The knowledge and abilities listed above may be acquired through various types of training, education, and/or experience. A typical way to acquire the required knowledge and abilities would be:

Education: Any combination of training and education which would provide the opportunity to acquire the knowledge and abilities listed: possession of a college degree in accounting, finance or business administration, with at least 21 semester units or 28 quarter units of Accounting, including advanced, governmental, cost accounting and auditing or possession of a Certified Public Accountant Certificate would provide such opportunity.

Experience: Normally, four years of increasingly responsible professional level experience in governmental accounting, with at least one year at a supervisory level, would provide such opportunity.

Thorough Knowledge of: principles, theories, practices and procedures used in governmental accounting, auditing, cost and budget systems; the laws, ordinances and regulations influencing department fiscal operations; modern management theories and practices; electronic data processing equipment and use of accounting methods and procedures associated with the use of such equipment.

Ability to: interpret complex laws, mandates and regulations and apply them to a variety of accounting and audit systems; plan, organize, direct and manage the work of a large accounting division, developing appropriate staffing, organization and processes as required; analyze complex and detailed data in order to make appropriate financial forecasts and recommendations; evaluate, develop and install complex accounting systems and procedures; establish and maintain cooperative work relationships with department management, staff, other county staff and external governmental and private agencies; prepare comprehensive, clear and concise accounting, statistical, cost and administrative reports; learn and understand how assigned program areas interrelate with other divisions within the department.