Manager, Accounting I/II/Senior - Human Services Agency
WHAT WE OFFER
The County of Ventura offers an attractive compensation and benefits package. In addition to the annual salary an employee within these positions may also be eligible for the following:
- Educational Incentive - An educational incentive of 2.5% for completion of an associate degree, 3.5% for completion of a bachelor degree, OR 5% for completion of a graduate degree.
- CPA Premium - An incumbent accredited as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) may receive a premium of 5%; the certification must remain active and current to receive this benefit. An incumbent receives either the Educational Incentive or the CPA Incentive whichever is greater but not both.
- Bilingual Incentive - Incumbents may also be eligible for bilingual incentive depending upon operational needs and certification of skill.
- Paid Vacation – 8 hours annual leave is earned each pay period increasing after 5 years of service to 11 hours per pay period.
- Annual Leave Redemption – Ability to "cash in" or redeem up to 100 hours of annual leave accrued in the year after using 80 hours in the preceding 12 months.
- Deferred Compensation - Eligible to participate in the County's 401(k) Shared Savings Plan and/or the Section 457 Plan. This position is eligible for up to a 3% match on your 401(k) contributions.
- Health Plans – Employees are afforded a flexible credit allowance for purchasing medical, dental, and/or vision insurance from a group of authorized plans.
- Flexible Spending Accounts - Choice of participation in Flexible Spending Accounts which increase spending power through reimbursement of pre-tax dollars for IRS approved dependent care and health care expenses.
- Pension Plan - Both the County and employees contribute to the County's defined pension plan and to Social Security. If eligible, reciprocity may be established with other public retirement systems, such as CalPERS.
- Holidays - 11 paid days per year which includes a scheduled floating holiday.
THE AGENCY
The Human Services Agency (HSA) includes nearly 1400 staff who serve 1 in 3 Ventura County residents, all of whom have unique experiences and perspectives. Each of us has a responsibility to support diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace and in our communities. Our County is proud to have a diverse workforce, and providing a respectful and inclusive workplace is a priority and aligns with the Agency’s values.
To learn more about HSA, click “Who We Are” to view a short video.
THE POSITION
Under general direction, the Manager, Accounting plans, organizes and directs the fiscal operations and activities in an assigned agency or department; manages and participates in the development of fiscal goals, objectives, policies and procedures; analyzes the agency or department's overall fiscal data requirements for its various divisions and directs the development and implementation of systems and procedures to meet those requirements; directly and through subordinate staff, selects, trains, and supervises supervisory, professional, technical, and clerical accounting staff; coordinates assigned activities with other departments and outside agencies; and provides highly responsible and complex administrative support to higher level management and executive staff.
Positions are generally distinguished by the department/agency's financial organizational structure, reporting relationships, and size; size and complexity of department/agency budget; number and complexity of funding streams; and responsibility for directing multiple financial management functions through subordinate supervisors/managers. Additional classification distinguishing characteristics are indicated below.
Manager, Accounting I - $3,376.41 to $4,726.98 biweekly: This is the first management level in the Manager, Accounting series; positions at this level are responsible for supervising subordinate staff, and providing input for planning, organizing, and directing fiscal operations and activities within an agency or department, which includes planning and establishing short and long term strategic goals, objectives, and priorities, as well as ensuring that fiscal processes align with agency, department and County strategies. This classification is distinguished from the Manager, Accounting II in the latter classification is the second manager level, whose direct reports include position(s) at the Principal Accountant and/or Manager, Accounting I level.
Manager, Accounting II - $3,751.57 to $5,252.20 biweekly: This is the second management level in the Manager, Accounting series; organizationally positions at the Manager, Accounting II level will have subordinate Manager, Accounting I(s) and/or Principal Accountant(s) reporting to them and will provide highly complex technical and policy advice to executive management; ensure appropriate actions are taken to maximize stable long term resources to support the agency or department's mission and long term goals; working through Manager, Accounting(s) and subordinate staff, positions at this level are responsible for strategically planning, organizing, and directing the fiscal operations and activities within a department or agency, which includes establishing short and long term strategic goals, developing and implementing fiscal policy objectives and priorities, and ensuring that agency or department fiscal processes align County strategies.
