Chief Accountant in New Brockton, Alabama at Coffee County, AL

COFFEE COUNTY COMMISSION JOB DESCRIPTION: CHIEF ACCOUNTANT
IDENTIFICATION Job Title: Chief Accountant Department: Coffee County Administration FLSA Status: Exempt Employment Type: Full-Time
RELATIONSHIPS Reports To: County Operations Officer Subordinate Staff: Administrative staff Other Internal Contacts: Elected Officials, County Commissioners, and Department Heads and Employees county-wide. External Contacts: General public, Examiners of Public Accounts, external auditors, and outside agencies
JOB SUMMARY The principal function of the Chief Accountant is to ensure the efficiency, effectiveness, and integrity of the County's fiscal operations. The Chief Accountant is responsible for the oversight and management of the financial operations of all Coffee County departments, offices, and affiliated boards, including but not limited to the Sheriff's Department, Environmental Services (including the Coffee County Landfill), the E-911 Board, and the Coffee County General Fund. Work is performed under the general direction of the County Operations Officer, but the employee is expected to exercise independent judgement and initiative in day-to-day accounting, reporting, and financial management decisions. The nature of the work requires the Chief Accountant to establish and maintain effective working relationships with County employees, department heads, elected officials, county commissioners, external auditors and examiners, and the general public. The principal duties of this position are performed in a general office environment, with regular attendance at Commission Work Sessions and Commission meetings.
JOB DOMAINS •Directs the County's overall financial operations, accounting records, and reporting for all county departments, offices, and affiliated boards, including the Sheriff's Department, Engineering and Highway Department, Environmental Services/Coffee County Landfill, the E-911 Board, and the Coffee County General Fund. •Develops, implements, and maintains accounting policies, procedures, and internal controls to safeguard county assets and ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and governmental accounting standards (GAAP/GASB). •Serves as chief accountant for the County's capital improvement program, financial reports, and reporting guidelines. •Monitors and updates the County's inventory control file. •Oversees the financial aspect of the County's Fleet Management Program. •Receives and Properly applies gas taxes received by the County. •Supervises the process of billings and collections, accounts receivable, and balancing of all accounts. •Makes journal entries and performs monthly reconciliation of bank accounts. •Prepares, reviews, and submits financial statements and reports to the Commission, department heads, outside agencies, and appropriate State and Federal agencies. •Coordinates and supports the annual budget process, including budget preparation, monitoring, and variance analysis across county departments and funds; monitors budget and reports to the County Operations Officer on the financial condition and needs of the County.

• Coordinates County cooperation with outside auditors and examiners; assists in the coordination of annual audits and responds to auditor inquiries, maintaining audit-ready financial records throughout the year.

•Monitors and reports on grant funding, restricted funds, enterprise accounts and special revenue accounts, ensuring compliance with funding source requirements. •Provides information to the County Operations Officer on the activities and operations of County departments; serves as a financial resource to department heads and county officials, providing guidance on budgetary and accounting matters. •Maintains and utilizes the county's financial software system (SmartFusion experience preferred) for accounting, budgeting, and reporting functions. •Attends Commission Work Sessions and Commission meetings; presents financial information and responds to inquiries from the Commission as needed. •Supervises finance department staff, including hiring, training, and performance management; provides needed information and training on how to perform certain work tasks to new employees. •Communicates and coordinates regularly with appropriate parties to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of interdepartmental financial operations and activities. •Performs special projects for the County Operations Officer as directed.

•Performs other directly related duties consistent with the role and function of this classification

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JOB SPECIFICATIONS (QUALIFICATIONS) Minimum Qualifications •Graduation from an accredited college or university with a degree in Accounting. •Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license, active and in good standing, required. •Minimum of five (5) years of progressive accounting experience. •Governmental accounting and/or auditing experience preferred. •Experience with SmartFusion financial software preferred but not required. •Valid driver's license. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities •Skills necessary to comprehend laws, contracts, and regulations applicable to County government. •Comprehensive knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and governmental accounting principles (GASB). •Knowledge of audit procedures and tax codes. •Knowledge of budget principles and public sector fiscal management. •Ability to provide administrative direction and to interpret, communicate, and implement policies of the County Commission. •Ability to analyze, interpret, and compile financial data from diverse county departments and funds. •Ability to communicate effectively with others, both orally and in writing, including presenting financial information clearly to non-financial audiences. •Ability to understand and follow oral and/or written policies and instructions. •Ability to operate a personal computer using standard or customized software, including financial software systems. •Ability to work effectively and professionally with department heads, elected officials, county commissioners, and the public. •Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines across diverse departments and funds. •Integrity, ingenuity, and inventiveness in the performance of assigned tasks, and discretion in handling confidential financial and personnel information. OTHER •Experience in financial operations within a government environment preferred. •Any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work.
WORKING CONDITIONS •Primarily an office environment with regular interaction with county departments, officials, and the public. •Required to attend Commission Work Sessions and Commission meetings, which may occur outside of standard business hours. •Occasional travel within the county to department locations, including the Coffee County Landfill and other county facilities, as needed.