Controller - EM 07

Duties Summary

Plans and directs various centralized accounting, data processing system, and related activities encompassing transactions of the entire County government; instructs and advises operating department personnel regarding accounting requirements and procedures; directs the preparation and issuance of County financial statements and reports; and performs other related duties as required.

There is one (1) immediate permanent full-time vacancy with the Department of Finance - Accounts Division in Hilo.

(Appointment may be made at any rate within the salary range advertised above at which appropriate qualified applicants can be recruited. Starting salary will be based on the qualifications of the person selected.)

The eligible list may be used for other permanent and temporary vacancies as they arise during the life of the list. Temporary appointment may lead to conversion to permanent appointment.

Examples of Duties

• Plans, assigns, directs, coordinates, and reviews all work relating to the maintenance of a general accounting system for the County, including the maintenance of general and subsidiary control ledgers and related records reflecting the budgetary status and financial condition of governmental, proprietary, and other funds of the County government.
• Directs, coordinates, and reviews the central claims pre-auditing function, including the approval of warrant vouchers and the preparation and issuance of warrants for payment of all claims for goods and services.
• Directs, coordinates, and reviews central payroll pre-auditing activities, including the preparation and issuance of payroll warrants.
• Directs, coordinates, and reviews the development and operation of a data processing system for financial applications.
• Prepares and analyzes interim and annual financial reports and statements, such as monthly budget variance reports, annual financial report, census reports, and statistical reports.
• Prepares financial schedules.
• Cooperates with and assists external auditors in auditing the financial records of the County.
• Prepares circulars and memoranda necessary to inform, instruct, and advise County agencies and employees regarding financial matters.
• Conducts meetings and training sessions to discuss, inform, and train finance department and other departmental personnel in financial methods and procedures.
• Furnishes data for the preparation of County budgets.
• Keeps abreast of changes in laws, methods, procedures, and practices that may affect the financial affairs of the County.
• Recommends improvements to and participates in the design and installation of accounting systems and procedures.
• Seeks and searches constantly for improvements to the accounting system, methods, and procedures utilized by the County.
• Directs the preparation and maintenance of a perpetual inventory of all County owned or controlled lands, roads, easements, leaseholds, equipment, materials, supplies, and property; prepares and issues timely reports on inventory; supervises the disposal of property; and directs the maintenance of a proper accounting system for County property.
• Plans, assigns, directs, and reviews the examination of the accounts and inventory of departments and activities upon change of administrative heads or as requested by higher authority.
• Prepares budgetary requirements of the Accounts Division for the Director of Finance; implements and controls budget expenditure for the division.
• Determines organization and staffing needs for the division; recommends personnel actions such as hiring, transfers, disciplinary actions, promotions, etc.
• Provides administrative support to the Pension Board by assigning clerical staff, providing research of employment records, allocating budgeted funds, and preparing and issuing pension rolls and checks.
• Participates in meetings and conferences with officials or other governmental agencies, as required.
• Takes charge of the department in absence of department head.
• Represents the department head, as requested.

Minimum Qualification Requirements

Training and Experience:
A combination of education and experience substantially equivalent to:

• graduation from an accredited college or university with major work (baccalaureate degree) in accounting or a related field (scan and attach a copy of your official college transcript to your application), and
• five (5) years of professional accounting or auditing experience, of which
• two (2) years shall have been in a responsible supervisory capacity.

Examination: All applicants who meet the minimum qualification requirements will be assigned a score of 70 points. An education and experience evaluation will be conducted based on the applicant's training, education and experience as presented in the application.

Please read the minimum qualification requirements carefully. Be certain to list all pertinent training and experience, as this may be important in determining your examination score. It is essential that the applicant describe fully the duties and responsibilities of each position held, specify the date of each position held (from and to, month and year), and indicate the number of hours worked per week.

Attach all required documentation (e.g. official transcript, professional license(s)/certification(s), DD-214, etc.) at the time of submitting your application.

Note: In-person interviews and/or further testing in Hawai'i County may be required at the discretion of the hiring department/agency. If in-person interviews and/or further testing are required, applicants who are referred to the hiring department/agency must be available to participate in person and at their own expense at that phase of the selection process.

Knowledge of: public administration, governmental accounting and finance administration; preparation and analysis of financial statements; budget administration and expenditure control; revenue and budget structure; auditing principles and practices; electronic computer; laws and regulations relating to finance and accounting; functions, organizations, and procedures of County departments and agencies; principles and practices of supervision.

Ability to: plan, organize, direct, and review the work of others; direct the preparation of comprehensive financial statements and reports; advise, assist, and instruct other employees in accounting and financial matters; interpret laws, ordinances, and regulations; communicate effectively orally and in writing; maintain effective working relationships with personnel from other County departments and other governmental agencies.

