Financial Specialist I

Job Announcement

Serves as an integral part of the fiscal team. Works closely in a fast-paced environment with the HARMONY Payments Unit Manager. Supervises a payments team facilitating client-specific expenditures for the Children’s Services Act (CSA), Adult & Aging (AA), and Public Assistance and Employment Services (PAES) from several local, state, and federal funding sources. Under direct supervision of a Financial Specialist II; will supervises a team of 3 Administrative Assistant IV staff providing fiscal support to the Children's Services Act (CSA) by reviewing encumbrances, creating purchase orders, reviewing /approving purchase orders, and paying invoices as well completing coding, filing, tracking and reconciling CSA financial transactions. Successfully resolves problems in a team-based environment and balances multiple priorities and tasks to meet established deadlines. Duties are performed with limited supervision.

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.
All newly hired employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (two weeks after the last required dose) as a condition of employment or obtain approval of a medical or religious exemption prior to their start date. Proof of an exemption or vaccination status will be required during the pre-employment onboarding process. New employees who obtain an exemption from the vaccine mandate for medical or sincerely held religious beliefs may be subject to a weekly testing requirement. Vaccinated employees and employees with a medical or religious exemption will complete the attestation online on their first day of employment or shortly thereafter.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, business administration, public administration, finance, or a related field with extensive knowledge and experience with bookkeeping, accounts payable, financial reporting, and managing multiple funding streams.
  
• Job experience in AP or related activities may substitute for educational preferences.
• At least five years of experience managing data via spreadsheets using MS Excel and providing financial support to a program as well as 5 years' experience preparing professional correspondence with MS Word.
  
• Good oral and written communication skills.
  
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment.
  
• Experience in supervising accounts payable staff, responding to financial audits, and proven track record in accurate coding and financial reporting.
• Advanced experience using Microsoft Office Suite computer software, particularly
• Excel including pivot tables; and governmental accounting and financial systems.
• Basic knowledge of the Virginia Children’s Services Act, foster care practices, services to seniors, and/or public assistance practices as they relate to accounts payable activity for foster care children, seniors and citizens receiving public benefits.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Ability to lift up to 15 lbs. General office duties to include filing. Ability to use a computer and other keyboard driven equipment. Ability to use general office equipment to include but not limited to copier, fax, telephone. All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

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

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. EEO/AA/TTY.