Accountant I (Chula Vista Admin Office)

Accounting Position in Chula Vista, CA

Under general supervision, performs routine to moderately difficult professional accounting duties in the preparation and maintenance of financial records for various agency accounts and funds; compiles routine reports; and performs related duties as assigned. The incumbents is required to understand and apply professional accounting theories, principles, terms and practices in the preparation and evaluation of financial records, transactions and reports.

The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to this class.

• Maintains accounts payable, accounts receivable, and subsidiary ledgers; processes vendor invoices for payment and compares receiving reports to vendor statements; provides a monthly balance sheet and submits it to appropriate persons.
• Reviews accounting documents to ensure accurate information and calculations and makes correcting entries; examines supporting documentation to establish proper authorization and conformance with agreements, contracts, and state and federal requirements; prepares and maintains control and subsidiary accounting records involving a variety of transactions and accounts.
• Prepares journal entries; performs periodic reconciliation of general ledger, journal, subsidiary accounts and bank statements; analyzes and prepares reports on revenue estimates, expenditures and fund conditions.
• Compiles and prepares periodic financial statements, supporting schedules and reports.
• Maintains and reviews fixed asset and other special funds and reconciles such funds to accounting records.
• Prepares, reviews, and corrects department and/or program expenditures transfers; verifies account numbers and related information; conducts assigned internal audits.
• Analyzes budget documentation to assure that expenditures are properly charged and do not exceed appropriations.
• Conducts research and prepares special studies as requested; analyzes financial accounting data and makes appropriate recommendations.
• Provides technical guidance to Accounting Technicians and other accounting support staff in performing accounting entries.
• Works directly with staff from other departments to resolve technical accounting issues and problems.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge of:

• Principles, practices and terminology of general and fund accounting, including financial statement preparation and methods of financial control and reporting.
• Budgeting principles and terminology.
• Cost-accounting methods and procedures.
• Laws and regulations relating to the financial administration of a non-profit organization.
• Auditing principles and practices.
• Principles and practices of business data processing, particularly related to the processing of accounting information and interpretation of input and output data.
• Laws, regulations, rules and policies and procedures applicable to areas of responsibility.
• General accounting systems and associated systems.
• Standard office practices and procedures.

Ability to:

• Plan, organize and carry out assigned accounting functions.
• Operate a computer and spreadsheet software and standard office equipment.
• Analyze and make sound recommendations on complex financial data and operations.
• Plan and evaluate financial systems and practices and make sound recommendations for improvement.
• Understand, interpret, explain and apply agency, state and federal requirements regulating financial accounting, reporting and record-keeping.
• Develop and implement financial procedures and controls.
• Perform complicated mathematical calculations and analyses.
• Prepare clear, concise and comprehensive financial statements, statistical reports and narrative materials.
• Exercise sound professional judgment within general policy guidelines.
• Serve as a team leader to train and provide work direction to others.
• Communicate effectively; orally and written.
• Maintain confidentiality and discretion with sensitive materials.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of MAAC management, employees, outside auditors and others encountered in the course of work.

Value-based behaviors include listening attentively, working effectively in a team environment, identifying opportunities for personal and professional development, attending work consistently and punctually, honoring the private and confidential matters of co-workers, following rules, regulations, and policies, dealing with issues directly and respectfully, and contributing positively to implementing changes.

Education/Experience/Certification: Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field preferred; equivalent experience may be considered. (1) year of accounting related experience.

Health status, physical and mental demands, background clearance, transportation requirements are also outlined.