Definition
Performs advanced professional accounting work and leads assigned accounting functions or financial process areas; performs related work as required.
The work examples and competencies listed below are for illustrative purposes only and not intended to be the primary basis for position classification decisions.
Work Examples
Assists supervisor by performing such duties as instructing employees, answering questions, distributing and balancing the workload, and checking work; may make suggestions on selection, promotions, and reassignments.
Leads assigned accounting functions or financial operations, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and compliance with applicable standards.
Analyzes complex financial data, trends, and variances to identify issues, risks, and underlying causes.
Resolves highly complex or sensitive accounting issues, including those involving multiple funding sources, regulatory requirements, or system impacts.
Interprets accounting standards, policies, and regulations to determine appropriate treatment of financial transactions.
Establishes and maintains internal controls to ensure the integrity and reliability of financial information.
Develops, implements, and revises accounting procedures and guidance to improve consistency and compliance.
Reviews and approves complex reconciliations, journal entries, and financial reports.
Provides technical guidance and professional consultation to staff and stakeholders on complex accounting issues, policies, and procedures.
Coordinates and supports audits, including responding to complex findings and implementing corrective actions.
Evaluates accounting processes and recommends improvements to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and risk mitigation.
Directs and reviews the work of general and budgetary accounting, contracts and federal aid, payroll, auditing and/or principal fiscal units in a large agency; coordinates the operations of these units with other departmental and state activities.
Plans, directs, and/or participates in the maintenance of a specialized accounting system such as a large investment program or cost accounting system; directs preparation of periodic balances and reports, preparation and distribution of checks, and related activities.
Directs the compilation of financial data necessary for annual and other reports requested by department, other state, and federal officials; prepares special reports.
Competencies Required
- Knowledge:
Economics and Accounting – Economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking, and the analysis and reporting of financial data.
Law and Government – Laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
- English Language – The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
- Mathematics – Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
- Administration and Management – Business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
- Abilities:
Law and Government – Understand and adhere to applicable laws, legal codes, administrative rules, and regulations.
- Written Expression – Communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
- Written Comprehension – Read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
Speech Clarity – Speak clearly so others can understand.
- Speech Recognition – Identify and understand the speech of another person.
- Near Vision – See details at close range (within a few feet of observer).
Oral Expression – Communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Deductive Reasoning – Apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Inductive Reasoning – Combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions.
Information Ordering – Arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
Problem Sensitivity – Tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
- Skills:
- Reading Comprehension – Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Active Listening – Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Critical Thinking – Using logic and reasoning to identify strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Speaking – Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Writing – Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Judgment and Decision Making – Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Complex Problem Solving – Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Monitoring – Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Active Learning – Understanding implications of new information for both current and future problem solving and decision-making.
Coordination – Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions.
Service Orientation – Actively looking for ways to help people.
Social Perceptiveness – Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Minimum Qualification Requirements
Applicants must meet at least one of the following minimum requirements to qualify for positions in this job classification:
Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in accounting, business administration, or finance, and experience equal to two and a half years of full-time work in accounting, accounts examination or verification, budgeting, or closely-related fiscal work.
Six and a half years of full-time work experience in accounting, accounts examination or verification, budgeting, or closely-related fiscal work.
A total of six and a half years of education and/or full-time experience (as described in number one), where thirty semester hours of accredited college or university coursework in accounting, business administration, or finance field equals one year of full-time experience.
Possession of a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) certificate, and experience equal to eighteen months of full-time work in accounting, accounts examination or verification, budgeting, or closely-related fiscal work.
Employees with current continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes eighteen months of full-time experience as an Accountant.
Effective date: 09/26 SA