Program Accountant

Definition of Class

• The position will provide administrative and accounting support to manage the fiscal operations of the Office of Mental Health/Intellectual Disabilities and HealthChoices.

Nature of Work

• This position will assist the Assistant Managers of Accounting in directing the total fiscal operations of the Erie County Office of Mental Health/Intellectual Disabilities and HealthChoices. Program areas include Mental Health, Intellectual Disabilities, Early Intervention, Human Services Development Fund, Homeless Assistance, HealthChoices, along with various pass-through grants. The position reports directly to the Office of Mental Health/Intellectual Disabilities Assistant Manager of Accounting.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Assist both programs (Office of Mental Health/Intellectual Disabilities and HealthChoices) in the preparation of monthly journal entries, trial balances, financial reports wire transfers, and budgets.
• Responsible for oversight of accounts payable and weekly check runs.
• Review all batched invoices and batch control total prepared by Fiscal Technician for mathematical accuracy and completeness.
• Maintain contract control schedule for each program area to ensure that payments are within the contract maximum; reconcile contract control schedule to financial statements after each check run.
• Approve the creation of new vendors and all vendor maintenance, as needed.
• Perform preliminary review of pre-payment report for accuracy. Prepare all voided check authorization forms.
• Performs post-audit function on selected accounts payable invoices on a quarterly basis.
• Prepare Custody Transfer of Cash Tracking Form for all cash/checks received for the Mental Health/Intellectual Disabilities Program; update cash ledger weekly and maintain list of cash receipts monthly.
• Maintain Federal Awards Schedule for all Housing & Urban Development (HUD) grants.
• Review HUD invoices for mathematical accuracy and completeness; update individual schedules for each subrecipient, prepare voucher for reimbursement.
• Conduct annual physical inventory of county assets using Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology and by independent site verification.
• Maintain fixed asset inventory for the department.
• Prepare fixed asset authorization forms for the addition, transfer and disposal of program assets.
• Reconcile fixed asset ledger to general ledger on an annual basis.
• Review selected agency refunding proposals for mathematical accuracy and completeness.
• Participates in annual refunding hearings as requested. Participates in subrecipient monitoring as requested.
• Review agency audit reports and maintain audit control summary.
• Prepare audit confirmations for agency external auditors and run vendor history reports to reconcile disbursements to County records.
• Assist County external auditors, as needed.
• Serve as primary back-up to Fiscal Technician and the Assistant Managers of Accounting.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Assistant Managers of Accounting.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of accounting principles and practices.
• Knowledge of office practices and equipment.
• Ability to prepare financial reports and statements.
• Ability to perform detailed work involving written/numerical data to make arithmetical calculations rapidly and accurately.

Minimum Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED with a Minimum of 1 year as a Fiscal Assistant or 3 years Maintaining Fiscal Records OR an Associate's Degree in Accounting or Business Administration OR an equivalent combination of education and training

Supervision Received

• Employee works with considerable independence within standard procedures; detailed supervision and review is done for new or unusual situations or changes in procedures. This position is supervised by the Office of MH/ID Assistant Manager of Accounting in regularly scheduled meetings and/or on an as needed basis.

Conditions Of Employment

• Required to provide and are subject to Pennsylvania criminal and child abuse clearances as well as an FBI fingerprint clearance prior to the start of employment.