PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT (PROJECT ACCOUNTING) Job at Los Angeles County Metropolitan

Performs a distinct function in the management and support of highly complex financial reporting, payroll, and accounting/financial systems for different departments. The role will be responsible for grants and project billings, supporting highly complex reporting, and performing capital assets accounting functions.

* Plans, prioritizes, and organizes accounting functions within the Accounting Department

* Prepares accurate and timely financial statements and reports for management staff

* Reviews complex grant funding agreements, bond issues, and other financial contractual agreements with federal, state, and local governmental agencies

* Prepares or supervises the preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports, payroll related tax reports, and other financial schedules

* Responds to audit inquiries and other information required by federal, state, and local government agencies

* Coordinates with department management staff regarding related processes, such as timekeeping, payroll, project management, and invoice payment or billing processes

* Complies with Metro's bill payments standard to ensure project and cost center invoices are paid according to agreed terms

* Supervises the research of finance, accounting, and payroll systems issues and makes recommendations to senior management

* Acts as a project lead for software upgrades, implementation, deployment, and training and documentation of business requirements

* Advises staff and department staff on complex accounting issues, cost standards, legal requirements, and labor and tax regulations

* Recommends and assists in the implementation of goals and objectives

* Establishes schedules, controls, and systems to ensure accuracy and security of financial records and source documents

* Prepares, reviews, and supervises the preparation of board and other management reports

* Serves as lead and provides work direction to accounting professionals as necessary

* Contributes to ensuring that the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) policies and programs of Metro are carried out

May be required to perform other related job duties

A combination of education and/or experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the position. Additional experience, as outlined below, may be substituted for required education on a year-for-year basis. A typical combination includes:

Education

* Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or a related field

Experience

* Five years of relevant experience in accounting performing complex management, operations, financial, budgetary, or other related analytical work; some positions in this class may require specialized experience in area of assignment; project lead experience preferred

Certifications/Licenses/Special Requirements

* A valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions for the non-contract jobs

* CPA (Certified Public Accountant) and/or CMA (Certified Management Accountant) preferred

Preferred Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications (PQs) are used to identify relevant knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) as determined by business necessity. These criteria are considered preferred qualifications and are not intended to serve as minimum requirements for the position. PQs will help support selection decisions throughout the recruitment. In addition, applicants who possess these PQs will not automatically be selected.

The following are the preferred qualifications:

* Experience preparing billings and reports related to grants from various funding sources, such as federal, state, local, and/or bonds.

* Experience preparing schedules related to capital assets addition, depreciation, and retirement (sale, donation, loss, impairment).

* Experience preparing timely and accurate responses to audit requests from auditors by various funding sources, such as federal, state, and local.

* Experience using Oracle-based Financial Information System preparing/approving journal entries.

Knowledge of (defined as a learned body of information that is required for and applied in the performance of job tasks)

* Theories, principles, and practices of governmental accounting, grants administration, budgets, credit and collections, business finance, and financial recordkeeping

* Applicable local, state, and federal laws, rules, and regulations governing a public transportation agency or financial reporting agency

* Applicable accounting codes, regulations, and cost accounting standards

* Principles of supervision

* Applicable business software applications

Skill in (defined as the proficient manual, verbal, or mental utilization of data, people, or things)

* Preparing complex accounting or credit and collections work and financial analysis

* Determining strategies to achieve goals and objectives

* Establishing and implementing applicable policies and procedures

* Analyzing situations, identifying problems, recommending solutions, and evaluating outcomes

* Exercising sound judgment and creativity in making decisions

* Communicating effectively orally and in writing

* Interacting professionally with various levels of the organization and external representatives

* Learning and utilizing new and existing financial/accounting software

* Operating computers and general office equipment

Ability to (defined as a present competence to perform an observable behavior or produce an observable result)

* Compile and analyze complex data

* Prepare comprehensive reports and correspondence

* Meet tight deadlines and time constraints

* Think and act independently

* Understand, interpret, and apply laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, contracts, budgets, and labor/management agreements

* Represent Metro before the public

* Plan financial and staffing needs

* Oversee, train, mentor, and motivate assigned staff

* Read, write, speak, and understand English

Special Conditions

The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Metro provides reasonable accommodation to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Working Conditions

* Typical office situation

* Close exposure to computer monitors and video screen

Physical Effort Required

* Sitting at a desk or table

* Operate a telephone or other telecommunications device and communicate through the medium

* Type and use a keyboard and mouse to perform necessary computer-based functions

* Communicating through speech in the English language required

(JC)