Assistant Controller - EM-05

County of Hawai`i; Hilo (HI); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible Working Arrangements

Vacation: up to 21 days/year

Sick Leave: up to 21 days/year

Holidays: 13 days/year

Tuition Reimbursement

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

Retirement Plan

Deferred Compensation

Flexible Spending Plan

Health Benefit Plans

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Group Life Insurance

Credit Union Membership

Job summary

County of Hawai‘i’s Department of Finance—Accounts Division in Hilo seeks a professional to plan, direct, and review the County’s accounting operations, payroll pre-audit, and warrants processing, ensuring accurate ledgers and timely financial reports.

You will supervise staff, prepare annual financial statements and census-like reports, coordinate with external auditors, and implement improvements to accounting systems while staying abreast of laws affecting county finances.

Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a baccalaureate degree in accounting.
• Four years of professional accounting or auditing experience.
• At least one year of supervisory experience.

Responsibilities

• Plan, assign, direct, and review work related to the County's general accounting system.
• Prepare and analyze interim and annual financial reports and schedules.
• Coordinate central payroll and accounts payable pre-auditing functions.
• Assist external auditors and prepare financial statements.
• Furnish guidance to agencies regarding financial matters.

Skills

Leadership

Accounting

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting

Job description

Assists in the planning and directing of various centralized accounting, data processing system, and related activities encompassing transactions of the entire County government; assists in instructing and advising operating department personnel regarding accounting requirements and procedures; assists in directing the preparation and issuance of County financial statements and reports; and performs other related duties as required.

There is one (1) immediate permanent full‑time vacancy with the Department of Finance - Accounts Division in Hilo.

(Appointment may be made at any rate within the salary range advertised above at which appropriate qualified applicants can be recruited. Starting salary will be based on the qualifications of the person selected.)

The eligible list may be used for other permanent and temporary vacancies as they arise during the life of the list. Temporary appointment may lead to conversion to permanent appointment.

• Assists the Controller in planning, assigning, directing, coordinating, and reviewing work relating to the maintenance of a general accounting system for the County, including the maintenance of general and subsidiary control ledgers and related records reflecting the budgetary status and financial condition of governmental, proprietary, and other funds of the County government.

• Gathers data and makes investigations and reports of problems of fiscal administration and related matters.
• Assists in directing, coordinating, and reviewing the central claims pre‑auditing function, including the approval of warrant vouchers and the preparation and issuance of warrants for payment of all claims for goods and services.
• Assists in directing, coordinating, and reviewing central payroll pre‑auditing activities, including the preparation and issuance of payroll warrants.
• Assists in directing, coordinating, and reviewing the development and operation of a data processing system for financial applications.
• Prepares and analyzes interim and annual financial reports and statements, such as monthly budget variance reports, annual financial report, census reports, and statistical reports and prepares financial schedules.
• Cooperates with and assists external auditors in auditing the financial records of the County.
• Prepares circulars and memoranda necessary to inform, instruct, and advise County agencies and employees regarding financial matters.
• Conducts meetings and training sessions to discuss, inform, and train finance department and other departmental personnel in financial methods and procedures.
• Furnishes data for the preparation of County budgets.
• Keeps abreast of changes in laws, methods, procedures, and practices that may affect the financial affairs of the County.
• Recommends improvements to and participates in the design and installation of accounting systems and procedures.
• Conducts research and identifies improvements to the accounting system, methods, and procedures utilized by the County.
• Assists in directing the preparation and maintenance of a perpetual inventory of all County‑owned or controlled lands, roads, easements, leaseholds, equipment, materials, supplies, and property.
• Plans, assigns, directs, and reviews the examination of the accounts and inventory of departments and activities upon change of administrative heads or as requested by higher authority.
• Prepares budgetary requirements of the Accounts Division for the Director of Finance; implements and controls budget expenditure for the division.
• Determines organization and staffing needs for the division; recommends personnel actions such as hiring, transfers, disciplinary actions, promotions, etc.
• Provides administrative support to the Pension Board by assigning clerical staff, providing research of employment records, allocating budgeted funds, and preparing and issuing pension rolls and checks.
• Participates in meetings and conferences with officials or other governmental agencies.
• Represents the department head, as requested.

