Accountant - Ventura County : Job Details

The County of Ventura offers an attractive compensation and benefits package that includes: A general salary increase of 3.5% effective December 22, 2024. Merit Increases New employees are eligible for an initial 5% merit increase within the pay range upon completion of at least 1,040 hours (approximately 6 months) assuming work meets satisfactory standards. Subsequent merit increases within the pay range will be upon completion of each additional 2,080 hours (approximately one year) from the initial merit increase. Educational Incentive - An educational incentive of 2.5% for completion of an associate's degree, 3.5% for completion of a bachelor's degree, OR 5% for completion of a graduate degree. Bilingual Incentive Based on agency need, proficiency levels by exam are $.69 per hour (Level I), $1.00 per hour (Level II), or $1.32 per hour (Level III). Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Pay - A premium of $.47 per hour for a maximum of 80 compensated hours per biweekly pay period will be paid to employees in this classification who possess and maintain a valid, current CPA license or certificate. Flexible Workweek - A compressed work schedule (e.g., 9/80 workweek) may be available for some positions. Telework Schedule - A remote hybrid telework schedule may be available for some positions. Vacation Accrual New regular, full-time employees shall accrue approximately 14 days of vacation a year for the first 10,400 hours or 5 years of service; vacation accruals increase at 5, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 20 years of service topping out at 26 days a year and 400 hours of vacation hours banked. Annual Leave Redemption After 14,560 hours of continuous County service an employee may elect to cash in or redeem up to 80 hours of vacation accrued in the same year after using 80 hours of vacation in the preceding 12 months. Sick Leave - Full time regular employees accrue 3.08 hours of sick leave per bi-weekly pay period with an advance at hire of 40.04 hours which will be balanced at the completion of 13 bi-weekly pay periods. Deferred Compensation - Eligible to participate in the County's 401(k) Shared Savings Plan and/or the Section 457 Plan. This position is eligible for up to a 3.00% match on your 401(k) contributions. Health Plans Full time employees are given a flexible credit allowance of up to $23,530 annually to offset the purchase of medical, dental, and/or vision insurance for you and your dependents. Employee only - $502 per biweekly pay period Employee plus one dependent - $730 per biweekly pay period Employee plus family - $905 per biweekly pay period Flexible Spending Accounts - Pre-tax benefit towards eligible medical, dental and vision care and/or dependent care expenses. Pension Plan - Participation in the County's defined pension plan, which has reciprocity with CalPERS. Holidays - 12 paid days per year which, includes a scheduled floating holiday. Additional Benefits - Tuition Reimbursement, Disability Plans, Employee Assistance Program, Life Insurance, Wellness Program. OUR COUNTY AND COMMUNITY Ventura County is located on California's Gold Coast, approximately 35 miles northwest of Los Angeles and 20 miles southeast of Santa Barbara. The County includes 42 miles of coastline which is home to the following cities and points of interest: Camarillo, Fillmore, Moorpark, Ojai, Oxnard, Port Hueneme, Santa Paula, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, and Ventura as well as national protected areas such as parts of the Angeles National Forest, Channel Islands National Park, and the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. Ventura Countys beauty and weather combined with a wonderful quality of life are among the many reasons our residents choose to call Ventura County home. The County of Ventura employs nearly 10,000 staff members who serve Ventura County residents, all of whom have unique experiences and perspectives. Each of us has a responsibility to support diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in the workplace and in our communities. Our County is proud to have a diverse workforce and providing a respectful and inclusive workplace is a priority and aligns with the Countys values. THE POSITION Under general supervision, receives training and learns to perform (I) or under direction, performs full range (II) to complex (Senior) accounting duties in assigned fiscal program areas; functional areas of responsibility include, but are not limited to, compliance review, budgeting, grant accounting, cost accounting and financial analysis/reporting duties. At the Senior level, may provide lead supervision to lower level professional, technical or clerical staff. DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS: Each successive level in the Accountant series is distinguished by scope of independence and responsibility. The level of the position within the series is commensurate with the complexity of the assigned tasks. If appointed at the lower level, incumbents may be promoted to the higher level without further examination upon meeting the minimum requirements, demonstrating satisfactory performance, and in accordance with business needs of the department. Accountant I is the entry-level classification in the