SUPERVISING ACCOUNTANT (Code 50445)

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 principal administrative officer in a state department or agency, has charge of one of the major areas of the accounting program; does other related duties.

Examples of work

• In the Department of Labor:
• Supervises, the establishment, installation and operation of side- by-side complementary uniform accounting systems for dual federal and state administrative funds including, H.E.W. grants to the Rehabilitation program, Social Security Administrative funds for the D.D.S. and Title III funds for the Manpower and Unemployment Insurance programs.
• Supervises the installation and operation of auditing and scheduling systems and computer Processed Accounting Systems designed to meet reporting requirements of the several federal agencies and the State Department of Treasury for receipts and disbursements covering purchases of supplies and equipment, travel, rentals, contractual services and other administrative expenses.
• Oversees the establishment of separate accounts and accounting systems for Federal programs requiring special fiscal controls under contractual and/or grant terms.
• Supervises the auditing of all-regular telephone and centrex invoices, travel expeditures and out-service training expenditures.
• If assigned to Cost and Fund Accounting Section:
• Acts as liaison to the Office of Data Processing in order to coordinate activities designed to provide cost data and reports by responsibility, object class, program category and unfunded costs so that the Cost/Accrual Accounting System is effectively operated.
• Provide accounting and cost data to Department official needed in preparing budget requests and for functional guidance in the administration of various programs.
• Supervises the installation and operation of various subsystems designed to provide data on costs for a Departmental Plan of Allocation accurately distributing costs of operation between State and Federal funding sources.
• Supervises the maintenance of ledger subsystems for various account categories.
• Supervises the work operations and/or functional programs and has responsibility for effectively recommending the hiring, firing, promoting, demoting and/or disciplining of employees.
• If assigned to general duties:
• Prepares complex reports on various time schedules for the department and various agencies of the federal government.
• Issues instructions and interprets, or makes available, pertinent guidelines: holds group meetings: defines objectives: and otherwise coordinates activities of assigned staff.
• Reviews and edits accounting and other fiscal reports prepared by subordinate Accountants and approves them as to accuracy, propriety and compliance with rules and regulations of the Department and the Federal government.
• Supervises the establishment and maintenance of extensive records and files.
• In the Department of Environmental Protection and Energy:
• As directed by the Director, Division of Rates and Research:
• Assigns, supervises, reviews and evaluates the accounting and analysis work of assigned Accountants and Rate Analysts.
• Represents the Board of Regulatory Commissioners at its hearings on cases involving rate increases for private utility companies.
• Analyzes and evaluates research and pro-forma data in preparation for rate increase hearings.
• Audits profit and loss statements and various balance statements, comparing this data with projected accounting data and recommending whether or not fair rate increases are appropriate.
• Evaluates the effect that mergers and expanded facilities have on fair rate increases requested by utility companies.
• Evaluates individual consumer complaints and recommends appropriate action.
• Acts in the capacity of accounting advisor and consultant at Board of Regulatory Commissioners rate increase hearings.
• Prepares correspondence and statistical, financial and other reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
• Supervises the maintenance of essential records, reports 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.

Education

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree, including or supplemented by twenty-one (21) semester hour credits in professional accounting subjects.

Possession of a valid certificate as a Certified Public Accountant issued by the New Jersey State Board of Public Accountants may be substituted for the Bachelor's degree and accounting credits.

Experience

Four (4) years of professional auditing and/or accounting experience, one (1) year of which shall have involved supervisory responsibility and one (1) year of which shall have involved computer- processed accounting systems.

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 the rules and/or federal regulations governing the installation, operation and keeping of accounts of state agencies and their application to specific situations.
• Knowledge of the methods, procedures and variety of systems used in keeping accounts of financial transactions and their adaptation to difficult and unusual situations.
• Knowledge of the preparation of complex accounting and other fiscal reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
• Knowledge of computer processed accounting and/or auditing systems.
• Knowledge of, where it is required, the laws and procedures governing rate-making activities after a period of training.
• Knowledge of modern accounting principles and their application to specific accounting situations in accordance with statutory or established department procedures after a period of training.
• Ability to analyze laws, rules and regulations pertaining to the installation and maintenance of the accounts of state agencies or to the responsibilities of the department and apply them to specific situations.
• Ability to organize and assign work to subordinate Accountants, Rate Analysts and clerical workers, advise and counsel them and review their work to assure compliance with reasonable standards.
• Ability to initiate changes in accounting procedures and records in order to increase efficiency and economy of operation.
• Ability to review and analyze sophisticated financial data and to develop meaningful reports to interpret such data.
• Ability to provide technical advice and assistance to program directors.
• Ability to work harmoniously with associates, subordinates and others.
• Ability to supervise the maintenance in current condition of the essential records and files.
• Ability to learn 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, or communicate in English sufficiently to perform the 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 the 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.
• CODES: 27/S27 - NL DJ 2/14/94 27/S28 - NL4

Note

The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.

Applicants may substitute a Master's degree in accounting for one (1) of the three (3) years of general professional experience indicated.

Applicants who do not possess the Bachelor's degree but who do possess the twenty-one (21) semester hour credits in accounting may substitute the remaining experience for education as indicated above on a year for year basis.