Accountant I/II

Job Details

Under direct supervision, assists in professional accounting tasks, including record preparation, maintenance, and review, adhering to County fiscal policies. Also performs fiscal analysis, auditing, and provides guidance to fiscal support and payroll staff. Undertakes additional tasks as required.

Minimum Qualifications

ACCOUNTANT I

Licensing and Certifications:

Possession of Certified Public Accountant license is highly desirable.

Education and Experience:

Equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in accounting, business administration, public administration, or a closely related field.

OR

Two (2) years of full-time technical/professional accounting/auditing experience (i.e. equivalent to County of Lake Accounting Technician or Senior Accounting Technician)
One (1) year of full-time experience in performing accounting and fiscal control work is highly desirable.
Additional directly related education and/or experience may be substituted.

ACCOUNTANT II
Licensing and Certifications:

Possession of Certified Public Accountant license is highly desirable.

Education and Experience:

Two (2) years of full-time increasingly responsible fiscal management experience comparable to that of an Accountant I with the County of Lake.

And

Equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in accounting, business administration, public administration, or a closely related field or Two (2) additional years of technical/professional accounting/auditing experience (i.e. equivalent to County of Lake Accounting Technician or Senior Accounting Technician) may be substituted for the required education.

Additional directly related education and/or experience may be substituted.

General Recruitment Information

This is not exhaustive of all job responsibilities. For more details, please refer to the link provided below.

To view the complete job description, you have two options: either visit https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/lakecountyca/classspecs or simply click on this link.

The information presented in job postings, job descriptions, or recruitment materials does not form a legally binding contract, either explicit or implicit. Benefits may differ among different employee groups. The details provided in these materials are subject to change or cancellation without prior notification. Prospective employees of the County of Lake must undergo the County's pre-employment medical review program upon receiving a conditional job offer before assuming their position with the County.

Applicants may substitute relevant experience and/or education at a 2 to 1 ratio to fulfill minimum qualifications. For further details, individuals should reach out to the Human Resources department.

ADA Accommodations
Individuals in need of accommodation during the application and/or selection process under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) should reach out to County of Lake Human Resources at (707) 263-2213.

The County is an Equal Opportunity-Affirmative Action Employer

Veteran's Preference

ACCOUNTANT I

DEFINITION
Under direct supervision, assists with and learns to perform professional accounting in the preparation, maintenance, and review of financial records, transactions, and reports; applies County fiscal policies and procedures; and performs related duties as assigned.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
This is the entry level classification in the Accountant series. Incumbents perform routine accounting work requiring a general working knowledge of accounting principles and practices while learning County policies and procedures and becoming familiar with the variety of departmental systems and practices. Incumbents may be assigned to special work areas as dictated by the needs of the County.

Positions in the Accountant series are flexibly staffed. Incumbents may advance to the higher classifications after gaining the knowledge, skill, experience, licenses, and certifications which meet the qualifications for and demonstrating the ability to perform the work of the higher-level class.

Accountant I is distinguished from Accountant II in that the latter class performs more complex accounting tasks that require a higher level of independence and experience in the application of financial analysis, research and interpretation.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Receives direct supervision from assigned supervisory or management staff, depending on the assigned area. May provide work coordination, direction, and training to fiscal support staff.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the scope of duties performed by employees in this class and are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

• Performs accounting work to develop and maintain the County’s financial records.
• Reviews accounting and financial documents to ensure accuracy of information and calculations and make correcting entries.
• Prepares journal entries and reconciliations of general ledger, journals, subsidiary accounts, and bank statements.
• Examines supporting documentation to establish proper authorization and conformance with agreements, contracts, and state and federal regulations.
• Compiles and prepares general and subsidiary ledgers and supporting schedules.
• Maintains expenditure and budgetary control accounts.
• Prepares and coordinates budget appropriation transfers.
• Assists in the preparation of and analyzes and adjusts budgets for departmental and County funds.
• Reviews financial records to ensure proper disbursement of funds.
• Tracks and maintains accounting records for use of grant funds.
• Prepares and performs basic analysis of a variety of financial statements and reports.
• Audits, prepares, and provides financial records and documentation for external audits.
• Provides information regarding accounting and budgeting processes and procedures.
• Serves as a liaison with other government agencies, auditors, and the public.
• Provides work direction, coordination, and training for fiscal support staff, as assigned.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge of:

• Principles, practices, and methods of public and governmental accounting and financing, including budgeting and auditing and their application to operations.
• Basic knowledge of federal, state, and local laws, rules, regulations, and policies applicable to the financial operations of the County and assigned functional area.
• Principles and practices of financial analysis, auditing, and reporting.
• Principles and procedures related to budgetary preparation, control, and development.
• County and department policies and procedures.
• Customer service principles and techniques.
• Computerized financial management systems.
• Proper English spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• Written and oral communications skills.
• Computers and software programs (e.g., Microsoft software applications) to conduct research, assess information, and/or prepare documentation.
• Principles and techniques for working with groups and fostering effective team interaction.

