DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS:  Work involves independent responsibility for the maintenance of a comprehensive system of  governmental or other municipal accounts, by applying principles of accounting. Responsibilities include a variety of general ledger functions, as well as reconciliations, funds accounting, preparation of financial statements, and other related work. Work is performed under supervision of a higher-level fiscal administrator. Performs related work as required.

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES: (Illustrative only)

• Maintains and oversees maintenance of all general ledger accounting operations and functions;
• Performs or oversees record-keeping and required fiscal reporting for department, municipality, local, state and federal agencies;
• Provides advice and assistance with regard to required reporting obligations, including interpretation of guidelines, instructions, schedules, and other criteria;
• Prepares and oversees preparation of a variety of fiscal reports, including financial statements, budget projections, reports to governmental agencies etc.;
• Prepares bank reconciliations and balances for a variety of accounts/funds such as general, payroll, capital projects, trust and agency, special aid, etc.;
• Maintains and oversees accounting methods and procedures;
• Uses finance software for accounting purposes;
• Checks, classifies and codes financial transactions for computer input;
• Analyzes records of past and present operations, trends and costs, estimated revenues, and appropriations;
• Assists in the preparation of schedules and annual financial statements required in the annual year end closing process;
• May be responsible for maintaining records, billing processes, reconciliations and reports to governmental agencies;
• Performs a variety of related activities as required.

Typical Work Activities are intended only as illustrations of possible types of work that might be appropriately assigned to an incumbent of this title. Work activities that do not appear above are not excluded as appropriate work assignments, as long as they can be reasonably understood to be within the logical limits of the job.

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS:  Good knowledge of accounting principles, practices and techniques, particularly as they relate to governmental accounting; good knowledge of office terminology, procedures and equipment; ability to maintain and audit comprehensive accounting records including general journals and ledgers; ability to prepare closing entries and financial statements and reports; ability to use and learn software used for financial and tax accounting; ability to understand and interpret difficult written and tabular materials; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisors, employees, program officials and others; tact and courtesy.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:  Either

1. Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or similar field and two (2) years of general or municipal accounting experience, which must have included maintenance of general journals and ledgers and/or preparation of financial statements; or
2. Bachelor’s degree and four (4) years of general or municipal accounting experience, which must have included maintenance of general journals and ledgers and/or the preparation of financial statements;
3. Associate’s degree in Accounting ,Finance, business administration, or similar field and four (4) years of general or municipal accounting experience, which must have included maintenance of general journals and ledgers and/or the preparation of financial statements;
4. Associates degree or completion of sixty (60) college credits and six (6) years of general or municipal accounting experience, which must have included maintenance of general journals and ledgers and/or the preparation of financial statements; or
5. Graduation from high school or possession of a comparable diploma and eight (8) years of general or municipal accounting experience, which must have included maintenance of general journals and ledgers and/or preparation of financial statements.

PLEASE NOTE: Your degree must have been awarded by a college or university accredited by a regional, national, or specialized agency recognized as an accrediting agency by the U.S. Department of Education/U.S. Secretary of Education.

SUBSTITUTION NOTE: Certification as a Public Accountant by the State of New York may be substituted for two (2) years of general accounting experience.

2/83; 9/97; 11/00; 5/09; 11/13; 11/23

Competitive Class