Director of Central Accounting

OVERALL OBJECTIVE OF JOB

To direct, supervise and monitor the County’s financial planning, accounting, and auditing procedures, promote decentralizing financial management, including short and long range prudent financial planning and capital improvements; serve as a liaison between the Commissioners, Treasurer, Auditors, and others involved in the fiscal operations of the County. Directs and supervises the Central Accounting Department. Maintains close continuing relationship with elected officials and Assessment Office in financial matters. Directs and supervises the work of financial support personnel.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF JOB

1. Develops the County’s annual operating and capital budgets. Presents proposed budget at public meeting in both draft and final versions. Prepares annual budget narrative for review. Prepares and publicly presents budget transfers and amendments in accordance with County Code to the Board of Commissioners for approval.
2. Develops and updates a multi-year operating and capital budget as required.
3. Responsible for the overall financial maintenance and reporting of all County funds. Develops monthly financial budget to actual reports and monitors the percentage of budget utilized. Identifies problem areas and takes immediate action to resolve financial issues, assuring a stable structure within the county.
4. Develops and oversees all budget, financial policies and procedures to ensure their efficiency and economic feasibility.
5. Assures compliance with all federal, state and local accounting principles, procedures and financial recordkeeping requirements.
6. Maintains a close continuing working relationship with the Human Services Fiscal Staff, Treasurer’s, Internal Auditors’ and Tax Assessment offices and all County department heads and elected officials regarding financial management matters to ensure an efficient, sound financial program.
7. Maintains a communication structure to effectively provide the Commissioners with adequate information while limiting their day-to-day involvement.
8. Institutes policies and procedures to assure maximum reimbursement and proper recording and monitoring of federal/state funding sources for County programs.
9. Analyzes and conducts studies of economic, business, and financial conditions and their impact on the County’s revenue and capital investments. Evaluates the cost/benefit of an annual tax anticipation note. Monitors County debt structure to include possible financing and refinancing opportunities.
10. Establishes working relationship with vendors and develops procedures for verification and approval of purchases within the County.
11. Oversees the County annual external audit process to include supervising the keeping of detailed accounting records, monies and provides timely interaction, required reconciliations, reconciliation and analysis of general ledger accounts and reports to the auditors to produce a financial statement, in accordance with GAAP, regarding Clarion County’s financial position.
12. Develops and maintains internal control functions to ensure efficient and effective financial management.
13. Composes letters and correspondence on behalf of Commissioners regarding financial issues.
14. Conducts fiscal research and aids Commissioners and staff regarding financial decision making and special projects.
15. Attends to duties related to County’s responsibility as fiscal agent for other entities.

OTHER DUTIES OF THE JOB

1. Attends seminars, internal and external meetings relating to financial operations as necessary.
2. Operates computer equipment and other office equipment.
3. Monitors and maintains the terms of all operating leases and other commitments.
4. Records the adjustments made by the internal auditors upon completion of their annual audit into the accounting system and reruns reports for historical purposes.
5. Coordinates the schedule of federal awards for audit preparation. Maintains and updates reports detailing programs, grant year, funds received and expended, etc.
6. Performs other related duties as assigned by the Commissioners or County Administrator.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Reports directly Chief Clerk. Receives little instruction or supervision from the Board of Commissioners in carrying out daily duties. Maintains an administrative, liaison, and coordinative relationship with the Chief Clerk consistent with the goals of the County Commissioners.

SUPERVISION GIVEN

Supervises the Central Accounting department.

Maintains close continuing relationship with Assessment Office and elected officials in financial matters. Directs and supervises the work of financial support personnel.

WORKING CONDITIONS

1. Works indoors in adequate workspace, lighting, temperatures, and ventilation.
2. Works indoors with average exposure to noise and stress, but subject to frequent disruptions.
3. Normal indoor exposure to dust/dirt.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL REQUIREMENTS

1. Must possess hearing, seeing, speaking, and reasoning senses necessary to carry out job duties.
2. Must be able to sit for long periods throughout the workday with intermittent periods of standing, walking, bending, twisting, and reaching necessary to carry out job duties.
3. Dexterity requirements range from simple to coordinated movements of fingers/hand; feet/legs; torso necessary to carry out job duties.
4. Sedentary work, with occasional lifting/carrying of objects with a maximum weight of ten pounds.
5. Must be in good general health and demonstrate emotional stability.
6. Must be able to cope with the physical and mental stress of the position.
7. Must be able to pay close attention to details and concentrate on work.

QUALIFICATIONS

A. EDUCATION AND TRAINING

Bachelor’s degree, preferred accounting, or other business major and proficiency in computer systems and financial software required. Master’s degree in public or business administration, certified public account preferred.

B. WORK EXPERIENCE

Six to nine years’ progressive experience in senior level financial administration and management procedures in the public sector, a thorough knowledge of accounting systems, and some supervisory experience, or any combination of education and experience that provides an equivalent level of skills, knowledge, and abilities.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED

1. Must be able to speak and understand the English language and to follow oral and written instructions.
2. Must possess effective oral and written communication skills.
3. Must possess initiative and problem-solving skills.
4. Must possess ability to function independently, have flexibility and personal integrity and the ability to work effectively with staff, vendors, management, and others.

1. Must possess the technical knowledge of operating personal computers and financial software and information systems.

1. Must possess the ability to make independent decisions when circumstances justify same.
2. Must possess considerable knowledge of the principles and practices of all areas of general accounting, cost accounting and public administration, particularly County government.
3. Must possess knowledge of all applicable federal, state and County laws affecting financial and accounting matters.
4. Must possess the ability to analyze, evaluate and recommend action, changes and improvement to fiscal policies, procedures, and practices within the County.
5. Must possess the ability to plan, direct, delegate and supervise work and staff of department for effectiveness and maximum efficiency of financial matters of the County.
6. Must possess a thorough knowledge and ability to prepare annual budgets, statistical and financial reports in a timely and accurate manner.
7. Must possess the ability to apply advanced mathematical concepts to operational tasks, to collect data, define problems, draw logical conclusions, and recommend viable solutions to financial problems.