Senior Departmental Fiscal Officer

Full Job Description

Requirements

Acts as the chief fiscal officer of a large County department with a significant budget; Plans, organizes, assigns and reviews the work of staff engaged in maintaining departmental accounts and records, control of the approved budgets, and preparation of periodic fiscal reports; Selects, supervises and ensures training of lower level staff; evaluates their performance and takes or recommends appropriate action where disciplinary matters are concerned; Makes verbal presentations and conducts training on accounting policies and procedures; Explains the implications of complex accounting matters to non-financial managers and decision makers; Makes presentations on fiscal matters to department and County-wide leadership; Monitors current and proposed Federal, State and local legislation, policies and procedures to assess their impact; conveys pertinent information to appropriate staff; provides direction to ensure conformance and adherence; Maintains budgetary and fiscal controls, including over collections and disbursements of money and provides forecasts of revenues and expenditures to executive management; Develops and maintains complex cost accounting and tracking systems; Manages complex payroll and purchasing functions; Manages grants, which includes using an electronic grant management system to make claims, generate reports and renew grants; Reviews, analyzes, recommends and implements procedural changes in the preparation, maintenance and control of departmental accounting records and budgets and other activities; Serves as a resource and subject matter expert to management and staff and advises on the more difficult professional problems arising in the accounting work; advises departmental management on the condition of accounts and the status of the approved budget and makes recommendations on specific problems, such as the possible transfer of budget allotments; Assumes responsibility for preparing the financial aspects of proposals and reports submitted for support from Federal, State and other agencies and for the establishment and maintenance of budgetary controls required by the granting agencies; Serves as the main point of contact for internal and external auditors; Acts as liaison with related County service units, such as the Controller's Office; Manages County funded service contracts and contract services provided by the County to outside agencies of significant cost and scope; renews service contracts; Manages multiple priorities and works under pressure; May be assigned as a Disaster Service Worker, as required; Performs related work as required.

Qualifications Sufficient education, training and experience to demonstrate the possession and direct application of the following knowledge and abilities.Training and Experience Note: The knowledge and abilities required to perform this function are acquired through possession of a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, Auditing or closely related field; AND Seven (7) years of professional experience in accounting, auditing, budgeting and/or finance work.

The required experience should include five (5) years in a supervisory capacity, two (2) years of which includes experience coordinating complex and diverse accounting programs and procedures, including budget preparation and management, and related business management functions.

Possession of a Master's Degree in Accounting, Master's Degree in Business Administration with emphasis in Accounting, or Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license, may substitute for one (1) year of experience.

Special Requirements Possession of a valid California Driver's License prior to appointment and the ability to obtain and maintain a County driver authorization.

Some positions may require Live Scan screening as part of the background check process.Knowledge of: Theory, principles, practices and techniques of current public and business administration as it relates to government budgeting, accounting, finance, financial analysis and information systems; Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and specifically Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) Statements, Interpretations, and Technical Bulletins; County financial policies and procedures and applicable departmental policies and procedures; Principles of management, organization, administration, coaching, training, directing and evaluating lower-level staff; Grants, contracts and trust fund management; Laws and regulations governing the financial operation of the County; Auditing practices and principles; Office management practices and procedures; Principles of fiscal computer systems and software.

Ability to: Prepare departmental budget and monitor expenditures and revenues; Effectively communicate both orally and in writing, including communicating complex concepts to staff who may not have the same level of technical expertise; Plan and direct the work of others; motivate and train lower level staff; Analyze and evaluate complex administrative problems relating to accounting or other fiscal activities; Prepare clear and concise reports; Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work; Interpret and apply rules and regulations governing the methods of operation of the department to which assigned; Use various computer applications and software in support of accounting; Manage multiple priorities and work under pressure.