Accountant series, where the emphasis is on learning the fiscal operations and processes in the assigned fiscal program area(s), and on conducting duties and responsibilities that are limited in nature. Initially, under close supervision, incumbents perform the more routine duties while learning the assigned program area's fiscal policies, procedures, systems, operations and practices. As experience is gained, and over a period of time, incumbents will assume the increasingly responsible duties associated with the full journey level of the series. Accountant II is the fully experienced/journey-level classification in the Accountant series, competent to independently perform the full range of duties assigned to the classification and is distinguished from incumbents in the lower level of the series by the performance of the full range of duties and the relative independence with which they perform their duties by applying their working knowledge of fiscal policies and procedures to different work situations, and referring only non-procedural questions to their supervisor. Senior Accountant - This is the advanced journey level in the Accountant series; positions at this level perform more complex duties and responsibilities, exercising a significant level of independent judgment in the performance of their duties; work assigned to this advanced level requires a specialized technical or functional expertise beyond the journey level such as diverse accounting systems, extensive labor cost allocations and considerable financial analysis/reporting requirements; positions may also be assigned direct or lead supervisory duties over lower level staff when such assignments are a formal organizational responsibility supervising at least three subordinate staff members. DEPARTMENT/AGENCY: Various APPROXIMATE SALARIES Accountant I: $28.63 - $40.08/hourly Accountant II: $31.81 - $44.54/hourly Senior Accountant: $34.99 - $48.99/hourly Accountant I/II are represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and are eligible for overtime compensation. Senior Accountant is represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and is not eligible for overtime compensation. The following duties are considered characteristic but not inclusive and are examples only. Specific assigned duties may differ depending on the needs of the department/agency. Depending on the level, duties may include but are not limited to the following: Reviews and analyzes accounting records and fiscal activities to ensure accuracy and compliance with accounting/program/legal requirements, and to identify issues, trends, and patterns; writes narrative reports and submits to management. Provides up-to-date detailed cost accounting information, including extensive labor cost allocations, for budgeting and cost control purposes; assists program/division managers with budget preparation and monitoring; analyzes and explains variances, reports on irregularities, and prepares correction action plans for budget over-runs. Establishes and maintains general and subsidiary accounts and related ledgers including revenue and disbursement; reconciles various accounting reports to the County's general ledger; gathers, compiles, and prepares financial and statistical reports to county, state, and federal agencies. Provides accounting support for automated financial management system(s); Reviews financial documents such as vouchers, purchase orders, and invoices to ensure that proper cost centers are charged, that expenditures and revenues are recorded in the proper classification, and that purchases and other transactions by the department are proper in accordance with their approved budget; determines the level and appropriateness of year-end closing accruals, prepayments, deferrals, depreciation, or adjustments. Gathers, compiles, and analyzes data to assist in the rate development process; learns to (Accountant I) or prepares (Accountant II/Senior Accountant) cost allocation schedules and recommends labor and service fee rates based on analysis of complex cost components, past utilization trends and impact on fund balances or retained earnings. Learns to compile, analyze, adjust and review (Accountant I) or complies, analyzes, adjusts and reviews (Accountant II) financial information for the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR). Learns to assume (Accountant I) or assumes (Accountant II) responsibility for all aspects of fixed assets accounting and reporting including receiving, reviewing, and approving fixed asset documents in the fiscal management system; ensures that all capitalized assets meet requirements; prepares the depreciation forecast for the Budget Development Manual. Learns to review (Accountant I) or reviews (Accountant II) fixed asset reconciliations and ensures that the general ledger is reconciled to the fixed asset module; prepares and calculates amounts reported in the ACFR Management Discussion and Analysis (MD&A) and Notes disclosure for fixed assets; prepares schedules for capital assets used in the Operation of Government funds. Prepares (Sr) ACFR financial statements and Notes disclosures for assigned departments or agencies to ensure full and accurate disclosure; reviews and provides support for program specific accounting transactions; responds to