Department Fiscal Officer

SAN-Benito-Count; Hollister (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

San Benito County is seeking a Department Fiscal Officer to lead accounting, budgeting and statistical work within the Health and Human Services Agency. The role directs staff, ensures compliance with fiscal rules, and advances financial reporting across programs.

Ideal candidates have extensive government accounting knowledge, supervisory experience, and the ability to develop and improve systems while coordinating with county, state, and federal entities.

Qualifications

• Three years of full-time accounting experience with supervision, preferably in a CA county.
• Experience handling local, state, and federal fiscal requirements related to social services and public health.
• Graduation from college with specialization in accounting, business administration, or related field.

Responsibilities

• Plans, directs, and coordinates staff engaged in accounting, budgetary and statistical work.
• Provides consultation on complex technical accounting issues.
• Prepares and monitors departmental budget and assists in grant development and monitoring.
• Performs analytical review of costs and fiscal data and prepares financial statements.
• Reviews laws and regulations related to department fiscal operations and ensures compliance.
• Coordinates accounting practices with the County Auditor-Controller and other officials.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Accounting principles

Budgeting

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting or related field

Advanced accounting curriculum completion

Job description

Definition

Under general direction, the Department Fiscal Officer is responsible for technical accounting functions related to the establishment and maintenance of accounting and fiscal records; budgetary and statistical evaluations and analyses; direction of staff engaged in accounting, budgetary and statistical work; and performs related work as required/assigned.

Distinguishing Characteristics

This is a single position class where the volume and complexity of the accounting, budgetary and statistical work make it advisable to utilize a trained accountant in developing systems and fiscal controls in accordance with accepted professional accounting techniques. Incumbents in this class are fiscal experts who analyze and interpret fiscal rules and regulations and who install, modify, or reconcile accounting systems. The Department Fiscal Officer is distinguished from the Accountant and other analyst classifications by its primary responsibility for overseeing fiscal operations, whereas the latter classes typically support specific fiscal functions under the direction of a higher-level Department Fiscal Officer. This position may oversee professional and technical accounting/fiscal staff. Incumbents report to the Department Head or designee

Examples of Duties

Duties include but are not limited to those described below. Reasonable accommodation will be made when requested and determined by the County to be appropriate under applicable law.

• Plans, organizes, directs, and coordinates a staff engaged in accounting, budgetary and statistical work;
• Provides consultation advice and guidance on more difficult technical accounting issues;
• Prepares and monitors departmental budget; coordinates budget planning and collaboration with departmental program divisions; supports departmental program divisions on grant development and monitoring.
• Performs analytical review of costs and fiscal data; prepares complex and difficult financial statements or reports;
• Analyzes periodic complex reports and/or fiscal problems involving accounting related to department programs, monitors fiscal activity department-wide to ensure compliance with program regulations;
• Reviews and presents to management monthly financial and statistical analyses on status of funds showing expenditures, balances, and relationship to allotments;
• Studies and evaluates accounting procedures of the department and develops and installs new and improved systems in accordance with modern accounting principles and practices;
• Evaluates adequacy of fiscal controls in accurately reflecting actual fiscal condition of operations;
• Provides leadership in modifying controls to meet record keeping needs;
• Reviews laws, legislation, and policies for guidance in performing accounting and fiscal operations especially those related to social services, public health, and other departmental functions;
• Coordinates the methods, procedures, and work of the accounting section;
• Coordinates accounting practices and tasks with the County Auditor-Controller;
• Confers with County, State, and Federal officials related to interpretation of laws, rules, and regulations concerning the Department’s programs related to fiscal, budget, and accounting functions;
• Participates in management staff meetings to interpret laws, rules, and regulations concerning the Department’s programs related to fiscal, budget, and accounting functions;
• Performs other related duties as required/assigned.

Education/Experience

Three years of full time increasingly responsible accounting experience performing functions relating to the accounting of local, State, and Federal requirements related to social services and public health or community programs; one year of the required experience must be in a supervisory capacity; preferably in a California county; and equivalent to graduation from college with specialization in accounting, business administration, or a closely related field;

OR

Four years of full time increasingly responsible accounting experience performing functions relating to the accounting of local, State, and Federal requirements related to social services and public health or community programs; one year of the required experience must be in a supervisory capacity; preferably in a California county; and completion of a prescribed curriculum in advanced accounting at an accredited college or school of accountancy including courses in elementary and advanced accounting, cost accounting, and business law

Knowledge of

Generally accepted accounting principles, practices, theories, procedures, laws, rules, and regulations including internal controls systems and automated accounting systems; governmental accounting and budgeting principles and practices; Federal, State, and County laws pertaining to accountability of department funds; principles of business management, office methods, and procedures; personnel management and supervision.

Ability to

Plan, organize, direct, and coordinate work of an accounting section with the Health and Human Services Agency; interpret and apply legal and procedural requirements; interpret and apply professional accounting principles and standards; analyze complex fiscal data and operating procedures of and make projections and recommendations; explain Department, County, State, and Federal processes and systems to others; prepare clear and concise fiscal statements and reports; train others in accepted general governmental accounting principles, procedures, rules, and regulations; establish and maintain working relationships with vendors, County staff, State employees, and general public; maintain impartiality and objectivity; communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; compose correspondence and reports independently.

Physical Requirements/Work Environment

Sit for extended periods; frequently stand and walk; normal manual dexterity and eye-hand coordination; lift and move objects weighing up to 25 Ibs.; corrected hearing and vision to normal range; verbal communication; use of office equipment, including computer, telephone, calculator, copiers, and FAX. Work is performed in an office environment; continuous contact with other staff.

Disaster Service Workers

All San Benito County employees are designated “Disaster Service Workers” through state and local laws (CA Government Code Sec. 3100-3109 and Emergency Services Chapter 6 via adoption of local Ordinance No. 361 § 1, 2-25-75). As Disaster Service Workers, all County employees are expected to remain at work, or to report for work as soon as practicable, following significant emergency or disaster