Accountant II

at  California State University

Job no: 543544
Work type: Staff
Location: East Bay
Categories: Unit 9 - CSUEU - Technical Support Services, Administrative, Probationary, Full Time

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Experience:

• Equivalent to two (2) years of progressively responsible professional accounting experience

Education:

• Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree with a major in accounting, business administration, finance or a closely related field OR a combination of education and experience which provides the required knowledge and abilities

Abilities:

• In addition to those of the Accountant I, ability to apply accounting principles to the analysis of complex accounting problems
• Analyze and interpret accounting data
• Prepare clear, accurate financial statements and reports
• Utilize problem-solving techniques in finding solutions to complex accounting problems
• Understand and apply applicable rules, regulations, policies, and principles
• Make decisions and recommendations regarding accounting activities
• Communicate effectively with others inside and outside the unit, including conveying technical information to non-Accountants

Knowledge:

• Thorough knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)
• Office methods and procedures; statistical and mathematical presentation of data
• Advanced proficiency with current word processing and spreadsheet software programs, web browsers, query tools, integrated financial systems and/or other types of records management systems
• General understanding of internal control methods
• Working knowledge of federal student financial aid annual reporting requirements, and quarterly grant reporting requirements

PREFERRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting
• Experience with Oracle PeopleSoft Application
• Advanced skill level experience in Excel
• Higher level accounting experience
• Experience in general ledger reconciliations
• Experience in providing direction/training
• Strong customer service

Assure the proper recording and documentation of financial transactions and contribute to audit process - Examine documents for conformance to established policies and procedures and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP):

• Key accountant in GASB implementations and large scale projects for both campus and auxiliaries
• Prepare financial transactions as assigned such as Journal Entry preparation and review, identifying needed reclassifications and/or transfers
• Legal and GAAP Journal Entries
• Analyze Errors/Warnings from monthly FIRMS reporting to Chancellor’s Office
• Ensure that assigned accounting program activities are carried out in accordance with established policies and procedures and general accounting standards
• Ensure activity is appropriate to fund usage; see operating agreements, regulatory agency or governing authority for guidance
• Monitor and report on balances on a Legal and GAAP basis
• For assigned funds, maintain fund agreements, where required by CSU policy
• Interpret new and existing federal and state regulations relative to assigned area of responsibility
• Provide support for various internal and external audits such as audit sample documentation and schedules

Prepare, analyze, and interpret financial reports, statements, and records:

• Conduct extensive financial data compilation, querying and drilling on large volumes of financial data; and use integrated financial systems and/or other types of records management systems:
• Review financial data, reports and statements
• Identify errors
• Take corrective actions
• Prepare complex financial statements and reports
• Correct and reconcile account balances to external data
• Assigned reconciliations are completed accurately
• Reconciliations are consistently completed by the provided deadline
• Reconciling items are generally resolved within 30 days; 60 days for more complex issues
• Contribution to the year-end process include various tasks:
• Legal and GAAP Journal Entries
• SCO State Reporting
• Audit Schedules
• Footnotes/Lead sheet preparation
• Legal-basis financial statements
• GAAP-basis financial statements

Identify actual or potential problems and recommend corrective action:

• Recommend changes to and assist with the documentation and maintenance of business processes, standards and procedures
• Predict the effects of changes in operating programs or accounting operations
• Document and maintain business processes, standards and procedures
• Analyze accounting control procedures and recommend changes or modifications

Provide training, guidance and assistance to other employees and to provide work direction to other professional and/or technical staff as assigned:

• Provide guidance to the Accountant I and Accounting Technician II - Activities may include review/approval all financial transactions and compliance
• Provide consultative services to campus administrators in resolving accounting problems
• Train end users on use of Data Warehouse and distribution of policies or guidelines in relation to compliance and University financial business processes
• Respond to a variety of inquiries from all organization levels and provide guidance and support as needed

Other Duties as Assigned:

• Perform special tasks as assigned; these tasks will be outlined when assigned but are likely to include process design, testing, development of reconciliations/schedule preparation and documentation
• Provide initial troubleshooting of financial systems problems and participate in the design and installation of financial systems upgrades and required testing and verification of results
• Attend trainings as required by assigned duties