ACCOUNTING ANALYST (#UB7 )

$44.95-$56.89 hourly / $7,791.00-$9,861.00 monthly / $93,496.00-$118,331.20 yearly

Under general direction from the Accounting Manager or Chief Deputy Auditor-Controller, to perform complex accounting studies and financial analysis of the County's fiscal affairs; to perform the most difficult and complex general and cost accounting work;  to provide analytical support to department management relative to complex fiscal matters and for recommending and implementing countywide solutions; to serve as a subject matter expert and provide interpretation, advice, analysis, consultation, and professional support on fiscal and accounting policies and procedures to department heads, other fiscal staff, and external agencies; and to do other work as required.

This classification is in the Auditor-Controller-Treasurer-Tax Collector’s Office and performs accounting, fiscal and legal research and analysis. Research and analysis is performed with considerable independence to solve fiscal problems in order to achieve maximum financial benefit to the County and to ensure the integrity of financial records and funds. This class differs from the class of Accountant III by the degree of independence and by the assignment of programs and projects which have major countywide impact.

• Prepares both quarterly and annual trial balance and financial reports at a county-wide level and as needed at agency level, including income statements, balance sheets, statements of cash flow, long term debt and leave obligation worksheets, sales and use tax, Gann limit, County Annual Report for State Controller’s Office;
• Provides interpretation, advice, analysis, consultation, and professional support on fiscal and accounting procedures to department heads, other fiscal staff, and external agencies;
• Provides analysis and impact to existing policies/procedures as a result of change in generally accepted accounting principles and leads the implementation of generally accepted accounting principles;
• Provides advice, assistance, and training to departments in the areas of countywide impact such as year-end closing, financial reporting, accounting processes, compliance requirements, and/or systems operations;

• Ensures that funds are set up and maintained properly, and sets up accounting systems as necessary;
• Maintains County long-term debt schedules, including mandatory filing with regulatory agencies and working with financial advisors on debt issuances, payments and reporting;
• Works with representatives from a variety of departments and local, State and Federal agencies;
• Provides technical assistance to other accounting personnel;
• May provide lead supervision to other staff on project basis;
• Prepares reports and correspondence to County and State entities;
• Attends conferences and meetings;
• Analyzes complex accounting problems and makes recommendations for solutions;
• Designs and implements new procedures as appropriate; establishes priorities; works with other work units to ensure efficient work flow;
• Refines accounting procedures and reports as needed;
• Identifies management information needs and assists in designing new systems;
• Prepares reports and correspondence.

Knowledge:

Thorough knowledge of:

• Accounting principles, theories and practices;
• Cost accounting theory and methods;

Working knowledge of:

• Business law applicable to financial operations;
• Governmental accounting principles and practices;
• Governmental budgetary and financial operations;
• Basic business statistical methods and techniques;
• The application of data processing to accounting operations;

Some knowledge of:

• Laws and regulations, and accounting requirements governing financial operations of local government.

Ability to:

• Prepare financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
• Analyze, evaluate and solve complex budgetary, accounting, and administrative problems;
• Understand, interpret, apply and explain laws, rules and regulations;
• Prepare clear and concise accounting, budgetary, statistical and narrative reports;
• Establish and maintain an effective working relationship with others;
• Develop or revise accounting systems to meet changing needs;
• Assist in the design and implementation of computerized accounting systems;
• Present technical financial data and reports effectively;
• Learn to operate a personal computer, or computer terminal, to design programs to store, retrieve and analyze information.

Training and Experience: Any combination of training and experience, which would provide the required knowledge and abilities, is qualifying. A typical way to obtain these knowledge and abilities would be:

Possession of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university in business administration, finance, accounting or a closely related field, which must have included at least 12 semester or 18 quarter units from among the following accounting courses:  Principles of Accounting, Intermediate Accounting, Advanced Accounting, Governmental Accounting, Fund Accounting, Cost Accounting, Auditing, Financial Accounting, or Managerial Accounting

AND

Three years of progressively responsible accounting experience with at least one year of experience in governmental accounting and financial analysis or budget formulation and control.

A Certified Public Accountant Certificate is highly desirable.

Bargaining Unit: 41
EEOC Category: 02 
Occupational Grouping: 80
Workers’ Comp Code: 0053

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