Accountant Lead

NATURE OF WORK

An Accountant Lead is the lead level of work examining, analyzing and interpreting accounting systems, records and reports by applying generally accepted accounting principles in order to modify and maintain agency accounting systems, prepare financial reports or statements, and give fiscal advice to management. Employees in this classification assign, review, and approve the work of and train lower level Accountants and receive general supervision from a higher level designated administrator.

• Modifies and implements manual and automated systems to meet the specific fiscal requirements of the agency.
• Interprets and applies pertinent laws and regulations to fiscal and accounting operations.
• Develops and revises accounting policies to improve accounting controls and efficiency.
• Formulates internal controls to ensure the reliability and security of funds and records.
• Reviews and authorizes financial transaction records for submission to fiscal control agencies.
• Performs reconciliations of entire accounts by determining the materiality of exceptions, selecting the proper accounting treatment, gauging the effect of adjustments on the entire system and maintaining documentation for audit trails.
• Prepares financial reports and statements by ensuring that accounting records provide a reliable and adequate basis for required reports, developing and implementing procedures for producing reports and analyzing and interpreting the reports.
• Coordinates close‑out by ensuring that items are properly accrued and adjusted at fiscal year end.
• Advises management on the status of agency accounts and recommends alternatives to improve the agency's financial position.
• Participates in the audit process of agency fiscal operations by providing auditors with explanations of accounting procedures, providing documentation of fiscal transactions, and assisting in the formulation and implementation of corrective action plans precipitated by audit exceptions.
• Acts as a liaison with information processing and fiscal control agencies to resolve accounting records and systems problems.
• Adapts procedures and formulates reporting techniques to comply with statewide fiscal requirements and special requirements of other funding sources.
• May oversee the work of Accountants and other lower level fiscal support staff.
• Performs other duties and functions appropriate to the position as assigned and required.

• Knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles, theory, procedures and methods.
• Knowledge of generally accepted auditing standards.
• Knowledge of business administration and management practices.
• Knowledge of fiscal control reporting policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of commercial accounting systems as related to state or federal charges and reporting requirements.
• Skill in designing, modifying and implementing accounting methods and procedures to increase reliability and efficiency of accounting operations.
• Skill in identifying and correcting non‑conforming entries made to internal and external accounting systems.
• Skill in applying fiscal policies in the establishment of fiscal control measures.
• Skill in preparing, analyzing and interpreting financial reports and statements.
• Skill in interpreting and applying state and federal laws, policies, regulations and rules to agency accounting operations.
• Skill in using computerized fiscal applications and software to include spreadsheet software and database applications.
• Skill in managing work time efficiently and effectively under deadlines.
• Ability to communicate effectively.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other accountants, agency fiscal staff, agency management personnel, information processing personnel, payroll personnel, representatives from fiscal control agencies, auditors and federal officials.

Critical thinking and problem solving skills, adaptability, decision‑making, communication skills, delegation, teamwork, planning and organizing, influencing and leading, stress tolerance, negotiation, conflict management.

• Specific educational and…