County of Alameda

DESCRIPTION

Under general supervision, performs complex professional accounting work in reviewing and maintaining District fiscal records; examines, analyzes, and verifies financial data and records; prepares statistical and financial reports; consults and advises staff on purchasing guidelines; and performs related work as required.

 

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

 

This class represents a higher skilled, journey level professional accounting position.  The Accountant is expected to work independently, exercise good judgment and apply generally accepted accounting principles to ensure the accuracy and integrity of records for specified aspects of the District's finances.  The Accountant will review vouchers, warrants, purchase orders, requisitions, and similar financial documents.  This position must interpret and implement the District's Financial Policies in order to ensure that financial activity complies with District regulations.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

NOTE:  The list of duties and functions, as outlined herein, is intended to be representative of the type of tasks performed within this classification.  They are not listed in any order of importance.  The omission of an essential function does not preclude management from assigning duties not listed herein if such functions are a logical assignment to the position.

 

1.  Prepares journal entries and maintains the general ledger and subsidiary ledgers of various funds; identifies and locates accounting data by researching accounts and related source documents and prepares summaries of account transactions, balances and supporting documents. 

2.  Maintains, analyzes and reconciles revenue and expenditure accounts; processes transfers of expenditures and appropriations; prepares, analyzes, and verifies statements of financial condition, including schedules of balance sheets, investments, cash balances, fund balances, revenue, expenditure, and statistical reports; maintains assessment of district records; makes estimates of and analyzes actual departmental expenditures in developing cost data for budgeting.

3.  Assists in the performance of the year-end review of accounts, preparation of adjusting and closing entries and preparation of year-end financial statements, including estimates and analysis of departmental expenditures to develop cost data for budgeting.

4.  Assists in conducting internal audits by examining, analyzing, and verifying financial records; departmental revenue collections and petty cash funds.

5.  Assists outside auditors by locating records and explaining District policies and procedures.

6.  may participate in the investment of District funds; may maintain cash flow records of investments.

7.  May assist in payroll processing, updating information in payroll system, preparing various State and Federal tax reporting requirements and reconciling and issuing W-2 forms.

8.  Consults and advises departments on purchasing needs to include equipment, supplies, and services are within purchasing guidelines.

9.  Authorizes and assists in the purchase of District-wide goods and services.

10.  Administer contracts including: monitoring and updating the status of the continuing services contracts list, to include contract renewals, certificates of insurance, and status of performance bonds.

11.  Conducts research using a variety of sources and compiles purchasing options to advise departments.

12.  Meets with vendors to obtain latest product information, trends, and pricing.

13.  May provide lead or functional supervision of accounting staff.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

A combination of training and experience which demonstrates that a person has obtained the required knowledge and is able to perform the required work with reasonable accommodation, if needed.  A person with the following combined training and experience would typically qualify to compete in a selection process:

 

Education:

A Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in accounting or a closely related field.

 

Experience:

A minimum of three years experience at a professional accounting level.

 

Working Conditions/Physical Requirements:

• Ability to sit for long periods of time, stoop, kneel, crouch, reach, finger, grasp, write, and perform repetitive motions.
• Exert up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects with the human body.
• Hearing and speaking ability sufficient to carry on a conversation with another individual (or groups of individuals) in person and over the telephone.
• Visual ability sufficient to read and produce printed material and information displayed on a computer screen.

 

 

NOTE:  The Civil Service Commission may modify the above minimum qualifications in the announcement of the examination.

 

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

NOTE:  The level and scope of the following knowledge and abilities are related to duties listed under the "Example of Duties" section of this specification.

 

Knowledge of:

• Generally accepted accounting and auditing principles for municipal governments, including fund accounting.
• The principles and practices of governmental purchasing, budgeting, accounting, and auditing.
• Local, state and federal laws, rules and regulations, especially related to accounting, auditing, purchasing and payroll.
• Various purchasing and procurement methods and options.
• Modern office equipment and computer applications including Microsoft Office products (Word, Outlook, and Excel), financial accounting systems and software applications.
• Principles and practices of good customer service.
• Principles and practices of work safety.

Ability to:

• Analyze accounting and financial data generated by a computer-based finance system.
• Prepare and maintain clear, accurate, and concise statistical, accounting, and financial records and reports.
• Learn and effectively apply District policies, procedures and practices.
• Research and analyze fiscal and statistical data; utilize problem solving and decision-making skills; and verify accuracy of financial data and information.
• Analyze and prepare clear, accurate, concise and often technical reports, specifications, Reports for Quotes, Requests for Proposal, correspondence, and written materials.
• Analyze and evaluate price proposals, financial reports and other information to determine reasonable prices.
• Interpret federal, state, and local regulations pertaining to purchasing.
• Evaluate and monitor contracts to be sure vendors and supplies comply with terms and conditions of contract.
• Communicate in English effectively in both oral and written form; and maintain accurate records; prepare clear, concise reports.
• Utilize computer systems and software applications including automated financial systems.
• Ability to make accurate arithmetical calculations and operate an electronic calculator by touch.
• Ability to carry out oral and written instructions.
• Ability to effectively utilize computer applications and technology related to the work.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the performance of required duties.
• Maintain confidentiality of information.
• Work independently and set priorities.