Benton County
ASSISTANT COMPTROLLER
Benton County, Bentonville, Arkansas, United States, 72712
SUMMARY: PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES/FUNCTION:
Under the direction of the Comptroller, the Assistant Comptroller is responsible for assisting the Comptroller in all accounting functions of the County. These functions include, but are not limited to, budget preparation, financial reporting, grant accounting, purchasing function, and payroll function. This position will also assist the Comptroller in reviewing and developing County policies that will maintain and or improve the integrity of internal controls and assist with the completion of all required financial and compliance audits of the County. The Assistant Comptroller will directly supervise the Grant Administrator, Purchasing Manager and Payroll Manager and ensure that all functions are properly processing all transactions according to County policies and State and Federal Law in a manner that maintains optimum efficiency in the department.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following:
Budget
1. Assist the Comptroller in the annual preparation of the County Budget with an amount over $100 million. This will include researching and compiling information and data necessary to prepare and review various reports and schedules in the areas of revenue and expenditure projections, employee headcount and salary projections, and the assessment of capital project needs.
2. Attend Finance Committee meetings during the development of the annual budget. During these meetings the Assistant Controller may be required to make presentations to the Quorum Court explaining assumptions and data collection procedures used in compiling the information for the new year budget. These presentations will be critical for the decision-making process made by Quorum Court necessary to approve the budget for the next fiscal year.
3. Correspond with elected officials and department heads regarding budget over-runs, and account problems.
Finance and Accounting
4. Assist the Comptroller in the preparation of monthly financial reports that will be presented to the Finance Committee of the Quorum Court.
5. Assist the Comptroller with the preparation and review of Court Orders necessary to process VOID or Stop Payment checks; corrections needed to coding of paid claims or deposits received; requests for equipment appraisal and disposal; fuel transfers; commodity orders, or any other court order necessary to maintain the integrity of the accounting system reports and to stay in compliance with State laws.
6. Assist with the review of all Contracts, interlocal agreements or grant awards.
7. Assist the Comptroller in reviewing and developing County policies that will maintain and or improve the integrity of internal controls and assist with the completion of all required financial and compliance audits of the County.
8. Assist the Comptroller in maintaining the County wide general accounting system, general ledger, and budget in accordance with the State Legislative Audit Department requirements and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.
9. Maintain knowledge of department operations and systems. Perform work within accounting parameters established by the County and applicable Federal and state laws and regulations. This is to assist with mitigation of risk to the County.
10. Assist with review of annual insurance renewal for Worker's Compensation.
11. Directly supervise the Purchasing Manager, Payroll Manager and Grant Administrator.
12. Responsible for general overview of the Accounting Functions for the County and will need to evaluate and recognize areas where improvements can be made. The individual will need to define problems, collect the information necessary for evaluation, to interpret the data, and make recommendations to management.
13. Under the direction of the Comptroller, prepare operating procedures to assist staff with planning, method, and manner of assignments performed by others.
Grants
14. Responsible for learning the Federal, State, and local grantor requirements necessary to maintain compliance with all grantor terms and conditions. This will include knowledge of OMB's 2 CFR 200 circular and related pronouncements regarding Federal, state and local pass-through funds.
15. Responsible for reviewing the preparation of the annual Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) for the annual federal Single Audit.
16. Responsible for coordinating with the Comptroller and the Grant Administrator the preparation of information necessary to complete the annual federal Single Audit. The Single Audit is a mandatory federal audit that is submitted to the Federal Clearing House and impacts current and future receipts of federal awards.
17. Responsible for reviewing with the Grant Administrator that all required financial and compliance reporting has been submitted on time and that all submission are complete and financially accurate.
18. Review the Grant listing/database (currently over $80 million) of all active grant awards and ensure that the related information is sufficient to efficiently identify and manage reporting compliance is complete. This should include at a minimum the Grantor Agency, Grant Award Number, Period of Performance, amount of award, cash match if applicable, required reports, report due dates, grantor contact information, County department managing the award and name of County contact person, County fund number.
19. Maintain a complete listing of all URLs with login and password information for all websites necessary to complete Grant reporting.
20. Work closely with departmental Program Manager's staff, Treasurer's and Federal, State and local agencies, as well as, private grantors.
