District Accounting Analyst (3 vacancies)

Location: District Services, North Orange County Community College District

Full-time, 12 months per year

About the Role

Under general direction, serve as a lead accounting staff member in the district accounting department. Provide guidance and accounting support to other accounting staff on a regular basis. Independently perform a variety of advanced and complex accounting duties. Respond to complex accounting issues, develop recommendations for process improvement, and ensure procedures are in place to enable smooth and efficient workflow in the accounting department. Assist administration and management in ensuring the District complies with policies, procedures, rules, regulations, codes, and accounting standards.

This position is grant funded.

Responsibilities

• Serve as accounting lead responsible for overseeing the work of other accounting staff by prioritizing projects, delegating assignments, setting deadlines, reviewing work, and providing training and accounting guidance.
• Responsible for the daily planning and workflow of the department; lead or coordinate a team of staff in the analysis, completion, and validation of complex and technical projects; lead department staff meetings.
• Analyze and interpret accounting and financial reporting requirements of Federal, State, District, and other agencies; establish appropriate accounting procedures to comply with these requirements.
• Assist in the implementation of new governmental accounting standards.
• Perform, analyze, research, and review advanced technical calculations, reconciliations, and complex accounting problems; identify causes of discrepancies, corrective measures, and implement necessary changes in processes or procedures.
• Monitor monthly checklist of balance sheet reconciliations.
• Prepare quarterly fluctuation analysis of balance sheet, revenue, and expense accounts; identify and provide explanations for significant and unusual fluctuations and balances; recommend and implement corrective action as needed.
• Review and approve regular or recurring budget changes, transfers of expenditure, payroll redistributions, and journal entries for accuracy, completeness, proper authorization, and appropriate support.
• Review and approve year-end grants analysis and year-end entries.
• Assist management in maintaining the chart of accounts, including creating new funds, departments, accounts, programs, activity, and location codes in accordance with department policies and procedures.
• Prepare a variety of advanced and complex financial analyses, reports, schedules, and reconciliations requiring professional judgment for review by management.
• Monitor all District grant activities; develop and maintain a grants database; monitor financial reporting deadlines and follow up with staff as needed.
• Review and approve expenditure and financial reports related to grants and other specially funded projects for accuracy, completeness, and appropriate support.
• Review and approve invoices and drawdown requests related to grants and other specially funded projects.
• Respond to inquiries and surveys from external agencies such as the State Chancellor's Office, Department of Education, other grant sponsors, and auditors.
• Coordinate information and communications among the District, campus departments, the County, and external agencies to clarify and reconcile expenditures, allocations, and accounting issues or inconsistencies.
• Identify processes and procedures within Fiscal Affairs needing improvement, such as inefficiencies or gaps in internal controls; provide recommendations using a district-wide approach.
• Implement or assist management in implementing process improvements and new technologies within Fiscal Affairs, such as creating or redesigning department procedures, documenting procedures or training manuals, developing or modifying financial systems and applications, and developing and testing new system-generated financial reports.
• Collaborate with IT and other departments as needed.
• Lead IT projects for Fiscal Affairs on an assignment basis; review and evaluate proposals for new and existing technologies to ensure integrity of financial data and proper integration with other financial systems and applications.
• Develop specifications for IT projects, establish project milestones and timelines; participate in user acceptance testing, communicate changes, and provide training.
• Responsible for general maintenance of financial systems and applications as directed and in collaboration with IT.
• Perform the fiscal year-end close process in the District's financial system under general direction, including rolling ending balances and encumbrances in the Banner financial system.
• Design and evaluate data collection procedures; serve in a lead role to provide direction, training, and review of data input by staff into department database or application systems related to required reporting (e.g., CCFS 311 Annual report, IPEDS reporting).
• Assist management with district-wide training on various fiscal affairs topics; prepare and deliver presentations as needed.
• Serve as a liaison to external auditors; compile and develop necessary financial and narrative data in preparation for the audit.
• Stay abreast of federal, state, and local laws, codes, governmental accounting standards, and regulatory requirements related to accounting, audit, grants, and tax reporting.
• Learn and apply emerging technologies and advances (e.g., computer software applications) as necessary to perform duties in an efficient, organized, and timely manner.
• Participate in District/College efforts to increase the diversity of faculty and staff and address student achievement gaps; assist in creating a welcoming and inclusive work and educational environment; attend and participate in diversity, equity, and inclusion trainings and events.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution with a major in business, accounting, finance, or a related field.
• Minimum of six years of increasingly responsible accounting experience.
• Commitment to diversity; demonstrated sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds of community college students, faculty, and staff.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience in governmental, fund, and/or grant accounting.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
• Experience identifying and implementing process improvements.
• Experience providing excellent customer service to a diverse population.
• Prior experience approaching work and interactions with colleagues and/or students in an equity-minded manner.
• Ability to provide an inclusive and welcoming work/educational environment.

Skills

• Knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
• Knowledge of principles and procedures of Governmental and Fund Accounting.
• Knowledge of budgetary methods and cost analysis.
• Knowledge of accounting and auditing principles, practices, and procedures.
• Knowledge of applicable sections of the State Education Code and other applicable laws.
• Knowledge of computer-based accounting systems.
• Knowledge of District organization, operations, policies, and objectives.
• Knowledge of correct English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation, and vocabulary.
• Knowledge of bookkeeping and record-keeping procedures.
• Knowledge of appropriate software and databases.
• Ability to perform specialized, complex, and technical accounting work requiring independent judgment and initiative.
• Ability to train, coordinate, plan, prioritize, and organize a large volume of work for other accounting staff.
• Ability to compile, analyze, and verify numbers, data, and financial and statistical information.
• Ability to interpret, apply, and explain laws, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Ability to prepare clear, concise, and complete oral and written reports.
• Ability to develop and provide oral and written presentations and trainings as requested.
• Ability to analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action.
• Ability to plan, organize, and prioritize work.
• Ability to meet schedules and timelines.
• Ability to work independently with little direction and complete assignments with minimal detailed instruction.
• Ability to identify areas within the department needing improvement, provide recommendations, and lead process improvements collaboratively.
• Ability to take a district-wide approach to problem-solving.
• Ability to understand and follow oral and written directions.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to train and provide work direction to others.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.

Pay

$8,749 - $10,591 per month

Schedule

Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM. Schedule and shift are subject to change in accordance with department needs.

District employees can apply for the Flexible/Hybrid Work Program, working a hybrid schedule of remote work and in-person each week. Approval and number of in-person days may vary by position/department.