Accountant - Senior

Placer County is comprised of over 1,400 square miles of beautiful and diverse geography, ranging from the residential and commercial areas of South Placer, through the historic foothill areas of Auburn, Foresthill, and Colfax, and to the County's jewel of the North Lake Tahoe basin. Placer is a great place to live, work, play, and learn! For more information about Placer County, please visit www.placer.ca.gov.

This recruitment will be used to fill both open and promotional vacancies in various County departments as they arise, subject to specific position requirements.

Placer County offers a comprehensive benefits package to employees. The following information represents benefits currently available to permanent Placer County employees and may be subject to change. Applicants should inquire as to the most current benefit package during hiring interviews or by contacting the Human Resources Department.

Click here to view Placer Public Employees Organization (PPEO) benefits.

For more information regarding the benefits Placer County has to offer, please visit Placer County's Human Resources website.

To plan, organize, supervise and personally perform professional accounting  work to ensure regulatory compliance with governmental accounting standards for a department, or major program area or section within an assigned department; to prepare a variety of complex accounting, statistical and narrative reports regarding financial transactions, grant programs, or trusts; to provide recommendations for efficiencies and improvements in accounting systems; manage the effective use of department resources to improve organizational productivity and customer service; and to provide highly responsible technical assistance to management staff in assigned department.

This is the advanced journey, supervisory level class in the Accountant series.  Positions at this level are distinguished from other classes within the series by the level of responsibility assumed, complexity of duties assigned, independence of action taken, and  the nature of external contacts and representation.   Employees perform complex accounting and financial analyses, and typically supervise an accounting function including professional accounting, technical and clerical personnel.  Employees at this level are required to be fully trained in all procedures related to assigned area of responsibility.  This job class may also provide responsible professional accounting services to the County's investment activities.  Successful performance of the work requires extensive professional background as well as skill in coordinating departmental work.  This class is distinguished from the Accountant, Supervising in that the latter predominantly plans, coordinates, organizes, and supervises an assigned work unit(s) within a large, multi-unit division within departments that have agency-wide financial accounting and reporting responsibility.  This class is further distinguished from the Auditor series by the latter’s regular performance of internal compliance, financial and performance audits performed in accordance with professional standards such as Institute of Internal Auditors, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, and Generally Accepted Government Auditing Standards, including preparing audit reports with the issuance of an opinion.

Receives general direction from assigned supervisory or management personnel.

Exercises direct supervision over professional, technical and clerical personnel.

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Provide supervision of professional, technical, and clerical staff in support of assigned department and program(s); provide leadership and direction to a team of professional and technical staff.
• Provide responsible professional and technical direction and assistance in the administration and implementation of the County and/or department accounting programs and integrated accounting and financial systems.
• Participate in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies and priorities for the unit; recommend within departmental policy, appropriate service and staffing levels; recommend and administer policies and procedures.
• Participate in the selection of staff; coordinate staff training; conduct performance evaluations, recommend discipline; implement discipline procedures as directed. 
• Design, implement, update and document accounting, auditing and financial management systems; establish procedures for work flow and format.
• Assume responsibility for various departmental accounting functions including financial statements, general ledger, monthly statements, and special project accounting; conduct and prepare special studies and reports.
• Prepare a wide variety of financial and statistical reports including year-end reporting, budgetary reports, monthly financial statements, and assist in the preparation of the financial and custom reports, graphs, and schedules as needed.
• Participate in the compilation and preparation of the annual budget, including assisting divisions with budget preparation, preparing and updating cash flow and cost projections and estimated revenues and expenditures, monitoring expenditures to ensure compliance with adopted budget, and assisting in publication of the budget.
• Monitor and review expenditures, revenues, and budget allocations to determine financial status.
• Interpret, explain, and apply general and governmental accounting/auditing principles and procedures, laws, and regulations affecting the more complex financial operations of the department assigned.
• Record and maintain appropriate controls for fixed assets, including vehicles; supervise annual inventory reconciliation including inspections and reconciliation of discrepancies.
• Maintain and monitor the department grant funds and ensure compliance with rules and regulations governing the use and the accounting of each grant; compile and prepare financial and other data for claims; prepare grant applications.
• Track Capital Improvement expenditures and allocate funds to the appropriate Capital Improvement account.
• Assist in the coordination of audits; schedule, provide information and reporting for audits; ensure availability and accuracy of required reports and documentation.
• Assist with investments, portfolio management, cash management, debt management, new financing, annexations and subdivisions, and revenue and expense projections.
• Attend meetings, conferences, workshops, and training sessions, and review publications to remain current on principles, practices, and new developments in the field of accounting.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other County employees and the public using principles of good customer service.  
• Perform related duties as assigned.

It is the responsibility of the applicant to identify in their application how they meet the minimum qualifications below.

Experience and Training

Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be: 

Experience: Two years of responsible, journey level professional accounting and/or financial auditing experience performing duties similar to an Accountant II or an Auditor II with Placer County.

Training: Equivalent to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in accounting, finance, or a related field.

Required License or Certificate:
May need to possess a valid driver's license as required by the position and in accordance with the California Vehicle Code.  Proof of adequate vehicle insurance and medical clearance may also be required.

