Salary : $47,437.00 – $80,738.00 Annually
Location : Stockton, CA
Job Type: Full-Time Regular
Job Number: FY24-00017
Department: Finance
Opening Date: 10/13/2023
Job Summary
Minimum Salary Ranges start at $47,437 (Specialist I); $54,901 (Specialist II) – Depending on qualifications (DOQ)
Under general supervision, performs routine to complex professional accounting duties in support of San Joaquin Regional Transit District (RTD) in the analysis, preparation, and maintenance of financial records and reports for assigned accounts and funds; and performs related duties as assigned.
Finance Specialist I is the entry-level class in the professional accounting class series. Incumbents perform routine to moderately difficult professional duties in analyzing and maintaining a variety of accounting and financial records and systems, including general ledger and fixed assets. Accountants review and reconcile assigned accounts and accounting transactions, develop and maintain schedules and subsidiary accounts, and assist in the preparation of financial statements and analyses. Work requires understanding and applying accounting theory and principles in analyzing, preparing, and reviewing financial records and transactions. Incumbents are expected to have knowledge that exceeds the bookkeeping knowledge required for accounting technicians, which principally entails the correct application of transactional procedures and guidelines.
Finance Specialist II is the journey-level class in the professional accounting class series. Incumbents perform moderately difficult to complex technical accounting, and financial analyses to provide accurate and timely financial reports to RTD management, other governmental bodies and the public to support sound decision-making and ensure appropriate public disclosure and accountability. Work involves independent judgment and requires a thorough knowledge of accounting principles and practices and applicable accounting standards and requirements, as well as substantial familiarity with RTD financial management practices and procedures.
Successful candidates may be hired at either the Specialist I or Specialist II level depending on experience/qualifications.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.
- Reviews, analyzes, balances, and/or reconciles assigned general ledger accounts and other accounting transactions, requiring the interpretation and application of professional accounting theories, principles, and practices; identifies and resolves problems; reviews bank reconciliation’s for accuracy; prepares financial statements and disclosures.
- Maintains revenue accounting records, expenditures, and special funds; prepares analyses, spreadsheets, schedules, journal vouchers, and reconciliations to produce accurate financial reports and footnotes; monitors and prepares periodic reports on special funds; reviews accounting transactions prepared by other staff members; reviews cash position on a regular basis and maintains cash flow projections.
- Participates in RTD’s month-end and year-end closing and audit processes; reviews month-end reports during closing process, performs complex calculations, and prepares assigned month end and year-end journal entries; drafts, reviews, and analyzes audit work papers; performs financial and other analyses requested by auditors.
- Evaluates, updates, distributes, reviews, and/or develops specialized accounting records, reports, and spreadsheets; reviews accounts payable and other disbursements for accuracy and appropriate authorization for payment; reviews and approves tax remittances; compiles, calculates, and analyzes highly technical data and information from a variety of sources; identifies discrepancies, resolves issues, and/or notifies appropriate sources and ensures that issues are resolved; distributes reports to internal and external sources in a timely manner.
- Generates reports and assists in preparation of monthly financial statements and footnotes for RTD management; conducts expenditure analyses; prepares journal entries; researches variances and discrepancies.
- Participates in the planning, development, implementation, and monitoring of department and agency-wide operating and capital budgets; with direction, develops, reviews, summarizes, and analyzes financial plan projections and documents; utilizes budget and accounting system software to perform in-depth revenue, expenditure, budgetary, and other analyses; monitors, tracks, and analyzes actual performance against budget; identifies potential issues and formulates recommendations to management; drafts and/or analyzes budget proposals, requests, and other related documents, including budget amendments.
- Researches and answers financial and budget inquiries submitted by managers and staff; interprets and explains applicable laws, regulations, codes, and policies; develops materials for and provides instruction in formal training sessions, including those related to the budget cycle.
- Develops, analyzes, maintains, and distributes various periodic and ad-hoc financial, statistical, analytical, and management reports and statements; compiles, calculates, and analyzes complex data and information from a variety of sources; as necessary, performs extensive research, including analyzing and applying new regulatory requirements, performs in-depth analysis of financial conditions, variances, and trends.
