Accounting Analyst I/II

Description

WHAT WE OFFER

• Educational Incentive - An educational incentive of 2.5% for completion of an associate's degree, 3.5% for completion of a bachelor's degree, OR 5% for completion of a graduate's degree.
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Incentive - An incentive of 5% of base pay may be paid for an active CPA Certification. An incumbent may receive the educational Incentive or the CPA Incentive whichever is higher. Both cannot be received at the same time.
• Bi-lingual Incentive - Incumbents may also be eligible for bilingual incentive depending upon operational needs and certification skills.
• Vacation Accrual - New regular, full-time employees shall receive advanced annual leave credit of 7 biweekly pay periods; this advancement shall be balanced upon completion of 7 biweekly pay periods of service or upon earlier separation. The first 5 years of services annual leave accrues at 8 hours per payment period; beyond 5 years of service it increases to 11.08 hours per pay period with a maximum balance of 880 hours.
• Annual Leave Redemption - The ability to "cash in" or redeem up to 100 hours of vacation accrued in the same year after using 80 hours of vacation in the preceding 12 months.
• Deferred Compensation - Eligible to participate in the County's 401(k) Shared Savings Plan and/or the Section 457 Plan. This position is eligible for up to a 3% match on your 401(k) contributions.
• Health Plans - You are afforded a flexible credit allowance for purchasing medical, dental, and/or vision insurance from a group of authorized plans. Tier one for employee only is $509 per pay period, tier two for employee plus one is $779 per pay period and tier three for employee plus family is $983 per pay period.
• Flexible Spending Accounts - Choice of participation in the Flexible Spending Accounts which increase spending power through reimbursement of pre-tax dollars for IRS approved dependent care and health care expenses.
• Pension Plan - Both the County and employees contribute to the County's Retirement Plan and to Social Security. If eligible, reciprocity may be established with other public retirement systems, such as PERS.
• Holidays - 12 paid days per year which includes a scheduled floating holiday.

THE AUDITOR-CONTROLLER'S OFFICE
By State Law, the Auditor-Controller is charged with the responsibilities normally associated with that of the Chief Financial Officer. The office is charged with the establishment and supervision of the accounting and financial operations of all activities under control of the Board of Supervisors. The Auditor-Controller provides the County with professional fiscal leadership to protect the interests of the citizens of Ventura County; promotes public oversight; and provides accountability. These services are performed in a customer oriented, efficient, economical, and effective manner.

THE POSITION
The Financial Planning Division is responsible to provide cash management, prepare cash analysis and short-term cash flow projections, and administers the annual short-term borrowing program and other county financings. The section, also, reconciles cash for all funds on a daily and monthly basis, prepares and distributes interest apportionment, and maintains deposit records for funds in the County Treasury. It performs debt administration and coordinates the Public Financing Authority (PFA) audit and complies the County budget for filing in accordance with Government Code. It provides county-wide training, testing, and guidance for the debt and accounts receivable modules and the new Software Based Information Technology Assets (GASB 96).

Under general supervision (I), direction (II), the Finance Analyst conducts studies to evaluate existing fiscal controls, accounting standards, and/or legislative impact for the Financial Reporting Division of the Auditor-Controller's Office; performs countywide oversight duties and coordinates multi-agency fiscal programs/systems; develops recommendations/strategies to address structural accounting issues and options. Coordinates the implementation of new/upgraded accounting/financial systems or programs that cross over multiple agencies.

Each successive level in the Finance Analyst series is distinguished by the scope of independence and responsibility with the level being commensurate with the complexity of tasks, special projects and studies assigned.

Finance Analyst I
At the entry level, the emphasis is on learning the operations and processes related to Financial Reporting conducting simple to moderate fiscal studies that are limited in scope and complexity. Work typically involves a well-defined segment of a major program, or is guided by well precedented projects. As experience is gained, and over a period of time, incumbents will assume the increasingly responsible duties associated with the full journey level of the series; however, formal assignment to the journey level is at the discretion and approval of management.

