Principal Accountant

Clackamas County’s Department of Finance is seeking an experienced accounting professional to be the Principal Accountant in our Finance Division’s Financial Accounting and Reporting program. This position will perform the most responsible financial reporting functions within the County’s Finance Department and to analyze proposed Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) standards. The incumbent will also implement modifications to County business processes or accounting systems to accommodate new standards.

The Principal Accountant will perform the highest professional level accounting functions with substantial impact on the integrity of County systems of accountability, financial reporting, and management decision-making. The incumbent oversees a major fund section of the County’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Reporting (CAFR) and has lead responsibility in analyzing, researching and implementing GASB pronouncements County-wide. The Principal Accountant is also responsible for the financial statements and management discussion documents for the County’s annual audit and GASB mandated financial reporting.

The Financial Accounting and Reporting program is responsible for the general ledger, capital asset records, closing of the books of record at year end, coordination of the audits of the County, preparation of audit workpapers, leading implementation of all GASB pronouncements, coordinating efforts between the component units that have financial staff, as well as the preparation of the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (County CAFR), the Clackamas County Development Agency CAFR (component unit), and four smaller district financial statements (component units).

Required Minimum Qualifications/ Transferrable Skills: *

• Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and skills is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and skills would be:
  • Education/Training: Equivalent to a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from an accredited business college or university; AND
    
  • Experience: Five (5) years of progressively responsible, advanced level professional accounting, financial analysis and reporting, and audit experience in government, either at the department or enterprise-wide level
• Experience analyzing financial problems, by applying accounting principles or auditing concepts to develop solutions and recommendations
• Thorough knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) Statements, and the Single Audit
• Working knowledge of Oregon Local Budget Law and Minimum Standards or equivalent State requirements
• General knowledge of Statements on Auditing Standards
• Experience preparing audit workpapers and complex governmental financial statements
• Must successfully pass a criminal history check
• Must meet the requirements of the County’s Driving Policy, see the Other Information section for additional details

Preferred Special Qualifications/ Transferrable Skills: *

• Possession of an active Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license, in good standing
• Experience performing audits of local governments
• Experience auditing, analyzing and evaluating financial records, internal controls, policies and procedures
• Experience implementing GASB Standards

*For Veterans qualified for Veteran’s Preference: If you believe you have skills that would transfer well to this position and/or special qualifications that relate to this position, please list those skills and/or qualifications in the open-ended question at the end of the application and explain how those skills and/or qualifications relate to this position.

PAY INFORMATION

Job Title: Principal Accountant

Job Code: 001639

Salary Plan/Grade: EA/26

Salary Range:

Annual: $67,260.44 – $85,087.58

Hourly: $32.336752 – $40.907492

Hours per Week: 40

Union Representation: Employees’ Association

BENEFITS

In addition to competitive wages, Clackamas County offers an attractive benefits package for employees in regular status positions.

Health Plan Options: Most employees are eligible to start most benefits the first of the month after two full months of continuous employment. Note: This summary is general in nature. Specific terms of benefits are contained in insurance policies, the Personnel Ordinance, County Employment Policies and Practices and the appropriate collective bargaining agreement.

THE FLEXIBLE BENEFITS PROGRAM OFFERS:

• A Choice of Medical Plans with Vision and Prescription Drug Coverage
• Chiropractic Coverage and Alternative Care Benefit
• A Choice of Dental Plans
• Wellness and Employee Assistance Program
• Paid Leave: (Vacation, Holidays, Sick Leave, Bereavement Leave, Military Leave)
• Group Term Life Insurance
• Short- and Long-Term Disability Insurance with Optional Salary Buy-Up Program
• A Choice of Full Benefits or Lesser Benefits with Flex Cash
• Optional Health Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Optional Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Optional Health Reimbursement Arrangement
• Optional Dependent Term Life Insurance
• Optional Group Universal Life Insurance
• Optional Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance
• Optional Long Term Care Insurance
• Optional Voluntary Benefits through AFLAC, Liberty Mutual and Hyatt Legal
• Retirement: PERS/OPSRP Retirement Contributions
• Optional Deferred Compensation (457)
• Longevity Pay

Learn more about Employee Benefits.

WORK SCHEDULE

This position is included in the County’s alternate workweek program, working 40 hours during a standard workweek of Monday through Thursday (Fridays off). Specific hours of work will be discussed with the candidate selected for this position at the time an offer of employment is extended.

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT

The Department of Finance centers its mission around the values of accountability and integrity, in pursuit of the highest standards of customer service. The Finance Division staff serves the public and internal customers by providing timely and accurate fiscal and debt information, evaluating financial alternatives and coordinating among departments to meet the County’s public service goals.

The Finance Division provides Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable, Budget management, Grants Accounting, and Payroll services to County departments and component units.

The Procurement Division coordinates the acquisition of goods and services for the most efficient and accountable use of public funds.

The Facilities Management Division provides accessible public buildings, maintains a healthful working environment in County facilities, and protect the County’s investment in buildings and property.

The Fleet Management Division manages the specification, deployment, maintenance and repair of County motor vehicles and construction equipment, including Sheriff patrol cars, pickups, vans and other light and medium duty vehicles.

Learn more about Clackamas County Finance

RESPONSIBILITIES

Duties may include but are not limited to the following:

QUALIFICATIONS

Thorough knowledge of: The principles and practices of financial reporting, auditing and internal controls; governmental accounting and budgeting procedures and operations; Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP); Governmental Accounting Standards (GASB statements); techniques used to locate errors in accounting records; computerized accounting systems and how they aid in compiling, maintaining and using accounting information; public sector accounting needs; general laws and rules regulating and influencing County fiscal operations; data processing as it relates to accounting records and applications; general office practices and procedures; application and use of standard office equipment.

Skill to: Research technical accounting guidelines and literature to determine applicability; use accounting-related software and financial reporting systems; develop complex financial reports; design, generate and reconcile accounting reports, statements, projections and schedules; interpret and apply accounting and fiscal-related laws, ordinances, rules, regulations, policies and procedures; prepare and maintain accurate reports, spreadsheets and fiscal records; apply and adapt established accounting principles and procedures to a variety of County fiscal applications; apply mathematical and statistical analysis to data from various sources, draw logical conclusions and make appropriate recommendations; lead the work of professional accounting staff; communicate professionally, clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, managers, customers and the general public.

APPLICATION/SELECTION PROCESS

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Clackamas County is an Equal Opportunity Employer valuing diversity and inclusion as essential elements that create and foster a welcoming workplace. All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, political affiliation, disability or any other factor unrelated to the essential functions of the job.

If you wish to identify yourself as a qualified person with a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act and will be requesting accommodation, the request must be made to the Department of Human Resources no later than the recruitment close date.