CHIEF OF FISCAL SERVICES

Job Specifications

Class Code:	UD9
Analyst: , MM

Date Originated:	10/84
Dates Revised:	6/95, 6/00, 10/07, 2/08, 8/08

COUNTY OF SANTA CRUZ

DEFINITION

Under general direction, develop fiscal policies and plans for implementation for the Health Services Agency,  Human Services Department, and the Department of Public Works; direct the fiscal planning, control, audit and accounting programs to be implemented by the Assistant Chief of Fiscal Services-HSA, Fiscal Officers, Administrative Services Manager, and other subordinate fiscal positions, develop time lines and coordinate the financial portion of the budget; design, coordinate and maintain fiscal, cost accounting, contract administration, billing and grant accounting systems and procedures to assure the quality and technical accuracy of all fiscal programs; prepare the most complex and technical financial reports; determine fiscal data processing needs of the agency; oversee and train agency personnel in the use of computerized accounting systems; and perform other duties as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This class is responsible and accountable for the quality and technical accuracy of the Health Services Agency,  Human Services Department, and Department of Public Works fiscal program to the Director of Administrative Services, the Assistant Director of Public Works, and to the Auditor-Controller. This class differs from the lower level classification of Assistant Chief of Fiscal Services – HSA, and Accountant III in Department of Public Works, in that the latter reports to and carries out the ongoing programs and systems developed by the Chief of Fiscal Services and differs from the lower level classification of Administrative Services Manager in Human Services Department, in that the latter has responsibility for managing the administrative and fiscal support services.

TYPICAL TASKS

Plan, organize, direct and coordinate fiscal systems planning, control, audit and accounting programs; supervise and coordinate professional, supervisory and accounting clerical staff engaged in maintaining fiscal records, performing cost accounting, preparing budgets, receipts and expenditure accounting, preparing financial reports, billing, preparing grants and working on other fiscal programs; assist the Director of Administrative Services, the Assistant Director of Public Works, and the Department Head to prepare and control the department budget; design, coordinate and maintain cost accounting, general accounting and billing systems, procedures and practices to assure the quality and technical accuracy of fiscal services; act as an internal consultant and provide advice on fiscal matters; obtain Bonds and provide specific bond accounting; select, train and evaluate subordinate staff; prepare highly complex periodic and special reports; monitor revenue generation and plan and coordinate the development of new or additional sources of revenue; identify management information requirements, then monitor, recommend and/or design computerized accounting and billing programs and reports; research legislation to ensure compliance with laws, rules and regulations which fiscally impact department programs; maintain liaison with Auditor-Controller office, the State and other governmental agencies, examine cost experience and projected trends and recommend fees for various services; supervise client billing and collection; assure that fiscal program meets the Auditor-Controllers standards and stands up to State and Federal audits; conduct special and highly complex accounting studies; prepare complex responses to disputed state and federal audits and prepare material for appeals as appropriate; attend meetings and conferences and make presentations; and prepare correspondence and reports.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

Knowledge of:

Thorough knowledge of:

• Accounting practices, principles and procedures;
• Auditing practices, principles and procedures;
• Governmental budgeting and financial operations;
• Program accounting;
• Cost accounting practices and procedures;
• The application of data processing to accounting operations including budgeting, billing, fiscal monitoring and reporting;
• Personal computer hardware and software use in a mainframe environment; and
• Data base design.

Working knowledge of:

• State and federal laws, rules and regulations influencing Health Service Agency,  Human Services Department, and Department of Public Works fiscal operations;
• The principles and practices of supervision and training;
• Contract law;
• Payroll practices; and
• Statistical analysis.

Some knowledge of:

• Third-party billing; and
• Handling accounts receivable as regular credit and collection procedures as well as principles involved in reserving for bad debts.

Ability to:

• Plan, organize, direct and coordinate a complex fiscal program;
• Hire, supervise, train and evaluate the work of subordinate staff;
• Analyze, evaluate and solve complex administrative problems related to a large agencys fiscal program;
• Interpret, apply and explain complex laws, rules and regulations;
• Establish and maintain an effective working relationship with others;
• Prepare clear, concise and highly complex accounting, statistical and technical reports;
• Develop or revise accounting systems and work procedures to meet changing needs;
• Operate a personal computer to design programs to store, retrieve and analyze information;
• Manage the fiscal program of the Health Services Agency ,  Human Services Department, and Department of Public Works to assure the quality and technical accuracy;
• Present technical financial data and reports before groups; and
• Act as a fiscal consultant for the department.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Any combination of education and experience which would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying, unless otherwise specified. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

• Five years of increasingly responsible professional level complex accounting, auditing and budget experience which must have included at least one year as a fiscal manager or supervisor. CPA is desirable.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS/CONDITIONS

• Background Investigation: Fingerprinting is required.
• Other Special Requirements: Availability to work a flexible schedule including evenings, weekends, and holidays.

PREVIOUS CLASS TITLES: None
Benefit Status: 11
EEOC Job Category: 02
Occupational Grouping: 80
Workers Comp Code: 53