AUDIT AND SYSTEMS MANAGER
Job Specifications

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY

 DEFINITION 

Under general direction, to plan, organize and supervise the audit activities of the Auditor-Controller's Office, and to do other work as required. 

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS 

This single position class is responsible for the operations of the Audit and Systems Division of the Auditor-Controller's Office. This division conducts audits covering fiscal and operational reliability and integrity, prepares reports as necessary, and develops and implements accounting systems in County Departments. Additionally, the audits determine if resources are used economically and efficiently and whether established goals and objectives are met. This class differs from the next higher class of Chief Deputy Auditor-Controller, who has responsibility for assisting the Auditor-Controller to manage the department.

TYPICAL TASKS 

Plans, organizes and directs the audit operations of the Auditor-Controller's Office with the responsibility of conducting audits which conform to State and Federal policies and procedures and meet professional auditing standards; supervises, trains and evaluates the work of professional staff who conduct fiscal and compliance and management audits of County departments and Special Districts; counsels departmental staff on technical audit problems; performs complex and difficult audits; prepares reports with recommendations and presents recommendations at the exit conference; analyzes audit practices, policies and procedures, recommends appropriate changes and implements new policies and procedures, as approved; supervises the preparation and/or prepares financial statements; consults with department heads, government officials, business organizations, and other interested parties on auditing fiscal policy, practice, methods and conclusions; reviews and studies changes in legal and procedural requirements for fiscal operations affecting auditing processes; prepares correspondence and reports; may perform and/or oversee special accounting projects and the annual cost plan; attends meetings and conferences; may appear as a witness before interested boards or courts; answers inquiries and provides information regarding the status of financial accounts; assists and advises supervisor on administrative problems involving technical auditing, accounting and fiscal reporting. Directs the development of accounting systems and implementation thereof. 

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS 

Knowledge: 

• Thorough knowledge of accounting and auditing principles and procedures; 
• Thorough knowledge of operational or managerial auditing; 
• Working knowledge of computer (EDP) controls and auditing; 
• Working knowledge of governmental auditing, finance and budgeting: 
• Working knowledge of office practices, systems and procedures; 
• Working knowledge of business law and contracts; 
• Working knowledge of work organization, simplification and layout; 
• Working knowledge of principles and practices of supervision and training; 
• Working knowledge of the application of data processing to accounting operations and management information systems; 
• Working knowledge of organization and administration. 

Ability to:

• Plan, organize, direct and coordinate complex auditing operations;
• Supervise, train and evaluate subordinate staff; 
• Collect, interpret and analyze data; 
• Interpret, explain and apply complex laws, policies, procedures and rules and regulations; 
• Establish and maintain an effective working relationship with others; 
• Identify, define and analyze financial and operational problems and make sound recommendations which will be acceptable to operating departments or special districts; 
• Apply computer auditing techniques and procedures; 
• Perform complex management and fiscal audits; 
• Prepare clear and concise written management audit reports; 
• Prepare and present technical and fiscal data to groups; 
• Operate a personal computer to design programs to store, retrieve and analyze information. 

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

• Equivalent to graduation from a college or university with a major in accounting, business, public administration, finance, economics or a related field, and three years of increasingly responsible professional auditing experience with one year of experience supervising audits.
• A Certified Public Accountant certificate is desirable. 

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: 

• Possession and maintenance of a valid California Class C Driver's License or the ability to provide suitable transportation as approved by the department head.
• Physical and mental capability to perform the classification’s essential functions as summarized in the typical tasks section of this specification.

Bargaining unit: 11 
EEOC Category: 02 
Occupational Group: 81 
Worker's Comp Code: 53