Under direction, to examine, analyze and verify a variety of records and documents; to prepare analytical narrative statistical and accounting reports; and to perform other related duties as required.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES  

The Benefits Accountant is a professional accounting classification located in the Benefits Division of the Human Resource Services Department.  Incumbents in the class will be responsible for performing professional accounting duties with a great degree of independence using the ALCOLINK HRMS automated benefits system.  This class is distinguished from the Accountant series in that the latter performs accounting functions in County departments while the Benefits Accountant is responsible for performing accounting and some aspects of auditing in support of the County’s benefit programs.  This position reports to the Benefits Administration Supervisor.

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.  Reviews financial records and statements verifying entries; prepares worksheets, narrative and statistical reports of findings and recommendations.

2.  Audits various employee benefits reports (i.e., Voluntary Benefits, Commuter Benefits, COBRA) for compliance; analyzes bi-weekly and monthly record-keeping systems.

3.  Prepares budget projections and the preparation of financial statements for the ISF Dental Program.

4.  Audits accounting and financial transactions associated with benefit related plans and third-party administrators.

5.  Reconciles active and COBRA billing for all health and welfare plans; reconciles various billing and eligibility reports for voluntary plans and other related internal and external exception reports.

6.  Preparation of journal vouchers and ad hoc reports as needed.

7.  Reconciles discrepancies between payroll and benefit deductions for various benefit plans.

8.  Records financial transactions consisting of employee benefit premiums and expenses; checks posting of financial transactions; prepares posting of changes and corrections to budget accounts.

9.  Attends meetings, communicates with County staff and employees to discuss billing and reconciliation matters and/or present audit findings.

10. Acts as the COBRA Administrator to enroll, monitor and post COBRA enrollment elections. Transmit enrollment elections to appropriate benefit providers.

Either I

Experience:  

The equivalent of one year of full-time experience as an Accountant or three years of full-time experience as an Accounting Specialist II or other higher level paraprofessional classification performing work at the level of the Alameda County class of Accounting Specialist II in the Alameda County classified service.  

Or II

Experience:  

The equivalent of three years of full-time experience in a professional Accounting position involving the exercise of accounting or auditing duties similar to Alameda County’s class of Accountant, or five years of paraprofessional experience performing full time duties similar to Alameda County’s Accounting Specialist II or Accounting Technician classifications.   

(Substitution: A Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, or a related field, may substitute for two years of the required work experience.)

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:

• Generally accepted Governmental accounting principles and practices.
• Generally accepted auditing standards.
• General and governmental accounting and auditing principles, theory, and procedures.
• Practices and techniques of automated accounting and financial record keeping and report preparation.
• Principles and practices of auditing and reconciling a variety of financial and accounting documents and records.
• Basic budgeting and cost accounting practices and procedures.
• Operational characteristics of automated personnel/payroll record processing system.
• The purposes, methods, and practices of financial record-keeping work.
• Modern office methods and equipment.
• Business office practices.
• Computer applications related to the work, including intermediate to advanced level spreadsheet and database applications.
• Procedures, terminology and forms related to the functional area to which assigned.
• Techniques used to reconcile subsidiary accounts, to control accounts, and to maintain books through trial balance.
• English grammar, spelling and punctuation.

Ability to:

• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing with employees, department personnel and customers.
• Communicate with diverse groups of people by demonstrating effective interpersonal skills and sensitivity.
• Read, research, analyze and interpret fiscal documents and other records.
• Perform detail work and accounting.
• Learn specific accounting information systems.
• Interpret and apply business and governmental laws and regulations.
• Identify and correct errors in a variety of mathematical computations and financial documents.
• Use automated spreadsheet software.
• Prepare comprehensive, clear, and concise accounting and statistical reports.
• Read and interpret financial reports.
• Audit and reconcile financial, accounting and budgetary documents and records; maintain journals and reports.
• Read, interpret and apply rules, regulations, policies and procedures involved in fiscal recordkeeping and accounting functions.
• Interpret, explain and apply regulations and procedures in varying situations.
• Organize and prioritize work and meet critical deadlines.
• Maintain accurate records and files.
• Operate standard office equipment.
• Exercise judgement.
• Work independently in the absence of specific instructions.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

RE:bl  5/2/02

New doc:  0267.doc

CSC Date:  5/8/02

AM:pf  Revised 1/22/03

CSC Date:  2/4/04

MH:jf Revision 3/22/18

CSC Date: 06/06/18

AM:ac  Revised/Retitled 2/8/19

Old Title: Benefits Auditor

CSC Date: 2/27/19

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.