21. Review and approve a variety of reports, statements, records, analysis, and financial compilations for Federal, State, and local regulatory agencies with various reporting periods in compliance with grantor award terms and conditions.
22. Review and approve grant close-out reports in coordination with the Grant Administrator.
23. Review and approve reimbursement requests with supporting documents as appropriate.
24. Review internal accounting controls as required by Federal, state and local grants to ensure appropriate use of public funds, currently over $80 million.
Purchasing
25. Responsible for having knowledge of the State of Arkansas Procurement Manual.
26. Assist the Purchasing Manager with the preparation and review of RFQ's, RFPs, and Bids.
27. Review with the Purchasing Manager all of the annual insurance renewals to ensure that all necessary changes have been properly accounted for in the new year policy. This should include general liability, property (real and personal property), auto, helicopter, and communication towers, as well as, any new policies required. These insurance policies protect assets valued at over $51 million.
28. Review with the Purchasing Manager annual physical inventory of all County owned assets to ensure that all assets are properly accounted for.
29. Review of report of all County Contracts (including leases) with focus on upcoming terminations and possible necessary renewals. Monitors contracts for upcoming expirations; notifies departments on a timely basis when contracts must be rebid.
30. Review of approved Procurement Policies to ensure compliance with all Federal, State and local laws and regulations. Assists Purchasing Manager with development and update of purchasing policy and procedures.
31. Review of all information requests from external auditors necessary to complete the annual Legislative Audit.
32. Review listing of all approved State and Private/Public co-ops that can be used for purchasing and notify all departments what they are allowed to use.
Payroll
33. Responsible for having knowledge of applicable federal and state and local laws involving payroll taxes and preparation of all reporting necessary for federal, and state governmental agencies.
34. Review processing of bi-weekly Payroll and all relevant reporting, to include, invoicing for payroll taxes, APERS reconciliation and submission of contribution file to the State, as well as, GL interface and 457b contribution (Nationwide).
35. Review with the Payroll Manager on the processing of the payroll GL interface and coordinate payment of payroll taxes, APERS, and the 457b payment file with the Treasurer's Office.
36. Review and approval of the quarterly 941 tax reports (with over $10 million in salaries) for federal and state, as well as, the SUI.
37. Review and approval of annual W2 and W3 reporting for $40 million.
38. Review with the Payroll Manager all monthly payroll grant reports for the FBI, SRO, STEP, OCDE, APAC and the quarterly report for the SRO program and Hot Check Coordinator Salary report.
39. Other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty mentioned satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:
Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university with a major in accounting. Masters in Professional Accountancy preferred.
Five to ten years of experience in accounting
Governmental accounting experience preferred.
Five or more years of supervisory experience.
WORKING RELATIONSHIPS:
Must maintain positive working relationships with the elected officials, the quorum court, department heads, employees, and the public. In addition, positive working relationships must be maintained with all outside agencies and organizations.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS and ABILITIES:
The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties.
General accounting principals and practices; computer applications related to financial reporting (database, spreadsheet, word processing); general office practices and procedures; governmental structure, accounting and budget procedures and practices; unique accounting issues relating to Federal, State and local grants.
Considerable knowledge of accepted purchasing and accounting principles, practices and procedures.
Considerable knowledge of federal, state, and County legal requirements for government purchasing.
Considerable knowledge of business contracts, markets, market prices and availability of products.
Ability to prepare accounting and financial reports; research, analyze and interpret complex accounting data; prepare clear, concise financial reports for managers, grantors, and other internal and external users; develop and maintain effective working relationships with those contracted in the course of work.
Ability to maintain complex record keeping systems.
Ability to train or direct the work of others.
Ability to perform mathematical calculations accurately.
Ability to acquire all necessary information pertinent to the purchase and delivery of materials, supplies, equipment and services
Ability to prepare numerical and informational reports in hard and electronic copy format
Ability to communicate effectively in writing.
Ability to learn new software and navigate efficiently as necessary within the job format.
Skill in use and navigation with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook), Internet, and various online systems.
Skill in use of a ten key calculator.
Ability to pay attention to detail.
Possess strong organizational skills.
REQUIRED CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:
Certified Public Accountant
PREFERRED CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:
No requirement
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, sit, walk, talk or hear, use hand to finger, handle or feel, reach with hands and arms. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an incumbent encounters while performing the essential functions.
