ACCOUNTANT TRAINEE

Under close supervision provided by a Financial Accountant II, the Accountant Trainee utilizes knowledge of Government Codes, fiscal accounting rules and regulations contained in the State Administrative Manual, the Uniform Codes Manual, governmental accounting principles and procedures, and procedures prescribed by the State Controller's Office (SCO) or as required by law. The incumbent, operating at the entry and trainee level, performs professional accounting work in the establishment and maintenance of accounts and records of the State’s Central Control Accounting System, the SCO Fiscal System (Legacy) and/or the Financial Information System for California (FI$Cal) while receiving training and develops interpersonal skills by contact with internal and external business partners. 

Duties Performed:
(Candidates must perform the following functions with or without reasonable accommodations.)

• Read, review, and interpret less complex law and legislation and prepare the necessary accounting transactions to implement the provisions.

• Prepare, analyze and process less complex accounting requests and determine proper accounting treatment, legality, sufficiency of cash and appropriation availability. Perform the operational accounting functions of the central fiscal control system and FI$Cal utilized by the State Controller’s Office.

• Ensure that documents and/or accounting transactions are prepared with proper account coding and in accordance with existing codes, procedures, rules and regulations.

• Research and respond to Department of Finance and state agencies regarding journal entry postings.

• Communicate effectively with internal and external business partners to resolve posting errors and non-sufficient funds in a timely matter and provide follow-up when needed.

• Perform analyses of accounting transactions for compliance with fiscal accounting rules and regulations contained in the State Administrative Manual, the Uniform Codes Manual, governmental accounting principles, and procedures prescribed by the SCO. Update, review, and verify historical accounting data.

• Prepare reconciliations and provide solutions to resolve any differences identified. Prepare detailed accounting reports and presentation materials for analysis of program and financial performance.

• Assist in monitoring and analyzing variances and proposed legislation to determine the impact it will have on Section and provide feedback and recommendations.

• With supervision, create, update, and maintain procedures and documents.

• Participate in year-end close out and new year set-up activities.

• Assist in the training, implementation, and testing of procedures.

• Assist with presentations and participate in meetings to represent the section and its functions.

• Ensure internal controls and statutory requirements are followed.

• As workload permits, participate in discussion and work in other units within the bureau.