ACCOUNTING MANAGER

Job Specifications

Class Code:	UE5
Analyst:	DTW

Date Originated:	8/79
Date Revised:	1/82 1/85 5/92 10/98

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY

DEFINITION

Under general direction, to plan, organize, coordinate and direct the general accounting and control activities of the Auditor-Controller's Office; to supervise professional, supervisory and clerical subordinate staff which include professionals physically located in operating departments; and to do other work as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

Positions in this class have responsibility for supervising one of two departmental accounting divisions in the Auditor-Controller's Office handling the accounting, budget, accounts payable, payroll, and tax operations of the Auditor-Controller's Office, including the proper interpretation and fulfillment of accounting functions for the County and special districts with respect to assets, liabilities, revenue and expenditures. The work of these positions emphasize the coordination and supervision of subordinate and professional accounting staff, including professionals physically located in operating departments, the performance of special accounting studies, and the negotiation of cost settlements. This class differs from the next higher class of Assistant Auditor-Controller who has responsibility for assisting the Auditor Controller to manage the department.

TYPICAL TASKS

Plans, organizes and directs overall accounting activities of an accounting division in the Auditor-Controller's Office; supervises, trains and evaluates the work of subordinate professional and clerical staff engaged in supervising operating departments accounting programs, performing complex accounting studies and fiscal analysis, general and cost accounting, claims and public assistance warrant processing oversight, and other accounting functions; analyzes and solves difficult administrative and accounting problems; establishes priorities; assures that reports prepared by staff are accurate, adhere to acceptable accounting standards and conform to laws, rules and regulations; ensures efficient work flow between other units and offices; provides technical assistance to departmental staff and to staff in other departments and special districts; directs the preparation and/or prepares accounting reports for the Board of Supervisors, special districts, the State and other agencies; directs the preparation and/or prepares the annual closing of accounting records and the annual financial reports; prepares quarterly financial updates; prepares cash flows for tax and revenue anticipation loans, certificate of participation and bonded debt service payment and allocations; prepares the State Controller's annual report of financial transactions and calculation of Proposition4 spending limitations; researches special accounting problems; conducts highly complex accounting studies; negotiates cost settlements; directs the preparation and/or prepares procedures and policy manuals; identifies management information needs and assists in designing new systems; develops and implements departmental policy as assigned; confers with and advises departmental administration on fiscal policies and problems; prepares correspondence and reports; attends meetings and conferences.

EMPLOYMENTSTANDARDS

Knowledge:

• Thorough knowledge of accounting principles, practices and procedures;
• Thorough knowledge of cost accounting theories, procedures and systems;
• Working knowledge of the principles and practices of supervision and training;
• Working knowledge of the laws and rules regulating fiscal operations;
• Working knowledge of governmental accounting budgetary and financial operations;
• Working knowledge of work organization, simplification and layout;
• Working knowledge of the application of data processing to accounting operations;
• Working knowledge of auditing practices and procedures;
• Some knowledge of business statistics;
• Some knowledge of the laws, regulations and accounting requirements governing the financial operations of local government.

Abilities:

• Plan, organize, direct and coordinate varied accounting operations;
• Supervise, train and evaluate subordinate staff;
• Analyze, evaluate and solve accounting and administrative problems;
• Interpret, apply and explain complex laws, policies, procedures, rules and regulations;
• Establish and maintain an effective working relationship with others;
• Develop or revise accounting systems and other systems and procedures to meet changing needs;
• Assist in the design and implementation of computerized accounting systems;
• Prepare clear and concise accounting and narrative reports;
• Present technical financial data and reports before groups;
• Learn to operate a personal computer, or computer terminal, to design programs to store, retrieve and analyze information.

Training and Experience: Any combination of training and experience, which would provide the required knowledge and abilities, is qualifying. A typical way to obtain these knowledge and abilities would be:

Three years of increasingly responsible complex accounting experience which must have included one year as a fiscal manager or supervisor.

Bargaining Unit: 11

EEOC Category: 02

Occupational Grouping: 80

Workers' Comp Code: 53