Normal working conditions as found within an office setting, wherein there is a controlled temperature and a low noise level.
Under the direction of the Comptroller, the Assistant Comptroller is responsible for assisting the Comptroller in all accounting functions of the County. These functions include, but are not limited to, budget preparation, financial reporting, grant accounting, purchasing function, and payroll function. This position will also assist the Comptroller in reviewing and developing County policies that will maintain and or improve the integrity of internal controls and assist with the completion of all required financial and compliance audits of the County. The Assistant Comptroller will directly supervise the Grant Administrator, Purchasing Manager and Payroll Manager and ensure that all functions are properly processing all transactions according to County policies and State and Federal Law in a manner that maintains optimum efficiency in the department.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following:
Budget
1. Assist the Comptroller in the annual preparation of the County Budget with an amount over $100 million. This will include researching and compiling information and data necessary to prepare and review various reports and schedules in the areas of revenue and expenditure projections, employee headcount and salary projections, and the assessment of capital project needs.
2. Attend Finance Committee meetings during the development of the annual budget. During these meetings the Assistant Controller may be required to make presentations to the Quorum Court explaining assumptions and data collection procedures used in compiling the information for the new year budget. These presentations will be critical for the decision-making process made by Quorum Court necessary to approve the budget for the next fiscal year.
3. Correspond with elected officials and department heads regarding budget over-runs, and account problems.
Finance and Accounting
4. Assist the Comptroller in the preparation of monthly financial reports that will be presented to the Finance Committee of the Quorum Court.
5. Assist the Comptroller with the preparation and review of Court Orders necessary to process VOID or Stop Payment checks; corrections needed to coding of paid claims or deposits received; requests for equipment appraisal and disposal; fuel transfers; commodity orders, or any other court order necessary to maintain the integrity of the accounting system reports and to stay in compliance with State laws.
6. Assist with the review of all Contracts, interlocal agreements or grant awards.
7. Assist the Comptroller in reviewing and developing County policies that will maintain and or improve the integrity of internal controls and assist with the completion of all required financial and compliance audits of the County.
8. Assist the Comptroller in maintaining the County wide general accounting system, general ledger, and budget in accordance with the State Legislative Audit Department requirements and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.
9. Maintain knowledge of department operations and systems. Perform work within accounting parameters established by the County and applicable Federal and state laws and regulations. This is to assist with mitigation of risk to the County.
10. Assist with review of annual insurance renewal for Worker's Compensation.
11. Directly supervise the Purchasing Manager, Payroll Manager and Grant Administrator.
12. Responsible for general overview of the Accounting Functions for the County and will need to evaluate and recognize areas where improvements can be made. The individual will need to define problems, collect the information necessary for evaluation, to interpret the data, and make recommendations to management.
13. Under the direction of the Comptroller, prepare operating procedures to assist staff with planning, method, and manner of assignments performed by others.
Grants
14. Responsible for learning the Federal, State, and local grantor requirements necessary to maintain compliance with all grantor terms and conditions. This will include knowledge of OMB's 2 CFR 200 circular and related pronouncements regarding Federal, state and local pass-through funds.
15. Responsible for reviewing the preparation of the annual Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) for the annual federal Single Audit.
16. Responsible for coordinating with the Comptroller and the Grant Administrator the preparation of information necessary to complete the annual federal Single Audit. The Single Audit is a mandatory federal audit that is submitted to the Federal Clearing House and impacts current and future receipts of federal awards.
17. Responsible for reviewing with the Grant Administrator that all required financial and compliance reporting has been submitted on time and that all submission are complete and financially accurate.
18. Review the Grant listing/database (currently over $80 million) of all active grant awards and ensure that the related information is sufficient to efficiently identify and manage reporting compliance is complete. This should include at a minimum the Grantor Agency, Grant Award Number, Period of Performance, amount of award, cash match if applicable, required reports, report due dates, grantor contact information, County department managing the award and name of County contact person, County fund number.
19. Maintain a complete listing of all URLs with login and password information for all websites necessary to complete Grant reporting.
20. Work closely with departmental Program Manager's staff, Treasurer's and Federal, State and local agencies, as well as, private grantors.
21. Review and approve a variety of reports, statements, records, analysis, and financial compilations for Federal, State, and local regulatory agencies with various reporting periods in compliance with grantor award terms and conditions.