Finance Analyst II
This is the fully experienced journey-level competent to independently perform the full range of duties assigned and conducts fiscal studies that are difficult in nature requiring an in-depth and practical knowledge and skill in applying this knowledge to the analysis and development of new solutions, methods, approaches or procedures.

The successful candidate must possess knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and proficiency with Microsoft Office applications such as Excel and Word.

IDEAL CANDIDATE: Will demonstrate strong analytical skills, the ability to evaluate and reconcile financial data from multiple sources, the ability to understand, interpret and apply professional principles/standards, working knowledge of large automated financial systems, have experience in governmental accounting, the ability to act as team lead, and a desire to continually expand his/her knowledge in the areas of accounting.

PAYROLL TITLES AND APPROXIMATE SALARIES:
Finance Analyst I: $37.65 - $51.48 / hourly
Finance Analyst II: $3,346.52 - $4,685.12 / biweekly

NOTE: If appointed at the lower level, incumbent may be promoted to the higher level without further examination upon meeting the minimum requirements, demonstrating satisfactory performance, and in accordance with the business needs of the department.

The Financial Analyst I is a Management non-exempt classification and is eligible for overtime compensation. The Financial Analyst II is a Management exempt classification and is not eligible for overtime compensation.

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE
OPENING DATE: Monday, February 24, 2025
CLOSING DATE: Continuous and may close at any time; therefore, the schedule for the remainder of the process will depend upon when we receive a sufficient number of qualified applications to meet business needs.
REVIEW OF APPLICATIONS: Applications will be reviewed on a weekly basis beginning the week of March 03, 2025.

Examples Of Duties

Duties at the I level are limited in nature, initially under close supervision, relate to routine tasks and include assisting and/or learning about the fiscal policies, procedures, systems, operations and functions in the Financial Planning Division. At the II level tasks are more complex and performed with more independence.

Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Manages Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) 96 SBITA and/or GASB 87 Lease accounting for the County of Ventura; reviews subscription/lease agreements to determine appropriate accounting treatment; assist in reviewing annual SBITA and Lease survey results;
• Assists in the preparation of the County's Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) including preparation of fund financial statements and corresponding reconciliations of fund balance, related cash and trust entries, accrued liabilities, deferred revenues and other necessary adjustments;
• Reviews and centrally approves various documents in the County's financial management system, VCFMS, including CR, JV, IET, APEB, BGRV, etc., provides technical advice to Countywide departments to ensure accurate financial reporting in compliance with GAAP, Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) statements, Government Codes, legislation, local ordinances, Board actions, rules and regulations;
• Assigned Financial Management oversight of financial activities of agencies with complex funding streams and operations; responsibilities include, but are not limited to reviewing and monitoring of budgets, reviewing and monitoring of current financial activities based on current trends and historical data; recommends adjustments, if necessary, making sure that the financial activities are in compliance with GAAP or GASB, and in accordance with existing legislation, ordinance or any board actions;
• Reviews and make comments or suggestions on Board Letters taking into consideration the fiscal impact of any recommendation therein and verifying corresponding mandates or legislations referred thereto;
• Interprets new legislations or pronouncements released by authoritative bodies such as GASB, state and federal entities, ordinances and instructions;
• Reviews, proofreads, and reconciles draft ACFR for any discrepancies in amounts, calculations, totals, references, spellings, sources and general presentation prior to publication; reviews and reconciles Department Budget Report of Revenues and Expenditures, a report supplementary to ACFR; prepares reconciliation of County-wide inter fund transactions for consolidation to the ACFR;
• Researches and analyzes changes in legislation, Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB), State Controller's Manual, Governmental Accounting, Auditing and Financial Reporting, Federal Office of Management and Budget (OMB) guidelines and the County Budget Act;
• Advises and coordinates with departments/agencies on new accounting structure, classifications, internal controls and reporting requirements;
• Assigned special projects;
• Lead responsibility for Countywide central cash management and banking functions of the Financial Planning Section including laser check printing, state check management, stale check reissues, wire transfers, central cash receipts, daily and monthly cash reconciliation; manage quarterly interest apportionment, Cash Projections, interfund loans and Countywide trust/agency funds;
• Performs other related duties as required.

