EXECUTIVE ACCOUNTANT - 40008700

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SUMMARY OBJECTIVE:

The purpose of this position is to manage the County’s financial operations as it relates to a variety of advanced accounting tasks, which include: developing procedures and techniques to accurately prepare, maintain, analyze and control complex financial records and statements; monitoring and improving internal controls for certain financial business processes; Finance liaison with certain departments regarding subsidiary systems and the County’s general ledger and other assigned accounting and financial reporting tasks in the Finance Department.

This position works independently, under limited supervision, reporting to the Chief Financial Officer/Deputy Chief Financial Officer/Assistant Chief Financial Officer for Accounting and Financial Reporting.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

The essential functions listed below are those that represent the majority of the time spent working in this class. Management may assign additional functions related to the type of work of the class as necessary.

• Assists in the preparation of complex financial statements and supporting audit work papers, statistical information, and notes for the county’s Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR).
• Assists Emergency Medical Services (EMS) with financial reporting and financial data analysis.
• Responsible for the accounting and financial reporting, reconciliations, etc. between the County’s EMS third party billing and collection system and the County’s general ledger.
• Analyzes financial statements, general ledger reports, summaries and schedules. Analyzes the adequacy of financial controls and makes recommendations to upper management for new accounting procedures to improve productivity, efficiency, and internal controls, etc. Reports issues of concern to upper Finance management.
• Responsible for the financial activity, reconciliations, reporting, etc. of local option sales taxes, sales and use taxes, occupancy taxes, white goods taxes, and scrap tire taxes.
• Responsible for Register of Deeds collections, required reporting to the State, reconciliations to the general ledger, etc.
• Responsible for monthly municipality tax distributions, reconciliations, and reporting.
• Manages the debt, investments and banking and the accounting, financial reporting and data analyses for the County’s debt, investments, and banking.
• Assists in the planning, organizing, and managing of all aspects of the County’s debt, investments, and banking.
• Assists in managing financial analyses, financial reporting, and the annual financial audit of the County’s debt, investments, and banking.Collaborate with the Budget department and financial advisors to maintain the County’s debt model.
• Coordinates with project managers to compile cash flow forecasts for the County’s capital plan.
• Monitors, reviews, updates, and develops accounting processes and procedures using best practices ensuring sound internal controls for debt, investments, and banking.
• Prepares complex general ledger journal entries, assigned monthly, quarterly and annual reconciliations and related reporting, review of interdepartmental journal entries, etc.
• Assists internal and external staff regarding financial activity as requested.
• Provides quarterly reporting of debt and investments for management review.
• Manages daily cash by reviewing bank account balances to ensure the financial position is within cash flow requirements.
• Operates online banking accounts to retrieve confirmations of funds received and deductions, and to initiate wire/EFT transfers.
• Works with internal Accountants who analyze and reconcile the operating account to make sure deposits, credits, and debits are recorded properly.
• Performs related accounting and financial reporting as required and other projects or duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), practices and procedures and their application to governmental accounting.                                            • Knowledge of Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) Standards for governmental accounting and the application of those GASB Standards.
• Knowledge of the Uniform Grant Guidance (UGG) of federal requirements.
• Ability to identify substantive issues and thoroughly and accurately research and analyze them.
• Ability to compile, monitor, examine, and audit complex financial statements/accounts for accuracy, integrity, and conformance to accounting and program guidelines.
• Ability to compile, monitor, examine, and audit complex federal, state, and local award and/or grant agreements for accuracy, integrity, and conformance to accounting and program guidelines.
• Skilled in problem-solving to select, organize and logically process relevant information (verbal, numerical or abstract).
• Skilled in oral communication to understand verbal information (facts, instructions, and descriptions) and to express such information verbally so that others will understand.
• Skilled in written communication and the ability to understand written information (facts, ideas, and assertions), draw inferences, form hypotheses, and develop logical arguments,and to express such information in writing so that others will understand. • Interpersonal skills to interact with business contacts in a business-like, customer service-oriented manner.
• Skilled in using a computer and other electronic devices to plan, schedule, communicate, work process, etc., with emphasis on word processing and spreadsheet applications.
• Professional comportment in self-organization, the ability to prioritize, and the meeting of deadlines.

MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

Requires a bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance, Business Administration or a closely related field; and four (4) years of accounting experience or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

SPECIAL CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENSES:

Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation preferred but not required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: 

Physical demands refer to the requirements for physical exertion and coordination of limb and body movement.

• Performs sedentary work that involves walking or standing some of the time and involves exerting up to 10 pounds of force on a regular and recurring basis or sustained keyboard operations.

UNAVOIDABLE HAZARDS (WORK ENVIROMENT):

Unavoidable hazards refer to the job conditions that may lead to injury or health hazards even though precautions have been taken.

• None.

STANDARD CLAUDSES:

May be required to work nights, weekends, holidays and emergencies (man-made or natural) to meet the business needs of Durham County.  This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of essential functions and responsibilities that are required of an employee for this job. Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.

ESSENTIAL SAFETY FUNCTIONS:

It is the responsibility of each employee to comply with established policies, procedures and safe work practices. Each employee must follow safety training and instructions provided by their supervisor. Each employee must also properly wear and maintain all personal protective equipment required for their job. Finally, each employee must immediately report any unsafe work practices or unsafe conditions as well as any on-the-job injury or illnesses.

Every manager/supervisor is responsible for enforcing all safety rules and regulations. In addition, they are responsible for ensuring that a safe work environment is maintained, safe work practices are followed and employees are properly trained.

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT COMPLIANCE:

Durham County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ADA requires Durham County to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are encouraged to discuss ADA accommodations with management. 

BACKGROUND CHECK STATEMENT:

This position may be subject to a background check, which could include, but is not limited to, criminal history (employment-related and/or SBI fingerprint-based), credit history, motor vehicle records, educational verification, and checks of the sexual offender registry, depending on the specific requirements of the role. A conviction record does not automatically disqualify an applicant from employment consideration, unless otherwise required by applicable state law.