Principal Accountant

County of Riverside•Riverside, CA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The County of Riverside’s Department of Public Social Services (DPSS), Financial Accounting Section, is seeking a qualified Principal Accountant to oversee the Accounts Payable and Clerical Operations units in Riverside. The Principal Accountant will have approximately five direct reports, including professional Accountants and Supervising Accounting Technicians. The incumbent will represent the Financial Accounting Section, Fiscal, and DPSS in meetings with other county agencies and the State of California on fiscal-related matters. This role will also provide administrative support to management by conducting research and analysis related to operations, processes, and programs, and by proposing recommendations to support management decision-making in the development, implementation, and improvement of departmental operations, services, and programs. Additionally, the Principal Accountant will conduct studies of administrative and operational activities, including fiscal operations, internal controls, and workflow. They will review laws, legislation, and policies to ensure compliance and determine their impact on accounting procedures, recommending changes where appropriate. The Principal Accountant will also participate in the development of training materials for professional accounting and fiscal personnel, serving as a subject matter expert on system changes. The most competitive candidates will have previous experience with PeopleSoft Financials, a solid understanding of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), and experience working in accounts payable operations, preferably within a public agency. They should also have experience collecting and preparing statistical data for departmental, state, and federal reporting. The department desires candidates with a background in coaching and mentoring professional accountants while serving in a lead or supervisory capacity. This class has been eligible for the Performance Recognition Plan as set forth under Article 3, Section 311(C) of the County Management Resolution. Program eligibility requires employees to be in a leadership position, manage other employees or programs, and have significant influence on the achievement of organizational objectives. HIGHLY IMPORTANT – ALL CANDIDATES MUST HAVE A COPY OF THEIR TRANSCRIPT(S) UPLOADED BEFORE SUBMITTING THEIR APPLICATION. Meet the Team! The County of Riverside Department of Public Social Services is comprised of employees who work collectively and in partnership with community-based organizations to serve the needs of the community. Can you see yourself here?

Requirements

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in accounting, or another field of study that included at least 18 semester or 27 quarter units in accounting, finance, auditing, taxation, financial reporting, business finance, financial statement analysis, or external and internal reporting, or closely related coursework. (One year as a professional accountant with the County of Riverside may substitute for the 18 semester or 27 quarter units of specialized coursework.)
Three years as a professional accountant, including one year in a supervisory or lead capacity over other professional accountants.
Possession of a valid certificate as a Certified Public Accountant or Certified Internal Auditor.
Three years as a professional accountant, including one year in a supervisory or lead capacity over other professional accountants.
Knowledge of the principles and techniques of supervision; the theory, principles, and practices of general and governmental accounting, budgeting, and auditing; state and local codes, rules, and regulations influencing County fiscal operations; data processing systems and their application to accounting operations; the methods of developing systems forms for various types of accounting records and reports; the principles, methods, and techniques of public administration, personnel, and business office management.
Ability to plan, organize, and direct a complex accounting or auditing program; evaluate and supervise the work of subordinate staff; apply legal and administrative accounting policies to general County accounting systems; analyze data, draw logical conclusions, and recommend effective courses of action; communicate effectively in oral and written form; establish and maintain effective working relationships.

Nice To Haves

Previous experience with PeopleSoft Financials
Solid understanding of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)
Experience working in accounts payable operations, preferably within a public agency
Experience collecting and preparing statistical data for departmental, state, and federal reporting
Background in coaching and mentoring professional accountants while serving in a lead or supervisory capacity

Responsibilities

Plan, organize, direct, and coordinate through subordinate supervisors the establishment, review, revision, and daily operation of a departmental accounting function or a major division of the Auditor-Controller's Office.
Determine how the departmental or division accounting management program should be structured and how accounting principles should be applied.
Supervise specialized audits in the Auditor-Controller's Office of the fiscal records and accounting procedures in various County departments, divisions, and agencies.
Participate in the selection, training, and evaluation of subordinate professional accounting and fiscal clerical personnel; coordinate accounting functions with data processing systems.
Evaluate, develop, recommend, and coordinate implementation of computer applications to accounting systems and procedures.
Supervise and participate in the development and maintenance of systems forms for fiscal transactions, recordkeeping and budgetary controls; supervise and perform analysis of complex fiscal recordkeeping systems and procedures.
Provide technical guidance, direction, and training to subordinate staff performing complex accounting and auditing work, including computer applications.
Review laws, legislation, and policies to ensure compliance and to determine impact on accounting procedures and recommend changes where appropriate.
Coordinate the work of subordinate staff with other sections, departments, or outside fiscal intermediaries; assist in the budget preparation process.
Confer with and advise department and other officials on a variety of accounting and budgetary matters.