Accountant I

County of San Benito; California (MO); On-site; USD 52,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

County of San Benito is seeking an entry/first-level Accountant to perform accounting, fiscal analysis, and auditing in maintaining county records and financial transactions.

The role includes learning computerized fiscal management systems, supporting payroll, and preparing financial reports. Candidates should have accounting coursework or relevant experience, with potential for advancement to Accountant II.

Qualifications

• Education equivalent to major in accounting at a four-year college or university
• Professional accounting curriculum including elementary and advanced accounting, auditing, cost accounting, and business law
• Four years of experience as an Accounting Technician or equivalent fiscal support may substitute for education

Responsibilities

• Maintain county fiscal records and ledgers
• Review fiscal records for proper disbursement of funds
• Balance revenue information
• Oversee payroll functions
• Audit financial records and prepare information for audits
• Prepare financial reports and statements
• Assist in budget development and control
• Coordinate posting of journal entries
• Provide training and direction to fiscal staff
• Liaise with auditors and other agencies
• Prepare documentation for annual audits
• Learn and use computerized financial management and tax systems

Skills

Accounting knowledge (general)

Cost accounting

Auditing principles

Budgeting concepts

Work direction

Spreadsheet software

Database skills

Word processing software

Accounting transactions

Financial analysis

Education

Accounting major or equivalent coursework

Four years accounting technician experience acceptable substitution

Tools

Spreadsheet software

Database software

Word processing software

Job description

DEFINITION

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.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

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.

REPORTS TO

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

CLASSIFICATIONS SUPERVISED

Incumbents may provide some 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.)

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.

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: 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.)

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:

• 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.

Ability to:

• 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.

Selection Process:

All completed applications and supplemental questionnaires will be reviewed. Depending upon the number of applicants who meet the minimum qualifications, the examination process may include a screening committee (pass/fail) and/or an oral examination (100%) which may include a written practical component to determine placement on the eligible list.

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.