Accountant I/II/III

This recruitment will establish an employment list to fill current and any future vacancies for those County departments that have this position. The anticipated life of the employment list is six months. If interested in employment for this position for current or future vacancies, please submit an online application for consideration.

Current vacancy is with the Tulare County Information & Communications Technology located in Visalia.

Level I:$4,665 - $5,685 Monthly
Level II: $5,151 - $6,278 Monthly
Level III: $5,746 - $7,003 Monthly

Level I/II: Maintain departmental financial records and accounts using manual and/or automated systems; prepare accounting entries for revenue and expenditures, transfer of funds, worksheets to reconcile accounts, analysis of revenue and expenditures, and all necessary schedules; maintain claims using manual and/or automated systems; examine accounting procedures and make recommendations for improvement in recording and reporting financial transactions; assist in planning, designing, and developing appropriate manuals and/or automated accounting subsystems for various County departments and subcontracting agencies; prepare and review statements, reports, required by governmental agencies on mandated grant programs and state funded programs; assist audit personnel with interpretation of State and Federal grant regulations; examine funding and budgetary requests for propriety, legality, and supporting documents to determine validity of requests, allocated costs, and authorization of expenditures; accumulate and interpret cost data to determine appropriate departmental service charges; assign work to subordinate staff, review and analyze work products to ensure accuracy, timeliness, compliance with accounting principles and procedures; may supervise, train and evaluate clerical support staff; coordinate fiscal activities with co-workers in other departments and agencies; attend meetings and conferences to exchange information pertaining to fiscal and budgetary matters. Level III: Assist in the review of budget controls for County funds and special districts; assist in the planning, development, and preparation of the County Cost Plan; review and study changes in legal and procedural requirements for preparation of the Cost Plan; participate in the maintenance of general and special ledgers and other accounting records; coordinate and participate in the classification and distribution of income and expenditures to the proper accounts; prepare and analyze financial summaries, statements and reports; make recommendations for improvements in accounting systems which assure accuracy and efficiency; handle special assignments involving accounting systems in County departments and special districts, and advise accountants or responsible parties in other departments when problems arise; read and review legal and technical material relevant to governmental accounting; provide lead supervision and assist in the training and evaluation of professional accounting and clerical support staff; coordinate with Data Processing Department on changes in the county-wide automated accounting and financial system; test system and review reports for design, accuracy and completeness before implementing changes; implement automated system changes within the Auditor's Office and with other departments by developing procedures and training departmental staff or other system users; follow-up on automated system changes by generating reports, verifying appropriate entries, and correcting problems identified to avoid major reporting errors; establish and maintain system tables to be used by Data Processing in printing warrants and reports; assist Data Processing in the design and development of custom reports; assist departments in planning and resolving problems with sub-systems of the county-wide automated accounting system; assist departments in identifying their accounting and reporting needs; provide solutions to these needs by coordinating with the Data Processing Department to accomplish program changes or to design/revise reports; assist with year-end closing of accounting records and preparation of the financial statement.

Education/Experience: Equivalent to a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major study in accounting, public administration or business administration including 15 semester hours in accounting.

Experience: Level II: One (1) year of experience in accounting and financial records maintenance. Level III: Two (2) years of experience in accounting and financial records maintenance.

Knowledge of: Accounting principles, procedures and terminology; math including decimals, fractions, and percentages. Level III: Advanced accounting practices to design and review accounting systems; cost accounting principles and practices to properly determine and allocate costs; governmental accounting principles and practices to assist in preparing annual reports and financial statements; budgeting principles and practices to assist in preparation of the annual budget; business law and Government Code sections relevant to local government accounting; intermediate math including basic algebra.

