Project Budget Specialist - Accountant I/II – Limited Term (Open) - County of San Mateo

The Information Services Department (ISD) of the County of San Mateo is seeking a well-qualified individual for the position of Project Budget Specialist - Accountant I/II – Limited Term to, under general supervision, perform professional accounting work relating to both centralized and departmental County accounting procedures and records.  Successful candidates will be self-motivated, experienced, and effective communicators – candidates with the ability to work effectively in a high-volume and fast-paced environment and the ability to multi-task.  

 Primary responsibilities will include:  

• Identification of budgets associated with each of the on-going projects undertaken by ISD
• Systematic recording and reporting of the types of funding associated with projects 
• Setting up of cost codes for projects to enable tracking of the actual project spend
• Analyze budget proposals and track project spending, prepare financial reports, and present any discrepancies or potential issues.
• Assist project managers to draw up budgetary spend forecast for projects leveraging standardized templates  
• Assist in forecasting future project costs and budget needs based on current trends and historical data.
• Examine supporting documentation to establish proper authorization and conformance with agreements, contracts, and state and federal regulations
• Review and process vendor invoices and communicate with vendors regarding invoices, payments, and any issues that may arise
• Prepare and maintain control and subsidiary accounting records involving a variety of transactions and accounts
• Prepare journal entries and reconciliation of general ledger, journals, subsidiary accounts and bank statements
• Compile and prepare general and subsidiary ledgers and supporting schedules
• Confer with project managers and departmental representatives and provide information regarding budgeting and accounting processes
• Analyze and prepare varied financial statements and reports
• Maintain varied departmental cost accounting records, disbursing funds to various accounts and/or billing for reimbursements as required
• Maintain accurate records of all budget-related documents, including contracts, invoices, and financial reports.
• Provide technical support to internal and outside auditors and governmental program auditors
• Preparing executive reports for project spend – actual vs. estimate – on a monthly, quarterly, semi-annual and annual frequency 
• May plan, direct, review and evaluate the work of fiscal office support staff on project budgetary aspects
• Assist in the implementation, testing, user training and roll out of Project Portfolio Management solution
• Assist in documentation of operational procedures and maintenance of effort required for this new PPM solution
• Ability to manage a large and varied workload with changing and conflicting deadlines

The ideal candidate will possess:  

• Broad understanding of project financials and budgeting, demonstrated with a history of working in project related activities
• Experience with preparation of reporting on project financials
• Experience with federal, state, and local grants.
• Experience in examining internal policy and procedures and being able to come up with recommendations to strengthen internal controls
• Advanced level of expertise with Excel (charts, functions, pivot tables)  
• Strong writing skills with the ability to document in a professional manner
• Excellent verbal, active listening and written communication skills; strong proofreading and editing skills
• Experience in working with cross functional partners to trouble shoot on-going issues
• Ability to analyze, interpret, summarize, and present fiscal/administrative and technical information and data in an effective manner
• Independent problem-solving skills
• Demonstrated ability to establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work

SALARY
Accountant I:  $34.44 - $43.07 Hourly
 Accountant II:  $40.28 - $50.34 Hourly 
 
 This is a limited term, at-will position. Limited Term Employees are assigned to assignments not to exceed three years. They receive medical and dental benefits, similar to regular employees, and a defined contribution retirement plan. 
 
Information for current County employees: Current and regular San Mateo County Employees who are interested in this assignment must submit application materials and compete in the selection process. If you are successful in the selection process and are being considered for the assignment, HR will work directly with you and/or your department for options. Please note that there is no guarantee that you will be allowed by your department to rotate into this assignment nor are your departments obligated to allow you to take on this assignment. The salary range for this position is "as is" and non-negotiable.