Accountant - Auditor - Senior

The current vacancy is in the Health and Human Services Administration Division. However, the eligible list resulting from this recruitment may be used to fill promotional vacancies in various County departments should vacancies arise, subject to specific position requirements and with approval of the County Executive Officer.

To plan, organize, supervise and personally perform professional accounting and auditing work 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 plan, coordinate and conduct audits for County departments, divisions and funds; to provide recommendations for efficiencies and improvements; and to provide highly responsible technical assistance to management staff in assigned department.

This is the advanced journey, supervisory level class in the Accountant-Auditor 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, by the amount of time spent performing the duties and by the nature of the public contact made.  Employees perform the most difficult and responsible types of duties assigned to classes within this series including performing and/or administering the most complex accounting and financial analyses, auditing functions and typically supervising an entire accounting function with several subordinate accounting 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.

Receives general direction from assigned supervisory or management personnel.

Exercises direct supervision over lower level professional, technical and clerical personnel. Exercises functional and technical supervision over assigned personnel.

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

• Plan, organize and supervise a major accounting or auditing program or section in the County, which requires extensive and varied knowledge of accounting, auditing, financial administration and laws or regulations applicable to the assigned area of responsibility.
• Provide supervision to 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.
• Develop, recommend and implement section goals and objectives within assigned department; assist in developing, implementing and explaining policies and procedures.
• Develop and supervise accounting, auditing and financial administration operations and systems; maintain budgetary controls; and prepare written correspondence.
• Supervise directly and through subordinate professional personnel; train new employees; evaluate performance of individuals and programs; organize, assign, review and evaluate work products, methods 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.
• Perform audit procedures and review existing accounting procedures and internal control methods to ensure compliance with standard accounting principles and governmental codes, laws, rules and regulations and recommend corrective action if necessary.
• Prepare and analyze a variety of complex periodic and special reports including but not limited to reports of investment transactions, status of investments, cash flow and earnings, tax billing, trial balances and statistical reports.
• Make recommendations to improve accounting procedures based on criteria, evidence and client processes, procedures and annual audit plan and to minimize the organizations audit risk.
• Perform a variety of responsible auditing functions as required and as assigned.
• Supervise and conduct annual inventories of assets.
• Participate in budget preparation and administration; prepare cost estimates for budget recommendations; submit justifications for personnel, supplies and equipment; monitor and control expenditures.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other County employees and the public using principles of good customer service.
• Conduct interviews, develop questionnaires, compose summary memos and work papers, narrative and written reports based on independent assessment of audit evidence.
• Prepare and analyze financial statements, including but not limited to balance sheets, profit and loss statements, budget to actual schedules and statements of cash flow.
• Represent assigned department/division/section to the public as well as other County employees and managers in a positive and productive manner.
• Plan, coordinate, conduct and supervise financial operational and compliance audits including performing any procedures associated with conducting audits.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

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 experience and/or professional auditing experience performing duties similar to an Accountant–Auditor II with Placer County.

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

NOTE:  Depending on the area of assignment, additional governmental accounting, auditing and finance experience which involves the application of State and local laws and/or governmental accounting standards may be substituted for the required degree on a year-for-year basis if:

• The experience was performing duties equivalent to those of an Accounting Technician in Placer County; and
• At least 18 units of college course work or related technical training in Business Administration, Public Administration, or a related field have been completed, including a minimum of 6 units in Accounting.

Experience used to substitute for the required degree cannot also be used to meet work experience requirements.

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.
• Modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment.
• Standard accepted principles and practices of motivation, team building and conflict resolution.
• Principles of effective supervision techniques, training and performance evaluations.
• Principles and practices used in planning, organizing and controlling work flow and processes.
• Principles, practices, methods and techniques of financial auditing.
• Principles and theories of internal control.
• Common indicators of fraud and risk.
• Methods and practices of audit work paper preparation, audit report writing and presentation. 
• Tax billing principles and techniques.

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 programmatic responsibilities.
• Interpret and apply legal, regulatory and administrative controls to accounting functions and financial management systems.
• Assist in the development and monitoring of an assigned program budget.
• Develop and recommend policies and procedures related to assigned operations.
• Work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and effective manner.
• Train, direct, supervise and evaluate professional and clerical subordinates.
• Prepare comprehensive, clear, concise and highly complex accounting and statistical reports.
• 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.

All applicants who meet minimum qualifications will be required to respond to an online Conviction History Questionnaire, which will be sent as a link on their notification that minimum qualifications have been met.  Failure to respond to this questionnaire within (3) three calendar days of the minimum qualification notification will result in disqualification from the examination.

 

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 and/or be bonded.

 

All new permanent employees, with the exception of sworn law enforcement and management, shall be required to join the employee organization or pay an 'Agency Fee' as a condition of employment.

The eligible list(s) 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) 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 now 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 visit our website at: http://www.jobaps.com/placer/sup/abfreenames.asp.

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 and retaliation is prohibited and that all employees and applicants shall receive equal consideration and treatment. All recruitment, hiring, transfer and promotion will be based on the qualifications of the individual for the positions being filled regardless of sex, sexual orientation, race, color, ancestry, religious creed, national origin, physical disability (Including HIV and AIDS), mental disability, medical condition (cancer or genetic characteristics/information), age (40 or over), marital status, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, or any other classification protected by federal, state or local laws or ordinance. Please contact the Personnel 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.

The following information represents benefits currently available to permanent Placer County employees and may be subject to change.  It is advisable that applicants inquire as to the most current benefit package during hiring interviews or by contacting the Personnel Department.

Click here to view benefits for Professional bargaining unit