Ability to:

• Evaluate and research financial information to resolve problems.
• Make accurate arithmetic, financial, and statistical computations.
• Prepare, examine, analyze, and verify financial documents and reports.
• Verify the accuracy of financial data and information.
• Ensure proper authorization and documentation for disbursements and other transactions.
• Understand, interpret, and apply all pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies, and procedures relevant to work performed.
• Monitor and update fiscal records.
• Understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Establish and maintain a variety of filing, recordkeeping, control, and tracking systems.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments.
• Utilize a computer, relevant software applications, and/or other equipment as assigned.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Licensing and Certifications:
Possession of Certified Public Accountant license is highly desirable.

Education and Experience:
Equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in accounting, business administration, public administration, or a closely related field.

OR

Two (2) years of full-time technical/professional accounting/auditing experience (i.e. equivalent to County of Lake Accounting Technician or Senior Accounting Technician)

One (1) year of full-time experience in performing accounting and fiscal control work is highly desirable.

Additional directly related education and/or experience may be substituted.

ACCOUNTANT II
DEFINITION
Under direct supervision, performs a wide variety of professional accounting, fiscal analysis, and auditing in the preparation, maintenance, and analysis of County fiscal records and financial transactions; provides direction and coordination for fiscal support and payroll staff; and performs related duties as assigned.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
This is the journey-level classification in the Accountant series. Incumbents independently perform a variety of complex accounting and auditing work requiring substantial knowledge and background. Incumbents exercise discretion and judgment in the performance of duties. Incumbents may be assigned to special work areas as dictated by the needs of the County or department.

This class is distinguished from Accountant I in that the latter performs internal and external audits in addition to accounting duties.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Receives direct supervision from assigned supervisory or management staff. May provide lead direction, work coordination, and training, as assigned.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES
Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the scope of duties performed by employees in this class and are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

• Performs the full range of accounting work to develop and maintain the County’s fiscal records.
• Reviews accounting and financial documents to ensure accuracy of information and calculations and make correcting entries.
• Maintains expenditure and budgetary control accounts; prepares and coordinates journal entries and reconciliations of general ledger, journals, subsidiary accounts, and bank statements.
• Examines supporting documentation to establish proper authorization and conformance with agreements, contracts, and state and federal regulations.
• Compiles and prepares general and subsidiary ledgers and supporting schedules.
• Maintains and reconciles revenue information.
• Reviews and audits fiscal records to ensure proper disbursement of funds.
• Provides work direction, coordination, and training for fiscal support staff, as assigned.
• Coordinates balancing of cash accounts with the banks and other responsible County departments.
• Monitors grant programs; manages, tracks, and reconciles grant funds and consolidates data.
• Prepares and reviews a variety of statistical and financial statements and reports.
• Prepares and coordinates budget appropriation transfers; assists in the preparation of and analyzes budgets for departmental and County funds.
• Assists in contract administration.
• Reviews and stays abreast on regulations and makes recommendations to management.
• Provides other County staff with a variety of information regarding fiscal processes and procedures.
• Serves as a liaison with other government agencies, auditors, and the public.
• Provides coordination regarding the County’s computerized financial management, payroll, and tax systems, as assigned.
• Oversees and coordinates payroll functions, as assigned.
• Performs special financial analysis assignments, as assigned
• Performs related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge of:

• Principles, practices, and methods of public and governmental accounting and financing, including budgeting and auditing and their application to operations.
• Principles, practices, and terminology of general, fund and governmental accounting.
• Federal, state, and local laws, rules, regulations, and policies applicable to the fiscal operations of the County and assigned functional area.
• Principles and practices of financial analysis, auditing, and reporting.
• Government cost accounting and budgeting.
• Principles of lead direction, work coordination, and training.
• Policies, procedures, and programs of the department.
• Proper English spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• Customer service principles and techniques.
• Written and oral communications skills.
• Computers and software programs (e.g., Microsoft software applications) to conduct research, assess information, and/or prepare documentation.
• Principles and techniques for working with groups and fostering effective team interaction.
• Principles, practices, and terminology of general, fund and governmental accounting.

