PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT

State of careers Rhode Island•Providence, RI

10h

About The Position

In the Division of Accounts and Control, to be responsible for the planning, organization and operation of the expenditures preaudit program (other than payrolls) for the purpose of determination of their legality, propriety, and mathematical accuracy; or to be responsible for the planning, organization, and operation of a large, advanced, and complex governmental accounting system; and to do related work as required. In the Division of Accounts and Control: To be responsible for planning, organizing, supervising and reviewing the work of a staff engaged in the operation of the expenditures pre-audit program in the Division of Accounts and Control involving the application of laws and regulations pertaining to all expenditures other than payrolls such as: contractual personal services, operating supplies and expenses, capital outlays, grants and claims (major state aid programs; health, education and welfare), fixed charges and fund transfers and other expenditures for the purpose of determining the legality, propriety and mathematical accuracy of proposed expenditures through the issuance of state purchase orders and of expenditures which have already taken place but have not yet been paid; To determine the type and extent of preaudit that each disbursement is to receive to insure overall improvement of performance as it concerns the preaudit function; To be responsible for planning and performing difficult and technical auditing work not of a routine nature and preparing a detailed report of the findings and to evaluate the necessity for and the extent of field preaudits of certain state and federal expenditure programs; Or, To supervise the work of subordinates engaged in, and to participate in: the maintenance of the state governmental accounting system including the examination and analysis of financial statements of state agencies; the preparation and supervision of complex accounting transactions; the reconciliation of subsidiary computer accounting reports to the general ledger; the preparation and supervision of the preparation of complex financial statements as required by the governor, legislature, state officials, or the public; the setting up of new computerized central accounting systems. To be responsible for the planning, organization, and operation of a large, advanced, and complex governmental accounting system. To direct the preparation of various monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, and annual reports and financial statements required by state and federal regulations and statutes. To consult and confer with state and federal officials on matters relating to expenditures and proposed expenditures. To be responsible for centralizing the budgetary, accounting, and expenditure aspects of a complex fiscal system. To assist in the maintenance of the Highway Fund accounting system; the making of cost studies to establish cost allocation plans for application to state-federal programs. To supervise field service programs involving: providing assistance to State agencies in complying with procedures in the State Payroll Manual, the Department of Administration’s Procedural Handbook; reviewing agencies’ payroll, accounting, and other fiscal records and the making of recommendations to improve internal control; assisting agencies with fiscal problems. To do related work as required.

Requirements

A thorough knowledge of the principles, practices and methods applied in the planning, organization, and operation of an advanced and complex accounting system, such as an expenditures preaudit program for the purpose of determining their legality, propriety, and mathematical accuracy
A working knowledge of federal and state accounting guidelines and procedures
The ability to apply such knowledge
The ability to analyze accounting systems and procedures
The ability to analyze and prepare financial statements
The ability to perform difficult and technical accounting and auditing duties
The ability to plan, organize, and supervise and review the work of subordinates engaged in the preaudit of expenditures or maintenance of accounting records
The ability to instruct subordinates in the interpretation and application of statutes, regulations, rules, and policies
The ability to maintain good working relationships with representatives of the various state departments and agencies
Graduation from a college of recognized standing with specialization in accounting or business administration
Employment in a supervisory capacity involving the maintenance of a complex auditing or accounting system in a corporation, accounting firm, or governmental agency
Any combination of education and experience that shall be substantially equivalent to the above education and experience

Responsibilities

Be responsible for the planning, organization and operation of the expenditures preaudit program (other than payrolls) for the purpose of determination of their legality, propriety, and mathematical accuracy
Be responsible for the planning, organization, and operation of a large, advanced, and complex governmental accounting system
Plan, organize, assign, and review the work of subordinates
Review work in process and upon completion for accuracy and compliance with prescribed procedures and directives
Be responsible for planning, organizing, supervising and reviewing the work of a staff engaged in the operation of the expenditures pre-audit program in the Division of Accounts and Control
Apply laws and regulations pertaining to all expenditures other than payrolls such as: contractual personal services, operating supplies and expenses, capital outlays, grants and claims (major state aid programs; health, education and welfare), fixed charges and fund transfers and other expenditures
Determine the legality, propriety and mathematical accuracy of proposed expenditures through the issuance of state purchase orders and of expenditures which have already taken place but have not yet been paid
Determine the type and extent of preaudit that each disbursement is to receive to insure overall improvement of performance as it concerns the preaudit function
Be responsible for planning and performing difficult and technical auditing work not of a routine nature and preparing a detailed report of the findings
Evaluate the necessity for and the extent of field preaudits of certain state and federal expenditure programs
Supervise the work of subordinates engaged in, and participate in: the maintenance of the state governmental accounting system including the examination and analysis of financial statements of state agencies
Prepare and supervise complex accounting transactions
Reconcile subsidiary computer accounting reports to the general ledger
Prepare and supervise the preparation of complex financial statements as required by the governor, legislature, state officials, or the public
Set up new computerized central accounting systems
Direct the preparation of various monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, and annual reports and financial statements required by state and federal regulations and statutes
Consult and confer with state and federal officials on matters relating to expenditures and proposed expenditures
Be responsible for centralizing the budgetary, accounting, and expenditure aspects of a complex fiscal system
Assist in the maintenance of the Highway Fund accounting system
Make cost studies to establish cost allocation plans for application to state-federal programs
Supervise field service programs involving: providing assistance to State agencies in complying with procedures in the State Payroll Manual, the Department of Administration’s Procedural Handbook
Review agencies’ payroll, accounting, and other fiscal records and the making of recommendations to improve internal control
Assist agencies with fiscal problems
Do related work as required