FINANCIAL ACCOUNTANT I

The California State Controller's Office is the chief fiscal officer of California, ensuring accountability and transparency in financial practices. The Financial Accountant I will perform technical and professional financial accounting activities, analyze new mandates, and develop training for statewide financial accounting and reporting activities.

Responsibilities

• Analyze, interpret, and implement new financial accounting and reporting requirements, standards, and pronouncements affecting the State of California’s generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) basis and budgetary/legal basis financial statements, actuarial valuations, pension and other postemployment benefits data, financial information provided by external service providers, and other financial accounting treatments that affect the State’s financial statements or other financial reporting related publications
• Actively monitor developments in financial accounting and reporting requirements from the Governmental Accounting Standards Board, legislation, and other authoritative sources
• Research issues, perform analyses, and write issue papers and reports
• Collaborate with other sections and staff to support the SCO’s reporting mandates and ensure conformity to GAAP, government code, or other legal authority
• Prepare and comment on written analyses, work plans, and schedules to implement new financial accounting and reporting standards affecting the state’s financial records, financial statements, and annual reports
• Analyze and prepare written analyses of legislative proposals and budget change proposals
• Analyze and evaluate newly created funds, and prepare written reports which are utilized in the setup of the fund in the fiscal and financial reporting systems. When identified, re-evaluate specific funds for accounting treatment changes, and provide a written analysis
• Assist with the development of training materials and instructions for staff on statewide accounting policies and procedures, and assist with peer reviews of staff work
• Consult with management, other organizations, or third parties as necessary to ensure the accuracy and timeliness of implementing new financial accounting and reporting requirements
• Evaluate current procedures and policies for business improvement opportunities and coordinate with other SCO divisions to effect changes to business processes
• Provide guidance and serve as a subject matter expert on statewide accounting and reporting activities and projects
• Collaborate with other section’s staff to evaluate program changes and troubleshoot operational problems that occur in FI$Cal, or the Budgetary/Legal, and GAAP Reporting systems. Assist in the development of recommendations to create suitable solutions
• Work with other sections to coordinate workload issues and special requests relating to statewide financial reporting and actuary-related activities. Help identify and assist with financial accounting issues that may affect statewide financial reporting
• Provide state financial accounting and fiscal policy expertise to Department of FI$Cal staff in the design, development, and workflow processes necessary to prepare statewide financial statements and reports
• Assist in the development of financial-related training curriculum on financial accounting and reporting for division staff and state agencies

Skills

• A copy of your degree, transcripts, or degree evaluation is required
• A Statement of Qualifications is required; please see ‘Required Application Package Documents' for instructions
• Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position
• The Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) must be typed in Arial font, 12-point size, single-spaced, on 8.5” x 11” paper, one-inch margins, no more than two pages in length, indicate 'Statement of Qualifications' at the top of the page, identify candidate's name on each page, and answer the following questions listed below. Resumes are not an acceptable substitute for the SOQ
• Please describe your experience preparing or leading the preparation of complex financial statements. Describe your experience researching accounting guidance of the Governmental Accounting Standards Board and/or the Financial Accounting Standards Board
• Resume is optional. It may be included, but is not required

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