Accountant I/II

About the Opportunity
THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

Stanislaus County is looking for enthusiastic professionals to join our team. The Accountant I/II classification can be found throughout our 27 departments. This recruitment is being conducted to fill immediate full-time vacancies throughout Stanislaus County,

To learn more about Stanislaus County departments, click here .

Stanislaus County now offers an employee bonus worth up to $10,000! Click here for details.

THE POSITION

The Accountant I is the entry-level class in the Accountant series. Incumbents in this class perform accounting work necessary to establish and maintain accounts and records, while receiving training in specialized areas, under general supervision. This entry-level position performs related duties as required.

The Accountant II is the journey level class in the Accountant series. At this level, incumbents perform more difficult and complex professional accounting work. Incumbents work independently, require minimal supervision, and may direct the work of lower-level professional, technical, and clerical staff. This journey-level position performs related duties as assigned.

Unless otherwise provided, this position is part of the Classified Service of the County and is assigned to the Mid Management/Supervisory bargaining unit for labor relations purposes.

Individuals who are in a full-time classification position are required to serve a twelve-month probationary period, which may be extended an additional six months, for a total of eighteen months.
Part-time extra-help is a provisional classification where permanent status may not be obtained. This position is subject to overtime, standby, shift, and callback assignments and will perform related duties as assigned. This position is non-benefited except for participation in a 401a program with Nationwide.
Incumbents may also be subject to overtime, standby, callback, weekend, holiday, and shift assignments as identified in their MOU (Memorandum of Understanding).

The Job Task Analysis provides information detailing the physical and functional demands of the classification. For the complete job task analysis, visit the Risk Management website at http://www.stancounty.com/riskmgmt/ under the "Disability" tab. Typical Tasks

• Ensures accurate financial statements in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP);
• Determines appropriate allocation basis, identifying accounting methodology alternatives and selecting the most appropriate method, ensuring the departments are following basic concepts of conservatism and consistency, reconciliation of sub-ledgers to the general ledger, analyzing the budget and projecting actual revenues and expenditures;
• Assists in budget preparation, recording, reporting and monitoring of fiscal and financial data;
• Reviews, monitors and evaluates the Monthly Financial Reports and coordinates regular meetings with the managers to discuss financial reports and program fiscal operations;
• Gathers, prepares and tabulates fiscal data for use by staff, management and auditors;
• Analyzes and determines appropriate distribution of departmental expenses;
• Designs, enhances, and prepares spreadsheets as needed for Accounting systems and documentation;
• Reconciles General Ledger accounts;
• Assists with Annual Financial Statement and Cost Report Audits;
• Performs professional level work in auditing, general, grant and cost accounting;
• Participates in difficult and complex studies for special districts, funds or trusts, agency accounts, and traveling as necessary;
• Provides assistance in the preparation of the County budgets, annual audits and internal controls;
• Consults with administrative and program managers on financial data;
• Consults with program managers and supervisors on budget and monitor financial reports;
• Provides technical and functional supervision over clerical and paraprofessional accounting staff;
• Compiles data, prepares reports, prepares financial statements, and conducts special studies as directed;
• Prepare and submit financial reports to Federal and State agencies;
• Responds to inquiries and works directly with program management to provide accurate and complete information for program and agency planning;
• Analyzes and evaluates accounting problems, and develops appropriate data and recommendations in the preparation of reports and statements;
• Researches, studies and applies various Federal, State and local codes and ordinances to assure legal compliance;
• Utilize the Internal Auditing and Consulting standards;
• Interprets and analyzes computer data and material, defines problem areas and draws logical conclusions; and
• Uses critical thinking skills.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education/Experience)
ACCOUNTANT I
SKILLS/ABILITIES

• Analyze data, define problem areas and draw logical conclusions;
• Perform mathematical calculations;
• Understand and apply the principles, laws, and procedures involved in accounting and auditing functions;
• Examine, verify and maintain records;
• Perform entry level professional accounting work;
• Supervise and train clerical/technical employees;
• Prepare and complete accounting statements and statistical and narrative reports;
• Learn and apply the more difficult accounting/financial monitoring and auditing principles and procedures;
• Establish and maintain effective internal and external working relationships;
• Focus on the customer, budget, and processes, while building partnerships and driving innovation; and
• Communicate well both orally and in writing, and interpret fiscal policies, practices and methods to governmental officials and department heads.

KNOWLEDGE

• Basic governmental, auditing, accounting and budgeting methods principles and practices;
• Fiscal record keeping systems and functions;
• Principles of supervision and training;
• Financial management systems and management information systems and principles;
• Computer systems and their application to accounting and reporting functions; and
• Working knowledge of the laws, ordinances and regulations governing the financial operation of the County and its departments.

