Principal Accountant

The County of Riverside’s Department of Public Social Services (DPSS), Financial Accounting Section, is seeking a qualified Principal Accountant to oversee the Accounts Payable and Clerical Operations units in Riverside.

The Principal Accountant will have approximately five direct reports, including professional Accountants and Supervising Accounting Technicians. The incumbent will represent the Financial Accounting Section, Fiscal, and DPSS in meetings with other county agencies and the State of California on fiscal-related matters. This role will also provide administrative support to management by conducting research and analysis related to operations, processes, and programs, and by proposing recommendations to support management decision-making in the development, implementation, and improvement of departmental operations, services, and programs.

Additionally, the Principal Accountant will conduct studies of administrative and operational activities, including fiscal operations, internal controls, and workflow. They will review laws, legislation, and policies to ensure compliance and determine their impact on accounting procedures, recommending changes where appropriate. The Principal Accountant will also participate in the development of training materials for professional accounting and fiscal personnel, serving as a subject matter expert on system changes.

The most competitive candidates will have previous experience with People Soft Financials, a solid understanding of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), and experience working in accounts payable operations, preferably within a public agency. They should also have experience collecting and preparing statistical data for departmental, state, and federal reporting. The department desires candidates with a background in coaching and mentoring professional accountants while serving in a lead or supervisory capacity.

This class has been deemed eligible for the Performance Recognition Plan as set forth under Article 3, Section 311(C) of the County Management Resolution. Program eligibility requires employees to be in a leadership position, manage other employees or programs, and have significant influence on the achievement of organizational objectives.

The County of Riverside Department of Public Social Services is comprised of employees who work collectively and in partnership with community-based organizations to serve the needs of the community. Can you see yourself here?

• Plan, organize, direct, and coordinate through subordinate supervisors the establishment, review, revision, and daily operation of a departmental accounting function or a major division of the Auditor-Controller's Office.
• Determine how the departmental or division accounting management program should be structured and how accounting principles should be applied.
• Supervise specialized audits in the Auditor-Controller's Office of the fiscal records and accounting procedures in various County departments, divisions, and agencies.
• Participate in the selection, training, and evaluation of subordinate professional accounting and fiscal clerical personnel; coordinate accounting functions with data processing systems.
• Evaluate, develop, recommend, and coordinate implementation of computer applications to accounting systems and procedures.
• Supervise and participate in the development and maintenance of systems forms for fiscal transactions, recordkeeping and budgetary controls; supervise and perform analysis of complex fiscal recordkeeping systems and procedures.
• Provide technical guidance, direction, and training to subordinate staff performing complex accounting and auditing work, including computer applications.
• Review laws, legislation, and policies to ensure compliance and to determine impact on accounting procedures and recommend changes where appropriate.
• Coordinate the work of subordinate staff with other sections, departments, or outside fiscal intermediaries; assist in the budget preparation process.
• Confer with and advise department and other officials on a variety of accounting and budgetary matters.

Education:

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in accounting, or another field of study that included at least 18 semester or 27 quarter units in accounting, finance, auditing, taxation, financial reporting, business finance, financial statement analysis, or external and internal reporting, or closely related coursework. (One year as a professional accountant with the County of Riverside may substitute for the 18 semester or 27 quarter units of specialized coursework.)

Experience:

Three years as a professional accountant, including one year in a supervisory or lead capacity over other professional accountants.

Certificate:
Possession of a valid certificate as a Certified Public Accountant or Certified Internal Auditor.

Experience:

Three years as a professional accountant, including one year in a supervisory or lead…