Accountant/Auditor Senior

Lancaster County•Lancaster, PA

About The Position

This is a highly responsible professional position involving complex financial work in the Administrative Office of Lancaster County Behavioral Health and Developmental Services. The role supports an agency with an approximate annual budget of $30 million and serves as a link between its clinical and business operations. It requires a broad understanding of agency operations, chart of accounts, government accounting, cost allocation, confidentiality, customer service, and applicable fiscal regulations and generally accepted accounting principles. The position requires initiative and independent work on routine tasks, with regularly scheduled supervisory review by the County Fiscal Officer 2. It analyzes and communicates agency financial matters, prepares budgets and financial analyses, manages and monitors funds, reviews payables and provider financial information, supports contracts and rate negotiations, and prepares required internal and state financial reports. The employee also provides fiscal support to program staff, communicates with providers, and participates in the maintenance and improvement of agency financial systems. Staff development, training, and growth are encouraged and supported.

Requirements

Meet one of the listed qualification pathways: two years as a Fiscal Technician and six college credits in accounting; or one year of accounting and/or budgetary experience and a business-related bachelor's degree including six accounting credits; or three years of accounting and/or budgetary experience and a business-related associate's degree including six accounting credits; or five years of bookkeeping experience and six accounting credits; or an equivalent combination of experience and training that includes or is supplemented by six accounting credits.
Knowledge of public fiscal administration principles and practices.
Knowledge of accounting principles and procedures.
Knowledge of auditing and cost accounting principles and practices.
Ability to apply established fiscal methods to financial transactions and connect program operations and goals to budgeting.
Ability to develop budget projections and revisions and analyze trends to provide fiscal and budgetary forecasts.
Ability to organize, monitor, and analyze financial data using accounting systems and records, and complete fiscal summary reports.
Ability to apply information technology to financial operations and develop and implement modifications to accounting systems, records, and controls.
Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing, prepare and interpret financial reports and statements, and present clear findings and recommendations.
Ability to understand program goals, objectives, and operations and relate them to budget analysis.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with department officials and staff.
Pass a pre-employment drug screening test.
Obtain acceptable FBI, Pennsylvania State Police criminal history, and ChildLine clearances before starting employment; clearances may not be more than one year old at the time of employment.
Have a valid driver's license and an acceptable driving history under County policy.
Be able to work in a busy, open environment and routinely provide own transportation to meetings and job-related appointments in a timely manner, with access to locations subject to reasonable accommodations.

Responsibilities

Prepare draft budgets and update them based on state allocations and program plans.
Review contract invoices and requisitions for budget compliance, account coding, and completeness before payment.
Analyze and present monthly financial summaries, make recommendations to the County Fiscal Officer 2, prepare data analyses and trial balances, and review financial data and reconciliations before reporting.
Monitor, manage, and report categorical funds; document and file budgeting, analysis, and reporting work papers.
Participate in contract and rate negotiations and make recommendations based on budgets, rate-setting guidelines, and fiscal management principles.
Monitor contract caps and provider compliance with contract terms; assist with contract preparation in the agency database (CARES) and maintain related documentation.
Reconcile cash accounts between PeopleSoft and subsidiary ledgers; prepare or review provider advance and funds-available reconciliations; prepare bank reconciliations.
Monitor the chart of accounts, provider reporting compliance, contract caps, and allocation levels, and make required journal entries.
Establish and monitor contract and funds-management parameters in the agency database and provide technical advice on categorical guidelines.
Attend HealthChoices financial meetings and prepare required financial reports and time studies.
Attend fiscal unit and program staff meetings, collaborate with the County Fiscal Officer 2 to review and finalize reports, and respond to program staff information requests.
Participate in testing the CARES database for implementation, improvement, troubleshooting, and report customization; assist with fiscal policy and procedure manuals.
Prepare quarterly and annual state financial reports, including Medical Assistance Administrative Cost Claims, HealthChoices reports and time studies, EI Income & Expenditure Reports, and Human Services Block Grant reports; monitor requirements and data collection for timely, accurate submissions.
Review and analyze provider audits and financial reports, perform sub-recipient compliance monitoring, and communicate results to providers.
Review payroll documentation to confirm time sheets match PeopleSoft HRMS leave requests and that supporting documentation is retained; follow up on discrepancies.
Assist with the annual Full-Time Equivalent Study used for agency component cost allocation.
Assist the County Fiscal Officer 2 with preliminary work papers for the County Single Audit and other auditor-requested documentation.
Perform on-site reviews of provider financial information as requested.
Assist the Fiscal Officer 2 with preparation and entry of the annual County Budget.
Review and track provider certificates of insurance and respond to audit confirmation letter requests.
Enter fiscal data in HCSIS/Pelican state data-tracking software.
Learn basic functions of other fiscal positions and provide coverage during staff absences.
Perform other duties within the scope of the position's classification as needed and assigned.