Accountant III

About the role

The County of Santa Barbara is currently accepting applications to fill Accountant III vacancies. The current vacancies are in the Behavioral Wellness, Public Works, and Social Services Departments. Although the current vacancies listed are in Santa Barbara, the established employment list may also be used for future Full-Time, Part-Time, and Extra-Help Accountant III vacancies in Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, Carpinteria, and Lompoc.

Responsibilities

• Prepares or verifies a variety of complex accounting, statistical, and narrative statements or reports requiring extensive analysis and interpretation of data.
• Establishes and maintains new departmental accounting processes and procedures; makes recommendations on the implementation of departmental accounting system improvements to increase efficiency and effectiveness; establishes and maintains effective accounting controls.
• Participates in the preparation, evaluation, justification, and maintenance of budgets and budgetary controls; confers and cooperates with Auditor-Controller staff and systems analysts to implement and improve automated fiscal systems.
• Prepares, reviews, and monitors grants, contracts, claims and other fiscal agreements and proposals.
• Prepares financial statements, balance sheets, income and expense reports, and cash flow analyses for general funds, internal service funds, or major programs.
• Trains, supervises, and evaluates clerical and paraprofessional staff; may supervise professional staff.
• Recommend rates and fees based on cost accounting analysis.
• Reviews and analyzes proposed and new regulations and legislation impacting revenues; prepares recommendations regarding alternatives available to minimize fiscal impact.

Requirements

The ideal candidate will possess 5 or more years of professional accounting experience, with knowledge of Governmental Accounting and more specifically in Enterprise Fund Accounting. They must also have the ability to work independently, organize and prioritize work, and meet critical deadlines. Excellent interpersonal skills, communication skills, and the ability to handle difficult situations with tact and diplomacy are essential. The candidate should also have experience in Microsoft Office Suite products, research and prepare reports to assist external and internal auditors, and generate periodic accounting or statistical reports to management or regulatory agencies.

Qualifications

• Possession of a bachelor’s degree in accounting, business administration, or related field, and two years of professional accounting experience; OR,
• One year of experience performing duties equivalent to the class of Accountant II with Santa Barbara County; OR,
• A combination of training, education, and experience that is equivalent to one of the employment standards listed above and that provides the required knowledge and abilities.

Skills

• Knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles, practices and procedures including cost accounting.
• Ability to plan, initiate and complete work assignments with a minimum of direction.
• Understand and apply legal requirements and administrative policies to departmental accounting functions.
• Interpret and analyze complex fiscal data and draw logical conclusions.
• Detect possible weaknesses of internal control of standard accounting procedures and recommend revisions.
• Verbal communication accounting procedures and policies to staff and others.
• Write memos and reports clearly and concisely.
• Use personal computer applications including spreadsheet software.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Use personal computer applications including word processing and database software.
• Possession of a valid certificate as a Certified Public Accountant.

Benefits

For more information on County benefits, please visit here. In addition, applicants from other public sector employers may qualify for:

• Retirement reciprocity
• Time and service credit towards an advanced vacation accrual rate

Pay

Salary: $94,621.28 - $113,842.56 Annually DOE/DOQ

Schedule

The work schedule for this position will depend upon the needs of the Department.