inquiries from auditors and other agencies. Learns to review (Accountant I) or reviews (Accountant II) Board Letters presented to the Board of Supervisors for assigned agencies general and non-general funds. Reviews Board Letter submittals to ensure accurate and full disclosure of fiscal impact on recommended Board actions; conducts financial reviews of vendors/lessees/service providers to ensure full income/expense disclosure (Sr). Learns to prepare and submit (Accountant I) or prepares and submits (Accountant II) revenue and fund estimates for assigned operations; prepares allocation schedule based on adopted budget; distributes monthly allocations based on schedule; prepares quarterly status reports; calculates allocation to the Auditor-Controller for fund accounting purposes; maintains accounting records for audit purposes. Learns to prepare and submit (Accountant I) or prepares and submits (Accountant II) consolidated financial reports to State agencies on a monthly, quarterly, and annual basis. Learns to compile and prepare (Accountant I) or complies and prepares (Accountant II) financial statements and utilization statistics for health services product lines for internal financial reporting, including an analysis of information to compare the books numbers with actual costs incurred. Prepares (Sr) complex financial statements and reports for outside governing or regulatory agencies and boards. Learns to calculate and analyze (Accountant I) or calculates and analyzes (Accountant II) Incurred but not Reported medical claims based on system generated claim lag reports to provide realistic estimates of actual costs for the reporting period. Learns to review and reconcile (Accountant I) or reviews and reconciles (Accountant II) bond claims to verify that charges for the project on the general ledger have been claimed and paid; verifies that all claimed charges have been accurately accounted for in the financial management system. Learns to calculate (Accountant I) or calculates (Accountant II) realignment distributions for allocations received from the State Controller's Office to appropriate County agencies. Learns to prepare (Accountant I) or prepares (Accountant II) grant billings and reports in accordance with grant contract provisions and agreements. May assist in planning and directing the work of professional, technical, or clerical staff in assigned fiscal program area; participates in the selection process; provides input on performance evaluations and/or performance reviews; provides training and employee development; documents performance issues and discusses corrective actions with management and human resources; may recommend corrective or disciplinary action. Conducts a review of staff work and performs quality control; ensures that staff are performing their work in compliance with County and program rules, regulations, policies, and procedures (Sr Only). Monitors and plans cash availability for the County's General Fund to ensure sufficient cash to meet daily needs; determines cash needs; prepares and processes necessary cash loans and repayments; reviews and prepares interfund loans as directed by management; calculates and prepares interest charges on internal cash flow loans. Analyzes daily cash variances; reports cash balances and major receipts and disbursements to County executive management for the General Fund and other major funds. Prepares monthly cash flow projections for the General Fund; monitors the flow of budgeted revenue and expenditures (Sr Only). Advises and consults with management concerning the development of departmental operating and program budgets, revenue producing or debt service proposals, as well as the accounting and financial implications of existing and projected departmental activities. Assumes responsibility for operational administration of the department's or agency's cost allocations; monitors appropriations and adjusts as necessary (Sr Only). Coordinates, reviews, and compiles consolidated State and federal financial statements and reports including the ACFR, State Controller Annual Statement of Transactions, and Department Budget Report of Revenues and Expenditures, as well as the Annual Recommended and Adopted Budget to the Board of Supervisors and State Controller (Sr Only). Performs fiscal management systems administration, systems interface, and budget formulation. Directs or conducts cost, revenue and accounting systems and procedures studies; writes reports of findings and secures approval for implementation of recommendations. Creates financial reporting templates, procedures and analytical tools used to instruct/train fiscal staff (Sr Only). Serves as lead fiscal grant administrator for multi-agency grants or capital projects; reviews and tracks costs and claims to ensure compliance with funding agreements; prepares consolidated claims/reports and allocates funds accordingly. Scopes, develops work plan, summarizes, and consolidates monthly and semi-annual reporting for assigned grant programs; generates the fiscal portion of Change in Scope and Grant Applications; draws grant funding and prepares and submits cash flow reporting to same (Sr Only). Performs other related duties as required. These are entrance requirements to the exam process and assure neither continuance in the