Accounting, Accounting Policies, Accounting Software, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Analysis Skills, Billing, Bond Market, Budget Management, Budget Reporting, Centralized Operations/Management, Corrective Action, Cross-Functional, Customer Support/Service, Data Processing, Depreciation, Disbursements, Disciplinary Action, Documentation, Driver's License, English Language, Expense Reports, Expense Tracking, Federal Laws and Regulations, Finance, Finance Software, Financial Administration, Financial Analysis, Financial Audit, Financial Control, Financial Management, Financial Reporting, Fixed Asset Management, Fixed Assets, Fund Accounting, General Ledger Accounting, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Generally Accepted Auditing Standards (GAAS), Grant Administration/Management, Grant Audit, Head of Finance, Identify Issues, Interpersonal Skills, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Windows Operating System, Microsoft Word, Multitasking, Office Equipment, Operating Systems, Operational Support, PC (Personal Computer) Systems, People Management, Performance Analysis, Performance Management, Performance Reviews, Policy Development, Privacy Controls, Problem Solving Skills, Project/Program Management, Public/Media/Press/Analyst Relations, Purchasing/Procurement, Reconciliation, Regulations, Reimbursement, Spreadsheets, Staff Corrective Action, Staff Training, State Laws and Regulations, Systems Maintenance, Technical Writing, Time Management, Word Processing
Position: Lead AccountantSalary: $36.00 -$38.00 per hour DOESchedule: Full-time with BenefitsClosing Date: Open Until FilledDepartment: AccountingAdministrator: Trista BesichEducation/Experience/Training:- Bachelor’s degree in Finance or Accounting or a closely related field; AND- Minimum of four (4) years’ fiscal management experience;AND- Minimum of three (3) years’ supervisory experience.- OR- A combination of experience and training that provides an equivalent scope of knowledge and skills.Certifications:- Valid Driver’s License issued by the State of Montana;Job SummaryThe Lead Accountant for the Cascade County Accounting Department (Accounting) oversees and coordinates centralized accounting functions for County operations and other assigned offices and departments. The Lead Accountant ensures that the County’s accounting practices and policies are followed and provides routine operational support for County-wide financial functions such as fixed asset acquisition and management, fund account builds and assignment, financial audit reconciliation and preparation, interservice billing, and other cross functional processes. The Lead Accountant assists in fund reconciliations and other complex analytical efforts to support County-wide financial efforts. In collaboration with Controller, the Lead Accountant works to ensure preparation and completion of the annual fiscal audit and other regulatory audits, grants and reports. The Lead Accountant assists in the management and maintenance of accounting systems, software, accounts and reports utilized for routine management and use within a centralized accounting structure. The Lead Accountant assists the Controller in ensuring routine expense reports are processed and prepared for Board of County Commission (BOC) and other meetings as directed. The Lead Accountant assists in payable and receivable functions in offices and departments throughout the County, as needed or directed. This position will function in a mid-management capacity with regard to Accounting staff to include training, evaluation of such personnel, monitoring and reporting performance deficiencies and policy violations to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), participating in and making recommendations with regard to employee discipline and corrective action and performance improvement activities The Lead Accountant will function as a backup to other County Accountants, perform accounting functions and provide accounting assistance in other County offices/departments as part of the County’s centralized accounting operation, and perform other duties as required or assigned to support Accounting operational needs.Essential Job Duties and ResponsibilitiesSupports Accountants and Accountant Technicians in various County offices and departments in all functions of centralized accounting operations; Advises Accountants and Account Technicians on technical issues relating to accounting operations; Performs supervisory duties of Accounting staff through the assessment and evaluation of the work performance of staff, participation and recommendation with regard to employee discipline activities and corrective action and performance improvement activities, and provides support, guidance and training to staff; Coordinates workflow to ensure Accounting functions are completed correctly and all backup documentation is in order and correct; Provides input and makes recommendations with regard to policy development recommendations related to Accounting protocol and compliance related issues; In collaboration with Controller, ensures the fixed asset system is up to date, all information from County offices and departments is correctly entered, and backup is complete, records new assets, enters transfers and disposals, runs depreciation at year end, balances fixed assets to the G/L at year-end and provides outside auditors with reports and documentation, coordinates yearly fixed asset inventory and enters adjustments; Enters accounts payable batches and ensures approvals are done in a timely matter daily, prints and distributes checks; In the absence of the Controller, provides BOC weekly agenda reports on accounts payable and