SOUTH COAST AQMD AND JOB OVERVIEW ABOUT SOUTH COAST AQMD South Coast Air Quality Management District (South Coast AQMD) is one of the largest and most technologically sophisticated environmental regulatory agencies in the Nation. We serve a four-county region that includes large areas of Los Angeles, Orange County, Riverside and San Bernardino counties, including the Coachella Valley, which is home to more than 17 million people. South Coast AQMD's headquarters is located in Diamond Bar, 30 miles east of downtown Los Angeles, at the junction of the 57 and 60 freeways. With a highly diverse "Clean Air Team" of over 850 employees, an annual budget of $211.4 million, and a state-of-the art air quality laboratory, our mission is to ensure clean air and a healthy environment. South Coast AQMD is an organization you can be proud to work for -- we make a difference in the quality of life in Southern California!
ABOUT THIS POSITION Reporting to the Controller, the Senior Accountant is responsible for the development and enhancement of automated internal accounting system design and procedures, including monitoring internal control procedures and consulting with IT staff on in-house custom-developed computerized systems. Major responsibilities include managing financial accounts system including capital asset management, analysis and verification of financial statements, and overseeing accounting unit.
The Senior Accountant develops accounting systems and procedures according to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP); researches and compiles financial data to determine South Coast AQMD's financial and investment status; performs professional accounting duties and consults with department staff on daily accounting activities. In addition, the incumbent will oversee the Accounting/Accounts Payable section of the Finance division which will include responsibility for, but is not limited to:
- Coordinating ongoing month and fiscal year-end closing and State audits.
- Working closely with other divisions and outside agencies and institutions on related South Coast AQMD financial transactions.
- Working with the different units on taxes and preparing the annual/quarterly tax returns.
- Assisting the Controller for the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR), state reports, and other reports as required. Respond and provide information to the external auditors.
- Overseeing full-cycle accounting and accounts payable process, including vendor payment, vendor records, 1099 forms.
- Maintains the general ledger accounting across all funds, including review, analysis, prepare journal entries, and reconciling governmental funds accounts and activities to the general ledger.
- Prepares complex financial reports, trial balances, adjusting entries, and fiscal year closing adjustments.
- Responsible for the accounting month and fiscal year end closing.
EXAMPLE OF DUTIESThe general Example of Duties for this classification are highlighted below, for full description of duties please refer to the job description linked here .
- Overseeing daily posting of revenues received, reconciliation and ensuring prompt bank deposits
- Develops and updates accounting systems and establishes procedures for internal accounting control according to GAAP. Recommends systems and procedures and consults with Information Management staff in developing automated system designs and applications.
- Develops accounting data formats and works with accounting staff and other divisions in coordinating methods and frequency in submitting financial data to determine and report cash flow projections.
- Analyzes portfolios of money market instruments and recommends investment of short-term funds. Contacts bank and investment counselors to maximize investment yields to the extent consistent with the preservation of capital and the maintenance of liquidity.
- Examines, analyzes, and verifies financial documents to reconcile accounts, warrants and cash. Assures prompt and accurate reconciliation of receivables, refunds, and customer deposits, and that amounts are properly booked and reviewed.
- Assures all fixed assets are recorded and that periodic inventories are taken, properly disposing of fixed assets as required.
- Analyzes and interprets accounting provisions of laws, regulations and policies and recommends procedures for their implementation. Reviews South Coast AQMD regulations, rules and ordinances to assess financial impact on cash flow.
- Confers with Customer Service and Billing Services staff on problems affecting billings and interfaces with the Accounting Section.
- Prepares a variety of regular and special financial reports, both narrative and statistical.
MINIMUM AND DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS: In addition to the Minimum Qualifications , which follow, the most competitively qualified candidates will possess:
- A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in accounting, finance, business administration or a closely related field.
- At least three (3) years of professional-level accounting experience.
- Current Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license or similar professional certification.
- Experience working in a government agency or performing government agency audits.
- Demonstrated experience and working knowledge of computer-based automated accounting, payroll, and cash management systems.
- Proficiency with related computer applications and various tools for data analysis, research and report preparation.
- Proven ability to evaluate, investigate and resolve accounting, payroll and other tax issues.
- Training and experience that demonstrate a thorough knowledge and understanding of accounting, payroll, and cash management principles and practices.
- Demonstrated project management and lead or supervisory experience.
- Exceptional writing, analytical and oral presentation skills.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Training and experience which would demonstrate possession of the knowledge and ability in developing accounting systems and procedures; knowledge of the principles, methods and practices of finance and governmental accounting and auditing.
Ability to develop and produce accounting systems and procedures in accordance with GAAP; research and compile financial data and make cash flow projections; research portfolios of money market instruments and recommend investment of short term funds; analyze accounting problems, recommend solutions and take effective courses of action; perform the full range of accounting duties and prepare financial reports; establish and maintain cooperative relations with South Coast AQMD staff and others contacted in the course of work.
Evidence of the required knowledge, skills and abilities may be demonstrated, in part, by graduation from an accredited college or university with a major in accounting, finance, business or a related field, including the completion of core courses in accounting, cost accounting or government accounting; and demonstrated experience to analyze, evaluate and develop accounting systems and functions.
OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION APPLICATION PACKETS MUST INCLUDE A completed employment application covering at least the past 10 years of employment history (or longer if you have other relevant experience), and your entire South Coast AQMD employment history if you are a South Coast AQMD employee. Up to four references which include the names and phone numbers of your present and past supervisors or managers, and/or college professors or persons for whom you have directly provided services,
not peers . Responses to the Supplemental Questionnaire (SQ). The SQ is a form of written test and will be evaluated as such. Your responses should be well written, clear, concise, and directly responsive to the question. An unofficial copy of your transcripts (or equivalency evaluation if your education was obtained outside the U.S.), documenting all qualifying education claimed, submitted as an attachment to your online application* .
*You
MUST submit acceptable documentation for all education claimed on your application. Acceptable documentation consists of an unofficial copy of your transcripts/equivalency evaluation attached to your application .
At a later date, candidates under final consideration will be required to arrange for original, official transcripts (or equivalency evaluation, if applicable) to be mailed directly from their college/university to South Coast AQMD, documenting all education claimed on their application.
Job applications must be completely filled out. Aresume cannot be substituted for the required information . Be sure to detail any education, training or other relevant coursework that would make you a particularly strong candidate.
THE SELECTION PROCESS Application packages, including responses to the Supplemental Questionnaire, will first be screened, and the most competitively qualified candidates will be invited to the next step of the process, which may include a writing exercise, oral assessment and/or panel interview (weighted at 100%).
Following the assessment process, an unranked eligible list, in alphabetical order, is expected to be created, from which current and future Senior Accountant vacancies may be filled, during the 6-12 month life of the list. Only those who demonstrate they are among the most competitively qualified, at each successive step of the selection process, will be advanced to the next step. (Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee an invitation to the next step.)
South Coast AQMD reserves the right to add, delete, and modify any elements of the selection process as deemed appropriate, based on the number and quality of applicants at each step.
Important note for potential candidates who do not have the continued and unrestricted right to work full time in the United States: If you currently, or will in the future, require sponsorship (i.e., H1-B Visa) in order to maintain your right to work in the United States, please be aware that decisions regarding sponsorship for maintaining a right to work in the United States are made on a case-by-case basis. You are welcome to participate in this recruitment process, but there is no guarantee that a job offer with the requested sponsorship will be made to you.
South Coast AQMD reserves the right to add, delete, or modify any elements of the selection process as deemed appropriate, based on the number and quality of applicants at each step.
Candidates who may need accommodations during the selection process must call the Human Resources Department at least one week prior to any test dates.
If you have any questions regarding this recruitment, please contact the Human Resources Department at (909) 396-2800.
CONFIDENTIAL EMPLOYEE BENEFIT OVERVIEW BENEFIT DESCRIPTION Monthly Benefit Allotment $2,060, to purchase medical, dental, and life insurance, with unused portion paid to you as cash. Your insurance coverage becomes effective on the first of the month following completion of 30 days of continuous service. Dependent children may be covered to age 26 on medical, dental and vision plans.
Medical Health Plans Blue Shield PPO
Blue Shield PPO Savings Plus 2250 (High Deductible Plan)
Blue Shield HMO
Kaiser HMO
Kaiser HSA HMO 1500 (High Deductible Plan)
Dental Plans Delta Dental PPO (without orthodontic benefits)
Delta Dental PPO (with orthodontic benefits for children only)
DeltaCare (PMI) Dental
Vision Plan EyeMed - Optional
Life Insurance $25,000 Term Life Insurance
(Optional additional life insurance, paid by you, at 1X, 2X, or 3X your salary)
Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Claremont EAP, powered by Uprise Health. EAP benefits are avilable to all employees and their families at no cost. The EAP offers confidential advice, support, and practical solutions to real-life issues. Services offered: confidential therapy, 24-hour crisis help and online peer support group.
Accidental Death & Dismemberment Optional
Long-Term Disability Coverage Paid by South Coast AQMD
Employee-Paid Long-Term Care Plan Optional
Section 125 Optional Plans (Medical Reimbursement; Dependent Care)
Work Schedule Four 10-hour days, Tuesday through Friday
Vacation 80 hours per year, increasing to 120 after five years
Holidays 13 paid holidays per year
Administrative Leave 10 hours per year
Sick Leave 100 hours per year
Other Leaves Bereavement; Jury Duty; Military; Witness
Tuition Reimbursement Reimbursed up to $5,000 per year
Deferred Compensation (457 Plan) South Coast AQMD matches, dollar for dollar, 100% of your regular contribution, up to the $8,800 maximum for regular plan
Retirement 2.5% @ 67 defined benefit plan - Applies to employees hired on or after January 1, 2013 who, at time of hire, were not members of the San Bernardino County Employees' Retirement Association (SBCERA) or another public employee retirement system through which reciprocity may be established.
2.0% @ 55 defined benefit plan - Applies to employees who, prior to January 1, 2013, were active members of SBCERA or another public employee retirement system through which reciprocity may be established.
Employees pay only the Medicare portion of Social Security.
01/01/2024Closing Date/Time: 9/6/2024 11:59 PM Pacific
