County/Department fiscal records and financial transactions; to learn County fiscal policies, procedures, and computerized fiscal management, payroll, and tax systems; and to do related work as required.

II

Under general direction, to perform a variety of complex accounting, fiscal analysis, and auditing in the preparation, maintenance, and analysis of County/Department fiscal records and financial transactions; to provide direction and coordination for fiscal support and payroll staff; and to do related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

I

This is the entry and first working level in the Accountant class series. Incumbents perform a variety of accounting and auditing work requiring some knowledge and background. Incumbents may be assigned to a special work areas as dictated by the needs of the County and the Auditor's Office. This class is distinguished from Accountant II by performing a lesser of scope fiscal management and analysis work and the fact many of the assignments may be performed in a learning capacity, while an incumbent becomes familiar with County fiscal policies, procedures, and computerized financial management systems. An incumbent is learning the computerized systems with the goal of gaining the capability to exercise a coordinating role as they advance to the higher levels in the series. When sufficient job knowledge and work skills have been demonstrated, an incumbent may be promoted to the Accountant II level.

II

This is the experienced journey level in the Accountant class series. Incumbents perform a variety of complex accounting and auditing work requiring substantial knowledge and background. Incumbents may be assigned to special work areas as dictated by the needs of the County and the Auditor's Office. This class is distinguished from Accountant I by performing a wide variety of more complex fiscal management and analysis work and exercising some responsibility in the coordination of a fiscal management area. It is distinguished from Accountant III in that Accountant III's are assigned full supervisory responsibility for other professional Accountants.

REPORTS TO

County and/or Department supervisory management staff, as assigned.

CLASSIFICATIONS SUPERVISED

Incumbents provide work direction and coordination for fiscal support staff and payroll staff.

TYPICAL PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Sit for extended periods; frequently stand and walk; normal manual dexterity and eye-hand coordination; lift and move objects weighing up to 25 lbs.; corrected hearing and vision to normal range; verbal communication; use of office equipment, including computer, telephone, calculator, copiers, and FAX.

TYPICAL WORKING CONDITIONS

Work is performed in an office environment; continuous contact with other staff.(The following is used as a partial description and is not restrictive as to duties required.)

I

In a training, learning, and basic working capacity:

performs accounting work in the establishment and maintenance of County fiscal records

Maintains a variety of ledgers and journals; reviews fiscal records to ensure proper disbursement of funds

Maintains and balances revenue information

Oversees employee insurance administration

Audits financial records and prepares information for final audits

Prepares a variety of financial reports and statements

Assists with the development and control of budget information

May oversee and coordinate payroll functions

Performs special financial analysis assignments

Coordinates balancing of County cash accounts with the banks and other responsible County departments

Coordinates posting of journal entries

Provides work direction, coordination, and training for fiscal support staff in a County department, as assigned

Serves as a liaison with other government agencies, auditors, and the public

Provides first line contact with contract auditors, preparing and providing documentation for the annual audit;

Performs verification of draft financial audit report

Performs adjusting entries, after verification as requested in audit reports

Provides other County staff with a variety of information regarding fiscal processes and procedures

Learns the County's computerized financial management and tax systems.

II

Performs complex accounting work in the establishment and maintenance of County fiscal records

Maintains a variety of ledgers and journals

Reviews fiscal records to ensure proper disbursement of funds

Maintains and balances revenue information

Oversees employee insurance administration

Audits financial records and prepares information for final audits

Prepares a variety of financial reports and statements

Assists with the development and control of budget information

May oversee and coordinate payroll functions

Performs special financial analysis assignments

Coordinates balancing of cash accounts with the banks and other responsible County departments

Coordinates posting of journal entries

Reconciles problem accounts

Oversees contract administration

Provides work direction, coordination, and training for fiscal support staff, as assigned

Serves as a liaison with other government agencies, auditors, and the public

Provides first line contact with contract auditors, preparing and providing documentation for the annual audit

Performs verification of draft financial audit reports

Performs adjusting entries, after verification as requested in audit reports

Provides other County staff with a variety of information regarding fiscal processes and procedures

May provide coordination regarding property tax fiscal accounting with the Assessor's Office and Tax Collector's Office, as necessary; may be assigned some coordination responsibilities regarding the County's computerized financial management, payroll, and tax systems.Training and Experience:

Any combination of training and experience which would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

I

Education equivalent to successful completion of courses required for a major in accounting at an accredited four (4) year college or university, or successful completion of a professional accounting curriculum which included courses in elementary and advanced accounting, auditing, cost accounting, and business law. (Four years of experience as an Accounting Technician, or in an equivalent technical fiscal support position may be substituted for the required education.)

II

Two years of increasingly responsible fiscal management experience comparable to that of an Accountant I with San Benito County.

Education equivalent to successful completion of courses required for a major in accounting at an accredited four (4) year college or university, or successful completion of a professional accounting curriculum which included courses in elementary and advanced accounting, auditing, cost accounting, and business law.

(An additional two years of professional accounting/auditing experience may be substituted for the required education.)

Special Requirements:

Possession of, or ability to obtain a valid class C California Drivers License

May be required to pass a fingerprint/background investigation.Knowledge of:

I

Knowledge of:

General accounting theory, principles, and practices and their application to a variety of accounting transactions and problems.

Government cost accounting and budgeting.

Auditing theory, principles, and techniques and their application to government finance.

Principles of account classification.

Budget development and control.

Computerized spreadsheet, database, and word processing software.

Principles of work direction, work coordination, and training.

II

General accounting theory, principles, and practices and their application to a variety of accounting transactions and problems.

Laws, rules, regulations, and policies affecting the financial operations and transactions of the County.

Government cost accounting and budgeting.

Auditing theory, principles, and techniques and their application to government finance.

Principles of account classification.

Budget development and control.

The County's computerized financial management, payroll, and property tax systems and computerized spreadsheet, database, and word processing software.

Principles of work direction, work coordination, and training.

Ability to:

I

Perform a variety of accounting and financial transaction work.

Learn the County's computerized financial management and tax systems with the goal of exercising coordination responsibilities.

Proficiently use a variety of computerized spreadsheet, database, and word processing software.

Analyze and evaluate financial information, researching and gathering appropriate

information to resolve problems.

Provide lead direction, work coordination and training for other staff.

Monitor and update fiscal records.

Prepare a variety of financial reports and statements.

Gather, organize, analyze, and present a variety of information.

Make mathematical calculations quickly and accurately.

Use a computerized financial management system.

Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships.

II

Perform a variety of complex accounting and financial transaction work.

Provide basic coordination for the County's computerized financial management, payroll, and property tax systems.

Proficiently use a variety of computerized spreadsheet, word processing, and data base software.

Analyze and evaluate financial information, researching and gathering appropriate information to resolve problems.

Provide lead direction, work coordination and training for other staff.

Monitor and update fiscal records.

Prepare a variety of financial reports and statements.

Gather, organize, analyze, and present a variety of information.

Make mathematical calculations quickly and accurately.

Use a computerized financial management system.

Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships

In accordance with California Government Code section 3100, et., seq., all County of San Benito employees are considered disaster service workers who may be required to report for duty, or remain on duty to address disaster service activities in the event of an emergency or disaster and are required to undertake an applicable loyalty oath.