County of Alameda

Under administrative direction; to plan, manage and direct a complex departmental accounting and finance program; to manage agency audit programs with various federal, state and local authorities; to serve in a consultative role to management in addressing and resolving financial, accounting, revenue, contract, grant and related administrative, programmatic and policy fund matters.   This includes the administration of policies for funds and jobs, including the development of indirect rates and application of cost allocation principles used for cost accounting, including the development of new accounting systems enhancements and procedures.   Perform budget development, financial planning and analysis, reporting and related financial work; directs the work of financial staff, and professional accounting staff and subordinates to perform related work as required and assigned.  

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES  

This single position classification manages all aspects of the accounting and financial activities of the Public Works Agency.  The incumbent is responsible for the development and maintenance of Public Works Agency’s complex government record keeping and reporting systems, which include multiple program budgets and funds. The Accounting and Finance Manager, Public Works reports to the Management Services Administrator, Public Works.

NOTE:  The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification.  However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level.  Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all duties listed.  

1. Manages and directs through supervisory and professional staff, all financial and accounting activities for the Public Works Agency.
2. Manages the analysis and administration of varied and complex accounting and financial record-keeping activities related to Road Fund, Flood Control District Funds, Special Revenue Funds, and Trust Accounting.
3. Design and maintain both manual and computerized accounting systems and procedures, specialized computer reports, ledgers, invoices and statements; evaluates, revises and upgrades existing systems, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and the agency's needs. Determines appropriate training needs of section staff.
4. Prepares and/or manages the preparation and analysis of the Agency budget, including coordination of budget data received from Department Heads for Road Fund, Flood Control District Funds, Building Inspection and County Service Funds.  Prepares reports, forecasts revenues and expenditures; performs variance analysis and makes recommendations for budget control.
5. Serves in a consultative role to departmental management and the Agency Director on budget, financial and accounting issues; provides significant input into policy decisions; implements and facilitates policy and programmatic changes as required.
6. Directs professional accounting staff in timekeeping and payroll input in accordance with labor agreements, employer and employee deductions, tracking and verification of leave balances. Directs the input of time worked by job, activity and job location, for the purpose of job labor costing and cost accounting reports.
7. Acts as primary contact and resource person for State, Federal and Local Auditors related to audits of the Public Works Road Fund, Flood Control District Funds, and project grant audits.  Responsible for resolving issues and providing required information to varied audit teams.  
8. Gathers, analyzes and prepares data for complex periodic reports, as well as for special financial reports and studies, involving the application of advanced principles of cost accounting. Calculates allocation of charges, as well as agency-wide indirect overhead rates necessary for cost distribution and billing, in accordance with state and federal guidelines.
9. Directs the reconciliation of Public Works Agency/Flood Control District’s fund balances and accounting records with the County's general ledger system; directs staff in the accounting for all funds and reserves for accuracy and completeness; serves as liaison with County accounting and auditing staff.
10. Develops and maintains models used to calculate weighted labor and overhead rates and directs their application to time worked by operating sections and capital labor by fund and project.  Directs the posting of applied labor costs into the appropriate fund, and posting of job labor for cost accounting.
11. Manages and prepares grant reimbursements to Caltrans for federal and state funding, and grant reimbursements with other federal, state or local agencies.   Maintains the job cost records for grants to ensure compliance with funding terms.  
12. Directs section responsible for the accounts payable and receivable processes, including vouchering, aging, revenue accruals, and the billing of other county departments, other water agencies, cities, etc. for inter-fund services, engineering services and permits.

Education:  

Possession of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited four (4) year college or university in accounting, finance, business administration or a closely related field is desired.  

AND  

EITHER I  

Experience:  

The equivalent of two (2) years of full-time experience as a Supervising Accountant, Senior Supervising Auditor, Financial Services Officer or equivalent, or higher level accounting or finance class, in the Alameda County classified service.  One (1) year of full-time cost accounting experience is desired.  

OR II  

Experience:  

The equivalent of four (4) years of full-time experience as a Financial Services Specialist II, in the Alameda County classified service.  At least two (2) years of experience must be in Public Works.  One (1) year of full-time cost accounting experience is desired.  

OR III

Experience:  

The equivalent of six (6) years of full-time experience in a professional finance, accounting, auditing or administrative position.  At least two (2) of the years must include supervising the work of others.  One (1) year of cost accounting experience is desired.    

NOTE: The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

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

Knowledge of:

• Theory, principles, practices and procedures of general fund and governmental accounting and auditing, with emphasis on cost accounting.
• Functions, capabilities, applications and operation of computer-based accounting systems.        
• Laws, codes and regulations governing public agency financial operations.
• Practices and techniques of financial analyses and report preparation.
• Management principles and practices, including work planning, employee supervision and business management.
• Financial planning, labor and indirect rate setting and revenue enhancement principles and strategies.
• Principles and practices of government budget development and administration.
• Principles and practices of contract and grant administration.
• Audit principles and financial record keeping.  

Ability to:

• Manage a variety of financial and accounting functions, including financial planning and analysis, budgeting, contracts and grant administration, cost accounting, general ledger, general accounting and payroll timekeeping.
• Design, install and maintain effective accounting systems and procedures.
• Plan, organize and direct a complex and varied financial program.
• Perform complex accounting and financial record-keeping activities.
• Interpret and apply legal and administrative concepts to departmental accounting functions.
• Analyze data and draw logical conclusions.
• Prepare clear, complete and accurate accounting and statistical reports, correspondences, procedures, policies and other written materials.
• Organize and prioritize work and meet critical deadlines.
• Exercise sound independent judgment within established policies and guidelines.
• Train and supervise financial analyst, professional and clerical and professional accounting personnel.
• Establish and maintain cooperative relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Communicate effectively at all levels within and outside the Agency.
• Provide sound technical advice on financial and accounting matters to executive management.
• Conduct and coordinate financial audits.

MH:po  9/10/08

Newspecs: 0182.doc

CSC Date:   9/24/2008

GH: cs Revised 3/4/16

CSC Date:  3/30/16

IL:sa Revised 05/18/2022

CSC Date: 05/18/2022

Alameda County offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that affords wide-ranging health care options to meet the different needs of a diverse workforce and their families. We also sponsor many different employee discount, fitness and health screening programs focused on overall well being.  These benefits include but are not limited to*:

For your Health & Well-Being

• Medical – HMO & PPO Plans
• Dental – HMO & PPO Plans
• Vision or Vision Reimbursement
• Share the Savings
• Basic Life Insurance 
• Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage for eligible employees)
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance 
• County Allowance Credit
• Flexible Spending Accounts - Health FSA, Dependent Care and Adoption Assistance
• Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Voluntary Benefits - Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity and Legal Services
• Employee Assistance Program

For your Financial Future

• Retirement Plan - (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
• Deferred Compensation Plan (457 Plan or Roth Plan)

For your Work/Life Balance

• 12 paid holidays
• Floating Holidays
• Vacation and sick leave accrual
• Vacation purchase program
• Management Paid Leave**
• Catastrophic Sick Leave
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits Program
• Guaranteed Ride Home
• Employee Wellness Program (e.g. At Work Fitness, Incentive Based Programs, Gym Membership Discounts)
• Employee Discount Program (e.g. theme parks, cell phone, etc.)
• Child Care Resources
• 1^st United Services Credit Union 

*Eligibility is determined by Alameda County and offerings may vary by collective bargaining agreement.  This provides a brief summary of the benefits offered and can be subject to change.

** Non-exempt management employees are entitled to up to three days of management paid leave. Exempt management employees are entitled to up to seven days of management paid leave.