22. Review and approve grant close-out reports in coordination with the Grant Administrator.
23. Review and approve reimbursement requests with supporting documents as appropriate.
24. Review internal accounting controls as required by Federal, state and local grants to ensure appropriate use of public funds, currently over $80 million.
Purchasing
25. Responsible for having knowledge of the State of Arkansas Procurement Manual.
26. Assist the Purchasing Manager with the preparation and review of RFQ's, RFPs, and Bids.
27. Review with the Purchasing Manager all of the annual insurance renewals to ensure that all necessary changes have been properly accounted for in the new year policy. This should include general liability, property (real and personal property), auto, helicopter, and communication towers, as well as, any new policies required. These insurance policies protect assets valued at over $51 million.
28. Review with the Purchasing Manager annual physical inventory of all County owned assets to ensure that all assets are properly accounted for.
29. Review of report of all County Contracts (including leases) with focus on upcoming terminations and possible necessary renewals. Monitors contracts for upcoming expirations; notifies departments on a timely basis when contracts must be rebid.
30. Review of approved Procurement Policies to ensure compliance with all Federal, State and local laws and regulations. Assists Purchasing Manager with development and update of purchasing policy and procedures.
31. Review of all information requests from external auditors necessary to complete the annual Legislative Audit.
32. Review listing of all approved State and Private/Public co-ops that can be used for purchasing and notify all departments what they are allowed to use.
Payroll
33. Responsible for having knowledge of applicable federal and state and local laws involving payroll taxes and preparation of all reporting necessary for federal, and state governmental agencies.
34. Review processing of bi-weekly Payroll and all relevant reporting, to include, invoicing for payroll taxes, APERS reconciliation and submission of contribution file to the State, as well as, GL interface and 457b contribution (Nationwide).
35. Review with the Payroll Manager on the processing of the payroll GL interface and coordinate payment of payroll taxes, APERS, and the 457b payment file with the Treasurer's Office.
36. Review and approval of the quarterly 941 tax reports (with over $10 million in salaries) for federal and state, as well as, the SUI.
37. Review and approval of annual W2 and W3 reporting for $40 million.
38. Review with the Payroll Manager all monthly payroll grant reports for the FBI, SRO, STEP, OCDE, APAC and the quarterly report for the SRO program and Hot Check Coordinator Salary report.
39. Other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty mentioned satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:
Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university with a major in accounting. Masters in Professional Accountancy preferred.
Five to ten years of experience in accounting
Governmental accounting experience preferred.
Five or more years of supervisory experience.
WORKING RELATIONSHIPS:
Must maintain positive working relationships with the elected officials, the quorum court, department heads, employees, and the public. In addition, positive working relationships must be maintained with all outside agencies and organizations.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS and ABILITIES:
The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties.
General accounting principals and practices; computer applications related to financial reporting (database, spreadsheet, word processing); general office practices and procedures; governmental structure, accounting and budget procedures and practices; unique accounting issues relating to Federal, State and local grants.
Considerable knowledge of accepted purchasing and accounting principles, practices and procedures.
Considerable knowledge of federal, state, and County legal requirements for government purchasing.
Considerable knowledge of business contracts, markets, market prices and availability of products.
Ability to prepare accounting and financial reports; research, analyze and interpret complex accounting data; prepare clear, concise financial reports for managers, grantors, and other internal and external users; develop and maintain effective working relationships with those contracted in the course of work.
Ability to maintain complex record keeping systems.
Ability to train or direct the work of others.
Ability to perform mathematical calculations accurately.
Ability to acquire all necessary information pertinent to the purchase and delivery of materials, supplies, equipment and services
Ability to prepare numerical and informational reports in hard and electronic copy format
Ability to communicate effectively in writing.
Ability to learn new software and navigate efficiently as necessary within the job format.
Skill in use and navigation with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook), Internet, and various online systems.
Skill in use of a ten key calculator.
Ability to pay attention to detail.
Possess strong organizational skills.
REQUIRED CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:
Certified Public Accountant
PREFERRED CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:
No requirement
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, sit, walk, talk or hear, use hand to finger, handle or feel, reach with hands and arms. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an incumbent encounters while performing the essential functions.
Normal working conditions as found within an office setting, wherein there is a controlled temperature and a low noise level.