Skill/Ability to: Work and communicate effectively with people of various education and socioeconomic backgrounds by respecting beliefs, interpersonal styles and behaviors of both clients and co-workers; operate contemporary office equipment inclusive of computer, keyboard, and all applicable electronic equipment; analyze financial data and interpret results for management reports; prepare written financial reports and statements accurately; read and understand complex laws, regulations and fiscal and accounting manuals; communicate verbally in a patient, tactful, and courteous manner with the public; write clear, concise reports and memos with technical accuracy using correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling; retain and recall information regarding accounting systems and reporting requirements; give and follow verbal and written instructions. Additionally Level II: Prepare complex written financial reports and statements accurately; identify accounting problem areas, research alternatives, draw valid conclusions and recommendations; read, understand and interpret complex laws, regulations and accounting manuals; explain accounting procedures and terms to others; plan, organize and coordinate work flow to meet deadlines; adjust to changing workloads, priorities, and stress of meeting deadlines. Level III: Prepare complex, summary financial reports and statements accurately; determine accounting problems, review factors and select alternatives, and take corrective action; read, understand and interpret laws, regulations, agreements, ordinance codes, and resolutions; write clear, concise reports, memos, and instructions with technical accuracy using correct grammar, punctuation and spelling; develop and implement new manual and/or automated accounting systems; negotiate with departments and agencies to effect appropriate accounting practices and procedures; communicate verbally in a clear and concise manner to explain procedures to peers and lay persons; retain and recall information regarding accounting systems and reporting requirements; organize work to meet deadlines.

License or Certificate: Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid California driver's license.

DESIRABLE EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

Knowledge of: Governmental accounting principles and practices; budgeting principles and practices; cost accounting; automated accounting systems to identify potential applications and maximize system benefits; purchasing procedures and practices to assist with automated accounting sub-system; investment procedures and practices to assist with automated sub-system; principles of effective supervision.

Conditions of Employment
Candidates selected will be required to pass a pre-employment drug and alcohol screening. Additionally, a background investigation may also be conducted, which may include a re-investigation every 10 years for some positions. An Employment Eligibility Verification using E-Verify may be required on the first day of employment for some positions. Some job classes may also require a physical exam.

College Cost Reduction Access Act
This may be a qualifying position for student loan forgiveness through the College Cost Reduction and Access Act (CCRAA). Only student loan payments made after October 1, 2007 and in a qualified repayment plan are eligible. For more information you are encouraged to speak with your student loan servicer or visit: https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service.

Bargaining Unit 7

The information listed is a general summary of benefits. These provisions do not constitute an expressed or implied contract and are subject to change.

Benefit Amount: An annual benefit amount is provided and may be applied towards health insurance premiums (medical, dental, vision and life). This benefit is pro-rated and paid on a pay period basis (24 pay periods).

Health Insurance: A choice of PPO and HMO medical plans which include PPO and HMO dental plans and include dental and vision coverage. Dependent coverage is available. Providers include Anthem Blue Cross, Kaiser Permanente, Delta Dental, and Vision Services Plan (VSP).

Retirement: The retirement plan is a defined benefit plan administered pursuant to the 1937 Act County Employees Retirement Act and integrated with Social Security. In addition to ordinary retirement benefits, the plan provides disability and death benefits. Retirement contributions are made by both the County and the employee. The County has reciprocity with the State of California, contracting PERS agencies, and all County 1937 Act Retirement Systems.

Paid Holiday Leave: 12 set days and 1 personal holiday.

Vacation Accrual:
2 weeks per year (0-3 years of service)
3 weeks per year (3-7 years of service)
4 weeks per year (7-11 years of service)
5 weeks per year (11 years of service)
Limit of 300 hours.

FLSA exempt employees accrue an additional 5 days of vacation per year.

Sick Leave Accrual: 12 days per year with unlimited accumulation, 50 hours of which may be used toward family sick leave.

Group Term Life Insurance and AD&D: $10,000; Provided by Standard Insurance Company.

Disability Insurance: Employees are covered by State Disability Insurance. The premium is paid by the employee.

Deferred Compensation: A voluntary deferred compensation plan is available.


To view more detailed descriptions of Tulare County's benefits, please view the Benefits section of our Web site at https://tularecounty.ca.gov/hrd/benefits-wellness/health-plans-active-employees/

The Provisions Of This Bulletin Do Not Constitute An Expressed Or Implied Contract And Are Subject To Change.