process nor placement on an eligible list. EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE Accountant I: Any combination of education and experience which has led to the acquisition of the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. An example of qualifying education and experience includes the completion of a Bachelor's degree with at least eighteen (18) semester units of college-level accounting coursework, including two (2) semesters of Intermediate Accounting; no professional accounting or auditing experience is required. Accountant II: Any combination of education and experience which has led to the acquisition of the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. An example of qualifying education and experience includes a Bachelor's degree with at least eighteen (18) semester units of college-level accounting coursework, including two (2) semesters of Intermediate Accounting; PLUS three (3) years of progressively responsible professional accounting experience; OR two (2) years of experience as an Accountant I in the County of Ventura. Education/Experience Substitution: Professional level accounting experience may be substituted for up to two (2) years of undergraduate education on a year-for-year basis, provided the candidate possesses at least eighteen (18) semester units of college-level accounting coursework, including two (2) semesters of Intermediate Accounting. Senior Accountant: Any combination of education and experience which has led to the acquisition of the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. An example of qualifying education and experience includes a Bachelor's degree with at least eighteen (18) semester units of college-level accounting coursework, including two (2) semesters of Intermediate Accounting; PLUS four (4) years of progressively responsible professional accounting experience, including preparation of financial statements; OR two (2) years as an Accountant II for the County of Ventura. Education/Experience Substitution: Professional level accounting experience may be substituted for up to two (2) years of undergraduate education on a year-for-year basis, provided the candidate possesses at least eighteen (18) semester units of college-level accounting coursework, including two (2) semesters of Intermediate Accounting. NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS Verification of accounting coursework completed is required. Depending on assignment, may require possession of a valid California driver license. OTHER REQUIREMENTS Verification of the required college degree and college-level coursework is required. Transcripts or grade reports from an accredited college or university which reflect the date your degree was conferred and passing grades in the required subject areas must be submitted to County of Ventura, Human Resources within three (3) business days of the recruitment closing date. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. If transcripts or grade reports are not submitted, your application will be screened out and you will not be allowed to continue in the process. You may submit transcripts using one of the following options: Attach the transcripts to your application Email the transcripts to [email protected] Mail to Human Resources, 800 South Victoria Avenue, L#1970, Ventura, CA 93009 You must submit this documentation with your application, a hard copy with a paper application or a scanned PDF copy as an attachment for an online application. If you submit a hard copy with a paper application, be sure it's a copy. Whatever you submit will not be returned to you. To attach a PDF scanned copy to an online application, use the Add Attachment(s) link in the Attachments section of your application. Degree(s) from a foreign institution require an academic credential evaluation to determine the U.S. equivalency. If the name on this documentation is different from the name on your application, include documents that show the name change (e.g., a marriage certificate). WORKING CONDITIONS Worksite reassignments may occur due to changes in facilities or other operational requirements within the business. COUNTY EMPLOYEES AS DISASTER SERVICE WORKERS When a disaster strikes of natural or manmade origin, Ventura County employees may be called upon to provide service to the community by assisting in emergency response efforts. This may require employees to work in other locations, different hours, and out of class. At the time of hire, all County employees will be required to sign an Oath or Affirmation of Allegiance for Disaster Service Workers and Public Employees (Sections 3102 and 3103, Government Code of California). DESIRED Advanced training, as evidenced by a Master's degree in Business Administration or a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license, is highly desirable. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Knowledge of: Operations, services, and activities of a comprehensive fiscal program in assigned area. