Accountant 3 - Fire Cost Accountant (PCN 10-9821)

State of Alaska•Palmer, AK

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry & Fire Protection, is recruiting for an Accountant 3 in Palmer. The Fire Cost Accountant plays a pivotal role in the financial management of the Fire Protection program within the Division of Forestry & Fire Protection. In addition to overseeing both Operating and Capital budgets, this professional is responsible for monitoring and analyzing expenditures to ensure compliance with state and federal guidelines. The role involves preparing detailed financial reports, reconciling accounts, and providing forecasts to aid in strategic decision-making. Supervising a team of three accounting technicians (Accounting Technician 1, 2, and 3), the Fire Cost Accountant ensures that each technician’s work aligns with established protocols and that cost tracking for in-state fires is conducted reliably and efficiently. This includes regularly reviewing daily entries, troubleshooting discrepancies, and guiding the team on best practices for maintaining accurate records. The Fire Cost Accountant manages the crossbill process, which requires coordination between multiple agencies to facilitate timely and accurate wildland fire billing. This process can be highly complex, involving the negotiation of rates, the verification of shared costs, and the resolution of billing issues. Success in this area is critical to maintaining strong interagency partnerships and ensuring the Division recovers appropriate costs for firefighting operations. Beyond routine accounting tasks, this position is responsible for policy development and implementation. The Fire Cost Accountant researches industry standards, identifies areas for improvement, and drafts new procedures to enhance the program’s financial efficiency and accountability. Long-term accounting objectives are established to promote fiscal sustainability, support future growth, and mitigate risks. As a liaison, the Fire Cost Accountant communicates regularly with interagency partners and stakeholders. The role may involve participation in wildland fire cost committees, where the accountant advocates for the Division’s interests, shares expertise, and collaborates to develop cost management strategies. This aspect of the job demands strong interpersonal skills, a thorough understanding of fire cost accounting practices, and the ability to represent the Division in high-stakes discussions. Overall, this position requires a blend of technical accounting expertise, leadership ability, and strategic vision to ensure the financial health and operational effectiveness of the Fire Protection program.

Requirements

Knowledge of the principles, procedures, and methods of cost accounting, including the use of historical cost, market value, or present value to measure cost; methods for assigning cost to accounting periods; and cost allocation, cost accrual, depreciation, and unit cost.
Knowledge of generally accepted auditing standards and procedures for conducting financial and compliance, economy and efficiency, and program audits.
Knowledge of the principles, procedures, and requirements for maintaining control and accountability of obligations and expenditures for all appropriations and fund accounts (for example, revolving, non-appropriated, multiyear, and single-year appropriations).
Uses information technology in accessing, collecting, analyzing, maintaining, and disseminating data and information.
Uses a logical, systematic, sequential approach to address problems or opportunities or manage a situation by drawing on one’s knowledge and experience base and calling on other references and resources as necessary.
Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral and written presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.
Knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles, standards, and practices (for example, double entry accounting, accrual accounting), including the full accounting cycle and the preparation of work sheets, financial statements, ledgers, and journals.
Uses knowledge that is acquired through formal training or extensive on-the-job experience to perform one's job; works with, understands, and evaluates technical information related to the job; advises others on technical issues.
Any combination of preparatory post-secondary education and/or progressively responsible professional-level experience in accounting, budgeting, or financial management.

Nice To Haves

A valid Driver's License
Professional references with current contact information, with at least one being a current or former supervisor.
A copy of your two most recent performance evaluations, or a letter of reference if evaluations are not available.
Resume.
Educational Transcripts, if relied upon to meet the position’s minimum requirements.

Responsibilities

Overseeing both Operating and Capital budgets.
Monitoring and analyzing expenditures to ensure compliance with state and federal guidelines.
Preparing detailed financial reports.
Reconciling accounts.
Providing forecasts to aid in strategic decision-making.
Supervising a team of three accounting technicians.
Ensuring cost tracking for in-state fires is conducted reliably and efficiently.
Reviewing daily entries, troubleshooting discrepancies, and guiding the team on best practices for maintaining accurate records.
Managing the crossbill process, which requires coordination between multiple agencies to facilitate timely and accurate wildland fire billing.
Developing and implementing policies.
Researching industry standards, identifying areas for improvement, and drafting new procedures.
Establishing long-term accounting objectives to promote fiscal sustainability, support future growth, and mitigate risks.
Communicating regularly with interagency partners and stakeholders.
Participating in wildland fire cost committees, advocating for the Division’s interests, sharing expertise, and collaborating to develop cost management strategies.