1356 - Finance Accountant - Principal - Finance / Treasurer (Financial Control & Reporting Division)

Overall Job Objective

Position Description

This position is in the Finance and Risk Management Department.

OPEN UNTIL FILLED

Salary Grade: 60

This position is located within the Financial Control and Reporting Division of the Department of Finance and Risk Management. The Principal Accountant is responsible for one or more fund assignments and must show initiative by researching and interpreting accounting standards, State statutes, policies, and procedures. The successful candidate will answer questions and solve problems that may arise in addition to identifying operational improvements and/or efficiencies within their area of responsibility. The Principal Accountant performs advanced journal-level accounting analysis, oversees the recording and review of financial transactions, ensures financial records are balanced in preparation for the annual external audits, and supports other functional areas. They will compile and analyze the data reported in the interim and year-end financial reports and note disclosures, according to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), for inclusion in the Countys Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, budget schedules, and statistical schedules.

All new hires (and promoted employees) must be fully vaccinated as a condition of employment, within 30 days of hire. If you are unable to become fully vaccinated due to a medical disability or religious observance/practice, you must request an accommodation - accommodation forms are located on-line.

Proof of education required at time of interview.

Duties/Responsibilities

(Work assignments may vary depending upon the department's needs and will be communicated to the applicant or incumbent by the supervisor.)

Participates in the preparation of interim and annual financial statements and other financial reports for the County or Treasurer's Office;
Prepares year-end working trial balances and other supporting accounting schedules and documents;
Provides technical assistance as needed to the Auditor General staff;
Collects, analyzes and balances financial and statistical data for all funds;
Reviews and analyzes accounting transactions, validates account coding and maintains accounting records;
Reviews, analyzes, balances and reconciles accounting activities for the County or Treasurer's Office;
Prepares accounting operating procedures and detailed flow charts;
Provides operational advice and training on the use of the County's or Treasurer's Office automated financial system to departmental users;
Monitors the recording of financial information in the general ledger system to ensure data conforms to generally accepted accounting principles and established procedures;
Implements changes to legislation enacted by the local, state or federal government, e.g., IRS codes, wage and hour laws, state sales taxes, etc.;
Prepares data for monthly, quarterly or annual reports, e.g., 941, sale tax, W-2's, 1099's, etc.;
Prepares audit work sheets, schedules, reports, statistical data and all supporting documentation to be used in compiling the annual financial report for the County or Treasurer's Office;
Reviews, analyzes and generates reports from the County's or Treasurer's Office automated financial systems;
Provides centralized billing and collection services for County departments or Treasurer's Office;
Evaluates impact of requested or mandated changes to the County's or Treasurer's Office automated financial systems, researches the feasibility of requests, and makes recommendations for improvements;
Develops detailed specifications regarding changes to accounting transactions needed for automated interfaces;
Monitors transactions related to cash, property tax, LGIP statement, interest accumulation, etc. in connection with the Treasurer's Office;
Provides cash management for federal grant programs;
Provides technical assistance and education related to IRS regulation, wage and hour laws, GAAP, etc., to other department personnel.

KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS:

Knowledge of:

• general governmental accounting principles, pronouncements, practices and methods to include GAAP, GASB, etc.;
• financial accounting, internal reporting and statement preparation;
• applicable governmental regulations to include IRS codes, wage and hour laws, OMB circulars, etc.;
• applications, procedures and flow techniques of automated financial systems;
• training methods and procedures;
• principles and techniques for data collection, report writing and data analysis;
• applications of management information systems to automated financial systems.
  
  Skill in:
• applying accounting principles to the preparation of financial statements and fund accounting;
• analyzing, interpreting and reconciling accounting data;
• identifying problem areas and recommending revisions and improvements;
• preparing accurate and complete financial reports from accounting records and information systems;
• communicating effectively, both orally and in writing;
• examining major accounting systems for operational efficiency and making recommendations for modification;
• researching and interpreting authoritative accounting sources or local, state and federal laws and regulations and applying results to area of assignment;
• understanding legal terminology as it pertains to contracts, wage assignments, tax levies, etc.

Minimum Qualifications

(1) A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in accounting, finance, economics, public or business administration or a closely related field as defined by the appointing authority at the time of recruitment and two years of professional level experience in accounting, budgeting, auditing, financial analysis or financial management. (Additional relevant education from an accredited college or university and/or experience may be substituted.) (A CPA designation may substitute for one year of required experience.)
OR:
(2) Two years of experience with Pima County as an Accountant-Senior, Finance Analyst - Senior, Grant Accountant and Compliance Specialist, Finance Operations Specialist-Central Finance, Internal Auditor I or Finance Accountant - Principal.

Qualifying education and experience must be clearly documented in the "Education" and "Work Experience" sections of the application. Do not substitute a resume for your application or write "see resume" on your application.

Preferred Qualifications (Be specific in describing your experience in your application. Ensure the descriptions provided illustrate your competencies, specifically addressing the required and preferred qualifications.):

1. A Bachelors degree or higher in finance or accounting.
2. A licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA).
3. At least two (2) years of experience compiling and analyzing data to prepare quarterly and annual financial statements.
4. At least two (2) years of experience using Microsoft Excel, specifically with pivot tables and formulas.
5. At least two (2) years of experience working within a governmental accounting environment.

Selection Procedure:
Pima County Human Resources Department reserves the right to admit to the selection process only those candidates that meet the minimum/desired qualifications. All applications will be assessed based on an evaluation of the listed education and experience. Candidates meeting the minimum/desired qualifications may be further evaluated/scored against any advertised Preferred Qualifications. The hiring authority will interview and select the successful candidate from a referral list provided by Human Resources. Additional assessments/testing may be required as part of the selection process. Supplemental Information

Licenses and Certificates: Some positions require a valid Arizona Class D driver license at the time of application. Failure to maintain the required licensure shall be grounds for termination.

Special Notice Items: The County requires pre-employment background checks. Successful candidates will receive a post-offer, pre-employment background screening to include verification of work history, education and criminal conviction history. A prior criminal conviction will not automatically disqualify a candidate from employment with the County.

Physical/Sensory Requirements: Physical and sensory abilities will be determined by position. All new hires (and promoted employees) must be fully vaccinated as a condition of employment, within 30 days of hire. If you are unable to become fully vaccinated due to a medical disability or religious observance/practice, you must request an accommodation - accommodation forms are located on-line.