Accountant III

Fairfax County; Fairfax (VA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 118,000; Full time

Job summary

Fairfax County is seeking an analytical, detail-oriented accountant to support financial reporting and audit processes. The role prepares complex governmental fund and government-wide statements in accordance with GAAP and assists with the county's independent audit.

You will provide technical accounting guidance to departments, monitor activities, and help develop accounting policies while communicating clearly with financial and nonfinancial audiences.

Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor's degree in accounting; or a bachelor's degree in business administration or related field that has been supplemented by at least 24 credit hours of intermediate level accounting or higher; plus four years of increasingly responsible accounting experience including two years' experience with automated accounting systems.
• CPA certification or a master's degree may be substituted for one year of required experience.
• Experience with local government financial accounting is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Prepares highly complex and diversified financial reports, such as governmental fund (modified accrual) and government-wide (full accrual) financial statements in accordance with GAAP.
• Assists with the coordination of the independent audit of the county's financial statements.
• Provides technical accounting guidance and assistance to assigned departments, as well as monitoring the accounting activities within assigned funds.
• Assists with the development and review of accounting policies and procedures and with the implementation of new accounting requirements.
• Supervises staff in preparation of highly complex and diversified financial reports with a countywide impact including the county's annual comprehensive financial report (ACFR).
• Serves as a lead consultant and coordinates training opportunities for county departments on accounting and financial reporting matters.
• Participates in development and implementation of countywide policies and procedures pertaining to accounting and financial reporting.
• Coordinates programs with countywide impact and participates in the management and oversight of countywide policies and procedures.

Skills

Analytical skills

Organizational skills

Governmental accounting

Financial reporting

Communication

Microsoft Excel

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting

Accounting coursework 24 credits

CPA or master substitution for experience

Tools

Automated accounting systems

Electronic financial data processing systems

Job description

This position works as an analytical, detail-oriented, and solutions-focused accountant to support the county’s financial reporting and audit processes.

• Prepares highly complex and diversified financial reports, such as governmental fund (modified accrual) and government-wide (full accrual) financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
• Assists with the coordination of the independent audit of the county's financial statements.
• Provides technical accounting guidance and assistance to assigned departments, as well as monitoring the accounting activities within assigned funds.
• Assists with the development and review of accounting policies and procedures and with the implementation of new accounting requirements.
• Possesses strong analytical and organizational skills, knowledge of governmental accounting and financial reporting, and the ability to communicate complex accounting information clearly to both financial and nonfinancial audiences.

Note: Salary offer will not exceed the mid-point of the salary range ($111,068.26).

(The illustrative duties listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all inclusive list. A complete list of position duties and unique physical requirements can be found in the position job description.)

• Supervises staff in preparation of highly complex and diversified financial reports with a countywide impact required by federal and state, including the county's annual comprehensive financial report (ACFR);

• Serves as a lead consultant and coordinates training opportunities for county departments on accounting and financial reporting matters;

• Participates in development and implementation of countywide policies and procedures pertaining to accounting and financial reporting;

• Coordinates programs with countywide impact (i.e., Integrated Customer Assistance Compliance program, Internal Controls program);Participates in the management and oversight of countywide policies and procedures.

(The knowledge, skills and abilities listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all inclusive list.)

• Considerable knowledge of the principles, methods, and practices of governmental accounting and fiscal management, and the ability to apply them to complex governmental accounting systems;
• Considerable knowledge of federal, state and county procedures, policies, regulations and legislation impacting the maintenance of county financial records and reports;
• Knowledge of electronic financial data processing systems;
• Ability to plan, direct, and supervise the activities of professional accountants engaged in complex accounting work;
• Ability to prepare and/or coordinate the preparation of comprehensive, complex accounting reports and records;
• Ability to develop and implement sound accounting policies and procedures.

Minimum Qualifications:

Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to the following:

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor's degree in accounting; or a bachelor's degree in business administration or related field that has been supplemented by at least 24 credit hours of intermediate level accounting or higher; plus four years of increasingly responsible accounting experience including two years' experience with automated accounting systems. CPA certification or a master's degree in an appropriate field may be substituted for one year of required experience.

Necessary Special Requirements:

The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check and credit check to the satisfaction of the employer.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with local government financial accounting.
• Experience utilizing automated accounting systems.
• Experience preparing or auditing financial reports.
• Experience interpreting and implementing governmental accounting standards and policies.
• CPA or other relevant professional certification.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills including the demonstrated ability to prepare reports for management and external customers.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including complex formulas, data analysis, reconciliations, and large-data reporting.
• Ability to perform tasks with attention to detail in a fast-paced environment where multiple high priority or high visibility tasks must be completed within a set timeframe.
• Innovative individual motivated by continual change and professional development.

Physical Requirements:

Job is generally sedentary in nature, however, visual acuity is required to read data on computer monitor, incumbent must be able to operate keyboard driven equipment. Must communicate with others. All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

Selection Procedure:

Panel interview and may include exercise.

Fairfax County is home to a highly diverse population, with a significant number of residents speaking languages other than English at home (including Spanish, Asian/Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and many others.) We encourage candidates who are bilingual in English and another language to apply for this opportunity.

Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. TTY 703-222-7314. [e-mail] EEO/AA/TTY.

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