HomeMy WebLinkAboutAccountant JEFFERSON COUNTY
Job Description
Position: Accountant
Department: Auditor
Annual Hours Worked: 2080
Exempt Salary System: Grade 18
FLSA: Exempt- Administrative
Union: Exempt
BBP: No
Approved By: Human Resources Manager C y •
Approved: July 2020
1.0 MAJOR FUNCTION AND PURPOSE
1.1 Persons in this position are responsible for planning and coordinating county-wide
accounting programs including special projects, financial compliance, and functional,
program and management audits through the County Auditor's Office. Perform a variety
of advanced accounting, bookkeeping and clerical activities involving complex fiscal
record keeping and reporting.
2.0 SUPERVISION RECEIVED
2.1 Persons in this position are given significant discretion, within the scope of policy and
regulations, in the routine performance of their duties; supervision and guidance are
received from the self-directed work team for the accounting function and the County
Auditor.
3.0 SUPERVISION EXERCISED
3.1 Persons in this position provide coordination within the scope of the self-directed work
team. Oversight and coordination of major unit or organization accounting processes and
procedures. Coordinates the work of employees performing a variety of duties related to
maintaining and reviewing accounting and other financial records.
4.0 SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
4.1 Annual financial report: Annual preparation of the report through general ledger
accounting to: 1)present full disclosure of the financial position and results of operations
of Jefferson County, and 2) determine and demonstrate compliance with finance related
legal and contractual requirements.
4.2 Accounts payable: Prepare and process payment of expenditures county wide; audit all
claims to ensure conformity with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and
County policies; provide on-going assistance to all County departments and special
purpose taxing districts with procedural and general accounting questions.
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4.3 Budget: Participate as a team member of the County's Budget Committee for the
preparation of the county-wide budget. Work includes payroll and benefit projections;
revenue projections; procedural planning; collation and input; availability as an
information resource for all County departments, special purpose taxing districts and
outside agencies.
4.4 Supports the development, coordination and management of Federal and State grants and
other financial assistance programs handled through the Jefferson County Community
Services Fund. Provides information to assist with the preparation of grant applications,
negotiation of terms of grant agreements,preparation of inter-local agreements,
applications for budget and scope of work amendments,prepare and review
reimbursement requests, receive grant reimbursement.
4.5 Cost Allocation Plan: Annual update of the county-wide document which serves as a
means to identify indirect central service costs and develops an indirect rate proposal.
4.6 Annual Financial Perspective: Coordinate and compile a five year perspective report that
provides information on the operations of Jefferson County, in a readable, simplified
format. Report includes summarized revenue and expenditure tables, graphs and short
narratives on the function and purpose of each County department.
4.7 Fiscal impact projections and reporting: Coordinate and compile preparation of fiscal
impact statements, cost analysis and trend analysis for all County departments.
4.8 Coordinates the keeping of a complete set of accounting records for departments within
the County's operation. Assures accurate recording, balancing, and classification of all
financial transactions to proper accounts in accordance with County procedures and
double entry bookkeeping principles. Provides technical backup to elected Auditor in
professional auditing procedures.
4.9 Continually analyzes the various accounts, financial summaries, and statements
associated with area of assignment and develops and implements improvements in the
accounting system or its procedures, as authorized.
4.10 Coordinates and cooperates with outside auditors as required during periodic audits of the
County's financial records.
4.11 Receives, interprets, and acts upon administrative or legislative changes as they apply to
the area of responsibility.
4.12 Performs highly complex, unusual, or critical coding,mathematical calculations,
segregation, allocations or classifications requiring an added measure of procedural
knowledge, technical knowledge, or authority beyond that of subordinates.
4.13 Manipulates data management system to enter, update, display, edit, search, and purge
financial information recorded on electronic data processing equipment. Reviews and
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prepares complex or unusual financial documents for data processing.
4.14 Responds to inquiries routed from other departments, outside agencies, or the general
public, supplying information which is known and available or opinions and instructions
as authorized; directs difficult situations to proper individuals.
4.15 Participates in various research projects and special assignments as directed.
4.16 Perform other tasks as directed.
5.0 REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
5.1 Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical journals, policy
and regulations, and legal documents. Ability to respond to common inquiries or
complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community.
Ability to write speeches and articles for publication that conform to prescribed style and
format. Ability to effectively present information to top management, public groups,
and/or boards of directors.
5.2 Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference,
and fundamentals of plane and solid geometry and trigonometry. Ability to apply
concepts such as fractions,percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
5.3 Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or
diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
5.4 Knowledge of federal, State and County policies and regulations affecting area of
responsibility.
5.5 Ability to accurately search columns of numbers in small print for errors, data entry, and
related purposes.
5.6 Ability to develop, improve, and install accounting and bookkeeping procedures and
systems in the interest of efficiency, effectiveness and standardization.
5.7 Ability to perform involved arithmetic operations quickly and accurately and to attend to
detail and work under pressure.
5.8 Ability to use a typewriter, computer terminal, personal computer, calculator, and other
office equipment standard to areas of assignment and to adapt to new and/or modified
equipment which may be acquired.
5.9 Maintain a high standard for accuracy, completeness, and efficiency in the preparation of
reports and budgets. Independent and self-motivated to complete required deadlines
while simultaneously completing other tasks.
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5.10 Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with other
departments, outside agencies, and the general public.
5.11 While preforming the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to talk or
hear, sit and use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee
occasionally required to climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; stand; walk;
and reach with hands and arms.
5.12 Good health, and good physical condition, appropriate to the position. The employee
must occasionally lift and/or move up to 35 pounds. Specific vision requirements include:
close, distance, color,peripheral, depth perception, the ability to adjust focus, and the
ability to read small print.
6.0 MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
6.1 Undergraduate degree (BA) in accounting or business related field or Associate's degree
(AA)or equivalent from a two-year college or technical school in accounting or related
field, supplemented by course work in accounting or government accounting; and
supplemented by a minimum of five (5) years' experience in progressively responsible
accounting positions up to and including responsibility for accounting functions for a
major unit or entire organization; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
6.2 Valid Washington State Driver's License.
6.3 Ability to successfully complete various required training classes and obtain certificates
necessary for functional skills performance, maintenance and improvement.
7.0 DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS AND ABILITIES
7.1 Familiarity with tools, instruments, equipment and techniques commonly used in the
performance of related tasks.
7.2 Ability to quickly grasp new techniques, deal with rapid changes in events, remain calm
in stressful situations, relate to various personality styles in a calm, professional manner.
7.3 Understands the need for maintaining confidentiality of sensitive information.
7.4 Knowledge of fund accounting,payroll laws and procedures, and Generally Accepted
Accounting Principles (GAAP).
7.5 Assure efficient and effective utilization of volunteers and department personnel, funds,
materials, facilities, and time.
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8.0 WORK ENVIRONMENT
8.1 The noise level of the work environment is usually moderate.
This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and
employee, and is subject to change as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job
change.