Accountant

The current vacancy is in the Department of Behavioral Health.

The eligibility list created from this recruitment may be used to fill any current or future vacancies in ANY Butte County Department. 

FLSA: Non-Exempt

DEFINITION

Under general supervision, performs a variety of accounting functions in the maintenance of financial and accounting records for budgets, grants, special funds, and departments.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives general supervision from assigned supervisory or management personnel. Exercises no direct supervision over staff.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS 

This is a journey-level position; incumbents perform a full range of budget and accounting duties.

EXAMPLES OF TYPICAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Typical functions may include any of the following tasks, knowledge, abilities, and other characteristics.  The list that follows is not intended as a comprehensive list; it is intended to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed, and may be required to perform additional, position-specific tasks.

• Processes and reconciles revenues, expenditures, and technical transactions for a department, in compliance with all applicable federal, state, and county rules, regulations, and ordinances.
• Performs technical, administrative, and professional accounting work; provides professional and technical guidance to department staff; coordinates the preparation of special and annual budgets, billings and receivables, balance sheets, and reports.
• Researches and analyzes technical transactions, budgets, contracts, and special funds to resolve questions and validate data; assures fiscal accountability and fund integrity for all transactions and supporting documentation.
• Reviews source documents for compliance to rules and regulations; determines proper handling of financial and technical transactions, and approves transactions within designated limits.
• Coordinates information and communications between the department, other County departments, and external agencies, to clarify and reconcile special funds, allocations, and accounting issues.
• Maintains financial information system database; records and verifies expenditures; prepares billings and collections; makes journal entries and prepares trial balance.
• Reconciles and allocates revenues and expenses according to schedules and policy; reconciles and resolves differences; transfers funds as authorized; assures the accuracy of the financial records.
• Monitors compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and County procedures.
• Reviews, investigates, and corrects errors and inconsistencies in financial entries, transactions, documents, and reports.
• Prepares monthly, quarterly and year-end financial and technical statements, such as consolidated financial reports, statements of revenues and expenditures, and fund or grant budgets.

Knowledge of:

• General Accepted Accounting Principles and fund accounting methods related to public sector financial administration.
• Butte County organization, operations, policies, procedures, accounting and budgeting systems.
• Principles and practices of accounting, mathematical, and statistical computations.
• Business computers, personal computers and spreadsheet software applications.
• Business English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

 Ability To:

• Read, interpret, understand, and apply accounting standards and procedures, applicable federal rules and regulations, and Butte County policies and procedures.
• Analyze and interpret financial documents.
• Analyze terms and conditions of contracts, grants, and agreements.
• Correct and update financial and accounting information systems.
• Work under pressure of deadlines, and establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with department staff and other County departments.
• Communicate effectively orally and in the development of written documents, reports, and financial information.

 Education and Experience:

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

 Associate’s degree in Accounting, Public Administration, Business Administration, or a related field; and

 Two (2) years professional accounting, fiscal or statistical recordkeeping experience, and one (1) year computer experience.  

 Certifications and Licenses:

• Must possess a valid US driver’s license upon date of application. Must obtain California driver’s license following hire date per California DMV regulations.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; primarily a sedentary office classification although standing in work areas and walking between work areas may be required; occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information; ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 10 pounds.
• Vision to read printed materials and a computer screen. 
• Hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone. 
• Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment.

 WORKING CONDITIONS

• Office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances.

 EQUIPMENT AND TOOLS UTILIZED

• Equipment utilized includes personal computer, fax machine, and standard office equipment.

 Disaster Service Worker

All Butte County employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the County requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.