Training and Experience

A combination of education and experience substantially equivalent to:

• graduation from an accredited college or university with a baccalaureate degree (scan and attach a copy of your official college transcript to your application), and
• four (4) years of professional accounting or auditing work experience, of which
• one (1) year shall have been in a supervisory capacity.

Note

Foreign transcripts must be accompanied by an official credential evaluation report to determine U.S. equivalency. (Scan and attach a copy of your official credential evaluation report to your application.)

Examination

All applicants who meet the minimum qualification requirements will be assigned a score of 70 points. An education and experience evaluation will be conducted based on the applicant’s training, education and experience as presented in the application.

Please read the minimum qualification requirements carefully. Be certain to list all pertinent training and experience, as this may be important in determining your examination score. It is essential that the applicant describe fully the duties and responsibilities of each position held, specify the date of each position held (from and to, month and year), and indicate the number of hours worked per week. Attach all required documentation (e.g. official transcript, professional license(s)/certification(s), DD‑214, etc.) at the time of submitting your application.

Note

In‑person interviews and/or further testing in Hawai‘i County may be required at the discretion of the hiring department/agency. If in‑person interviews and/or further testing are required, applicants who are referred to the hiring department/agency must be available to participate in person and at their own expense at that phase of the selection process.

Knowledge of

public administration, governmental accounting and finance administration; preparation and analysis of financial statements; budget administration and expenditure control; revenue and budget structure; auditing principles and practices; electronic computer; laws and regulations relating to finance and accounting; functions, organizations, and procedures of County departments and agencies, and principles and practices of supervision.

Ability to

plan, organize, direct, and review the work of others; direct the preparation of comprehensive financial statements and reports; advise, assist, and instruct other employees in accounting and financial matters; interpret laws, ordinances, and regulations; communicate effectively orally and in writing, and maintain effective working relationships with personnel from other County departments and other governmental agencies.

Physical Requirements

Persons seeking appointment to positions in this class must meet the health and physical condition standards deemed necessary and proper to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodations.

Physical Effort Grouping

Light

Benefits of County employment

The County of Hawai‘i offers a competitive compensation package. Your total compensation is comprised of your salary and a generous range of valuable benefits, subject to eligibility requirements.

• Flexible Working Arrangements: Options may include alternate work schedules (4-10) and flexible working hours. (Not all Departments/Agencies participate and not all positions are eligible.)
• Vacation: Start accruing paid vacation time immediately upon hire – up to 21 days per year.
• Sick Leave: Start accruing paid sick leave time immediately upon hire – up to 21 days per year.
• Holidays: The County provides 13 paid holidays per year (plus General Election Day when applicable).
• Training and Development: The County has a variety of training and development opportunities for employees.
• County Tuition Reimbursement Program: This scholarship program rewards employees who take the initiative to advance their education and learning.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program: You may be eligible for this federal program which forgives portions of federal student loans for individuals working in public service.
• Retirement Plan: The Employees’ Retirement System is a qualified defined benefit public pension plan that provides retirement, disability, survivor and other benefits to all eligible full‑time and part‑time county employees in the State of Hawaii as well as their beneficiaries.
• Deferred Compensation: Save additional money for retirement - this voluntary supplemental retirement savings plan allows for the investment of tax‑deferred contributions.
• Flexible Spending Plan: Use pre‑tax dollars to pay for qualified dependent care and/or medical expenses, as well as insurance premiums.
• Health Benefit Plans: The County of Hawai‘i offers a variety of health benefit plans for eligible employees.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): This voluntary assistance program provides employees and their family members with free professional and confidential assistance in overcoming personal and work‑related problems.
• Group Life Insurance: Free life insurance policy for active employees.
• Credit Union Membership
• Other Leaves: You may be eligible for other leaves, including Family Leave, Funeral Leave, Leave Sharing, Military Leave, Donor Leave, Victims Protection Leave, as well as leave for Parent‑Teacher Conferences, Disaster Relief, Blood Bank Donations, and Jury Duty.

All benefits are subject to eligibility requirements and change due to legislative actions and/or changes negotiated through collective bargaining. Please check out the benefits tab for additional information.

Please scan and attach these supporting documents to your on‑line application, if required:

• an official college transcript,
• a valid driver’s license,
• a temporary assignment verification,
• professional licenses, and/or
• certificates.

Veterans applying for veteran's preference points shall also scan and attach their DD‑214 form and as needed, their VA claim letter to the on‑line application.