The Accountant II is responsible for performing advanced level accounting and reporting functions for the department to ensure complete financial accountability.

A person in this position is expected to demonstrate the System of Care Practice Model which maximizes all resources around an individual or family. This system of care includes child and adult serving agencies and community partners that join with an individual or family to meet their goals.

This job requires the following documents to be obtained, reviewed as acceptable by the supervisor and re-obtained every five years: PA Child Abuse, PA Criminal History and FBI Criminal History.

• Work with the county finance office and controller’s office to maintain fiscal operation of the department’s program.
• Perform analyses and reconciliation of financial data, as required.
• Prepare all journal entries in the automated accounting system.
• Ensure that all department accounting functions are in compliance with county, state and departmental requirements and generally accepted accounting principles.
• Prepare all budget changes and forward to Finance Department.
• Ensure that the preliminary budget is developed according to state and county requirements.
• Prepare various accounting reports and budgetary projections for the Finance and Controller’s Department and Commissioners staff.
• Establish and maintain the county account structure to provide information required for state grant reports.
• Prepare state grant reports and the sub-recipient audit confirmation.
• Supervise staff, where required.
• Ensure the accurate and timely year-end closing of financial records for calendar and fiscal year-end closes.
• Supply assistance to Providers, as needed and in a timely manner.
• Ensure timely processing of Provider and administrative expenses from voucher to payment.
• Maintain departmental manual and electronic accounting records.
• Ensure that administrative expenses are processed accurately and timely.
• Perform routine reconciliations and the semi-annual closing to ensure accuracy of records across all systems.
• Distribute bank statements to Treasurer’s department for reconciliation.
• Reconcile revenue accounts in the general ledger to bank statements.
• Develop and maintain worksheets to coordinate and support the preparation and reconciliation of the county financial accounting and information system and required state grant reports.
• Maintain schedule of consultant contracts and provide monthly updates to management.
• Perform other duties, tasks and special projects, as required.

Minimum Requirements:

• 
  Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Accounting or a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Business or Finance to include 15 accounting credits.
• Two years of professional accounting experience and graduation from an accredited four-year college or university.
• Strong knowledge of commonly-accepted accounting principles and procedures.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of auditing and cost accounting.
• Ability to assemble, analyze and prepare reports and statements of difficult financial data.
• Ability to analyze and interpret accounting and cost accounting records.
• Ability to apply accounting principles to the resolution of a variety of accounting or fiscal problems.
• Ability to train and supervise a professional and non-professional accounting staff.
• Ability to develop and install modifications in established accounting systems, procedures, records and controls.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Ability to travel and attend meetings off site.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and use of a private vehicle.

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Accounting or Finance.
• Knowledge of generally accepted accounting and auditing standards.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Intermediate to advanced math / accounting knowledge.
• Ability to work independently and proceed with objectives.
• Ability to work as part of a team.
• General understanding of fiscal planning.
• Strong working knowledge of budgets, spreadsheets and interpreting audits.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to interface effectively with all levels of county management.
• Accurate and detail-oriented.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to establish priorities.
• Intermediate skill to use a personal computer and various software packages.
• Ability to handle and resolve recurring problems.
• Strong professional ethics.
• Flexibility and the ability to multi-task.
• General knowledge and understanding of County of Chester policies and procedures.
• Ability to maintain confidential information and handle confidential matters.
• Exhibits sound and accurate judgement.

Computer Skills:
To perform this job successfully, an individual should have:

• Basic Word skills
• Intermediate Excel skills
• Basic OutLook skills (Email and Calendar)
• Basic Access skills
• Basic PowerPoint skills (preferred but not required)
• PeopleSoft skills or the ability to learn PeopleSoft
• Basic Internet skills