Senior Manager, Accounting - $4,126.73 to $5,777.42 biweekly: This is the third management level in the Manager, Accounting series; organizationally positions at the Senior Manager, Accounting level will have subordinate Manager, Accounting II(s) reporting to them and will provide highly complex technical and policy advice to executive management in a large department/agency; ensure appropriate actions are taken to maximize stable long term resources to support the agency or department's mission and long term goals; working through Manager, Accounting II(s) and other subordinate staff, positions at this level are responsible for strategically planning, organizing, and directing the fiscal operations and activities within a department or agency, which includes establishing short and long term strategic goals, developing and implementing fiscal policy objectives and priorities, and ensuring that agency or department fiscal processes align County strategies.
The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's degree in Accounting with six (6) or more years of accounting or auditing experience, and over four (4) year of experience managing staff. They will be results-oriented, motivated for success, and highly developed skills in the areas of change management, time management, team leadership, and critical thinking; experience leading others, setting goals, solving problems, and communicating effectively. Additionally, the ideal candidate will have strong interpersonal skills with a high level of emotional intelligence to build and foster collaborative working relationships with both internal and external partners of diverse backgrounds.
The Manager, Accounting I/II/Senior classifications are unrepresented, management classifications and not eligible for overtime.
Examples Of Duties
Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:
- Plans, organizes and directs the fiscal operations and activities in support of an agency or department; manages and participates in the development of fiscal goals, objectives, policies and procedures.
- Directly and through subordinate staff, selects, trains, and supervises professional, technical, and clerical accounting staff; assigns and reviews work, establishes performance standards and evaluates work; provides or coordinates staff training; conducts performance evaluations; implements discipline procedures; ensures the provision of a high performing finance operation to serve the needs of the department, agency and County.
- Plans, organizes, directs, supervises and coordinates the preparation of the agency or department budget requiring significant justifications and consideration of funding and service level/delivery alternatives; monitors and controls the agency or department budget to assure conformance with revenue expectation and expenditure plans.
- Plans, organizes, directs, supervises and coordinates the production of various comprehensive financial, management and statistical reports.
- Participates in the development of new programs to facilitate long and short term financial plan objectives; assists with financial plans such as capital budgeting, staffing, systems upgrades, and finance options.
- Conducts meetings to keep staff apprised of agency and department activities and to promote the importance of the agency or department's Mission, Vision and Values.
- Analyzes the agency or department's overall fiscal data requirements for its various divisions and directs the development and implementation of systems and procedures to meet those requirements.
- Develops and implements fiscal programs and procedures needed to qualify the agency or department for a variety of federal and state revenues.
- Conducts studies of operating issues, automation systems, procedures, work assignments and forms, and recommends changes to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of agency or department operations.
- Monitors and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; recommends, within agency or departmental policy, appropriate staffing levels; assesses and monitors workload, administrative and support system, and internal reporting relationships; identifies opportunities for process improvement; directs implementation of change.
- Develops and implements financial policies and procedures and ensures that activities are conducted in accordance with laws, ordinances, rules and regulations; recommends and administers policies and procedures.
- Develops and implements long and short-term strategic plans in support of agency or department goals and objectives.
- Analyzes new legislation and changes in regulations in order to determine impact on agency or department's finances and operations; advises managers and executives accordingly, and devises strategies for coping and complying with changes.
- Assists in the development of fiscal policies and procedures, and oversees implementations of new operational programs or automated systems.
- Acts as liaison to state and federal agencies and client organizations/departments regarding operational issues and policies.
- Represents the County in audits, hearings and various intergovernmental task forces/committees.
