CATEGORICAL ACCOUNT TECHNICIAN II

DEFINITION:

Under the general supervision of the Director of Fiscal Services in cooperation with the Director of State and Federal Programs, to perform complex technical work in the development, monitoring, control, and analysis of categorical budgets; to prepare federal, state and other reports related to categorical programs: to assist in the development and implementation of improved budget procedures for the monitoring of categorical programs; and to do related work as required.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Experience: Two years of increasingly responsible fiscal experience, preferably including some financial or accounting experience in a   

California school district and exposure to state and federal grant funding.

Education: Equivalent to completion of the twelfth grade with supplemental course work in governmental accounting

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

• Incumbents in this class are responsible for meeting crucial deadlines, working independently and applying program guidelines in the performance of their assigned tasks.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Assist in preparation of applications for state and federal program funding.
• Assist in preparing interim and annual budgets; assist in annual year-end closing and independent audits.
• Assist in entry of financial data for State, Federal and Local program expenditure reports.
• Preforms analyses and comparisons of expenditures to approved budget to assist district staff with preparing, monitoring, revising and resolving budget issues.
• Monitor all categorical budgets using financial reports and maintain spreadsheets in compliance with State and Federal regulations. 
• Inputs and verifies categorical revenue and expenditure budgets into the District’s computerized system based on input from program and site staff.
• Calculate and monitors internal inter-program transfers, including indirect and direct support costs, and other program transfers.
• Calculates final carryover amounts for categorical programs.
• Maintain accurate and auditable fiscal records for categorical budgets including Time Accounting forms.
• Reviews position control documents to identify areas needing review, including current salary and benefit costs to sites’ and programs’ categorical budgets.
• Review purchase requisitions to ensure correctness of account codes, availability of categorical funds and proper approvals.
• Use financial and attendance reports to prepare invoices and bill outside agencies for reimbursement.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE:

• Methods and practices of budgetary and financial record keeping
• General accounting principles and procedures, preferably including California school district budgeting and accounting
• Categorical program guidelines
• Modern office methods and procedures
• Computer application programs for accounting, databases, and word processing, including but not limited to, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, and financial software.

ABILITIES AND SKILLS:

• Perform responsible clerical work without continuous supervision;
• Make arithmetical calculations with speed and accuracy;
• Analyze and interpret fiscal records and documents
• Prepare accurate financial summaries and reports;
• Organize and prioritize work to meet deadlines and timelines
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing
• Understand and carry out difficult oral and written instructions
• Work cooperatively with those contacted in the course of work
• Operate modern office equipment.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Physical abilities include the usual and customary methods of performing the job’s functions and require the following physical demands: occasional lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling; some climbing and balancing, some stooping, kneeling, crouching; reaching, handling, touching and/or feeling; manual dexterity to operate a telephone and enter data into a computer.