Accountant/Analyst I-III, Finance

Final Filing Date: First review of applications will be on January 23, 2025. NCPA reserves the right to close this posting once a sufficient number of applications have been received. 

Accountant/Analyst I-II:

This is a professional-level classification series requiring versatile, resourceful, and self-starting individuals. The positions are responsible for the performance of the day-to-day finance and accounting duties of the Agency for operations, maintenance, capital expenditures, and other analytic or technical studies, as required. Incumbents will perform a number of specific tasks listed in the examples of Essential Duties and Responsibilities, with instruction or direction regarding project ownership/program participation, Agency processes, etc. until that knowledge is gained. As experience increases, less direction is received.  This classification series will perform a variety of assigned technical, analytical and professional work in the areas of corporate and cost accounting, budgeting, systems development, and audit. Incumbents also provide technical accounting and budgetary assistance to others as required.

Accountant/Analyst III:

This is a very experienced, responsible, professional-level position requiring a versatile, resourceful, self-starting individual. Under general supervision, incumbents may lead and provide technical direction to Accountant/Analyst I and II and clerical positions. Incumbents are responsible for the performance of both the day to day accounting duties of the department and other extraordinary analytic or technical studies, as required.  Performs a variety of assigned complex technical and professional work in the areas of corporate, utility, and cost accounting; budgeting, financial analyses, systems development, and audit. Employees at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new, unusual or unique situations arise and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies within the division. 

The Agency adheres to GAAP, GASB, FASB, FERC, and other regulatory accounting and reporting requirements, as applicable, and its processes are complex due to its diverse membership, participant and contract requirements, requiring utilization of various types of cost allocation methodologies.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

This classification series requires that the incumbent reports for work on time and maintains satisfactory attendance in accordance with Agency policy; Ensures work responsibilities are covered when absent; Arrives to meetings and appointments on time; Performs special assignments for the Treasurer-Controller or others as assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Level I-II:

Provides technical advice, financial, and functional instruction to team members and other Agency staff as required.  

Operates in accounting, reporting, purchasing, and budgeting systems. Performs accounting systems closing activities, reconciliations, and prepares monthly and annual financial statements, reconciliations, analyses, audit workpapers, and other schedules. Provides assistance to auditors as required.

Coordinates and participates in the development, analysis, and monitoring of the Agency's operating and capital budgets. Acts as financial representative to other department managers and supervisors for budget process, cost summary, and budgetary reporting. Assists with formal budget and other presentations to upper management and the governing body.

Monitors accounting and budgetary functions of assigned projects, plants, and programs. Reconciles and balances accounts. Prepares or reviews all accounting and budget transactions for proper account classifications, and coding. This includes journal entries, purchase requisitions, vendor invoices, and budget modifications. Prepares account, budget and cost variance analyses and explanations.

Level III:

Performs standard and specialized accounting activities for recording and reporting costs relating to property/capital and operation & maintenance expenses; ensures records are accurate and current; oversees the transfer of completed capital costs from work in progress to in service; prepares and maintains source and input documents to update property and general ledger accounts; prepares, distributes and explains project cost reports; provides training and task oversight to others in the accounting unit.

Ensures completion of special accounting projects/assignments; establishes work plans and provides information, training, and expertise on accounting practices and the accounting system to work groups and organizational managers; establishes, monitors, and reports project status and facilitates review and revision of work plans.

Ensures recording and reporting accuracy, thoroughness and consistency of accounting records including project costs by conducting systematic reviews of source documents; maintains ongoing review of final classifications of all property; ensures controls on accuracy and thoroughness of accounting system data entry; resolves discrepancies in cost classifications through processing adjustments in accordance with Agency policies and state and federal regulations.

Assists with the implementation of systems, policies and procedures, and special projects requiring highly technical studies and analyses. Recommends changes or modifications to methods, systems, and internal controls as applicable.

Maintains timely and accurate debt service payments by preparing and maintaining debt service records, schedules, and reconciliations and reviewing compliance with bond covenants in conjunction with the budget and annual regulatory reporting cycles.

Provides support for management and member/participant decision-making by responding to requests for information, developing, producing and distributing accounting reports and serving on project teams as an accounting resource.

Maintains cash and investments tracking for completeness and accuracy. Ensures financial statement amounts are presented accurately.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and/or Experience

Level I:

Bachelor's degree (Accounting or Finance preferred) from a four-year college or university and six months or more related experience. A certified public accountant (CPA-G) designation or Master's Degree is desired; however, additional years of experience may be substituted for the designation. 

Level II:

Bachelor's degree (Accounting or Finance preferred) from a four-year college or university and two years or more years of related experience. A certified public accountant (CPA-A or G) designation or Master's Degree is preferred; however, additional years of experience may be substituted for the designation

Level III:

Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university in a related field and eight or more years of related experience. A Master's degree in Accounting or Business Administration is highly desired. A certified public accountant (CPA-A) designation is preferred; however additional years of experience may be substituted for the designation.

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES 

Knowledge:

Knowledge of modern office methods, supplies, and equipment; business English and correspondence, principles of effective training; Ability to work effectively and collaborate cross-functionally with multiple internal groups; Strong organizational and time-management skills; Strong knowledge of Accounting software; Database software; Spreadsheet software and Word Processing software.

Abilities:

Ability to apply Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), governmental budgetary principles, practices, principles, and procedures of public finance and reporting requirements. Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations; Write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals; Effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public; Work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, and fundamentals of algebra ; Apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations; Solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists; and Interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form; Ability to work in a team environment where members accept responsibilities, meet commitments, provide feedback and accept feedback; Ability to communicate clearly and concisely to eliminate misunderstandings; and the Ability to provide support when available to ensure deadlines are met.  

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Valid California Driver's License and insurance, as occasional travel may be required. 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, and walk. The employee must also regularly lift and /or move up to 10 pounds. 

These positions have no supervisory responsibilities. This classification series provides technical advice and functional instruction to others as required and conducts special studies and complex analyses.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

All employees are responsible for contributing to an inclusive, safe, and secure work environment that values diverse cultures, perspectives, and experiences, and is free from discrimination.