CHIEF ACCOUNTANT DEFINITION:
Under direction, plans, organizes, directs, coordinates, and supervises accounting work involved in the maintenance of an accounting system; prepares financial statements and reports; does other related duties as required.
NOTE: The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.
EXAMPLES OF WORK:
Develops program goals and plans for the organization independently of or jointly with higher management.
Determines resource needs, allocates resources, and accounts for their effective use.
Identifies organizational needs and develops plans for changes.
Coordinates program efforts with the activities of internal and external agencies.
Establishes priorities for the unit and determines program emphases and operating guidelines.
Delegates authority to lower-level supervisors and completes performance reviews.
Analyzes work requirements and determines staff resources, equipment, and other resources needed to accomplish assignments, and adjusts as appropriate.
Reviews and analyzes records and reports of work production, costs, equipment, and staff resource utilization to evaluate work progress and regulate costs.
Plans and organizes the overall aspects, policies, and procedures of the accounting program.
Schedules and conducts special studies, surveys, and projects.
May supervise or undertake development of systems which prescribe uniform accounts, procedures, and reports; revises accounting systems based on changes in work programs and processes.
Directs day-to-day accounting operations administered by lower-level supervisory accountants, accountants, and clerks.
Advises lower-level staff on the account selection for recording transactions.
Reviews the data gathered for reports and accounting statements.
May train or instruct lower-level staff in practical application of accounting principles and in handling problems that arise.
Reviews and determines the status of financial resources and the financial results of operations, and identifies significant trends concerning growth and decline of financial resources.
Advises administrative personnel in various areas of financial management.
Maintains liaisons and cooperative internal and external working relationships for the purpose of planning and executing the overall accounting program.
Plans, assigns, organizes, coordinates and reviews the work of staff.
Assists the executive officer with various financial tasks, which may include budgeting, attending meetings and seminars, or filling in if officer is absent.
Implements and establishes general accounting procedures and systems.
Supervises the establishment and maintenance of essential records and files.
Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
REQUIREMENTS:
NOTE:Applicants must meet one of the following or a combination of both experience and education. Thirty (30) semester hour credits are equal to one (1) year of relevant experience.
Nine (9) years of professional supervisory accounting experience involving the operation and maintenance of large-scale systems of accounts, including or supplemented by twenty-one (21) semester hour credits in professional accounting courses.
OR
Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, including or supplemented by twenty-one (21) semester hour credits in professional accounting courses; and five (5) years of the above-mentioned experience.
OR:
Possession of a valid certificate as a Registered Municipal Accountant (RMA) or Certified Public Accountant (CPA) issued by the New Jersey State Board of Certified Public Accountants or as a Certified Municipal Finance Officer issued by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, Division of Local Government Services; and five (5) years of the above-mentioned experience.
NOTE:"Professional experience" refers to work that is creative, analytical, evaluative, and interpretive; requires a range and depth of specialized knowledge of the profession's principles, concepts, theories, and practices; and is performed with the authority to act according to one's own judgement and make accurate and informed decisions.
CERTIFICATION:
Appointees may be required to possess certification as a Registered Municipal Accountant (RMA), depending upon the specific responsibilities of the position in the jurisdiction.
LICENSE:
Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.
KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:
Knowledge of principles, theories, and practices of professional accounting.
Knowledge of applicable guidelines to resolve accounting problems.
Knowledge and ability to implement, establish and maintain a large-scale accounting program.
Knowledge of trends, current development, and plans for future developments in financial management.
Knowledge of organizational structures, functions, procedures, and legislation of the organization served after a period of training.
Knowledge of operating programs, policies, and work processes of the organization served after a period of training.
Knowledge of supervisory methods and techniques.
Ability to plan and direct an accounting program.
Ability to supervise and provide staff training.
Ability to conduct negotiations and reach agreement on accounting problems.
Ability to apply knowledge of structure, functions, procedures, and legislation of the organization served in solving accounting problems.
Ability to develop methods for implementing prescribed accounting systems, to develop, establish, and prescribe accounting systems, and visualize effect of changes recommended or instituted.
Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