Knowledge of:

• Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, governmental accounting standards and other governmental accounting and auditing procedures.
• Cost accounting, fund accounting, enterprise accounting and financial reporting.
• Application and operation of computerized accounting systems and spreadsheets, using common accounting and spreadsheet software.
• Statutory laws, rules and regulations applicable to governmental accounting, auditing and finance, and programmatic areas of responsibility.
• Pertinent local, State and Federal rules, regulations and laws.
• Budget preparation, administration and control procedures.
• Organization and management practices as applied to the development, analysis, and evaluation of programs and operational needs of the assigned division.
• General principles and practices of data processing and its applicability to accounting operations.
• Principles and theories of internal control including indicators of fraud and risk.      
• Modern office practices,  methods and computer equipment and applications related to the work.
• Standard accepted principles and practices of motivation, team building and conflict resolution.
• Principles and practices of employee supervision, including work planning, assignment, review and evaluation, and the training of staff in work procedures. 
• Principles and practices used in planning, organizing and controlling work flow and processes.
• Tax billing principles and techniques.
• English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation.
• Techniques for effectively presenting the County in contacts with governmental agencies, community groups, and various business, professional, educational, regulatory, and legislative organizations.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and County staff.

Ability to:

• Organize, implement and direct accounting, auditing and financial reporting operations and/or activities.
• On a continuous basis, know and understand all aspects of the job; intermittently analyze work papers, reports and special projects; identify and interpret technical and numerical information; observe and solve problems of operational and technical policy and procedures.
• On a continuous basis, sit at desk for long periods of time; intermittently twist to reach equipment surrounding desk; perform simple grasping and fine manipulation; use telephone and write or use a keyboard to communicate through written means; and lift light weight.
• Design and implement accounting and financial management systems.
• Analyze and evaluate accounting systems and financial programs; design improvements and controls for assigned operations; and assess overall effectiveness of fiscal responsibilities.
• Interpret and apply legal, regulatory and administrative controls to accounting functions and financial management systems.
• Analyze complex data, identify discrepancies, develop accurate and concise summaries and tables and draw logical and appropriate conclusions; present technical information and data in an effective manner.
• Effectively represent the department and the County in meetings with governmental agencies, community groups, and various businesses, professional, and regulatory organizations, and in meetings with individuals.
• Evaluate and develop improvements in operations, procedures, policies, or methods.
• Prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, and other written materials.
• Work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and effective manner.
• Train, direct, supervise and evaluate professional and clerical subordinates.
• Operate a computer and 10-key adding machine by touch.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

Training & Experience Rating (100%)

Based upon responses to the supplemental questionnaire, the applicant’s education, training, and experience will be evaluated using a pre-determined formula. Scores from this evaluation will determine applicant ranking and placement on the eligible list.

Prior to the date of hire, applicants must undergo a fingerprint test by the Department of Justice, pass a medical examination (which may include a drug screening and possibly a psychological evaluation), sign a constitutional oath, and submit proof of U.S. citizenship or legal right to remain and work in the U.S.  For some positions, applicants may also be required to submit proof of age, undergo a background investigation (which may include a voice stress analysis and/or a polygraph), and/or be bonded. Additionally, positions in law enforcement classifications and those supporting law enforcement functions will be required to complete a conviction history questionnaire prior to or during the interview process. Applicants for positions with access to Medi-Cal billing software or who are licensed providers must clear the Federal Exclusion List, credentialing, and social security verification. Failure to clear these requirements may result in an employment offer being withdrawn.

The eligible list resulting from this recruitment may be certified as a substitute list for a substantially similar classification. For this purpose, a substantially similar classification is one at a lower level in the same classification (example: entry level vs. journey level) and/or a similar classification (similar work performed, similar training and experience qualifications required). If you are contacted for an interview by a County department, you will be informed of the classification and other relevant information. If you choose not to interview for a substantially similar classification, you will remain on the eligible list for which you originally applied.

Placer County offers an expedited process for qualifying certain applicants for interviews. Candidates currently employed, or employed within the last year, by a public agency operating under a personnel civil service or merit system may be eligible to be placed on a Public Agency Eligible List and certified as eligible for appointment to a similar job assignment without going through the examination process. For more information on the Public Agency Eligible List, to download forms, or to apply, please click here.

Thank you for your interest in employment with Placer County. Placer County is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to an active nondiscrimination program. It is the stated policy of Placer County that harassment, discrimination, and retaliation are prohibited and that all employees, applicants, agents, contractors, and interns/volunteers shall receive equal consideration and treatment. All terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, transfer, and promotion will be based on the qualifications of the individual for the positions being filled regardless of gender (including gender identity and expression), sexual orientation, race (including traits historically associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists), color, ancestry, religion (including creed and belief), national origin, citizenship, physical disability (including HIV and AIDS), mental disability, medical condition (including cancer or genetic characteristics/information), age (40 or over),  marital status, military and/or veteran status, sex (including parental status, pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), reproductive health decision making, political orientation, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law. Please contact the Human Resources Department at least 5 working days before a scheduled examination if you require accommodation in the examination process. Medical disability verification may be required prior to accommodation.