Ability to:

• Understand and apply all applicable laws, codes, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Analyze financial data and draw sound conclusions.
• Perform a variety of complex accounting and financial transaction work.
• Prepare, examine, analyze, and verify financial documents and reports.
• Perform accurate arithmetic, financial, and statistical computations.
• Verify the accuracy of financial data and information.
• Ensure proper authorization and documentation for disbursements and other transactions.
• Provide lead direction, work coordination, and training, as assigned.
• Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments.
• Deal tactfully and courteously with the public and other staff.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Licensing and Certifications:
Possession of Certified Public Accountant license is highly desirable.

Education and Experience:
Two (2) years of full-time increasingly responsible fiscal management experience comparable to that of an Accountant I with the County of Lake.

And

Equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in accounting, business administration, public administration, or a closely related field or Two (2) additional years of technical/professional accounting/auditing experience (i.e. equivalent to County of Lake Accounting Technician or Senior Accounting Technician) may be substituted for the required education.

Additional directly related education and/or experience may be substituted.

WORKING CONDITIONS, ADA, AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS
The County of Lake is an equal opportunity employer and will comply with its obligations under the law to provide equal employment opportunities to qualified individuals with disabilities. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

Incumbents generally work in a typical office environment with adequate light and temperature. There may be occasional exposure to extreme temperatures, loud noise, fumes, noxious odors, dust, mist, gases, and poor ventilation; underground, confined, or restricted workspaces; and heights more than five stories above ground level. Incumbents may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

Positions in this class typically require: sitting, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, grasping, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions.
Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.

Light Work: Exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. If the use of arm and/or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than that for Sedentary Work and the worker sits most of the time, the job is rated for light work.

A successful candidate will be required to submit to and pass a background check prior to the appointment. Depending upon the position and/or assigned department, the background check may include but is not limited to civil and criminal history check, reference check, Live Scan, and/or credit check (as allowed under state law).

Positions in this class may require local and statewide travel as necessary.

Disaster Service Workers: As members of the County of Lake Emergency Services Organization, all Lake County employees are designated as Disaster Service Workers during a proclaimed emergency and may be required to perform certain emergency services at the direction of the department and / or County.

The contents of this class specification shall not be construed to constitute any expressed or implied warranty or guarantee, nor shall it constitute a contract of employment. The County of Lake assumes no responsibility beyond the general accuracy of the document, nor does it assume responsibility for any errors or omissions in the information contained herein. The contents of this specification may be modified or revoked without notice. Terms and conditions of employment are determined through a “meet and confer” process and are subject to the Memorandum of Understanding currently in effect.

RETIREMENT - County employees are members of the California Public Employee Retirement system (CalPERS).CalPERS provides a defined benefit pension at retirement for County employees.The pension formulas and employee contribution amounts may vary by bargaining unit, date of hire, prior qualifying service, and classification. Please contact Human Resources for more information.

HEALTH AND INSURANCE BENEFITS - Medical, dental, hospital, vision, life and disability coverage is available to employees and their dependents. The County contributes $1,500 of the monthly premiums for the insurance plan options.

VACATION ACCRUAL may be adjusted for current city or county government employees.

VACATION - 80 hours per year during the first five years of service, 120 hours per year after five years, and additional accruals based on years of service beyond fifteen years. Pro-rated for part-time employees.

SICK LEAVE - Accrues at a rate of 96 hours per year. Pro-rated for part-time employees.

HOLIDAYS- An average of twelve paid 8-hour holidays per year. Pro-rated for part-time employees.

SALARY - Lake County has an adopted salary schedule. The salary range for most classifications is in five increments with a provision for longevity increases. Appointments are normally made at the first step of the salary range.

SOCIAL SECURITY - County employees participate in Social Security.

CALIFORNIA STATE DISABILITY INSURANCE - SDI is available to some County employees.

DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLANS and CREDIT UNION MEMBERSHIPS are available to County employees.

Closing Date/Time: 6/19/2025 5:00 PM Pacific

• 

• County of Lake

• 707-263-2213

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