Become a Senior Accounting Officer (Specialist)

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  Entry Level
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  Supervisory
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  Full Time
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  Seasonal
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  Benefits Eligible

This is the second journeyperson level in the series.

Senior Accounting Officer (Specialist)

Incumbents, under general direction of an Accounting Administrator, independently perform the more difficult accounting duties which require an understanding of the entire accounting process, such as coordinate implementation of accounting for new programs/functions; review proposals to change accounting procedures; prepare cash analysis reports for management; coordinate completion of year-end reports. Assignments at this level may involve responsibilities which impact the entire accounting operation and may be given broad discretion in the solution of problems.

Incumbents may have considerable contact with the accounting administrators or the chief accounting officer for the department, departmental management, budget section, State control agencies.

Incumbents in this class have no supervisory responsibilities, but may serve as a lead for lower level accounting personnel.

This classification is eligible for the following pay:

$5,855 - $7,549 (paid every month)

In addition to the above pay items, employees are eligible for medical benefits (health, dental, vision) and may be eligible for other differentials.

Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website. 

Minimum Qualifications

Either I
One year of experience in the California state service performing the duties of a professional accounting class equivalent in level to Accounting Officer (Specialist) or Accounting Officer (Supervisor).

Or II
Experience: Three years of increasingly responsible professional accounting or auditing experience in a governmental or private setting. For at least one year, this responsibility must have included the reporting and analyses of accounts, records, funds and financial operations of the entity. [Experience in the California state service applied toward this requirement must include at least one year performing the duties of a class at a level of responsibility not less than that of Accounting Officer (Specialist) or Accounting Officer (Supervisor).]

And
Education:  

Either I
Equivalent to graduation from college, with specialization in accounting. (Registration as a Senior Student in a recognized institution will admit applicants to the examination, but they must produce evidence of successful completion of the curriculum and the prescribed courses before they may be considered eligible for appointment.)

Or II
Completion of a prescribed professional accounting curriculum given by a residence or correspondence school of accountancy, including courses in elementary and advanced accounting, auditing, cost accounting and business law.

Or III
Completion of the equivalent of 19 semester hours of course work; 16 hours of which shall be professional accounting courses given by a collegiate-grade residence institution, including courses in elementary and advanced accounting, auditing, and cost accounting; and three semester hours of business law.

(Persons who will complete work requirements outlined under II and III above during the current quarter or semester will be admitted to the examination, but they must produce evidence of successful completion of the curriculum and the prescribed courses before they may be considered eligible for appointment.) Successful completion of the State Fund Accounting Course administered by the Department of Finance, shall receive credit for three semester hours toward the required accounting courses.

Knowledge:
Accounting principles and procedures; governmental accounting and budgeting; the uniform accounting system and financial organization and procedures of the State of California and related laws, rules, and regulations; principles of business management, including office methods and procedures; principles of public finance; business law.

Ability to:
Apply accounting principles and procedures; analyze data and draw sound conclusions; analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action; prepare clear, complete, and concise reports; make sound decisions and recommendations in regard to the professional accounting problems in maintaining control of a departmental budget; establish and maintain cooperative relations with those contacted in the work; and speak and write effectively.

Special Personal Characteristic
Ability to qualify for a fidelity bond.