Controller - EM 07

Salary : $94,692.00 - $134,556.00 Annually

Location : Future vacancies with immediate vacancy in Hilo, HI

Job Type : Permanent & Temporary Positions

Job Number : 2025-00029

Department : Finance

Division : Accounts

Opening Date : 03 / 02 / 2025

Closing Date : 3 / 11 / 2025 11 : 59 PM Hawaii

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 :

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.

All benefits are subject to eligibility requirements and change due to legislative actions and / or changes negotiated through collective bargaining. Please check out the benefits tab for additional information.

Supplemental Information

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

Veterans applying for veteran's preference points shall also scan and attach their DD-214 form and as needed, their VA claim letter to the on-line application. ELECTRONIC NOTIFICATION TO APPLICANTS : Please ensure that the email address and mobile phone number you provide is current, secure, and readily accessible to you. We will not be responsible in any way if you do not receive our emails and text messages or fail to check your email box or NEOGOV account INBOX in a timely manner. Checking your NEOGOV account INBOX daily is recommended and is the most secure method to check on notices sent to you. This is a new feature created by our vendor, NEOGOV.

Please add to your contact list. Open your NEOGOV account using your user name and password. In the upper right hand corner of the account is your name, and under your name, click on INBOX to view all notices sent you. The notices will appear here in the INBOX even in the event you don't receive it on your cell phone, computer, or other electronic device. This is the best way to check and view all notices sent to you.

You will receive a confirmation email upon successfully submitting your application. Failure to receive this confirmation email, indicates that your application was not submitted.

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.

Medical Plan (HMO or PPO)

These benefits are administered by the Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund. For more information about current employee contribution rates and plans see the EUTF website ().

All benefits are subject to eligibility requirements and to legislative and / or changes negotiated through collective bargaining.

REQUIRED SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS. The information provided to these Supplemental Questions may be used in combination with your application to determine whether you meet the minimum qualification requirements and / or your final score. Failure to provide detailed and complete information may result in your application being rejected or you receiving a lower score. Please do not submit a resume in place of completing the Supplemental Questions. Any information you submit may be verified.

When applying for this position, I understand that I must thoroughly complete the Education and Work Experience Sections of my application and the Supplemental Questions. This includes a detailed description of each position that I feel qualifies me for the job I am seeking.

I have read the above statement and understand that failure to provide sufficient detailed information may result in my application being rejected or my receiving a lower examination score. I also understand that I may not submit resumes in lieu of filling out the application or answering the Supplemental Questions. However, I may attach a resume to the application to provide additional information.

Applicants must meet all the requirements for the position they are seeking as of the closing date of the recruitment, unless otherwise specified. Your possession of the required amount of experience will not in itself be accepted as proof of qualification for the position. Overall paid or unpaid experience must be of such scope and responsibility as to conclusively demonstrate that you have the ability to perform the duties of the position. It is essential that you 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.

Note : Calculation of experience is based on full-time, 40-hour work weeks. Part-time experience must be pro-rated. Example : Twelve months of experience at 20 hours per week is equivalent to six months of experience. In addition, hours worked in excess of 40 hours per week, per work experience, will not be credited. Example : Twelve months of experience at 60 hours per week is equivalent to one year, not one and one-half years.

Did you graduate from an accredited college or university with major work (baccalaureate degree) in accounting or a related field?

Did you scan and attach a copy of your official college transcript to your application?

Do you have five (5) years of professional accounting or auditing experience?

If you answered "Yes" to question #5, please describe where you gained your professional work experience. Treat each change in employer or position separately. Include the following information :

A. Employer's name

B. Your job title

C. Employment dates (from month / day / year to month / day / year)

D. Hours worked per week

E. Detailed description of your professional accounting work experience. Include the kinds of and the purposes of accounting records you prepared, analyzed, and maintained.

F. Describe your professional experience auditing accounting records. Include the kinds of records you audited and what your audit entailed.

G. The percentage of time you spent performing this work.

If you answered "No" enter N / A.

Be specific and complete ALL questions for ALL experience you are claiming. The following are unacceptable responses :

If you answered "Yes" to question #5, were two (2) of those years in a responsible supervisory capacity?

If you answered "Yes" to question #7, please describe where you gained your responsible supervisory work experience. Treat each change in employer or position separately. Include the following :

A. Employer's name

B. Your job title

C. Employment dates (from month / day / year to month / day / year)

D. Hours worked per week

E. Description of your responsible supervisory work duties

F. The number of professional level employees you supervised

G. Job titles of your subordinates

H. The percentage of time you spent performing this work

If you answered "No," enter N / A.

Be specific and complete ALL questions for ALL experience you are claiming. The following are unacceptable responses :

Required Question

Salary : $94,692 - $134,556