ACCOUNTANT II

SKILLS/ABILITIES

• Analyze data, define problem areas and draw logical conclusions;
• Maintain records and prepare accounting, statistical and narrative reports;
• Perform journal level professional accounting procedures, compile data and prepare complex financial statements and reports;
• Train, supervise and evaluate work of the entry-level accountants and clerical personnel;
• Develop, coordinate and organize accounting and auditing systems and apply to electronic data processing;
• Establish and maintain effective internal and external working relationships; and
• Communicate well both orally and in writing, and interpret fiscal policies, practices and methods to governmental officials and department heads.

KNOWLEDGE

• Basic governmental, auditing, accounting and budgeting methods principles and practices;
• Fiscal record keeping systems and functions;
• Principles of supervision and training;
• Financial management systems and management information systems and principles;
• Computer systems and their application to accounting and reporting functions; and
• Working knowledge of the laws, ordinances and regulations governing the financial operation of the County and its departments.

We recognize your time is valuable, please only apply if you meet the following required qualifications.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE FOR ACCOUNTANT I

PATTERN I

• Bachelor of Arts degree with major or work in Accounting, Public Administration, Business Administration, or Economics.

PATTERN II

• The equivalent of 24 semester units of college coursework in Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, or Economics; AND
• Two (2) years experience equivalent to an Accounting Technician performing complex and highly responsible technical clerical accounting work required in the maintenance of fiscal and statistical records.

The Accountant I classification is a Veterans' Preference Program eligible job classification. For more information please click here .

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE FOR ACCOUNTANT II

PATTERN I

• Bachelor of Arts degree with major or work in Accounting, Public Administration, Business Administration, or Economics; AND
• One (1) year experience equivalent to an Accountant I performing complex and highly responsible technical accounting work required in the maintenance of fiscal and statistical records; OR

PATTERN II

• The equivalent of 24 semester units of college coursework in Business Administration, Accounting, Finance or Economics; AND
• Two (2) years experience performing complex and highly responsible technical accounting work required in the maintenance of fiscal and statistical records. One year must be the equivalent to an Accountant I and must include: journal entries, posting ledgers, trial balances and reconciliation's to establish and maintain accounting books and records.

Proof of education (transcript) is required for verification purposes at the time of application. Applicants who are unable to submit proof must call 209-525-6341 to make other arrangements before 5 pm on the final filing date. Failure to submit proof or make other arrangements before the final filing deadline will result in disqualification.
Application and Selection Procedures
APPLICATION PROCEDURES/FINAL FILING DATE

Applications cannot be submitted later than 5:00 p.m. on the final filing date. Make your online application as complete as possible so a full and realistic appraisal may be made of your qualifications.

Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application.

Attaching your resume and cover letter are an optional feature for those who wish to do so in addition to completing the required application. Information on your resume and cover letter will not substitute for the education, work experience and required fields on the County application. The online County application is the primary tool used to evaluate your job qualifications.

EXAMINATION PROCESS

Most County recruitments consists of the steps detailed below and are governed by Merit Principles. The examination process ensures that all applicants are given the same opportunity to gain employment within Stanislaus County.

• Application Review and Screening. Applications are carefully screened based on information provided. Those who submit incomplete applications that lack relevant qualifications or do not submit all required documents will not be invited to move on.
• Written Examination. Applicants will be invited to participate in a written exam that tests knowledge for the position.
• Oral Examination. Applicants are invited to a panel interview in which they will be evaluated by County subject matter experts.
• Eligible Lists. Candidates who pass the examination will be placed on an eligible list for that classification. Eligible lists are effective for six months but may be extended up to eighteen months.

TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT SCHEDULE
Application Deadline: Continuous
Written Examination: Tentatively every two weeks
Oral Examination: Tentatively One week after Written exam

Note: The eligible list generated from this recruitment may be used to fill future extra-help, part-time and full-time vacancies throughout Stanislaus Co unty.

GENERAL INFORMATION
Final appointment will be conditional upon successfully passing a County paid pre-employment drug screening (if applicable for position) and a job-related background investigation.

Some positions may require possession or the ability to obtain, and maintenance of a valid California Driver's license or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job related essential functions.

Stanislaus County supports the good health of its workforce. More information is available at http://myclubwellness.org

Cell phones are typically incompatible with the online application format or browser. We recommend using a desktop or laptop computer. If you are still having technical difficulties, please call NEOGOV at 1-855-524-5627.

Benefits associated with this position can be found at Benefits Summary .

Closing Date/Time: Continuous