ASSISTANT CHIEF FISCAL OFFICER

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 direction of the Chief Fiscal Officer or other supervisory officer, assists in planning, organizing, and directing the fiscal program for the department; does related work as required.

Examples of work

Assists in planning, organizing, and directing varied fiscal activities including the department budgeting process, fiscal disbursements, fiscal reports, budget interpretation, accounting procedures, and analysis of financial data, and providing fiscal advice and consultation to division directors and other department officials. Assists in directing, reviewing, and preparing the annual department budget. Assists in developing and enforcing budgetary timetables concerning budget preparation, budget submittals, and budgetary expenditures and appropriations. Assists in overseeing and controlling various general housekeeping services including microfilming, printing, space allocation, purchasing, stock and storage, and other related office service functions. In the absence of the Chief, keeps the Director of Administration informed of changes in federal and state funding and for budgeting and accounting requirements. Acts as the alternate approval officer on requests for spending of the department's appropriations which include state, federal, trust, dedicated, private, and revolving funds and all other fiscal documents. As required, serves on various ad hoc and special task force committees created for the purpose of exploring problem areas of the statewide budgeting, accounting, and purchasing methods. Reviews, analyzes, and interprets statutes as they pertain to the state fiscal program. Supervises the maintenance of a data processing system which produce fiscal reports, monthly billings, and various status reports for distribution throughout the department and to statewide agencies. Develops, updates, and maintains the department fiscal procedures manual. Supervises the appropriations posting, the expenditures posting, and the transfer of funds to and from the various state departments to the central accounts (that is, rents, telephone, telegraph, insurance, and postage). Supervises the development and maintenance of several fiscal functions including appropriations accounts, debits and credits, refunds, transfers, payments, accounting classifications, financial reports, and other related fiscal responsibilities. Prepares various reports, letters, and documents as they relate to the fiscal program of the department. Manages work operations and/or functional programs, and has responsibility for effectively recommending the hiring, firing, promoting, demoting, and/or disciplining of employees. Supervises the preparation and maintenance of essential records and files. May 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

Appointees 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 modern accounting principles, methods, techniques, and processes and their application to specific accounting situations. Knowledge of the laws, rules, and regulations governing the installation, operations, and keeping of account of state agencies after a period of training. Knowledge of the types of records and systems used in keeping account of financial transactions. Knowledge of the particular accounting responsibilities and problems of the Department of the Treasury after a period of training. Knowledge of the interpretation of varied types of financial data and of the proper form and content of financial documents, statements, and schedules. Knowledge of the preparation of involved and detailed accounting and other financial reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Knowledge of data processing applications. Knowledge of the equipment and operation of a microfilming and printing operation. Ability to analyze laws, rules, and regulations pertaining to the installation, operations, and keeping of the varied accounts of state agencies. Ability to observe recognized accounting principles and standards. Ability to initiate and pass upon proposed changes in accounting procedures and records. Ability to compile, review, analyze, and interpret basic financial data. Ability to provide technical advice and assistance to those charged with keeping financial records. Ability to work harmoniously with associates, subordinates, and others. Ability to organize and assign work to subordinate professional and technical employees, advise and counsel them when difficult fiscal problems arise, and review their work to assure compliance with reasonable standards. Ability to prepare and interpret financial statements and reports from involved and extensive financial data. Ability to supervise, train others, and make involved mathematical computations and compilations accurately and with speed and to use various mechanical aids. Ability to train subordinate personnel in correct budgeting and accounting procedures. Ability to prepare and supervise the preparation of sound, clear, and informative financial and other reports. Ability to supervise the maintenance of 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.

Note

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. Nine (9) years of professional experience in a complex fiscal program which shall have included responsibilities for budgeting and accounting, two (2) years of which shall have been in a supervisory capacity, including or supplemented by twenty-one (21) semester hour credits in accounting. OR Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, including or supplemented by twenty-one (21) semester hour credits in accounting; and five (5) years of the above-mentioned professional experience, two (2) years of which shall have been in a supervisory capacity. "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 judgment and make accurate and informed decisions.