- Recommends service fee rates based upon cost analysis, utilization and cost trend analysis, and agency or departmental financial objectives.
- Coordinates with Auditor-Controller's Officer/State Controller's Office in the preparation of financial statements, audits and cost allocation plans.
- Performs other related duties as required.
- Ensures appropriate actions are taken to maximize stable long-term resource to support the agency or department’s mission and long-term goals.
- Provides highly complex technical and policy advice to executive management regarding agency or department-wide financial, contracting and fiscal service issues having a significant impact on agency or department operations.
- Manages and leverages the County General Fund provided to the agency or department to maximize the long term draw down of federal, state and private grant funding; assumes responsibility for instituting fiscal best practices and business process improvements that lead to organizational, operations and human resource efficiencies.
- Participates with members of the Executive Team in assisting the agency or department director with the development of current and long-range objectives, plans, policies and overall management of the agency or department.
- Serves as the fiscal/financial subject matter expert for the agency or department and provides direction to resolve the most difficult, complex and operationally impactful financial issues.
- Represents the agency or department's interests at local, state and federal levels for all financial matters; serves as an advocate for maximum long-term funding for agency program at all levels of government.
- Serves as agency or department representative at various local and state work groups, committees and task forces.
- Reviews and assesses the impact of changes in the agency or department's funding streams and stays abreast of new regulations and program developments to ensure the long-term maximization of agency or department resources; develops and implements fiscal programs and procedures needed to qualify the agency or department for a variety of federal and state revenues.
- Oversees the development of and adherence to fiscal policy consistent with County established policy and in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB); ensures internal control policies and procedures are implemented and followed.
Typical Qualifications
These are entrance requirements to the exam process and assure neither continuance in the process nor placement on an eligible list.
EDUCATION, TRAINING, and EXPERIENCE
Manager, Accounting I
Extensive education and experience which has led to the acquisition of the required knowledge, skills and abilities. An example of qualifying education and experience includes a Bachelor's degree with at least eighteen (18) semester units of college-level accounting coursework, including one (1) semester of Managerial Accounting and one (1) additional upper division business related course, PLUS Five (5) years of progressively responsible professional accounting or auditing experience of which two (2) years must be at a supervisory or management level with responsibilities for unit operations, program development or project management;
OR
Two (2) years as a Principal Accountant for the County of Ventura.
Substitution: A Master's degree in Business Administration (MBA) degree, Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license, Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) designation, or a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification may be substituted for one (1) year of professional accounting/auditing experience for a maximum substitution limit of one (1) year experience.
Manager, Accounting II
Extensive education and experience which has led to the acquisition of the required knowledge, skills and abilities. An example of qualifying education and experience includes a Bachelor's degree with at least eighteen (18) semester units of college-level accounting coursework, including one (1) semester of Managerial Accounting and one (1) additional upper division business related course, PLUS Five (5) years of progressively responsible professional accounting or auditing experience of which four (4) years must be at a supervisory or management level with responsibilities for unit operations, program development or project management;
OR
Two (2) years as a Manager, Accounting I for the County of Ventura.
Substitution: A Master's degree in Business Administration (MBA) degree, Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license, Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) designation, or a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification may be substituted for one (1) year of professional accounting/auditing experience for a maximum substitution limit of one (1) year experience.
Senior Manager Accounting
Extensive education and experience which has led to the acquisition of the required knowledge, skills and abilities. An example of qualifying education and experience includes a Bachelor's degree with at least eighteen (18) semester units of college-level accounting coursework, including one (1) semester of Managerial Accounting and one (1) additional upper division business related course, PLUS Six (6) years of progressively responsible professional accounting or auditing experience of which four (4) years must be at a management level with responsibilities for unit operations, program development or project management;
OR
Two (2) years as a Manager, Accounting II for the County of Ventura.
Substitution: A Master's degree in Business Administration (MBA) degree, Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license, Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) designation, or a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification may be substituted for one (1) year of professional accounting/auditing experience for a maximum substitution limit of one (1) year experience.
