Financial Specialist I

Job Announcement

Join a dynamic, team-based environment supporting the values and human service mission of the Department of Family Services (DFS). This position falls under the direct supervision of a Financial Specialist II in the Accounts Payable-Accounts Receivable Unit of the Financial Management Division. The position serves as a team lead for a small team of financial administrative assistants. Provides oversight of procurement card policy compliance and management, as well as execution and oversight of other complex accounting functions that support DFS operations and state programs. Within its area of responsibility, ensures compliance with all relevant federal, state, and county guidance and policies for accounts payable and accounts receivable. Oversees revenue and expenditure transactions in the county’s General Fund, Grant Fund, Gift Fund, and Special Welfare Fund. In addition, provides support and acts as a backup for the monthly LASER draw down of four to five million dollars in monthly state revenue which supports many DFS programs.
Responsibilities include:

• Compliance and Supervision – Provides supervisory oversight and support for a small financial team that manages the agency’s procurement card program and a number of smaller funds. Ensures that all relevant federal, state, and county policies and procedures are followed.
• Maintains Special Revenue Funds – Successful tracking, execution, and management of social security and child support refunds into the special welfare fund, which provides a $1.1 million dollar offset to the expenditures of the Children’s Services Act. Oversees the Gift Fund, Area Agency on Aging Fund, and Adult and Aging Fund.
• Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable – Applies all wires to the county’s FOCUS system. Processes repayments for various state and local programs. Oversees various monthly billings and approves bank deposits submitted by the Administrative Assistants.
• State Billing (LASER) – Assists with, and provides backup coverage for, the execution of the monthly state LASER billing process.
• Records Management– Maintains accurate, clearly labeled

Illustrative Duties

(The illustrative duties listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list. A complete list of position duties and unique physical requirements can be found in the position job description.)

Prepares financial statements and reports and reviews for accuracy;

Oversees the processing of budget, procurement, and/or payment documents;

Analyzes cost, revenue and operating expenses;

Maintains special revenue/account funds;

Develops, prepares and justifies the budget for a small agency or assists with budget

development for a large agency.

Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities

(The knowledge, skills and abilities listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list.)

Knowledge of accounting theories, bookkeeping, public budgeting, and grant administration;

General knowledge of laws ordinances and regulations governing municipal finance;

Ability to interpret automated financial reports and financial policies and procedures;

Ability to analyze revenue and expenses and make projections;

Ability to complete budget documents in accordance with the Department of Management and Budget.

Employment Standards

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: 
Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to the following:
(Click on the aforementioned link to learn how Fairfax County interprets equivalencies for "Any combination, experience, and training equivalent to")
Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor's degree in accounting; or a bachelor's degree in business administration or related field that has been supplemented by at least 6 credit hours of basic accounting principles and concepts.

 

BRIDGE CLASS EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS:

Four years of increasingly complex technical administrative experience in the assigned functional area, comparable to experience at the Administrative Assistant IV, or higher, level. This class can serve as a bridge class enabling individuals who do not meet the educational or professional experience standards listed above to qualify for this class by possessing four years of increasingly complex technical administrative experience in the assigned functional area, comparable to experience at the Administrative Assistant IV, or higher, level.

The purpose of this bridge class is to promote upward mobility within the Fairfax County

workforce. However, persons qualifying for this class on the basis of their technical experience may not substitute this technical experience for education, or for professional experience, in order to qualify for other employment opportunities.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:
None.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background, a credit check, and a Child Protective Services check to the satisfaction of the employer.

Additional Work Schedule Requirements: Overtime as needed to meet deadlines.

This position is emergency/essential services personnel. (Required to report for duty during inclement weather and/or other emergencies.)    

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Considerable knowledge of Accounts Receivable/Accounts Payable processes and documentation requirements.

Strong analytical, computer, oral and written communication skills, as well as significant expertise in the area of governmental budgeting or accounting, financial management, program support, and policy analysis.

Ability to effectively supervise and coordinate the activities of staff.

Strong working knowledge of the application of internal controls to safeguard county resources.

Ability to multi-task, address urgent issues that arise, and meet strict county, state, and federal deadlines.

Experience working with a general ledger, completing journal entries, and reconciling monthly revenue and expenditures.

Experience managing billing and collections utilizing various software systems and databases.

Experience organizing and managing digital records. 

Considerable experience using Microsoft Office Suite computer software, particularly Excel, and governmental accounting and financial systems.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: 
Ability to use office equipment, to include copiers and scanners, and computer (including MS office software and county apps). Ability to multi-task and address urgent issues that arise. Ability to work with customers in person, over the phone, and through video conferencing to include MS teams. Ability to file and retrieve hard copy files from a high file cabinet. All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

SELECTION PROCEDURE:
Panel interview and may include a practical exercise.

The population of Fairfax County is very diverse where 38.7% of residents speak a language other than English at home (Spanish, Asian/Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and others) and we encourage candidates bilingual in English and a foreign language to apply to this opportunity.

Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.  
 
Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Contact 703-324-4900 for assistance. TTY 703-222-7314. DHREmployment@fairfaxcounty.gov. EEO/AA/TTY.