Principal Accountant

Ventura County•Ventura, CA

10d

About The Position

Under general direction, the Principal Accountant performs highly complex working-supervisory accounting functions in an assigned fiscal program area. The role may supervise professional, technical, and clerical staff; direct fiscal operations in a smaller department or agency; or serve in a non-supervisory expert capacity planning and directing a major department finance program or function. This is the highest working level in the Accountant series and is less policy-focused than management-level positions. Positions are in various County departments. The position is represented by SEIU and is not eligible for overtime compensation. The role oversees fiscal operations that may include accounting transactions, reconciliations, budgeting, financial reporting, grant administration, auditing, compliance, and financial systems. It advises management on budgets and financial implications, develops and implements financial procedures, and provides technical guidance to auditors and public agencies. Assigned duties vary according to department and agency needs. The County describes a compensation and benefits package that includes merit increases; educational, bilingual, and CPA incentives; flexible workweek and, for some positions, hybrid telework schedules; vacation and sick leave; deferred compensation with a possible 401(k) match; health-plan credits; flexible spending accounts; a defined-benefit pension plan; paid holidays; tuition reimbursement; disability plans; an employee assistance program; life insurance; and a wellness program. The County employs nearly 10,000 staff members and emphasizes diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and a respectful and inclusive workplace.

Requirements

Qualifying education and experience may be combined, provided the required knowledge, skills, and abilities are acquired.
Typical qualification: bachelor's degree with at least 18 semester units of college-level accounting, including two semesters of Intermediate Accounting, and five years of progressively responsible professional accounting experience, including one year at lead or supervisory level; alternatively, two years as a Senior Accountant for the County of Ventura.
Professional-level accounting experience may substitute for up to two years of undergraduate education on a year-for-year basis, provided the candidate has at least 18 semester units of college-level accounting coursework, including two semesters of Intermediate Accounting.
Verification of the required degree and college-level coursework is required; transcripts or grade reports must be submitted within three business days of the recruitment closing date.
Degrees from foreign institutions require an academic credential evaluation establishing U.S. equivalency.
Depending on the position, possession of or ability to obtain before appointment, and maintain, a valid California driver's license may be required.
Thorough knowledge of comprehensive fiscal program operations and services; GAAP and accounting practices and standards; governmental accounting and auditing standards and guidelines; budgeting methods and processes; cost accounting; laws and regulations affecting governmental and departmental financial operations; business management; accounting data-processing systems; and supervision, training, discipline, and performance evaluation.
Skill in planning, organizing, and directing work; preparing and reviewing complex fiscal documents and reports; research and analysis; interpreting financial and accounting data; exercising initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within policy, procedural, and legal guidelines; and using computers and job-related software.
Ability to delegate, assign, and review staff work; motivate, teach, and instruct others; organize and prioritize assignments; manage change and support affected staff; prepare financial reports and statements; understand relationships among accounting records and documents; interpret and apply complex rules, regulations, contracts, and legal documents in an accounting context; communicate effectively orally and in writing; and establish effective working relationships.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree in Business Administration.
Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license.

Responsibilities

Supervise fiscal program operations and staff, including professional, technical, and clerical employees engaged in fiscal transactions, reconciliations, account balancing, budget development, and financial reporting.
Plan, direct, and oversee fiscal activities in smaller department or agency settings, including staff supervision, operational oversight, budget monitoring, and preparation of financial statements.
Participate in staff selection and evaluation; provide training and employee development; determine effective use of resources; conduct performance evaluations and employee conferences; document performance or attendance issues; and take corrective or disciplinary action as appropriate.
Review staff work and conduct quality control to ensure compliance with County and program rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
Develop staffing schedules, approve time off, verify and approve time cards, and communicate schedule changes.
Advise and consult with management on departmental operating and program budgets, revenue-producing or debt-service proposals, and the accounting and financial implications of current and projected activities.
Collect and analyze financial information and prepare or oversee periodic and ad hoc accounting and financial reports, including quarterly, monthly, payroll, and internal service fund reports.
Prepare and monitor program-area budgets, calculate expenditures and revenues, analyze variances, and present reports to executive management.
Perform fiscal, auditing, and compliance activities for programs receiving local, state, and federal funding; ensure compliance with funding-entity and County rules and regulations.
Analyze funding allocations and conduct ongoing audits of grant sub-recipients to assess fiscal and program compliance.
Interpret and apply laws and regulations governing assigned operations.
Manage assigned grant programs, review monthly program reports, and communicate with service providers and grantees about fiscal and program operations.
Provide technical expertise and information to auditors, local, state, and federal agencies, supervisors, managers, and others regarding assigned functions.
Develop and oversee financial policies and procedures consistent with GAAP and the County Administrative Manual.
Potentially serve as business case owner for fiscal-management-system implementation, including enrollment and claims-payment modules, payment processes, reports, and related system elements; perform quality-control testing for system integrity.
Review ledgers, reports, vouchers, purchase orders, and invoices to verify cost centers, classifications, budget compliance, and proper transactions; determine appropriate year-end accruals, prepayments, deferrals, depreciation, and adjustments.
Assist in setting rates for product lines and services.
Perform related duties as assigned.

Benefits

Merit increases within the pay range, subject to satisfactory performance and qualifying hours.
Educational incentive of 2.5% for an associate's degree, 3.5% for a bachelor's degree, or 5% for a graduate degree.
Bilingual incentive, based on agency need and examination proficiency level.
CPA pay premium for employees in the classification who possess and maintain a valid, current CPA license or certificate.
Compressed work schedules, such as 9/80, and remote hybrid telework schedules for some positions, subject to organizational needs and satisfactory performance.
Vacation accrual, with accrual rates increasing with length of service; eligible employees may redeem a limited amount of vacation under stated conditions.
Sick leave accrual and an advance of sick leave at hire for full-time regular employees.
Eligibility to participate in the County 401(k) Shared Savings Plan and/or Section 457 Plan; position eligible for up to a 3% match on 401(k) contributions.
Flexible credit allowance for full-time employees to offset medical, dental, and/or vision insurance for the employee and dependents.
Flexible spending accounts for eligible medical, dental, vision, and dependent-care expenses.
Defined-benefit pension plan with reciprocity with CalPERS.
13 paid holidays per year, including a scheduled floating holiday.
Tuition reimbursement.
Disability plans.
Employee Assistance Program.
Life insurance.
Wellness program.