NOTE: If the Education/Experience Substitution is used, proof of the applicable degree or certification is required and must be attached to the application or emailed to the analyst at kim.mariscal@ventura.org.
Necessary Special Requirements
- Possession or ability to obtain and maintain a valid California driver license.
- Verification of accounting coursework completed is required.
- Submit your college transcripts/grade reports from an accredited college or university which shows your name, the conferred date of your degree and the major area of study; attach education verification documents to your online application or submit within 3 days of the closing date of this recruitment.
- Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
- If you need additional time to submit transcripts, contact the analyst conducting the recruitment for an extension at kim.mariscal@ventura.org.
- Degree(s) from a foreign institution require an academic credential evaluation to determine the U.S. equivalency.
- If the name on this documentation is different from the name on your application, include documents that show the name change (e.g., a marriage certificate).
COUNTY EMPLOYEES AS DISASTER SERVICE WORKERS
When a disaster strikes of natural or manmade origin, Ventura County employees may be called upon to provide service to the community by assisting in emergency response efforts. This may require employees to work in other locations, different hours, and out of class. At the time of hire, all County employees will be required to sign an Oath or Affirmation of Allegiance for Disaster Service Workers and Public Employees (Sections 3102 and 3103, Government Code of California)
DESIRED
- Certified Public Accountant License
- Bachelor’s/Master's Degree in Accounting
- Over six (6) years of progressively responsible professional accounting or auditing experience.
- Over four (4) years of experience managing staff
KNOWLEDGE, SKILL, AND ABILITIES:
Thorough and comprehensive knowledge of:
- Operations, services and activities of a comprehensive finance department including, but not limited to, finance, accounting, budget, procurement and payroll.
- Operations and services provided by the agency or department and fiscal policy objectives of the agency or department.
- Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), practices and standards.
- Financial and operational auditing standards and techniques.
- Policy and procedure development techniques.
- Principles and practices of supervision, management, and public administration.
- Principles and practices of leadership, motivation, team building and conflict resolution.
- Principles and practices of organization, administration and personnel management.
- Principles and practices of budget development, local, state and federal rules and regulations governing public fiscal operations.
- Organizational and management practices as they relate to program evaluation and analysis.
- Principles and practices of project management.
- Principles and practices of budget development, monitoring and control.
- Principles of cost/benefit analysis.
- Management and leadership.
- Planning, directing and controlling fiscal operations, staff and services in assigned department or agency.
- Interpreting and applying provision of codes, regulations, statutes and ordinances relevant to department or agency operations.
- Developing and implementing fiscal monitoring and control mechanisms.
- Planning and implementing the application of automated systems for financial reporting and accounting/auditing purposes.
- Developing and conducting effective presentations to County management, executives, Board of Supervisors and the general public.
- Use of computers and related technology including software applications specific to the work performed.
- Model leadership behavior.
- Plan, organize, supervise the work of professional and technical fiscal staff.
- Manage change and encourage/support staff impacted by change.
- Apply administrative and abstract accounting/auditing concepts and procedures.
- Develop and implement new or revised policies and procedures to adapt to internal and external policy changes or legal mandates.
- Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions and implement recommendations.
- Gain cooperation through dialog and influence.
- Manage the production of various comprehensive reports.
- Exercise sound judgment in sensitive situations, and establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
Thorough to comprehensive knowledge of:
- Fiscal management best practices.
- General Fund fiscal and operational parameters.
- Principles of strategic planning.
- Provide financial/fiscal advice to executive management including making or negotiating fiscal and revenue related decisions for budgetary and strategic planning purposes.
Skill in:
- Developing "what if" scenarios.
Recruitment Process
FINAL FILING DATE: This is a continuous recruitment and may close at any time; therefore, apply as soon as possible if you are interested in it. Your application must be received by County of Ventura, Human Resources no later than 5:00 p.m. on the closing date.
