Accountant/Auditor Senior

Starting Compensation:

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Job Description:

JOB SUMMARY

• This is professional work of a highly responsible and complex financial nature. 
• This position is located in the Administrative Office of Lancaster County Behavioral Health and Developmental Services and directly reports to the County Fiscal Officer 2. 
• The position requires a broad understanding of agency operations and chart of account structure, government accounting concepts, cost allocation methodologies, confidentiality of information and records, customer service focus, and excellent communication skills. 
• Knowledge and compliance with DPW 4300, 4305, 6200 Fiscal Regulations, relevant MH, IDD, and EI bulletins and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles is also critical. 
• This position is a vital link between the clinical and business sides of the BH/DS programs of the agency.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS 

• This is a highly responsible position requiring a high level of initiative and independent action and requires the sharing of information and recommendations with the Fiscal Director. 
• Work is assigned to this position via both oral and written instructions. 
• Employee is expected to work independently on routine tasks with regularly scheduled supervisory review by the County Fiscal Officer 2. 
• Staff development, training, and growth is highly encouraged and supported.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• This position is responsible for the analysis and communication of all financial matters involving the BH/DS agency, which has an approximate annual budget of $30 Million. 
• The primary duties include preparation of the budgets and financial analyses; funds management and review of accounts payable requests; contract negotiation, review, and management; account coding for contracts, payables and requisitions; state and managerial financial reports; communication with providers to include audit confirmation letters; review provider audits and/or conduct provider audits; and general financial support to component program staff.  

OTHER SPECIFIC TASKS OR DUTIES

Specific duties include:

• Prepares draft budgets and updates them as needed based on state allocations and program plans.
• Reviews contract invoices and requisitions for budgetary compliance, proper account coding, and completeness prior to payment.
• Analyzes and presents well-documented monthly financial summaries and makes recommendations to the County Fiscal Officer 2.  Prepares data analyses and trial balances and reviews financial data and reconciliations prior to reporting.  Monitors, manages, and reports categorical funds.  Documents and files all work papers for budgeting, analyses, and financial reports. 
• Participates in contract and rate negotiations and makes recommendations based on budgets, rate-setting guidelines, and good fiscal management principles.  Monitors contract caps and provider compliance with contract terms.  Assists in contract preparation/generation in the agency database (CARES) for approval and distribution.  Documents and files all budgets, financial reports, and work statements used in the contracting process.
• Reconciles cash accounts between PeopleSoft and subsidiary ledgers.  Prepares or reviews reconciliations for provider advances and funds available reports.  Prepares bank reconciliations.
• Monitors the chart of accounts, provider reporting compliance, contract caps and allocation levels, and makes required journal entries.
• Establishes and monitors contracts and funds management parameters in the agency database system as determined by fiscal and program staff.  Assists in decision-making process by providing technical advice regarding categorical guidelines.
• Attends HealthChoices financial meetings and prepares required HealthChoices financial reports and time studies.
• Attends Fiscal Unit and program staff meetings to ensure that the financial systems provide timely, reliable, and meaningful information for a variety of users.  Works closely with County Fiscal Officer 2 to review and finalize reports prior to submission.  Responds to requests for information from program staff in a timely and professional manner.
• Participates in the testing of the agency's database (CARES) to explore options for system implementation, improvement, troubleshooting, and customization of reports.  Assists in the preparation of policy and procedure manuals for fiscal operations. 
• Prepares quarterly and annual State financial reports according to prescribed formats and within established timetables.  These include Medical Assistance Administrative Cost Claims, HealthChoices financial reports and time studies, EI Income & Expenditure Reports, and Human Services Block Grant reports.  Attends trainings and meetings, reviews instructions/documentation and monitors program changes to assure reporting requirements are known.  Monitors data collection throughout the year to ensure clean submission of the required reports.
• Reviews and analyzes provider audit and financial reports and performs sub-recipient compliance monitoring and communicates results to providers.
• Completes a payroll documentation review to ensure that staff time sheets match the leave requests in PeopleSoft HRMS and verifies that proper payroll backup documentation is retained.  If any discrepancies exist, follow up with staff, supervisors, or directors to correct any issues.
• Assists in preparation of the annual Full-Time Equivalent Study report which is used as the cost allocation between the agency's components.
• Assists County Fiscal Officer 2 with preparation of the County Single Audit preliminary work papers and other documentation, as requested by auditors.
• Performs on-site reviews of provider financial information, as requested.
• Assists the Fiscal Officer 2 in preparing and entering the annual County Budget.
• Reviews and tracks provider certificates of insurance and responds to audit confirmation letter requests.
• Inputs fiscal data in HCSIS/Pelican (state data tracking software).
• Learn the basic functions of other fiscal positions and assist in coverage of those tasks during staff absences.  
• Performs other duties within the scope of this position's classification as needed and as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Two years as a Fiscal Technician and six college credits in accounting; OR
• One year of accounting and/or budgetary experience and business-related bachelor's degree that includes six college credits in accounting; OR
• Three years of accounting and/or budgetary experience and a business-related associate's degree that includes six college credits in accounting; OR
• Five years of bookkeeping experience and six college credits in accounting; OR
• An equivalent combination of experience and training that includes or is supplemented by six college credits in accounting.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of public fiscal administration.
• Knowledge of accounting principles and procedures.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of auditing and cost accounting.
• Ability to apply established fiscal methods to financial transactions.
• Ability to relate program operations and goals to the budgeting process.
• Ability to develop budget projections and revisions as part of the budget development process.
• Ability to analyze trends and provide fiscal and budgetary forecasts.
• Ability to organize, monitor, and analyze financial data using various accounting systems and records.
• Ability to organize and complete various fiscal summary reports.
• Ability to apply information technology to financial operations.
• Ability to develop and implement modifications in established accounting systems, records, and controls.
• Ability to express ideas effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to comprehend program goals, objectives, and operations and to relate these to budget analysis.
• Ability to prepare and interpret financial reports and statements.
• Ability to organize and present clear and concise oral and written reports of findings and recommendations.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with department officials and staff associates.

REQUIRED LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS/CLEARANCES

• Must pass pre-employment drug screening test.
• Must have acceptable background check that includes FBI Clearance, PA State Police criminal history and ChildLine clearances. Clearances are required prior to the start of employment and may not be more than one year old at time of employment.
• A valid driver’s license and acceptable driving history in accordance with County policy.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORK ENVIRONMENT

• The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Must be able to work in a busy and open environment.
• Must be able to routinely provide own transportation to and from meetings and other job-related appointments in a timely manner and be able to access those locations with reasonable accommodations.   

The County of Lancaster offers comprehensive benefits to our employees.  Read more about our benefits here.
Lancaster County Government provides Equal Employment Opportunity for all persons regardless of race, religion, age, sex, national origin, genetic information or disability. The County also observes all applicable laws regarding Veterans status. The County reflects this action in all areas of employment and compensation practices and policies. Employment with the County is based upon the ability to perform the job as well as dependability and reliability once an individual is hired.