Cost Accountant (Management Analyst 2) - Public Works

Marion County • Salem, OR • $33 - $44 / hour • 1w ago

Are you looking for an opportunity to do meaningful accounting and data analysis work in a collaborative team environment? Do you possess excellent general ledger, journal entry and balance sheet reconciliation experience? Do you enjoy mapping accounting functions for new software systems, while also providing important data driven reporting tools? If so, we want to meet you!

The Public Works Accounting Team is recruiting a Cost Accountant. This full-time, regular position directly supports various Public Works programs by providing journal entry creation and review, balance sheet reconciliations, complex data analysis, coordinating the implementation of new software systems, and conducting inventory processes.

The successful candidate will have strong general ledger experience, the ability to collect and synthesize data from multiple data sources, prepare fiscal and operational analysis reports for various stakeholders, and be proficient using data analysis tools in software systems such as Excel, Access, and/or Power BI. Work experience in governmental accounting would be helpful but not required to be successful in this position.

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES
Perform complex management analysis and coordination activities that have department or countywide scope and impact with significant community involvement, including program research and development, forming and chairing special task forces and committees involving the county and members of the community, and coordinating and administering a variety of special programs.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED
Works under the general direction of a department head or designee, with additional recommendations from teams, task forces and committees.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED
May provide leadership and direction to clerical or professional staff in relation to special projects or assignments.

Performs professional accounting activities, including general ledger, accounts payable and receivable, and payroll tasks.
Assists with the implementation of new software and accounting systems including serving as the liaison between internal and external stakeholders to meet system requirements; map accounting functions; form and lead special committees and work groups to identify system requirements and accounting process changes; and develop procedural guides and resources for new software systems.

Conducts inventory processes, including full counts of stock items; re-counts as needed for higher variances; and year-end inventory account reconciliation and preparing journal entries to record inventory variances.
Coordinates and reviews work of paraprofessional accounting and clerical staff to ensure accuracy for departmental journal entries, reconciliations and other fiscal tasks.

Prepares and manages monthly balance sheet reconciliations.
Designs and performs complex cost analysis for various Public Works programs, including KPM’s, FEMA grant reporting, and monitor expenditures for special projects.
Provides analytical support to the Data Analyst through reporting, data collection, and research for the purpose of providing analysis, budget and forecasting support to department-wide programs and service districts.
Develops and maintains monthly volume analysis, operational analysis, and fiscal analysis that bridge actual to budget with variance analysis for key operations.
Prepares annual calculation of assessments to property taxes and certifications for a variety of services on behalf of service districts.

OTHER JOB DUTIES

Serves on committees and provides data for various department meetings and projects.
Update Accounting section’s intranet site as needed.
Attends and participates in staff meetings as well as meetings with various other agencies to coordinate activities impacting Public Works.
Attends trainings related to accounting principles, project management, data mining, and other topics related to position.

Participates in basic through advanced incident command training and drills to maintain proficiency in EOC operations. Assumes any position assigned in the EOC, up to and including command staff. Emergency Management duties may require working long hours outside normal business hours, weekend/holiday work, and may occur with little or no advance notice.

EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING

Bachelor's degree in public or business administration, political science, communication, accounting, economics, or related field; AND
Four years of responsible experience including independent research, design and methodology, management analysis, and facilitating group process; OR
Any satisfactory combination of work, education, training, or experience relevant to the position, as determined by Marion County.

STANDARD REQUIREMENTS

The finalist for this position will be required to pass a criminal history background check; however, conviction of a crime may not necessarily disqualify an individual for this position.
This assignment is represented by a union.
This is a full-time position, which is not eligible for overtime.
Typical Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm, with flexibility depending upon the needs of the department and program.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Specific recruitments may require experience, or specialized education, certifications, training, or licensures with time-sensitive expectations.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
Knowledge of the principles and practices of public administration, and of the principles of sound organization and management; financial principles and practices in local government, and of budget preparation and administration techniques; organizational processes and design; principles and practices of statistical analysis and data collection.

Ability to research and analyze issues and procedures; prepare and present recommendations on complex issues, and to illustrate policy and fiscal impact of alternative decisions; prepare a budget and to evaluate budgetary requests; conduct and evaluate surveys and special studies; evaluate program or department operations and performance; establish and maintain positive working relationships with coworkers and the public; lead and direct and participate in training and evaluating personnel.

Skill in applying the principles and techniques involved in performing management improvement studies; coordinating and facilitating group process, and in communicating effectively in both oral and written form; making formal presentations before large groups; applying statistical techniques to research and administrative studies.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Sits; stands; moves about the work area; bends forward; climbs stairs; reaches overhead; lifts up to 30 lbs.; pushes and pulls up to 30 lbs.; moves carts weighing up to 30 lbs.; carries items weighing up to 20 lbs.; keyboard operation; rapid-mental/hand/eye coordination; speaks in clear and audible voice; reads at 12 point font; distinguishes colors and shades; depth perception; ability to hear at a normal speech level; may have exposure to heat, cold, wet and uneven areas, and noise.