Under the general direction of the Chief of Administrative Services, serves as the Accountant for the Sheriff’s Office. Plans, organizes, manages, and oversees the Office’s Accounting functions for the Sheriff’s Office, the Community Justice Center and, as needed, the Department of Emergency Management (Offices). Maintains the accuracy and integrity of the cost and financial information for the Office including maintaining compliance with all applicable laws and regulations for all funds. Manages and monitors the preparation for all Sheriff’s Office budgets. Serves as the Internal Auditor for the Office. Analyzes financial information and provides financial advice and assistance to Command staff in attaining the objectives of the organization. Reports and interprets financial data to assist in decision-making.

Hiring range for this position is between $45.03 - $48.23 per hour (steps 1-3), depending upon qualifications.

- Progressive increases are based upon years of service with Skagit County, up to step 4 (top step is $49.92/hr.). The Sheriff's Office Accountant is Range 24 of the Sheriff's Office Administration salary schedule.

• Responsible for the maintenance of the financial records of the Offices for all funds. Ensures compliance with all federal, state, and local laws, rules and regulations regarding financial information.
• Works independently with minimal supervision.
• Performs and provides oversight on all accounting functions for the Offices including accounts payable, accounts receivable, cash handling, deposits, general ledger, and payroll.
• Performs various financial analyses including cash flow and rate setting for all Offices operations. Responsible for managing all contract and grant billing and fiscal functions.
• Reviews and evaluates financial systems, recommends and implements process improvements to increase efficiency and effectiveness. Develops and implements strategic short and long-range plans, programs, goals and objectives for assigned area. Reviews and updates planning recommendations. Identifies trends and problems hindering progress and develops and implements recommendations for problem resolution with staff and higher level management.
• Acts as the Sheriff’s Office’s liaison with various offices including County Auditor and Treasurer, State Auditor and Budget and Finance. Provides information and assistance to the County Auditor and State Auditor’s offices during the annual audit.
• Develops original documentation for presentations including agenda items and represents the Sheriff’s Office during presentations before the Board of County Commissioners and other groups as needed.
• Works with the appropriate staff on a wide variety of procurement activities including bidding and contracting to ensure consistency. Continuously monitors and evaluates all contracts for proper content, coding, and the fulfillment of proper purchasing requirements. Orders, receives and distributes supplies, equipment and uniforms. Works with Patrol Division to deliver orders outside of the main office.
• Provides oversight on allocations, coordinates grant reconciliations, and oversees all adjusting entries as needed.
• Responsible for the Annual Inventory of all fixed assets and infrastructure for the Sheriff’s Office.
• Responsible for the timely preparation and submittal of various reports to other entities.
• Prepares and reviews entries and documents prepared by others to ensure accuracy, propriety, proper account coding, adequate explanations, and other applicable information in accordance with county ordinances, resolutions, and state laws. Reconciles accounts and adjusts irregularities.
• Oversees the annual budget preparation under the guidance of the assigned Chief and monitors budgets throughout the year. Performs budget analyses and works with Sheriff’s Office leadership to ensure budgetary compliance. Prepares budget modifications as needed.
• Prepares and reviews payroll data for entry for Offices. Verifies time sheets, leave balances, and coordinates changes with supervisors, Auditor, and Human Resources Departments. Performs payroll data entry in the financial system and edits payroll and other corresponding reports for accuracy prior to being submitted to Auditor for final approval.
• Develops, recommends, reviews, modifies, implements, and monitors policies and procedures for the Accounting functions.
• Under ESF 6 and ESF 8 activation, may act as the Finance and Administration Section Chief within the Incident Command System as defined by the National Incident Management System (NIMS) in the event of a disaster.

QUALIFICATIONS:
Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical path to obtain the required qualifications would be:
Five years accounting and/or business management experience required, and
Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Business Administration, Finance, or related field preferred.
Or, Nine years accounting and/or business management experience with no degree.
Requires knowledge of:

• Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) regulations and auditing standards.
• Accounting functions including general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, fixed assets, grants, payroll, and cost accounting.
• Budgeting, Accounting, and Reporting System (BARS).
• Budget development and analysis, cash flow analysis, grant monitoring, and reconciliation verification.
• Financial statement preparation, fund accounting, contract preparation/recommendations, and cost allocations.
• Annual Comprehensive Financial Reporting requirements.
• Data processing principles and accounting applications.
• MS Office software and computer accounting systems.
• Contracting, competitive bidding, and contract administration.

• Work independently with minimal supervision.
• Evaluate accounting information technology proposals and upgrades.
• Communicate clearly and succinctly both verbally and in writing.
• Design and implement cost control systems.
• Operate standard office equipment, including ten-key calculator and computer, spreadsheets, word processing, financial and payroll applications.
• Interpret and translate facts and information.
• Work accurately and efficiently in numerical analysis.
• Willingness and ability to register for and maintain an ID.ME account for federal grants.

Skagit County, as an equal employment opportunity employer, encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply. It is the policy of Skagit County to follow all federal and state laws to ensure non-discrimination in its employment practices.

The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the essential functions of this position, the level of knowledge and skill typically required, and the scope of responsibility, but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods, or otherwise to balance the workload. Changes to the position description may be made at the discretion of the employer.