Chief Accountant

THIS IS A HELP STATE CIVIL SERVICE POSITION, THAT DOES NOT REQUIRE A WRITTEN EXAMNATION. An employee in this class coordinates accounting and fiscal management functions of the County Treasurer's Department. The duties involve responsibility for the performance of moderately complex professional accounting and related fiscal administrative tasks in development, examination, review or analysis activities related to fiscal management of agency funds. The work is performed under administrative direction of the County Treasurer or other high-level personnel. The work entails independently maintaining all agency accounts in proper balance and for furnishing periodic financial statements. In addition, depending on whether agency sub-contracts portions of the program, the position may involve auditing accounts of sub-grantees for compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations. Does related work as required. TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES Devises accounting procedures to provide complete and accurate records or agency financial transactions; Contact various Federal, State and local representatives regarding agency funding and fiscal affairs; Studies economic trends and advises agency staff regarding related fiscal planning and cost analyses including but not limited to investment strategies; Advises agency employees and sub-contractors of current fiscal requirements and reporting; Keeps ledgers and journal accounts, takes trial balances and reconciles bank statements and accounts, month-end, quarter-end, year-end close; Assists with agency payroll functions as needed; Assists with tax collection and balancing functions; Performs cost analyses to aid in program effectiveness and efficiency; Implements accounting and financial transactions to ensure compliance with Federal and State fiscal regulations; Prepares related reports and records including annual financial reports and external audits; Performs special assignments of the County Treasurer; Serves as liaison between County Departments to ensure that necessary changes to the county accounting system are implemented; Recommends and implements changes to county accounting policies and the accounting operations of other county departmental at the direction of the County Treasurer; Acts as a consultant to department heads and supervisors on accounting questions. Thorough knowledge of modern general and governmental accounting, fiscal and auditing procedures and techniques including budgeting and appropriation practices; thorough knowledge of methods used in keeping financial accounts and records; good knowledge of modern fiscal terminology, practices and procedures; good knowledge of computerized application of accounting systems; good knowledge of the principles and practices of supervision; working knowledge of agency affairs related to fiscal management; ability to use and be proficient in accounting systems of records and Microsoft Office. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Either Graduation from a regionally accredited or New York State registered college or university with a bachelor's degree in accounting, business administration, economics or other related field specifically structure to prepare individuals for work involving accounting, auditing, budgeting and other fiscal related responsibilities, including or supplemented by eighteen semester credit hours in accounting and three (3) years of full-time paid accounting or auditing experience which must have involved the use of double entry accounts, including the general ledger or other governmental agency accounts, involving appropriation accounting and the preparation of budget and financial reports. Graduation from a regionally accredited or New York State registered college or university with an associate’s degree in accounting, business administration, economics or other related field specifically structure to prepare individuals for work involving accounting, auditing, budgeting and other fiscal related responsibilities, including or supplemented by eighteen semester credit hours in accounting and five (5) years of experience as described above. Graduation from high school or possession of a high school equivalency diploma, and eight (8) years of accounting or auditing experience which must have involved the use of double entry accounts, including the general ledger or other governmental agency accounts, involving appropriation accounting and the preparation of budget and financial reports. Any equivalent combination of training and experience. NOTE: Related certifications may be used in lieu of some educational or experience requirements. SPECIAL NOTE: EDUCATION: Your degree must have been awarded by a college or university accredited by a regional, national, or specialized agency recognized as an accrediting agency by the U.S. Department of Education/U.S. Secretary of Education. If your degree was awarded by an educational institution outside the United States and its territories, you must provide independent verification of equivalency. #J-18808-Ljbffr