Personnel Commission
CLASS TITLE: Senior Accountant
DESCRIPTION OF BASIC FUNCTION AND RESPONSIBILITIES
To coordinate, organize, and perform complex professional accounting and budgeting work in the computation, recording, and reporting of financial transactions for the Budget Office of the Santa Clara County Office of Education; to monitor, and maintain budgetary, finance, cost, payroll, and other financial records; to plan, develop, and implement new and revised accounting and budgeting procedures; to lead and direct the work of accounting professional and technical employees; to provide technical and procedural assistance to administrators, program managers, and internal staff; and to perform related duties as assigned.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
The classification of Senior Accountant requires specialized subject matter expertise in governmental fiscal accounting, including the principles and practices of accounting and budgeting, generally accepted accounting and budgeting procedures, and the development and maintenance of complex accounting and budgeting procedures, as well as extensive, directly related and progressive experience. Knowledge is applied to research and evaluation involving innovative solutions and alternatives. Employees in this job class receive limited supervision from the Director of Internal Business Services within a broad framework of policies and procedures. Employees in this job class make decisions of a significant impact or consequence involving recommendation(s) and development of new and revised policies, procedures, and services, as well as, leading and directing the work of others. Meets with administrators, program managers, internal staff, and auditors for the purpose of planning and coordinating activities, implementing decisions, justifying or defending decisions, and/or controversial issues.
TYPICAL DUTIES
Coordinates, plans, and organizes the operation and maintenance of accounting and budgetary items in Internal Business Services, including payroll, accounts receivable, financial reports, and special projects
Plans and develops procedures for preparing fiscal reports and for maintaining or storing specialized or centralized control of accounting and financial records.
Assists in the development of specifications for accounting and budgeting system designs and improvements.
Analyzes, interprets, and administers laws and regulations relating to accounting and budgetary control systems.
May serve as lead to, coordinate, and direct the work of staff accountants in the Budget Office as well as principal accountants in federally or state funded grant programs; oversees the processing of accounting transactions, items auditing, and processing of payroll, and other warrants, and related reporting systems.
Advises and assists accounting personnel with accounting reporting, cost-target systems, and operations.
Oversees the gathering, classifying, and summarizing of data, as the compilation of financial reports; researches and analyses budget and financial discrepancies and recommends a course of action to resolve problems.
Prepares, reviews, and revises accounting manual and instructions for assigned areas of responsibility.
Develops and presents budget development and administration workshops; prepares various routine and special accounting reports, schedules, charts, and tables
Assists internal and external auditors as required.
Coordinates operations and activities with the Regional Technology Center to enhance or modify accounting system capabilities and assure timely and accurate processing, accounting systems, and production reports.
Participates in the control of budgetary increases, adjustments posting, balancing and reconciliation of financial records and accounts.
Confers with and provides accounting and budgetary technical and procedural assistance to administrators, program managers, and internal staff.
Coordinates and oversees budget development and participates in the compilation of data, statistical studies, and analyses of past and current budgets and expenditures to produce preliminary and final budget documents by the County Office of Education.
Perform related duties as assigned.
EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS
Knowledge of:
Applicable laws, rules, policies and procedures.
Accounting and budgeting principles, practices, and methods
School accounting and auditing procedures
Principles of financial administration, including budgeting and reporting
Modern office practices, procedures, methods, and equipment
Concepts and applications of information systems and equipment to financial systems and accounting operations
Financial and statistical record-keeping and reporting practices and techniques
Legal requirements for record retention as it pertains to accounting records and systems.
Ability to:
Develop and maintain complex accounting, budgeting, and auditing systems
Prepare complex accounting and auditing reports
Analyze complex financial problems and recommend solutions
Effectively utilize automated accounting information systems and related software applications
Interpret and apply appropriate laws, rules, and regulations
Establish and maintain effective working relationships in the course of duties and assignments
Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing
Develop and prepare procedures, instructions, and standards for a variety of accounting processes
Direct or lead the work of others
Compile and interpret budget data, and prepare financial forecasts.
May require:
Possession of or ability to obtain certification or its equivalent as a Certified Public Accountant as issued by the State of California
EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION
Generally, any combination equivalent of experience and education that could likely provide the required knowledge and abilities would be qualifying. A typical method to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be: three (3) years of directly related and progressively responsible experience in accounting and budgeting at the professional level, including experience in school or governmental accounting, and a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with coursework in accounting, business administration, or a related field.
BARGAINING UNIT: Office, Technical, and
Business Services Unit
Personnel Commission Approval: March 23,
2000