Under direction and supervision of the Budget and Finance Director, this position performs predominantly supportive functions for the execution of professional budget and financial analyses in conjunction with the development of the annual County budget and financial evaluation of county programs. Functions include collecting and recording information, checking and correcting computations, running reports, and performing routine finance activities. Under direction and supervision, the incumbent may also be tasked with monitoring, evaluating and analyzing departmental programs before, during, and after annual budget preparation. This position interacts with County offices and departments, County Administrative Services, external agencies and the public for financial and program related issues as needed or assigned. This position provides financial administrative support as needed or requested in developing and monitoring budgets for various County departments. This position also performs confidential administrative support to the Board of County Commissioners and Administrator and may provide occasional back up support to the Clerk of the Board.

Salary upon hire is in accordance with Skagit County promotion policy.
Progressive increases are based on years of service with Skagit County, up to 10 total steps. Ranges and top steps are listed below:
Finance Assistant I - Range 16, top step $48.55/hr.
Finance Assistant II - Range 17, top step $52.00/hr.

Essential Functions

Compile confidential, sometimes sensitive, and complex financial and statistical data used in formulating the annual budget.

Analyze various departmental budgets and perform financial analysis of programs in conjunction with development of annual budgets using established protocols and under close supervision.

Prepare a variety of fiscal and narrative statistical reports and documents regarding expenses, revenues, projections, and budget variances.

Prepare budgeting software annually for end-user input, including loading personnel data, verifying and entering salary schedules, and adding new structure as needed.

Participate in preparation of annual preliminary and final budgets including gathering of information, participating in public hearings, preparing documents for presentation to the Commissioners, and engaging in budget work sessions.

Compile data to assist in forecasting the County’s major revenue sources and expenditures based on current and forecasted economic trends, historic trends, and alternative budget policies.

Assist departments with preparation of budgets for various County programs as assigned.

Prepare, in accordance with direction and policy, cost allocation plans and other analysis related to annual budget and departmental programs.

Prepare and present budget and program related documents as needed and communicate the same to County departments and Commissioners as appropriate.

Work with County offices and departments to assure that compliance with established internal control procedures, laws and grant requirements are understood, achieved, and maintained.

Assist Budget & Finance Director in educating Departments on budget related policies and directives of the Board of County Commissioners.

Reconcile accounts and prepare necessary journal vouchers and inter-governmental transfers.

Produce financial system standard and custom reports for various departments. As directed, assist them in interpreting the data presented in the reports.

Schedule, advertise and prepare quarterly budget amendments. This includes evaluating financial system reports and reaching out to departments as needed.

Assist Budget & Finance Director in working with departments in submitting quarterly budget monitoring report forms and reconciling with Cayenta reports.

Administers payroll input for several departments and serves as backup for other departments, when necessary, which involves bi-monthly input of time and attendance into the County’s financial system. Prepares and distributes monthly time sheets to employees; ensures return on schedule. Maintains office file of payroll input and scans reports, timesheets and leave slips into Laserfiche.

Administers accounts payable and travel reimbursements, which involves preparation of weekly vouchers for the Commissioner’s Office and Administrative Services and establishes blanket purchase orders. Maintains office file of transactions.

Assigns asset numbers and asset disposition of non-computer equipment using the County asset database. Responsible for ensuring all departments comply with the Small and Attractive Asset policy. Checks property on annual inventory for various departments, provides reports bi-annually to all Skagit County departments and makes updates to County asset database.

Oversees the receiving and maintains the spreadsheet tracking of franchise fees from various vendors/contractors and reconciles for year end.

Assists with receiving of Budget and Levy documentation from Junior Taxing Districts and prepares resolution for certification by the Board of County Commissioners to the County Assessor.

Keeps track of yearly contracts to be renewed and new purchase orders (PO’s) entered into Cayenta. Maintain tracking spreadsheet of contracts and reimbursement amounts.

Responsible for supporting the Budget and Finance Director with the Lodging Tax Funding, including setting up advisory committee meetings, updating application when necessary, reviewing submitted applications, preparing resolutions, contracts, and award letters.
Input year end reporting to the Joint Legislative Audit Review Committee (JLARC) system yearly.

Responsible for updating and maintaining Economic Development Funds, including setting up Advisory Meetings, sending out notifications of grant availability, running expenditure reports and verifying against tracking expenditures spreadsheet, requesting Schedule 20 data for prior year, preparing resolutions, contracts and award letters.

Responsible for Library Services, requesting annual information needed to determine allocations of library funds. Updates spreadsheet prepares resolutions and contracts.
Responsible for Skagit County employees’ tuition assistance for Leadership Skagit program.
Performs other financial and/or administrative functions as needed:

Assists the Budget and Finance Director with inputting Journal Vouchers and IGTs.
Create/Maintain written procedures and timelines for all tasks related to position.
Provides confidential, advanced administrative support to the Board of County Commissioners and Administrator.
Provides occasional back up support to the Clerk of the Board.

Attend conferences, seminars and other meetings required for maintaining and enhancing financial system and accounting knowledge.

Supervisory:

A Finance Assistant II may serve as a program or project lead. A lead role requires the employee to assist in planning and organizing work, assign and check work of, and/or assist and instruct others.

OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS:

May be tasked with performing related duties. Related duties as required are duties that may not be specifically listed in the position description but are within the general occupational series and responsibility level typically associated with the employee’s classification of work.

Minimum 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:

Finance Assistant I
High School Diploma or equivalency test with minimum 3 years’ related budget, finance or accounting experience; or
Associate degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field and 1 year of related budget, finance or accounting experience; or
Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field with no experience.
Must be able to pass a County background check.

Finance Assistant II
Two years’ experience as a Finance Assistant; or
Two years’ experience in an essentially comparable accounting position, either within Skagit County or another organization, AND at least (1) year within the department.

Requires knowledge of:

Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook
Operation of standard office equipment including laser printers, fax machine, copy machine, calculator, computer and scanner
Washington State Budgeting, Accounting and Reporting System
Local government budgeting principals
Information systems processing and accounting applications

Requires the ability to:

Work with people in a courteous manner
Maintain confidentiality and follow the judicial code of ethics
Think critically, research, and perform independent analysis
Communicate clearly and effectively both verbally and in writing
Work independently and prioritize multi-task projects

Licenses and/or Certifications:
Valid Washington State driver’s license required.

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Work is performed primarily in an office environment. May be required to attend evening meetings as well as present information in a public setting. Work is performed primarily at a computer which may require sitting and/or standing for long periods of time. Must be able to lift up to 20 lbs. Normal dexterity of hands and fingers for office and computer work is required.

Hazards:
Those present in a normal office environment

Supplemental Information

SELECTION PROCESS:

Following review of applications and resumes, the highest qualified applicants will be interviewed and may be tested. After a selection is made, all applicants not selected will be notified in writing. Skagit County reserves the right to use applications received for this posting to fill any other positions within this classification which may open within six months following the closing of this position.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

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.

American with Disabilities Act (ADA) Notice: Individuals, who need an ADA accommodation to complete the application, test or interview process, please call: (360) 336-9433.

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