payroll; Responsible for payments or receivables on behalf of identified offices and departments, task forces, grants or miscellaneous programs and services and sends monthly financial reports to the agencies which may include Solid Waste, Indigent Services, Veteran’s Burial Services, DUI Task Force, Public Auction, or other programs as identified; Assists Accountants and offices and departments with modification and appropriation request preparation as needed; Works closely with the County IT Department and New World to identify and resolve issues with financial software; Assists with training in financial software for new systems and/or new users; Voids or reissues checks as needed; Issues indemnity bonds when needed; Creates new accounts for offices and departments in compliance with BARS, policy, procedures, managers and CFO’s directives; Creates year-end spreadsheets on internal service activity; Assists vendors and offices and departments in identifying unknown payables or receivables; Performs other duties as required or assigned to support Accounting operational needs.Knowledge and understanding of: Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), practices and standards; Generally Accepted Auditing Standards (GAAS); State of Montana’s Budgetary Accounting and Reporting System (BARS); Governmental fiscal administrative processes such as budget development and disbursement, rate setting, accounting, grant administration and purchasing; County and departmental policies, procedures, standards and guidelines; County, state and federal confidentiality, privacy and security laws, rules, policies, guidelines and practices; Supervisory techniques, principles and practices; Intermediate to advanced software knowledge in Microsoft Office including Word, Excel, Internet and Outlook; Customer service techniques and public relations; Supervisory principles and practices; County safety rules, procedures and practices; English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation. Applicable Montana Code Annotated codes, rules and regulations; In depth knowledge of computerized financial software, Word, Excel, Outlook; Basic office equipment.Skills in: Use computer and data processing technology as applied to financial, accounting and auditing utilizations; Operate a personal computer using word processing, financial spreadsheets, specialized accounting and database applications appropriate to assigned duties; Engage in effective and professional interpersonal communication; Engage in efficient organization, time management, planning and accuracy; Engage in effective and professional customer service and public relations; Advanced skills in Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook, Windows, and other routine operating systems.Ability to: Manage a program of accounting and fiscal services and controls; Evaluate the soundness of financial practices; Determine whether practices comply with federal and state regulations; Analyze and interpret financial data and information and reach conclusions; Organize and disseminate information clearly; Coordinate, analyze and utilize a variety of reports and records; Manage and complete multiple tasks under fixed time lines; Learn and utilize departmental and County accounting software; Perform computations accurately and quickly; Handle stress and react well under pressure; Deal with frequent changes, delays, interruptions or changing priorities; Work independently and as a member of a team; Prepare accurate and reliable reports containing findings, recommendations and technical documentation; Organize tasks and work environment to maximize efficiency; Use logical and creative thought processes to develop solutions according to written specifications and/or oral instructions; Maintain and adhere to departmental, County, State and Federal confidentiality, privacy and security laws, rules, policies, guidelines and practices; Plan, assign and direct the work of Accounting staff; Identify problems that adversely affect the organization and its functions and make positive recommendations for improvements; Communicate in a professional and effective manner with others, both orally and in writing, in both technical and non-technical terms; Interact with the public and other employees in a professional, respectful and courteous manner; Establish professional and effective working relationships with supervisors, co-workers, other county offices, departments, and employees, and the general public; Meet challenges with resourcefulness through original thinking and creativity; Occasionally work outside normal hours as assigned; Demonstrate punctuality and observe work hours; Observe established lines of authority; Perform other duties as assigned or required to support Accounting operational needs.The successful applicant shall serve a 6-month probationary period and will have a criminal background check conducted. The results thereof may disqualify the applicant from consideration for employment with the County.Notice to Applicants: Applicants who are claiming Veteran’s or Handicap Preference must provide a DD-214 Discharge Document (Part 4) or DPHHS Handicap Certification and Employment Preference Form with their application for employment so Cascade County may apply the preference during the selection process.Cascade County makes reasonable accommodations for any known disability that may interfere with the applicant’s ability to compete in the recruitment and selection process or an employee’s ability to perform the essential duties of the job. For Cascade County to consider such arrangements, the applicants must make known any needed accommodations.CASCADE COUNTY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER