Fiscal Officer I

*Current County employees may be eligible for a higher step placement per the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

The Fiscal Officer I/II is an administrative fiscal mid-management position that requires accounting skills and experience to perform a variety of complex and technical budgetary duties under general direction and oversight by the Auditor/Controller or designee. Incumbents perform professional accounting work in the establishment and maintenance of accounts and records for the County, coordinates the budget preparation, accounting services, and related fiscal management activities for the County and other special districts and agencies requiring extensive and complex fiscal ability. This classification is Mid Management and exempt from the overtime provisions of the FLSA.Essential job duties may include any of the following tasks. The list that follows is not intended as a comprehensive list, it is intended to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities.   Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed, and may be required to perform additional, position-specific tasks.

• Oversees departmental budgets, including assisting with preparation and monitoring of their individual budgets to assure appropriate and authorized expenditures and account for revenue estimated and received.
• Performs complex technical, professional accounting functions related to the establishment, maintenance, reporting and balancing of accounting records, development of procedures to monitor fund balances, as well as tracking and reporting various financial transactions.
• Develops, implements and maintains interdepartmental methods for approval of expenditures prior to purchase, certifying availability of funds and preparing financial transactions and statements to conform with local, State and Federal regulations.
• Identifies changes in programs which affect the accounting operation.
• Identifies possible ways of using accounting data for management purposes to encourage a greater use of accounting data, and to actively participate in decision and policy making sessions.
• Performs or assists in internal County, Special District and Joint Powers Authority (JPA) audits to ensure compliance with fiscal policies, and performs special audits as requested.
• Performs and conducts special projects relating to both department and County wide finances.
• Provides estimates of expenditures, reimbursements and revenues.
• Advises management of forecasted expenditures relative to budgeted expenditures.
• Forecasts, determines and manages necessary cash flow to support departmental program financial operations.
• Identifies significant trends and makes comparisons to previous accounting periods to determine appropriate action.
• Interprets and applies federal and state legislation, direction and instruction as it applies to county, department and/or program fiscal operations and procedures.
• Evaluates, analyzes and maintains internal departmental budgetary techniques and practices to ensure compliance with the county’s centralized control accounting system.
• Gathers data for analytical purposes on various situations arising in connection with financial administration.
• Performs other related duties as required. 

Any combination of education, training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Fiscal Officer I:
Education: Equivalent to a certified accounting or fiscal training courses from an accredited school or training program; college coursework in accounting or closely related field is preferred.
Experience: A minimum of four (4) years responsible administrative experience with duties involving the preparation, justification and analysis or the control and administration of a budget and/or budgetary programs; experience with a government agency is highly desirable.
Experience in a governmental agency is highly preferred.

Special Requirements:  

• Must possess and maintain a valid Driver’s license.
• All County of Del Norte employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through State law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the County of Del Norte requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect.  Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Work related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

Responsibility:
Employees in this classification are responsible for overseeing and maintaining accounts and records countywide and for contracted special districts and JPAs. As the Fiscal Officer is a lead classification in fiscal discipline, employees in this class are responsible for answering inquiries and providing guidance on County policies and procedures to their fiscal staff.

Incumbents must possess the following knowledge and abilities necessary to perform analytical, forecasting, planning and/or advisory duties in the area of accounting and to serve as a lead person to assigned fiscal staff. 
Knowledge of:

• Computer software applications for financial calculations, record keeping and report writing.
• Principles and practices of budgeting, accounting and auditing, knowledge of governmental budgeting and accounting is desirable.
• Advanced accounting principles and practices that includes financial structure, uniform accounting systems, financial and budgeting procedures.
• Principles of public administration, personnel management and effective supervision.
• Research techniques and statistical principles and procedures.

Ability to:

• Analyze and review complex budgets, financial practices and internal controls while exercising good judgment in reporting or recommending findings.
• Communicate concisely and effective in written and oral form to explain budgetary and financial matters.
• Develop and implement a variety of systematic programs and procedures to maintain budgetary controls.
• Learn and interpret laws, rules and/or instruction relating to financial administration of a local government.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with county officials, staff, representatives from other departments and agencies and the public.
• Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.