Job Description

SUMMARY: Manages, coordinates, monitors, plans and develops the internal audit program for County Office of Education departments and programs; ensures effective accounting and managerial controls, accuracy of recorded data and compliance with applicable laws and policies and procedures; advises program managers and school districts on internal control processes; advises and directs the work of support staff; and performs all other related duties.

45% INTERNAL AUDIT

Manages, coordinates and reports on the internal audit program of the County Office of Education accounting and financial operations to include the review of accounting procedures, confirmation of accounts, inspection of physical operations and investigation of irregularities and errors; develops and implements an annual audit plan identifying areas to be audited; assesses whether the systems, processes and procedures of internal control with the County Office and districts are adequate, reliable and effective; reviews operations from the point of view of efficiency, effectiveness and quality assurance; reviews the degree of compliance with established policies, procedures and applicable law; assists with developing and implementing goals, objectives, policies, and procedures; assists in the design and implementation of new and revised systems to insure effective and efficient operations; researches, analyzes data and makes recommendations on administrative, organizational, and operational problems; directs and advises staff in the collection and preparation of statistical data; prepares reports and analyses setting forth results of audits with appropriate recommendations; and performs subsequent audits to ensure completion of appropriate corrective action.

30% TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

Responds to requests for information; assists staff in the development and delivery of in-service training programs on all related areas; assists in the interpretation of policies, procedures and regulations; directs and participates in the analysis of legislation and disseminates information on the impact of legislation; plans, directs and monitors special projects; maintains effective liaison with external auditors; and advises and answers for school districts on internal audit functions.

15% DIRECT SERVICE SCHOOL DISTRICTS/EXTERNAL AGENCIES

Coordinates departmental activities with other offices and outside agencies; meets with districts as needed and provides internal control functions and processes; and provides recommendations for accounting procedures as necessary.

10% RELATED ACTIVITIES

May select, train, delegate responsibility to, monitor and evaluate support staff; and performs all other related duties.

DECISION-MAKING AND PROBLEM-SOLVING: Determines the effectiveness of accounting and managerial controls, accuracy of recorded data and compliance with applicable laws, policies and procedures; determines fiscal requirements for Office and prepares budgetary recommendations; researches and analyzes data, and makes recommendations on administrative, organizational and operational problems. Forecasts trends and sets direction for Office and/or participates in planning for external agencies; uses non-traditional creative approaches to problem solving; recommends new and revised standards, policies, etc; uses specialized techniques in analysis of collected data; situations are varied and frequently highly complex; and makes program decisions that frequently have major impact on the entire Office.

REQUIRED MINIMUM SKILLS AND ABILITIES: Ability to plan, organize, and control comprehensive internal audit services; ability to analyze, interpret, and apply state laws, federal compliance requirements and local regulations and policies; knowledge of accounting principles (GAAP), auditing standards (GAAS) and governmental accounting standards (GASB); knowledge of school law, financial management practices and principals, accounting, auditing, budgeting, financial analysis and research techniques as they apply to schools; ability to analyze, interpret and apply laws, codes, regulations, policies, and court decisions affecting schools; and ability to design and implement computer worksheets and programs. Advanced skill in communicating in critical situations, orally and in writing with business, education and community leaders; mastery skill in financial and statistical analysis; mastery skill in creative and adaptive program planning, design, implementation, maintenance and evaluation; ability to direct and train others of comparable skill; and advanced skill in adapting style in divergent situations with groups on a frequent basis.

REQUIRED MINIMUM TRAINING, EDUCATION, AND LICENSING: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in accounting or a related field; possession of a certificate as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or a Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) is preferred; and a valid California driver's license.

REQUIRED MINIMUM PRIOR WORK EXPERIENCE: Five years of directly related accounting and auditing experience with demonstrated competence including experience in or working with educational agency. Experience working with state and federal regulatory agencies is also required.

REQUIRED INTERACTION (NON-AUTHORITY): Contacts are usually unstructured, and are primarily with the highest level individual both inside and outside the Office, such as assistant superintendents, administrators, chief fiscal officers, department heads, auditors and other school finance experts; and contacts require decision making, and problem solving where office-wide cross-divisional concerns are at stake.

SUPERVISION: None.

• ENVIRONMENT: Indoor, office setting.
• PHYSICAL ABILITIES: Hearing and speaking to exchange information in person and on the telephone; seeing to read, prepare and proofread documents, perform assigned duties; sitting for extended periods of time; dexterity of hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard and other office equipment; kneeling, bending at the waist, and reaching overhead, above the shoulders and horizontally as needed; lifting light objects.

Personnel Commission Approval: June 22, 2006
Revised: February 15, 2007; April 10, 2008