Accounting Supervisor

Job Summary

This position performs complex administrative, technical, and professional work in oversight of accounting services, grant management, reporting, and collections, and supervises a team supporting these efforts. Incumbent manages these services for the division in coordination with Accounting and Collections staff and in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), county policy, state statutes, and federal laws and regulations. Emphasizes maximizing revenue for the county by ensuring effective and efficient billing, receipting, and disbursement processes, accurate and timely reporting, aggressive budget development and management, and successful collections strategies. Work is primarily performed in an office setting.

Job Description

Supervises the overall operation of the Health and Human Services Accounting and Collections units in the performance of their job duties, including hiring, training, mentoring, evaluating, disciplining, discharging, and approving work schedules, leave requests, and work assignments. 

Oversees all accounting functions of Health and Human Services, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, cash receipts, general ledger, collections, projects, and grants. 

Has overall responsibility for ensuring accurate, timely completion of state mandated reports. 

Performs complex, highly responsible administrative and professional duties involved in building and maintaining reports and assists with budgeting, budget analysis, and budget forecasting. 

Assists in the development, implementation, and maintenance of new accounting techniques and financial management systems or modifies and modernizes existing accounting methods and procedures. 

Collects, compiles, and analyzes financial, budgetary, and trend data; prepares reports, spreadsheets, and graphs. 

Has overall responsibility for ensuring financial records are closed accurately and on time in conjunction with the county's Accounting department. 

Acts as accounting system administrator for HHS, setting up, amending, and deleting coding and coding structures with integrity, accuracy, communication, and follow-through. 

Provides accounting assistance in other Health and Human Services units or county departments to resolve problems others may be experiencing. 

Conducts program planning and evaluates revenues and expenditures. Reviews HHS Division practices to ensure adequate financial record keeping and compliance with state and federal audit requirements. Monitors billing and revenue receipt practices for HHS.

Coordinates the development and implementation of internal accounting controls. Establishes, organizes, and communicates accounting control policies and procedures. Ensures that accounting processes and operational functions are designed effectively to meet standard internal and GAAP controls and are implemented and consistently performed.

Assists external auditors in the review and auditing of county operations and financial reports and supervises preparation of various audit work papers as requested.

Serves as county liaison between HHS and the State of Minnesota Department of Human Services Financial Operations Division.

Prepares and delivers presentations as needed to both internal and external business partners. 

Provides back-up supervision for the Administrative Services Supervisor in their absence. 

Performs supervisory duties as defined in MN Statute 179A.03 Subd. 17.

Works the days and hours necessary to perform all assigned responsibilities and tasks. Must be available (especially during regular business hours or shifts) to communicate with other employees, supervisors, customers, vendors, and any other person or organization with whom interaction is required to accomplish work and employer goals. Limited evenings required on occasion. 

Performs other related duties as required or assigned.

Minimum Qualifications
Requires equivalency of a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field and four years of professional level accounting experience. Preference given for supervisory experience and for public sector accounting focusing on Health and Human Services programs and funding sources. A reliable form of transportation for the performance of work responsibilities is required.

Supervisory Controls
The employee is under general guidance and direction from the Administrative Services Director. The employee works collaboratively and in consultation with the County Controller. Work is performed according to established Accounting Office guidelines and procedures, as well as accounting and auditing standards which are determined by county, state, or federal regulations. The employee exercises considerable independent judgment in setting priorities, interpreting regulations, and implementing new work methods and procedures. Work may be reviewed by the Administrative Services Director or Health and Human Services Director for overall standard of performance.

The incumbent directs and oversees the work of others, including program/service planning and delivery, personnel selection, evaluation of work performance, training, and disciplinary activities. Performs supervisory duties as defined in MN Statute 179A.03 Subd. 17.

The incumbent promotes employee professional development and provides coaching and mentoring to others.

Core Competencies and Abilities
Customer Service - Delivers government services in a respectful, responsive, and solution-oriented manner.

Communication - Is always clear about what we're doing and why we're doing it.

Collaboration - Works with partners – communities, schools, faith groups, private business, and non-profit agencies – to see that services are not duplicated but rather are complimentary, aligned, and provided by the partners who can deliver the service most effectively.

Stewardship - Works proactively to make investments, guided by resident input, which will transform lives, communities, and government.

Empowerment - Works with individuals and families to affirm strengths, develop skills, restore hope, and promote self-reliance.

Resiliency - Fosters public preparedness and responds when families and communities face health and safety emergencies.

Innovation - Takes informed risks to deliver services more effectively and learns from successes and failures.

Knowledge – Considerable knowledge of the principles and practices of government accounting.

Knowledge of agency programs, operations, policies, and procedures.

Knowledge of fiscal policies and budgetary procedures.

Knowledge of county policies, procedures, and labor contracts.

Knowledge and understanding of and respect for the diversity of customers, coworker, and supervisors, including individuals with disability or whose first language may be other than English.

Abilities – Ability to operate office equipment related to the job and ability to train staff in its use when necessary.

Ability to analyze financial and accounting reports and assist in the formulation of fiscal and budgetary policy.

Ability to develop new accounting systems and techniques.

Ability to maintain complex accounting records and prepares reports from such records.

Ability to multi-task and prioritize.

Ability to manage time and strong organizational skills.

Ability to direct and supervise the work of others; ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing; ability to train staff.

Ability to make complex mathematical computations quickly and accurately.

Ability to follow complex verbal and written instructions.

Ability to deal tactfully and efficiently with all levels of management, co-workers, and the general public.

Ability to speak, present, and interact in public arenas with composure, professionalism, and discretion.

Ability to use MS Office software for the performance of essential duties.

Ability to use appropriate discretion in dealing with matters of a confidential nature.

Work Environment and Physical Demands
Typical characteristics of the regular, ongoing work environment of this position requires inside work, typically in an office setting. The position is multi-task oriented and includes periods of stress when balancing multiple and varied needs/demands of services. 

Physical activities include sedentary to light work: Reaching, sitting, standing, walking, pushing, lifting, pulling, fingering, grasping, feeling, stooping, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions. Lifts and/or navigates up to 35 pounds on a routine basis in handling files and equipment necessary for performing the essential duties of the job.