- Performs a variety of responsibilities that require application of professional accounting principles, standards, and practices; analyzes complex accounting transactions and determines appropriate treatment (e.g. capital versus expense); processes, analyzes, and distributes overhead or other assigned rates; maintains, allocates, balances, analyzes, and reconciles assigned specialized accounts; updates and maintains appropriate records, reports, and spreadsheets.
- Assists in ensuring that RTD’s accounting, financial, budgeting, and other business processes are efficient, effective, and maintain adequate internal controls and that financial information and records are accurate and complete; assesses business and budget policies, processes, and procedures; performs research and identifies opportunities for improvement; formulates, recommends, and assists in implementation of appropriate changes; documents business processes; works with the Information Technology department to identify and resolve budget, accounting, and financial software issues and to develop system modifications; assists in maintaining integrity of internal budget and accounting systems.
- Develops and utilizes spreadsheets, databases, and other computer applications required to carry out assigned studies, projects, and reports.
- Works directly with staff from other departments to resolve technical accounting and reporting issues and problems.
- Performs other incidental and related duties as required and assigned.
Qualifications
Knowledge of:
- Principles, practices, and terminology of general, fund, and governmental accounting, including financial statement preparation and methods of financial reporting.
- Principles, practices, methods, and techniques of financial analysis and forecasting.
- Internal control and audit principles and practices.
- Accounting standards and requirements applicable to RTD operations and funding sources.
- Laws and regulations relating to the financial administration of public agencies.
- Principles and practices of business data processing, particularly related to the processing of accounting and financial information and interpretation of input and output data.
- The operations and requirements of RTD’s automated general ledger system.
- Operations and uses of standard spreadsheet and other financial and business software.
- Principles and practices of sound business communication.
- Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
- English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation.
- Policies and procedures of the assigned department.
- RTD human resources policies and procedures and labor contract provisions.
Ability to:
- Operate a computer and utilize advanced functions of spreadsheet and other standard financial and business software.
- Analyze financial, budgetary, operational, and organizational problems, evaluate alternatives and reach sound, logical, fact-based conclusions and recommendations.
- Analyze, balance, and reconcile financial data, information, and accounts.
- Evaluate accounting and financial reporting issues and make sound recommendations for their resolution.
- Analyze and make sound recommendations on complex financial data and operations.
- Understand, interpret, explain, and apply RTD, local, state, and federal policies, laws, and regulations governing financial accounting, reporting, and record keeping.
- Perform mathematical calculations.
- Prepare clear, concise, and comprehensive financial schedules, reports, and statements.
- Analyze complex confidential problems, evaluate alternatives, and make sound, appropriate recommendations.
- Organize and maintain office and specialized confidential files and records.
- Communicate clearly and effectively, orally and in writing.
- Understand and follow oral and written instructions.
- Instruct others in work procedures and practices.
- Prepare clear, concise, and comprehensive correspondence, reports, studies, and other written materials.
- Exercise sound, expert independent judgment within general policy guidelines.
- Exercise tact, discretion, and diplomacy in dealing with sensitive, complex, and confidential personnel issues and employee situations.
- Establish and maintain effective customer-focused working relationships with all levels of RTD management, employees, employee organizations and their representatives, other governmental officials, community groups, and the public.
Education, Training and Experience:
A typical way of obtaining the knowledge, skills, and abilities outlined above is:
Finance Specialist I: Graduation from an accredited two-year or four-year college or university with major coursework in accounting or a closely related field; and professional accounting experience involving the use of personal computers, spreadsheets, and other standard financial and business software; or an equivalent combination of training and experience. One (1) additional year of the required experience may be substituted for each year (30 semester hours) of the required education.
Finance Specialist II: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in accounting or a closely related field; and three to five years of progressively responsible professional accounting experience involving the use of personal computers, spreadsheets, and other standard financial and business software, at least two of which were at the level of Accountant; or an equivalent combination of training and experience. One (1) additional year of the required experience may be substituted for each year (30 semester hours) of the required education.