Typical Qualifications

These are entrance requirements to the examination and assure neither continuance in the process nor placement on the eligible list.

EDUCATION, TRAINING and EXPERIENCE
Considerable education and experience which has led to the acquisition of the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

The required knowledge, skills, and abilities can also be obtained by a Bachelor's degree with at least eighteen (18) semester units of accounting coursework including:

• Two (2) upper-division courses of Intermediate Accounting or similar coursework, and
• Six (6) units of upper-division coursework in the business administration field which may include accounting, business law, economics or other business coursework.

AND

Finance Analyst I
Four years (4) of progressively responsible professional experience as an accountant, auditor, or analyst which included responsibilities for accounting, financial reporting, auditing or cash management/banking.

Finance Analyst II
Five years (5) of progressively responsible professional experience as an accountant, auditor, or analyst which included responsibilities for accounting, financial reporting, auditing or cash management/banking; OR One (1) year as a Finance Analyst I for the County of Ventura.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Must possess and maintain a valid California driver license.

For this recruitment, the following experience is required:

• Financial Accounting using GAAP in a government or business-sector environment;
• Performing variance analysis;
• Reconciling financial data from multiple sources.

Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications such as Excel and Word;

Verification of the required college degree and 18 semester units of accounting coursework including: (1) two courses of upper-division Intermediate Accounting or similar coursework, and (2) six units of upper-division coursework in the business administration field which may include accounting, business law, economics or other business coursework.

• Submit your college transcripts/grade reports from an accredited college or university which shows your name, the conferred date of your degree and the major area of study; submit within 3 days of applying to this recruitment.
• Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
• If you need additional time to submit transcripts, contact the analyst conducting the recruitment for an extension.
• Degree(s) from a foreign institution require an academic credential evaluation to determine the U.S. equivalency.
• If the name on this documentation is different from the name on your application, include documents that show the name change (e.g., a marriage certificate).

NOTE: For this recruitment you must show that you have completed two (2) courses of upper-division Intermediate Accounting course-work or similar coursework covering the same material even if you otherwise qualify on County of Ventura work experience.

DESIRED
Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license.
Experience with:

• Reviewing, analyzing and interpreting changes in legislation affecting governmental financial operations;
• Project management;
• Leading, building, training and coaching teams;
• Time management, setting priorities, planning and organizing work and delegating when necessary.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, and ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

• Operations, services and activities in assigned fiscal program area;
• Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP);
• Laws and regulations affecting governmental financial operations;
• Application of automated systems for financial reporting and accounting purposes;
• Financial analysis control methods;
• Budgeting methods, techniques and processes;
• ACFR processes;
• Cash management and control methods, techniques and processes;
• Project management methods and processes.

Skill in:

• Applying financial principles and regulations to assigned fiscal program area;
• Reconciling financial statements, bank statements and other accounts;
• Preparing financial statements and other reports;
• Use of computers and related technology including software applications specific to work performed, such as Microsoft Office applications including Word and Excel;
• Time management, setting priorities, planning and organizing work and delegating when necessary.

Ability to:

• Perform complex analytical and critical examination of fiscal operations and activities;
• Train users in the operation of financial systems;
• Exercise sound judgment;
• Understand interrelationships among financial records and documents;
• Analyze financial/accounting data and draw logical conclusions;
• Analyze and evaluate administrative and abstract accounting concepts and procedures;
• Review, analyze and interpret changes in legislation;
• Understand, interpret and apply professional principles, standards and procedural requirements;
• Evaluate and reconcile financial data from multiple financial accounting systems and other sources;
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing;
• Conduct meetings to obtain agreement;
• Resolve issues and transfer knowledge in areas of responsibility;
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with a diverse group of people and work effectively with accounting staff Countywide.

Recruitment Process

FINAL FILING DATE: This is a continuous recruitment and may close at any time; therefore, apply as soon as possible if you are interested in it. Your application must be received by County of Ventura Human Resources no later than 5:00 p.m. on the closing date.

