What are the responsibilities and job description for the Accountant I- Social Services position at Harnett County, NC?
POSITION SUMMARY
The Harnett County Department of Social Services is a public agency that provides a multitude of services to citizens of Harnett County. The Department has several programmatic units with 228 positions that operate specifically under Federal and State Legal authority to provide services including, but not limited to the following: Work First, Medicaid, Adult Services, Family and Children Services, Food & Nutrition Services, Emergency/Crisis Assistance, and Child Support. The primary purpose of this unit is to provide all fiscal needs within the agency.
An employee in this position performs a variety of professional accounting tasks and project management in support of assigned operations for Social Services of Harnett County. This includes researching and applying accounting, administrative procedures, principles of bookkeeping, and basic fund accounting to the review and processing of accounting and other financial documents; using automated systems to prepare financial reports, conduct financial analysis, prepare journal entries, conduct account analysis, and assisting in year end processing.
Work Schedule is Monday through Friday 8am- 5pm
Hiring Range: $50,131.00 to $58,278.00
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
75% -Financial Monitoring and Analysis
- Compile, monitor, examine, and audit complex financial statements/reports/accounts or codes (DSS-1571 report) for accuracy, integrity, and conformance to accounting and program guideline.
- Enters data into specialized software.
- Collects and analyzes data regarding budgets, expenditures, revenues, payroll, and reviews for accuracy.
- Maintains a variety of financial documents and reviews to ensure compliance with County financial policies and procedures.
- Prepares a variety of financial reports and performs research and analysis of trends and other issues.
- Uses various report writing and spreadsheet applications to manipulate data.
- Assists in the fiscal year end close out process.
- Provides ongoing assistance to 228 staff on fiscal policies and procedures.
- Reconciles various accounts to external sources, balancing to the general ledger. Recommends corrections/updates to Accounting Services Managers as needed.
- Assist internal units with reporting needs to external agencies for fiscal monitoring and reporting.
- Assist in preparation of Social Services single audit coordination and monthly and year-end reconciliation of DHHS confirmation; labor distribution; and tracking of FTE’s
- Assures that contracts are completed timely and accurately from vendors and keyed into the system
Provides backup assistance to the agency’s Administrative Assistant and Accounting Specialist by assisting with payroll, check requisitions, banking, and other duties as needed.
5% - Other duties as assigned
II. B. OTHER POSITION CHARACTERISTICS:
1. Accuracy Required in Work:
All trust account records, and related fiscal materials must be accurate at all times.
2. Consequence of Error:
4. Guides, Regulations, Policies and References Used by Employee:
State and Federal manuals, UNC School of Government training, County policies, agency policies and guidance from County finance department, all provide direction for worker.
5. Supervision Received by Employee:
Director and Deputy Director provide supervision for this position.
6. Variety and Purpose of Personal Contacts: This position has personal contact with county, state and department employees in regards to all fiscal needs of the agency. Some of these may include but are no limited to DHHS Local Business Liaison, County Auditors, IRS, Bankers, Finance Office, etc.
7. Physical Effort:
Must be able to perform light work frequently exerting up to 10 pounds of force to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects; and occasionally requiring exerting up to 20 pounds of force to move objects. This work also involves the physical abilities of perceiving sounds at normal speaking levels, discriminating among sounds, kneeling, lifting, having manual dexterity, using mental acuity, pulling, pushing, reaching, performing speaking, stooping, expressing ideas by the spoken word, shouting to be heard above ambient noise, and walking. An incumbent must also possess the visual acuity to analyze data, determine accuracy, operate computer equipment, and inspect for errors.
8. Work Environment and Conditions:
This office is located at 311 W Cornelius Harnett Blvd Lillington NC 27546. This position will have a desk with adequate facilities and equipment.
9. Machines, Tools, Instruments, Equipment, and Materials Used:
A telephone, computer, printer, copier, scanner, shredder and calculator are the primary machines used in this position. Occasionally the worker may travel and operate a county vehicle. However the employee will use various software programs, accounting programs, Tyler/Munis, etc, on a daily basis.
10. Visual Attention, Mental Concentration, and Manipulative Skills:
Close visual acuity, mental concentration and manipulative skills are required in all aspects of this position. Persons in this position must maintain a focused analytical mind and have a keen attention for details working with numbers.
11. Safety for Others:
Within the office, all equipment must be serviced and maintained to provide a safe work environment. Confidentiality of certain information must be maintained for the protection of clients and staff.
12. Dynamics of Work:
Various fiscal changes impact the fiscal management responsibilities of this position. The Accountant I must keep abreast of policy and procedure changes to ensure accuracy in all areas of responsibility of fiscal, administrative and personnel duties, share with staff as necessary, and to implement changes as necessary.
III. A. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES:
- Knowledge of accounting and budgeting principles and procedures.
- Knowledge of grant accounting and reporting.
- Knowledge of spreadsheet and accounting software.
- Skill in performing mathematical computations.
- Skill in using spreadsheets.
- Ability to communicate, both verbally and in writing.
- Ability to interact with others both inside and outside of the Department.
- Ability to pay attention to detail.
- Ability to collect and analyze and/or correct data.
- Ability to prepare reports.
- Ability to interpret and apply Federal and State fiscal regulations
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Required Minimum Training (Must match State classification spec):
Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university, preferably with a major in accounting and one (1) year of accounting/auditing experience in the preparation of interpretive or analytical accounting/financial statements and reports
Or
A four-year degree from an accredited university or college in business administration or other field with
twelve (12) semester hours in accounting and two (2) years of experience as specified above
Or
A two-year degree in accounting from an accredited university or college and four (4) years of experience
as specified above.
Or
An adequate combination of education and experience.
Preferred Experience:
- Department of Social Services and/or State or Federal experience
- Experience with DSS-1571 reimbursement reporting
- Equivalent Training and Experience:
IV. License or Certification Required by Statute or Regulation:
N/A
Harnett County takes pride in offering an excellent benefit package including health, dental, vision and life insurance, membership in the North Carolina Local Government retirement, free health clinic for employees and anyone in their household and other benefits. To see more information about the benefits offered by Harnett County,
Salary : $50,131 - $58,278
