Accountant III

Accountant III

The County of Santa Barbara is currently accepting applications to fill Accountant III vacancies. The current vacancies are in the Behavioral Wellness, Public Works, and Social Services Departments. Although the current vacancies listed are in Santa Barbara, the established employment list may also be used for future Full-Time, Part-Time, and Extra-Help Accountant III vacancies in Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, Carpinteria, and Lompoc. This position is utilized by 11 departments in the County of Santa Barbara. Each Accountant III's duties may vary from one department to another, depending on the needs of the department and the nature of the work that you will be performing. The work schedule for this position will depend upon the needs of the Department.

Under direction, the Accountant III performs complex professional accounting duties; supervises clerical, paraprofessional, and professional staff involved in accounting and fiscal recordkeeping work; and performs related duties as required. The candidate selected for this position will be expected to provide professional accounting services and advice to the managers of their respective department(s) and division(s).

Responsibilities will include collecting and analyzing historical data to project future expenditures, reviewing actual expenditures against budget in order to anticipate problems and prepare budget adjustments. In addition, this position is also responsible for developing the department's annual budget, conducting required contract reviews, and completing special projects that may be assigned based on requests from department management, the Auditor-Controller's Office, and/or the CEO's office.

The ideal candidate will possess:

• 5 or more years of professional accounting experience, with knowledge of Governmental Accounting and more specifically in Enterprise Fund Accounting.
• Ability to work independently, organize and prioritize work, and meet critical deadlines.
• Excellent interpersonal skills in working with employees/management at all levels; ability to handle difficult situations with tact and diplomacy.
• Excellent communication skills, ability to exchange information in a clear, concise and organized manner to diverse groups of people to help them understand process objectives and priorities.
• Ability to process, interpret and document fiscal/accounting information, write clear and concise reports and organize records accordingly.
• Ability to multi-task, handle high stress situations, thrive under pressure and adapt to change.
• Proven successful budget analysis experience.
• Microsoft Office Suite products (Excel, Word, Access, Outlook, and PowerPoint) skills and experience.
• Experience researching and preparing reports to assist external and internal auditors; and generating periodic accounting or statistical reports to management or regulatory agencies.
• The ability to analyze expenditure trends and assist in monitoring departmental operating or capital improvement budgets.
• The ability to work successfully in a team environment, make positive contributions and assist others as necessary.
• Experience in working on department driven projects and presenting ideas to senior management.
• Capable of making informed decisions based on data and using metrics to evaluate success.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.

Examples of duties include:

• Prepares or verifies a variety of complex accounting, statistical, and narrative statements or reports requiring extensive analysis and interpretation of data.
• Establishes and maintains new departmental accounting processes and procedures; makes recommendations on the implementation of departmental accounting system improvements to increase efficiency and effectiveness; establishes and maintains effective accounting controls.
• Participates in the preparation, evaluation, justification, and maintenance of budgets and budgetary controls; confers and cooperates with Auditor-Controller staff and systems analysts to implement and improve automated fiscal systems.
• Prepares, reviews, and monitors grants, contracts, claims and other fiscal agreements and proposals.
• Prepares financial statements, balance sheets, income and expense reports, and cash flow analyses for general funds, internal service funds, or major programs.
• Trains, supervises, and evaluates clerical and paraprofessional staff; may supervise professional staff.
• Recommends rates and fees based on cost accounting analysis.
• Reviews and analyzes proposed and new regulations and legislation impacting revenues; prepares recommendations regarding alternatives available to minimize fiscal impact.

Employment standards include:

• Possession of a bachelor's degree in accounting, business administration, or related field, and two years of professional accounting experience; OR,
• One year of experience performing duties equivalent to the class of Accountant II with Santa Barbara County; OR,
• A combination of training, education, and experience that is equivalent to one of the employment standards listed above and that provides the required knowledge and abilities.

Knowledge of: generally accepted accounting principles, practices and procedures including cost accounting; application of computer software to accounting operations.

Ability to: plan, initiate and complete work assignments with a minimum of direction; understand and apply legal requirements and administrative policies to departmental accounting functions; interpret and analyze complex fiscal data and draw logical conclusions; detect possible weaknesses of internal control of standard accounting procedures and recommend revisions; verbally communicate accounting procedures and policies to staff and others; write memos and reports clearly and concisely; use personal computer applications including spreadsheet software; establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.

Additional qualifications: possession of a valid California Class C Driver's License may be required for some positions.

Desirable qualifications include:

• Knowledge of principles and practices of governmental accounting; and principles and practices of supervision and training.
• Ability to use personal computer applications including word processing and database software.
• Possession of a valid certificate as a Certified Public Accountant.