FIRST REVIEW: A first review of applications is anticipated to occur on or around November 2, 2022 and subsequent reviews may be conducted until sufficient applications are received to meet business needs.
To apply online, please refer to our web site at www.ventura.org/jobs. If you prefer to fill out a paper application form, please call (805) 654-5129 for application materials and submit them to County of Ventura Human Resources, 800 South Victoria Avenue, L-1970, Ventura, CA 93009.
Information for Transfer Candidates: NOTE: If presently permanently employed in another "merit" or "civil service" public agency/entity in the same or substantively similar position as is advertised, and if appointed to that position by successful performance in a "merit" or "civil service" style examination, then appointment by "Lateral Transfer" may be possible. If interested, please click here (Download PDF reader) for additional information.
Note to Applicants: It is essential that you complete all sections of your application and supplemental questionnaire thoroughly and accurately to demonstrate your qualifications. A resume and/or other related documents may be attached to supplement the information in your application and supplemental questionnaire; however, it/they may not be submitted in lieu of the application.
SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE - qualifying: All applicants are required to complete and submit the questionnaire for this exam AT THE TIME OF FILING. The supplemental questionnaire may be used throughout the exam process to assist in determining qualifications for the position. Failure to complete and submit the questionnaire may result in removal of the application from further consideration.
APPLICATION EVALUATION - qualifying: All applications will be reviewed to determine whether the stated requirements are met. Applicants meeting the stated requirements will be invited to continue to the next step in the examination process.
TRAINING & EXPERIENCE EVALUATION (100%): A Training and Experience Evaluation (T&E) is a structured evaluation of the job application materials submitted by a candidate, including the written responses to the supplemental questionnaire. The T&E is NOT a determination of whether the candidate meets the stated requirements; rather, the T&E is one method for determining who are the better qualified among those who have shown that they meet the stated requirements. In a T&E, applications are either scored or rank ordered according to criteria that most closely meet the business needs of the department. Candidates are typically scored/ranked in relation to one another; consequently, when the pool of candidates is exceptionally strong, many qualified candidates may receive a score or rank which is moderate or even low resulting in them not being advanced in the process.
The eligible list established will be created from the scores resulting from a Training and Experience Evaluation (T&E). In a typical T&E, your training and experience are evaluated in relation to the background, experience and factors identified for successful job performance during a job analysis. For this reason, it is recommended that your application materials clearly show your relevant background and specialized knowledge, skills, and abilities. It is also highly recommended that the supplemental questions within the application are completed with care and diligence. Response such as "See Resume" or "Refer to Resume" are not acceptable and may disqualify an applicant from further evaluation. Applicants must earn a score of seventy percent (70%) or higher to qualify for placement on the eligible list.
If there are three (3) or fewer qualified applicants, a T&E will not be conducted. Instead, a score of seventy percent (70%) will be assigned to each application, and each applicant will be placed on the eligible list.
Candidates successfully completing the examination process may be placed on an eligible list for a period of one (1) year. The eligible list established from this recruitment may be used to fill current and future Regular (including Temporary, Fixed-Term), Intermittent, and Extra Help vacancies. There is currently one (1) Regular vacancy in the Human Services Agency.
Vacancies may be filled at either the I, II or Senior level. The qualifications of the selected candidate and the business needs of the department will determine the placement level.
NOTE: If appointed at the lower level, incumbent may be promoted to the higher level without further exam upon meeting the minimum requirements, demonstrating satisfactory performance, and in accordance with the business needs of the department.
BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: A thorough pre-employment, post offer background investigation which may include inquiry into past employment, education, criminal background information and driving record is required for this position. There is currently one (1) Regular vacancy in the Human Services Agency.
For further information about this recruitment, please contact Kim Mariscal by email at kim.mariscal@ventura.org or by telephone at (805) 477-5153.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
The County of Ventura is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.
It is an objective of the County of Ventura to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for county employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.