To apply on-line, please refer to our web site at www.ventura.org/jobs . A paper application can be obtained by calling (805) 654-5129. Our address is County of Ventura Human Resources Division, 800 South Victoria Avenue, L-1970, Ventura, CA 93009.

Note to Applicants: Sufficient information must be provided under the Education/Work Experience portions of the application and supplemental questionnaire to thoroughly and accurately demonstrate your qualifications to determine eligibility. A resume may be attached to supplement your responses in the above sections; however, it may not be submitted in lieu of the application.

NOTE: If presently permanently employed in another "merit" or "civil service" public agency/entity in the same or substantively similar position as is advertised, and if appointed to that position by successful performance in a "merit" or "civil service" style examination, then appointment by "Lateral Transfer" may be possible. If interested, please click here for additional information.

SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE - qualifying
All applicants are required to complete and submit the questionnaire for this exam at the time of filing. This questionnaire may be used throughout the examination process to assist in determining each applicant's qualifications and acceptability for the position. Failure to complete and submit the questionnaire may result in removal of the application from further consideration.

APPLICATION EVALUATION - qualifying
All applications will be reviewed to determine whether the stated requirements are met. Applicants meeting the stated requirements will be invited to continue to the next step in the recruitment process.

TRAINING and EXPERIENCE EVALUATION: A Training and Experience Evaluation (T&E) is a structured evaluation of the job application materials submitted by a candidate, including the written responses to the supplemental questionnaire. The T&E is NOT a determination of whether the candidate meets the stated requirements; rather, the T&E is one method for determining who are the better qualified among those who have shown that they meet the stated requirements. In a T&E, applications are either scored or rank ordered according to criteria that most closely meet the business needs of the department. Candidates are typically scored/ranked in relation to one another; consequently, when the pool of candidates is exceptionally strong, many qualified candidates may receive a score or rank which is moderate or even low resulting in them not being advanced in the process.

NOTE: The selection process will likely consist of an Oral Exam, which may be preceded by or replaced with a score from a Training and Experience Evaluation (T&E), contingent upon the size and quality of the candidate pool. In a typical T&E, your training and experience are evaluated in relation to the background, experience and factors identified for successful job performance during a job analysis. For this reason, it is recommended that your application materials clearly show your relevant background and specialized knowledge, skills, and abilities. It is also highly recommended that the supplemental questions within the application are completed with care and diligence. Candidates must earn a score of seventy percent (70%) or higher to qualify for placement on the eligible list.

ORAL EXAMINATION - 100%: A job-related oral examination may be conducted to evaluate and compare participating candidates' knowledge, skills, and abilities in relation to those factors which job analysis has determined to be essential for successful performance of the job. Candidates must earn a score of seventy percent (70%) or higher to qualify for placement on the eligible list.

If there are three (3) or fewer qualified applicants, an examination will not be conducted. Instead, a score of seventy percent (70%) will be assigned to each application, and each applicant will be placed on the eligible list.

ELIGIBLE LIST
Candidates successfully completing the examination process may be placed on an eligible list for a period of one (1) year.

The eligible list established from this recruitment may be used to fill present and future Regular (including Temporary, and Fixed-term), Extra Help and Intermittent vacancies for this position and similar positions only. There is currently one(1) Regular vacancy within the Auditor-Controller's Office.

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION
The selected candidate may be subjected to a thorough post-offer, pre-employment background investigation which may include inquiry into past employment, education, criminal background information, and driving record.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
The County of Ventura is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

For further information about this recruitment, please contact Esmeralda Oseguera by e-mail at Esmeralda.Oseguera@ventura.org or by telephone at (805) 477-7268.

YOUR BENEFITS AS A COUNTY OF VENTURA EMPLOYEE

MANAGEMENT

To learn more about Benefits, Retirement, and the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), see links below.

• Benefits website or you may call (805) 654-2570.
• Retirement FAQ's
• Memorandum of Agreement

Union Codes: MB3, MB4, MS, MT, MCC, MU

Closing Date/Time: Continuous

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• County of Ventura

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