Licenses; Certificates; Special Requirements:
A valid California Class C driver’s license.
Experience in a public transit agency or governmental setting is preferred.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Physical Demands:
While performing the duties of this class, an employee is regularly required to sit, talk and hear, in person and by telephone, use hands repetitively to operate standard office equipment, and reach with hands and arms. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, and lift up to ten pounds.
Specific vision abilities required by this class include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.
Mental Demands:
While performing the duties of this class, the employee is regularly required to use written and oral communication skills; read and interpret complex data, information, and documents; analyze and solve complex problems; observe and interpret people and situations; use math and mathematical reasoning; learn and apply new information or skills; perform highly detailed work on multiple, concurrent tasks with constant interruptions; work under intensive deadlines and interact with all levels of RTD management, staff, employees, representatives of employee organizations, other governmental officials, and the public.
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this class. While performing the duties of this class, the employee works under typical office conditions and the noise level is moderately quiet.
EMPLOYMENT PROCESS:
Applicants must complete and submit an official application form. The standards as stated on the front of the job announcement represent only the minimum required to fill an application. Resumes will be accepted but may not be substituted for the required application form. Meeting the listed standards does not guarantee that a candidate will be invited for an interview as the Human Resources Department reserves the right to limit the number of candidates to the most qualified for the vacancy. The selection process for this position may include a written assessment. All statements made on the application are subject to verification and investigation. False statements will be cause for disqualification, removal from the eligible list or termination of employment.
Employment is conditional upon successfully passing all pre-employment screens. Substance abuse tests paid by the Transit District are required of each prospective employee. Candidates are cautioned that offers of employment are conditional and subject to the satisfactory completion of DOT physical examination (for safety sensitive positions), substance abuse drug and alcohol tests, reference checks, and a background investigation.
San Joaquin Regional Transit District is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer.
Benefits
The District offers a competitive employee benefit program that includes:
INSURANCE: RTD provides comprehensive health and dental insurance package for all full-
time employees and theirdependents. RTD also provides $20,000 life insurance for all full-
time employees.
SICK LEAVE: Twelve (12) days per year for all full-time employees.
VACATION: Two (2) weeks to six (6) weeks depending on length of service for full-time
employees.
RETIREMENT: RTD participates in a 401(a) retirement plan in which RTD provides a
generous match.
The provisions of this bulletin are subject to change without notice and do not constitute an express or implied contract.
The District offers a competitive employee benefit program that includes:
INSURANCE: RTD provides comprehensive health and dental insurance package for all full-time employees and their dependents. RTD also provides $20,000 life insurance for all full-time employees.
SICK LEAVE: Twelve (12) days per year for all full-time employees.
VACATION: Two (2) weeks to six (6) weeks depending on length of service for full-time employees.
RETIREMENT: RTD participates in a 401(a) retirement plan in which RTD provides a generous match.
01
Do you possess a valid California Class “C” Driver’s License?
- Yes
- No
02
If offered this position, I understand I may be required to submit proof of education validating level of college education.
- Yes
- No
03
What is your highest level of completed education?
- High School or GED
- Some College
- Vocational School
- Associate’s Degree
- Bachelor’s Degree
- Master’s Degree
- Doctorate Degree/PhD
- Juris Doctorate
- None
04
Please state your minimum salary requirement.
05
Which level do you believe you are best qualified for?
- Specialist I
- Specialist II
06
How many years of professional accounting and/or finance experience do you have?
- No experience
- Less than 1 year
- 1 year to less than 2
- 2 years to less than 3
- 3 years to less than 4
- 4 years to less than 5
- 5 years to less than 6
- 6 years to less than 7
- 7 years to less than 8
- 8 years to less than 9
- 9 years to less than 10
- 10 or more years
07
Why do you believe you are qualified for this position?
08
Are you able to work 100% in the office?
- Yes
- No
Required Question