Los Angeles Community College District

Director of Accounting (#1026)

$100.69-$118.24 hourly / $17,453.01-$20,494.05 monthly / $209,436.12-$245,928.60 annual


Definition

Plans, organizes, coordinates, evaluates, and directs the District's general and special funds accounting, payroll, and related operations.

Typical Duties

Directs the District's general and special funds accounting, payroll, and student financial aid management functions.

Directs the collection, recording, processing, consolidation, and distribution of a wide variety of accounting and payroll data.

Directs the classification of documents, preparation of entries to the general books and ledgers, and preparation of accounting statements and special reports.

Directs the pre-audit of payroll transactions requiring the verification of accuracy and completeness of personnel assignment authorizations, time reports, salary schedules, and payroll deductions.

Directs the analysis of accounting and payroll reports to measure performance and identify deficiencies which may affect the ability of the District to meet financial and operational performance standards and goals.

Directs and participates in the development and revisions of policies, procedures, practices, and guidelines pertinent to the administration of the District's accounting, payroll, and related functions.

Provides technical advice and guidance to District administrators on complex accounting, payroll, and related matters.

Advises the Vice Chancellor/Chief Financial Officer and District management staff through oral and written reports of objectives, critical problems, achievements, improvement recommendations, and on requirements and restrictions of laws, rules, and policies affecting the District's accounting, payroll, and related operations.

Provides administrative direction to student financial aid programs at the colleges and directs the operations of the central financial aid unit.

Approves or disapproves the disbursement of the District funds in accordance with applicable laws, rules, and policies.

Coordinates the work of assigned units with the colleges and other divisions.

Analyzes state legislative and administrative decisions, regulations, and policies to determine their impact on the accounting, payroll, and related operations of the District and makes recommendations on how to implement new requirements.

Directs the design, implementation, and maintenance of accounting and payroll systems to meet legal requirements, provide management with required information, and improve efficiency in the recording and reporting of data.

Represents the District before state and local agencies on matters related to District accounting, payroll, and related functions.

Directs and prepares correspondence, reports, and presentations regarding accounting, payroll, and related activities.

Evaluates accounting enterprise systems and recommends system enhancements.

Directs the selection, training, and supervision of unit staff to ensure proficient performance and a productive environment.

May act on behalf of the Vice Chancellor/Chief Financial Officer on designated matters.

Performs related duties as assigned.

 

Distinguishing Characteristics

A Director of Accounting plans, organizes, coordinates, evaluates, and directs the District's general and special funds accounting, payroll, and related operations.

A Chief Financial Officer/Treasurer is the executive head over all financial operations of the District and its colleges which include treasury, general and special funds accounting, budget, payroll, tax, audit, and related activities. The Incumbent in this class is also responsible for directing the establishment of financial and accounting system controls and standards and ensuring timely financial and statistical information for management and/or Board use.

Supervision

General direction is received from the Vice Chancellor/Chief Financial Officer. General supervision is exercised over management, supervisory, professional, technical, and clerical staff assigned to the unit.

Class Qualifications

Knowledge of:

Principles, practices, procedures, and theories of accounting with an emphasis on governmental accounting, including GAAP

Principles, practices, and procedures of auditing

Banking and investment policies, regulations, and practices

Research, statistical, and forecasting methods used in accounting analysis and management

Federal, state, and local laws, ordinances, codes, and regulations affecting the accounting operations of the District

Federal, state, and local laws relative to wages, salaries, fringe benefits, deductions, and the disbursement of funds

Enterprise systems and software used in accounting

Principles and practices of organization and management

State Legislative processes and procedures

Principles and practices of business and public administration

Principles of supervision, training, and human relations

Ability to:

Plan, direct, and coordinate the District’s general and special funds accounting, payroll, and related activities

Design and manage effective control, information, and documentation systems

Interpret and apply laws, rules, regulations, and policies pertinent to accounting, payroll, and related activities

Anticipate conditions, plan ahead, establish priorities, and meet schedules

Act independently and promptly to situations and events

Recognize critical elements of problems, develop and evaluate data, determine solutions, and make logical recommendations

Prepare effective written and oral communications, reports, and presentations

Effectively communicate highly technical information concisely and in understandable terms

Integrate technology into business decisions and operations

Allocate and effectively utilize the human, fiscal, and physical resources of the department

Provide leadership and technical assistance to others

Motivate, direct, train, and develop others

Stimulate teamwork and promote cohesiveness to achieve unit and District goals

Maintain poise and exercise good judgement in challenging situations

Consistently use and promote professional standards and practices related to assignments

Maintain a focus on details, quality, and precision in the performance of duties

Actively contribute to a culture of constructive collaboration and innovation with colleagues

Establish and maintain effective and cooperative working relationships with District administration, staff and representatives of government agencies and various private organizations

Travel to off-site meetings

Learn specialized software applications used in accounting systems

Entrance Qualifications

Education:

A bachelor's degree from a recognized college or university preferably with a major in accounting, business administration, economics, finance, public administration, or a related field; OR a valid license to practice as a Certified Public Accountant in California. An advanced degree in one of the aforementioned majors is desirable.

Experience:

Five years of recent, full-time, paid, professional-level experience in a senior accounting management position with responsibility for centralized accounting and disbursements operations for an organization employing 500 or more employees. Experience must have included the supervision of staff, which included professional-level employees. Public agency experience is desirable.

Special:

A valid Class "C" California driver's license must be obtained within 10 days of establishing residency in the State of California.
Travel to locations throughout the District is required. 
Must meet the requirements for bonding. 

Reasonable Accommodations

Our class specification generally describes the duties, responsibilities, and requirements characteristic of the position(s) within this job class. The duties, responsibilities, and requirements of a particular position within this class may vary from the duties of other positions within the class.

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Los Angeles Community College District provides reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with covered disabilities on a case-by-case basis throughout the application, examination, and hiring processes and throughout employment. If an individual is in doubt about their ability to perform the duties and responsibilities of a position or possession of any other requirement noted in a class specification or job announcement, they should always apply for a position and request reasonable accommodation at the appropriate time.


CLASS: 1026; REV: 3/22/2023;