People Strategy, Equity, and Culture

Accountant III

  • Title: Accountant III
  • Class: Academic Professional
  • Exempt Status: Exempt
  • Level: 5

Nature and Scope of Work

The Accountant III takes a lead role in coordinating the daily activities of programs or activities that impact the college as a whole such as year-end closing, annual audit, general accounting automation, and other accounting processes. Coordinate assigned activities with other divisions, outside agencies, and the general public. Incumbents in this classification possess advanced knowledge and skills relating to generally accepted accounting procedures, practices and techniques as well as using applications of current computer hardware and software. Applies advanced accounting theory, accounting and management skill to assist management to develop and implement college-wide accounting policies, procedures, and systems.

Principal Accountabilities (includes some or all of the following)

  1. Oversee the daily accounting functions, loan disbursements, grant disbursements, and loan and financial aid payments.
  2. Act as the lead worker over assigned staff. Provide training on accounting theories and practices as well as general functions and operation of the financial computer system. Review and correct staff work as needed. Provide input to Accounting Services Manager on employee performance.
  3. Collaborates with management in preparing and revising college-wide accounting, financial reporting and fiscal management policies and procedures in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting principles (GAAP), federal regulations and state laws.
  4. Provide professional assistance and consultation to college departments. Interpret regulations and policies and provide instruction on classifying and recording transactions. Evaluate risk, benefit, and cost of proposals; support proposal or develops alternatives and recommends action.
  5. Review and correct college-wide financial information to assure the most complex transactions are in accordance with GAAP and GASB. Compile the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) and note disclosures.
  6. Coordinate annual audit process. Analyze and resolve difficult audit issues including negotiation and resolution with external auditors and other government agencies.
  7. Analyze and ensure proper functioning and accountability of reports and reimbursement for the Financial Aid program. Prepare and present Financial Aid accounting information for the financial activities to the applicable government agencies.
  8. Coordinate, supervise, and maintain data interfacing from multiple PC and charge-back systems for upload and download to the PCC data base system. Develop and manage data feeding from various system modules for accuracy. Initiate required adjusting entries. Works with Financial Systems Development Manager to formulate requirements for system improvement projects, based on desired outcomes.
  9. Develop, prepare and submit various mandated financial reports to various public agencies. Monitor and analyze expenditures to ensure compliance with local budget laws, generally accepted accounting principles, and local, state, and federal laws and regulations.
  10. Design and produce ad-hoc reports and financial models as requested by management. Translate complex financial information and technical language into clear and concise documents from which management can make sound decisions.
  11. Performs other duties as assigned.

Work Environment

Work is typically performed in an office environment. Occasional evening or weekend hours may be required depending on project requirements.

Physical Requirements

Minimal physical exertion is required. May sit for extended periods of time at a desk or working at a computer. Learned physical skill is required to perform keyboarding functions.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field. Experience performing the duties described above may substitute for the degree requirement on a year-for-year basis. Three years of experience working in governmental, municipal, fund accounting, or the area of accounting that is related to the assignment is required, including working with preparation of comprehensive annual financial reports and federal reporting requirements.

Demonstrated experience coordinating and overseeing complex financial projects and audits; working with PC and mainframe computer systems, hardware, and supporting software applications; and experience working with computerized general ledgers and accounting systems.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of:
  • Extensive knowledge of generally accepted accounting procedures.
  • Extensive knowledge of governmental or fund accounting including sources of funds, segregation and display of expenditures and revenues, budgetary accounting.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of Federal and State Financial Aid rules and regulations.
  • Extensive knowledge of a specialized financial area or integration and interrelationship of financial management systems.
  • Extensive knowledge of internal fiscal control requirements. Extensive knowledge of applicable laws, rules, regulations, and policies.
Skills in:
  • Skill in operating a computer and various software packages, including advanced skill in spreadsheet applications.
  • Skill in project management and independent problem solving.
  • Skill reviewing accounting transactions to ensure conformance with generally accepted accounting principles.
  • Skill applying audit standards to set up, monitor, and modify internal procedures. Skill preparing and interpreting financial statements and other financial reports.
  • Skill in developing, modifying and implementing accounting systems and policies.
  • Skill applying audit standards to set up, monitor, and modify internal procedures. Skill preparing and interpreting financial statements and other financial reports.
  • Skill advising management about the implications of financial information. Skill developing and using computer models to analyze and forecast financial data. Skill analyzing accounting information and systems to prevent, detect, and correct errors.
  • Skill reviewing the work of other accounting staff for adequacy, methods, and conformance and giving performance information to a supervisor.

Revised: 01/2003, 2/2022

  • Replaces: 06/27/2002
  • Reviewed: 12/2018