Physical Requirements: Persons seeking appointment to positions in this class must meet the health and physical condition standards deemed necessary and proper to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodations.

Physical Effort Grouping: Light

Benefits of County employment: The County of Hawai‘i offers a competitive compensation package. Your total compensation is comprised of your salary and a generous range of valuable benefits, subject to eligibility requirements.

• Flexible Working Arrangements: Options may include telecommuting, alternate work schedules (4-10) and flexible working hours. (Not all Departments/Agencies participate and not all positions are eligible.)
• Vacation: Start accruing paid vacation time immediately upon hire – up to 21 days per year.
• Sick Leave: Start accruing paid sick leave time immediately upon hire – up to 21 days per year.
• Holidays: The County provides 13 paid holidays per year (plus General Election Day when applicable).
• Training and Development: The County has a variety of training and development opportunities for employees.
• County Tuition Reimbursement Program: This scholarship program rewards employees who take the initiative to advance their education and learning.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program: You may be eligible for this federal program which forgives portions of federal student loans for individuals working in public service.
• Retirement Plan: The Employees’ Retirement System is a qualified defined benefit public pension plan that provides retirement, disability, survivor and other benefits to all eligible full-time and part-time county employees in the State of Hawaii as well as their beneficiaries.
• Deferred Compensation: Save additional money for retirement - this voluntary supplemental retirement savings plan allows for the investment of tax-deferred contributions.
• Flexible Spending Plan: Use pre-tax dollars to pay for qualified dependent care and/or medical expenses, as well as insurance premiums.
• Health Benefit Plans: The County of Hawai‘i offers a variety of health benefit plans for eligible employees.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): This voluntary assistance program provides employees and their family members with free professional and confidential assistance in overcoming personal and work-related problems.
• Group Life Insurance: Free life insurance policy for active employees.
• Credit Union Membership
• Other Leaves: You may be eligible for other leaves, including Family Leave, Funeral Leave, Leave Sharing, Military Leave, Donor Leave, Victims Protection Leave, as well as leave for Parent-Teacher Conferences, Disaster Relief, Blood Bank Donations, and Jury Duty.

Supplemental Information

Please scan and attach these supporting documents to your on-line application, if required:

• 
  an official college transcript,
• a valid driver's license,
• a temporary assignment verification,
• professional licenses, and/or
• certificates,

Benefits of County employment: The County of Hawai‘i offers a competitive compensation package. Your total compensation is comprised of your salary and a generous range of valuable benefits, subject to eligibility requirements.

• Flexible Working Arrangements: Options may include telecommuting, alternate work schedules (4-10) and flexible working hours. (Not all Departments/Agencies participate and not all positions are eligible.)
• Vacation: Employees start accruing paid vacation time immediately upon hire. 14 hours are earned after a full month of service, which equals to 21 days per year, with a maximum accumulation of 90 working days.
• Sick Leave: Employees start accruing paid sick leave time immediately upon hire. 14 hours are earned after a full month of service, which equals to 21 days per year, with no limitation on the amount of sick leave that may be accumulated.
• Holidays: The County provides 13 paid holidays per year (plus General Election Day when applicable).
• Training and Development: The County provides a variety of training and development opportunities for employees.
• County Tuition Reimbursement Program: Scholarship program for employees who take the initiative to advance their education and learning, subject to eligibility requirements and reimbursement limits.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program: A federal program forgiving the balance of federal student loans for individuals working in public service. For program requirements and additional information, please visit https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service
• Retirement Plan: The Employees’ Retirement System is a qualified defined benefit public pension plan covered under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code. It provides retirement, disability, survivor and other benefits to all eligible full-time and part-time county employees in the State of Hawaii as well as their beneficiaries. For more information visit https://ers.ehawaii.gov
• Deferred Compensation: Eligible employees may participate in the Island Savings Plan (a deferred compensation plan as provided under Section 457 of the Internal Revenue Code.) This is a voluntary supplemental retirement savings plan that allows for the investment of tax-deferred contributions into a variety of investment options.
• Flexible Spending Plan: Eligible employees can use pre-tax dollars to pay for their portion of insurance premiums, qualified dependent care and/or medical expenses.
• Health Benefit Plans: The County of Hawai‘i offers the following health benefit plans for eligible employees:
  • Medical Plan (HMO or PPO)
  • Vision Plan
  • Dental Plan
  • Prescription Drug Plan

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): The County offers a voluntary assistance program which provides its employees and their family members with free professional and confidential assistance in overcoming personal and work-related problems.
• Group Life Insurance: The County provides a free life insurance policy for active employees.
• Credit Union Membership
• Other Leaves: You may be eligible for other leaves, such as: Family Leave, Funeral Leave, Leave Sharing, Military Leave, Victims Protection Leave, Parent-Teacher Conferences, Disaster Relief, Blood Bank Donations, Donor Leave, and Jury Duty.