DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS:  This is a beginning level accountant position that involves the responsibility for the maintenance of a complete set of double entry records including books of original entry through general ledger and all corresponding subsidiary records. Supervision is received from a higher-level fiscal employee. May supervise lower-level account clerical employees. Performs related work as required.

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES: (Illustrative only)

• Maintains accounts and records for receivables, disbursements and purchase orders;
• Analyzes all general ledger account balances monthly;
• Prepares and updates daily cash flow reports;
• Prepares periodic financial statements and budgetary forecasts;
• Assists in the preparation of the annual financial report;
• Prepares regular and special statistical reports for the Fiscal Manager as well as for various state and federal 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, routines and equipment; ability to maintain cash and general ledgers, and to prepare financial statements and reports; ability to understand and interpret written and tabular instructions; good judgment; initiative; integrity.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, business administration, or similar field; or
2. Any Bachelors degree 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 reports; or
3. Associate’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 reports; or
4. Any Associate’s degree and four (4) years of general or municipal accounting experience which must have included maintenance of general journals and ledgers and/or preparation of financial statements or reports; or
5. Graduation from high school or possession of a comparable diploma and six (6) years of general or municipal accounting experience, which must have included maintenance of general journals and ledgers and/or preparation of financial statements or reports;
6. An equivalent combination of training and experience as indicated above.

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.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT FOR APPOINTMENT IN SCHOOL DISTRICTS:

In accordance with the Safe Schools Against Violence in Education (SAVE) legislation, Chapter 180 of the Laws of 2000, and by the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education, candidates for appointment in school districts must obtain clearance for employment from the State Education Department prior to employment based upon a fingerprint and criminal history background check.

12/81; 6/85; 6/95; 9/97; 1/09; 6/24

Competitive Class