PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT
Career Family: ACCOUNTANT
New Jersey treats Principal Accountant as a competitive-class job, so the gate is an examination and the ranked list it produces rather than a direct offer.
The spec names a bachelor's degree, but it leaves the door open to substitute experience for the degree.
How to apply
This title is filled by competitive examination.
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See where to apply for this title →Who employs this title
Principal Accountant is used at 2 independent authorities.
Independent authorities
| Employer | Employees |
|---|---|
| New Jersey Transit Corporation | 25 |
| New Jersey Sports & Exposition Authority | 2 |
Where this title is used
Principal Accountant is a local service title. It is filled by the counties, municipalities, authorities and other employers that have adopted civil service under Title 11A, not by State departments. Those employers set pay by ordinance or contract rather than from a State salary schedule, which is why most local titles carry no salary range here.
Check whether an employer is a civil service jurisdiction · How local civil service works
State payroll and independent authority payroll are separate systems and are never merged. See data sources.
Official job specification
The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.
Definition
Under the direction of a Supervising Accountant or other fiscal officer, performs highly responsible and complex professional accounting work concerned with designing, maintaining, analyzing and operating accounting record and reporting systems in support of agency operations; takes the lead over staff; does other related duties as required.
Examples of work
Is highly responsible for the auditing of financial documents and implements accounting functions, systems, policies and plans. Leads difficult inspections complex expenditures to ensure that all transactions comply with accounting and tax policies, procedures, recommendations and regulations. Takes the lead over accounting staff. Takes the lead in the preparation of required financial statements and fiscal reports including the compilation and analysis of data for monthly, quarterly and/or annual reports. Takes the lead in complex and difficult investigative book audits and financial record examinations. Prepares and interprets budget requests and prepares current statements of the allocations and disbursements of budgeted funds. Audits and edits expense invoices. Conducts complex operational audits and edits cost reports and other financial summaries and statements. Checks disbursements and controls adherence to contractual obligations. Takes the lead in the compilation, analysis and preparation of a variety of statements and reports for use in financial, budget and personnel planning. Oversees the maintenance of essential accounting records and files. Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
License
Appointee will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
Knowledge of generally accepted accounting theories, principles, methods, practices and equipment. Knowledge of laws, rules, and regulations governing the operation and maintenance of accounts and their application to specific situations. Knowledge of the preparation of involved and detailed accounting and other financial reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Ability to analyze accounting problems organize assigned work and develop effective work methods. Ability to ensure that prescribed accounting procedures are followed. Ability to provide technical advice and assistance to those charged with the keeping of financial records. Ability to apply established accounting methods and procedures. Ability to take and maintain a firm, correct stand when differences of opinion, interpretation, and fact arise. Ability to give assignments and instructions. Ability to take the lead over accounting staff. Ability to prepare detailed accounting and other financial reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Ability to maintain essential accounting records and files. Ability to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units. Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication. Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
Note
The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using his title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed. Applicants must meet one of the following or a combination of both experience and education. Thirty (30) semester hour credits are equal to one (1) year of relevant experience. Six (6) years of professional accounting or auditing experience, including or supplemented by twenty-one (21) semester hour credits in professional accounting courses. OR Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, including or supplemented by twenty-one (21) semester hour credits in professional accounting courses; and two (2) years of the above-mentioned experience. OR: Possession of a valid certificate as a Registered Municipal Accountant (RMA) or Certified Public Accountant (CPA) issued by the New Jersey State Board of Certified Public Accountants or as a Certified Municipal Finance Officer issued by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, Division of Local Government Services; and two (2) years of the above-mentioned experience. "Professional experience" refers to work that is creative, analytical, evaluative, and interpretive; requires a range and depth of specialized knowledge of the profession's principles, concepts, theories, and practices; and is performed with the authority to act according to one's own judgement and make accurate and informed decisions.