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), practices, and standards. Governmental accounting and auditing standards and guidelines. Budgeting methods and processes. Laws and regulations affecting the financial operations of governmental and departmental operations. Principles of business management. Data processing systems applicable to accounting operations. Principles and practices of cost model development (Sr Only). Principles and practices of cost accounting (Sr Only). Principles and practices of cash flow management (Sr Only). Principles of supervision, training, discipline, and performance evaluation. Skill in: Research and analysis. Performing complex mathematical processes. Use of computers and related technology including software applications specific to work performed. Developing costing models and performing complex cost allocations. Preparing and reviewing complex fiscal documents and reports. Using initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural and legal guidelines. Ability to: Prepare financial reports and statements. Understand interrelationships among financial/accounting records and documents. Analyze financial/accounting data and draw logical conclusions. Understand, interpret, and apply a variety of complex rules, regulations, contracts, or legal documents in proper accounting context. Organize and prioritize work assignments. Communicate effectively both orally and in writing. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work. FINAL FILING DATE: This is a continuous recruitment and may close at any time; therefore, apply as soon as possible if you are interested in it. Your application must be received by County of Ventura, Human Resources no later than 5:00 p.m. on the closing date. FIRST REVIEW: A first review of applications is anticipated to occur on or around Friday, November 8, 2024 and subsequent reviews may be conducted until sufficient applications are received to meet business needs. To apply online, please refer to our web site at Information for Transfer Candidates: If presently permanently employed in another merit or civil service public agency/entity in the same or substantively similar position as is advertised, and if appointed to that position by successful performance in a merit or civil service style examination, then appointment by Lateral Transfer may be possible. If interested, please click here for additional information. Note: It is essential that you complete all sections of your application and supplemental questionnaire thoroughly and accurately to demonstrate your qualifications. A resume and/or other related documents may be attached to supplement the information in your application and supplemental questionnaire; however, it/they may not be submitted in lieu of the application. SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE - qualifying : All applicants are required to complete and submit the questionnaire for this exam AT THE TIME OF FILING. The supplemental questionnaire may be used throughout the recruitment and hiring process to assist in determining qualifications for the position. Failure to complete and submit the questionnaire may result in removal of the application from further consideration. APPLICATION EVALUATION - qualifying : All applications will be reviewed to determine whether the stated requirements are met. Applicants meeting the stated requirements will be invited to continue to the next step in the examination process. WRITTEN EXAMINATION - 100% : An un-proctored, internet-based job-related written examination will be conducted to test applicants' knowledge, skills, and abilities in relation to Accounting Principles, Financial Accounting and Reporting, Budgeting, and Basic Lead/Supervision. Applicants must earn a score of seventy percent (70%) or higher to qualify for placement on the eligible list. ELIGIBLE LIST : Candidates successfully completing the examination process may be placed on an eligible list for a period of one (1) year. The eligible list established from this recruitment may be used to fill present and future regular, temporary, fixed-term, intermittent and extra-help vacancies. VALIDATING PROCTORED WRITTEN EXAM: Offers of employment may be conditional to the candidate until taking and passing an on-site, proctored exam similar to the un-proctored, internet-based exam. SELECTION INTERVIEW: When a position becomes available, applicants are referred to the employing department for interviews beginning with the highest scoring applicants, moving down the list from the top until the available positions are filled. NOTE: If appointed at the lower levels, an employee may be promoted to the higher level(s) up to Senior Accountant without further examination upon meeting the minimum requirements, demonstrating satisfactory performance, and in accordance with the business needs of the department. BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION : A thorough pre-employment, post offer background investigation which may include inquiry into past employment, education, criminal background information, and driving record is required for this position. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY : The County of Ventura is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation. It is an objective of the County of Ventura to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for county employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants. CONTACT INFORMATION : For further information about this recruitment, please contact Kim Mariscal by email at [email protected] or by telephone at (805) ###-####.