ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, ACCOUNTING (2378)

Assists with managing, organizing, and directing the financial, accounting, and reporting functions; performs and supervises advanced accounting, internal auditing, financial analysis, and financial reporting activities; ensures compliance with applicable accounting standards and legal requirements; and performs duties related to these functions.

Distinguishing Characteristics

An Assistant Director, Accounting analyzes and makes recommendations for the fiscal operation of various programs; provides technical accounting and general supervision of staff in the financial, accounting, accounts receivable, financial reporting, auditing, and related fiscal functions; assumes responsibility for the financial functions of the District in the absence of the Director, Financial Services. Assumes direct supervisory responsibility for all functions and performs the most critical, complex work.

A Director, Financial Services is responsible for all financial, accounting, budgeting, and payroll related functions of the District.

A Program Accounting Specialist plans, organizes, and supervises the accounting and budget work of the Special Education or Categorical Departments. Incumbents perform professional accounting and financial work ranging in difficulty from moderate to the most complex and serve as experienced resources to District managers and administrators. Assignments require the use of professional judgment and a thorough knowledge of accounting principles and financial management practices.

Supervision Received and Exercised

Direction is provided by the Director, Financial Services.

General supervision is exercised over the general accounting, accounts payable, and related units and general clerical personnel.

Assignments may require the indirect supervision of other professional/technical accounting positions.

Examples of Duties

Assists with planning, organizing, and directing the accounting and finance functions.

Plans, organizes and supervises assigned personnel performing technical accounting, auditing, reporting, and related analytical work.

Ensures timely, accurate preparation of all journal entries, year-end closing adjustments, and financial reporting.

Attends District and County meetings and obtains, reviews, and evaluates pertinent information to keep current on payroll accounting transactions and reporting requirements.

Provides technical expertise, solves accounting related problems, and responds to questions or concerns from employees regarding interpretation of laws, rules and policies governing accounting.

Supervises and participates in all general accounting activities involved in the preparation, maintenance, and audit of the financial reports and records of the District.

Compiles, analyzes, organizes, and prepares data for monthly journal entries and year-end closing adjustments; complex periodic financial and statistical reports; state and federal reports and federal, state, and local claims, statements, and reports.

Establishes and maintains accurate accounting records by examining, reconciling, balancing, and adjusting various financial records, and by identifying and resolving problems and inconsistencies through determination and implementation of appropriate corrective entries.

Manages the general accounting section.

Assists in the development, implementation, modification, and advancement of accounting systems and procedures as related to the duties of the position.

Coordinates accounting activities with other organizational units and outside agencies as related to the duties of the position.

Coordinates accounting of bond, construction and other special funds; monitors and prepares periodic reports on special funds; conducts special expenditure analysis and audits to ensure full reimbursement of District costs in connection with construction and special fund expenditures.

Provides leadership and works with staff to create a high performance, service-oriented work environment that supports department and District missions, objectives and service expectations; provides leadership and participates in programs and activities that promote workplace diversity and a positive employee relations environment.

Participates in preparation of periodic financial reports and statements to the Board of Education and District administrators; conducts special analysis required by the Board of Education; supervises and participates in preparation of Board agenda items for enrollment, average daily attendance and class size reduction program and ADA related programs.

Reviews and audits monthly school ASB bank reconciliations and financials, and trains the ASB Clerks.

Develops new and revised accounting procedures to comply with laws, rules, and regulations to ensure service to employees, to improve efficiency, and to coordinate activities with other departments.

Analyzes laws, regulations, collective bargaining agreements, Board of Education and Personnel Commission rules and Education Code changes to determine effect on financial accounting processing; recommends changes in accounting procedures, forms, and records as necessary.

Performs and manages the Year End Closing entries and process.

Completes a variety of statistical and activity reports, coordinates the preparation of quarterly tax returns and other periodic tax forms.

Assists in the direction and coordination of the maintenance of records of expenditures and income from a wide variety of accounts and funding sources.

Prepares multi-year cash flow analysis. Prepares Special Education billings to SELPA.

Assures that funds are budgeted, controlled, accounted for, reconciled and audited according to acceptable accounting practices and legal requirements in areas of assigned responsibility.

Supervises, trains, and evaluates assigned staff.

Performs related work as assigned.

Class Qualifications

Knowledge of:

Principles, practices, and methods of accounting, auditing and reporting.

Methods, practices, and terminology used in accounting systems.

Principles and practices of financial administration including budgeting and reporting.

Various data processing applications used for maintaining accounting records and financial administration

Principles of supervision, training, performance evaluation, and management.

Ability to:

Read, interpret, and explain laws, rules, and regulations as related to the duties of the position.

Establish and maintain effective working relationships with District management, staff, representatives of the County Office of Education, outside auditors and others encountered in the course of work.

Formulate and implement plans and policies to improve financial and general administrative procedures.

Organize, coordinate, prioritize, and direct the work of others. Interpret and administer accounting policies and procedures.

Establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, administrative staff, and others.

Provide both technical and supervisory leadership for the staff. Communicate clearly and concisely, orally and in writing.

Employment Standards:

Minimum Requirements:

Experience:

Four years of recent professional experience with automated accounting systems and procedures as well as an administrative staff position. Experience must include such activities as financial analysis, data systems analysis, auditing, and report preparation.

Experience must also include at least two years of supervising personnel, preferably in a school District or government agency.

Education:

Graduation from a recognized four-year college or university with a major in accounting, finance, business administration, or closely related field.

Desirable Qualifications:

A Master's degree from an accredited college or university, preferably including courses in finance, accounting, management, educational administration, quantitative analysis and budgeting.

Written and oral proficiency in a second language.

License or Certificate:

Possession of a valid State of California Class C driver's license and use of an automobile to visit work sites and attend meetings.

Other

Working Conditions:

Willingness to work evenings, early mornings, and Saturdays as required.

Tolerance for stress; ability to work within rules and policy while not necessarily agreeing with them, and ability to work on several tasks with frequent interruptions.

Willingness to attend workshops and trainings outside of assigned working hours in those areas in which formal training is needed.

Environment:

Primarily works in an office environment. Work environment is generally clean and the noise level is usually moderate.

Will be required to use a personal vehicle to visit various work sites, attend meetings, and training as needed.

Employees in this classification must be physically and mentally able to perform the essential duties of the position without hazard to themselves or others. These include but are not limited to:

Perform work primarily in an office setting with constant interruptions.

Mobility of arms to reach and dexterity of hands to grasp and manipulate small objects (keyboard, telephone, and common office machines, and equipment).

Vision (which may be corrected) to read small print.

Hearing and speaking to exchange information in person and on the phone. Work at a computer screen for prolonged periods.

Mobility to stand, stoop, reach, and bend.

Lifting, pushing and/or pulling office supplies, mail, and packages that do not exceed twenty-five (25) pounds.

Recruitment Type: Open Competitive CURRENT VACANCY: One full-time management position (12 mos/