Financial Specialist III

Salary : $77,640.16 - $129,399.50 Annually
Location : FAIRFAX (EJ27), VA
Job Type: FT Salary W BN
Job Number: 25-00784
Department: Family Services
Opening Date: 04/05/2025
Closing Date: 4/11/2025 11:59 PM Eastern
Pay Grade: S27
Posting Type: Open to General Public

Job Announcement

Works as the financial accounting manager for the Accounts Payable (AP)/Accounts Receivable (AR) Unit. Serves the county in a dynamic, team-based environment supporting the values and human service mission of the Department of Family Services. Manages the Department of Family Services (DFS) AP/AR Unit of approximately 12 staff responsible for DFS accounts payable, accounts receivable and procurement activities. Ensures proper training, accounting compliance, reconciliations, and timeliness of processing. The position is responsible for monitoring and reporting based on Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB), federal, state, and local policies and procedures. Oversees and ensures accuracy and timeliness in the agency's monthly reporting to the state, via the state LASER system. The position is a key collaborator with the Department of Finance (DOF), the Department of Procurement and Materials Management, (DPMM), and other DFS financial management units to ensure compliance in accounts payable, receivable, and procurement policies and procedures.

Partnering with the DFS Financial Compliance Manager, this position ensures all related agency policies and procedures are properly written and documented and ensures that policy changes are addressed in a timely manner. It regularly attends and actively participates in unit information sharing meetings as well as program-wide and County-wide meetings to address problems, policy changes, new agency and County initiatives, etc. Interprets County, state and federal policies and regulations, and ensures that DFS staff follow established procedures governing accounts payable (AP), accounts receivable (AR), procurement, and related reporting requirements. Receives and responds in writing and verbally to daily questions from DFS program staff, County staff, clients, vendors and others regarding requests for policy information and procedure guidance on receipts, disbursements and procurement.

Works collaboratively with procurement lead to ensure timely processing of purchasing requests and establishment of purchase orders (PO); ensures that payments are made in a timely manner, prompt payment discounts are taken, and unauthorized procurement activity is addressed. Reviews and authorizes financial documents relating to accounts receivable, and non-PO accounts payable. Monitors posted expenditures and revenues of the agency's general fund, grant fund, gift fund, and special welfare fund to ensure that revenues and expenditures are accurately reflected in the appropriate fund and appropriate program/fiscal year. Works collaboratively with DFS, County and Virginia Department of Social Services staff to identify financial considerations to ensure they expenditures are properly identified and addressed for proper accounting treatment. The position directs and monitors agency reconciliation activities, on a monthly basis, and submits the monthly certification to the DFS Financial Compliance Manager in accordance with established DOF Accounting Technical Bulletin agency reconciliation requirements. Coordinates year-end activities related to the processing of AP, AR, and Procurement expenditure accruals. The position provides documentation in response to audits and ensures the proper retention of financial documents to meet federal, state and local regulations.
Illustrative Duties

Participates in the formulation and documentation of agency fiscal policies and procedures;
Maintains numerous fund/subfund accounts;
Reviews long range revenue and expenditures estimates to ensure availability of funds;
Prepares and/or oversees the preparation of large agency budget;
Applies budget, procurement, and payment procedures in accordance with established county policies, accounting principles (GAAP and GASB), and local and state policies and procedures;
Researches budget, finance and procurement requirements, analyzes impact on current operations and recommends means of implementation.
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.)

Considerable knowledge of the principles, methods, and practices of governmental budgeting and fiscal management and the ability to apply them to complex governmental systems;
Considerable knowledge of federal, state and county policies, procedures, regulations and legislation impacting the maintenance of financial records;
Ability to effectively supervise and coordinate the activities of staff;
Ability to develop and implement fiscal policies and procedures.
Employment Standards

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

(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 either a bachelor's degree in accounting, business administration, public administration, public policy or related field; plus, three years of professional-level experience in finance, business administration, budgeting, or contract management, a master's degree in a related field or CPA may substitute for 1 year of experience.

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.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master's degree in public administration, finance, accounting or a related field is preferred
• CPA, certification in governmental accounting, or certification in internal controls is preferred.
• Considerable knowledge of, and four years of experience, with accounts payable and receivable activities, financial document retention, procurement, and audit response
• Three years of supervisory experience
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively
• Strong verbal and written communication skills to resolve vendor and client questions on billing and invoicing, and to communicate policy and procedural guidance to County program staff.
• Considerable experience with Microsoft Office Suite, including high level of proficiency with Microsoft Excel to organize, analyze, pivot, and manipulate data.
• Experience with the county's FOCUS system, Oracle, and/or similar Enterprise Resource Management System for financial management and processing.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Job is generally sedentary in nature, however, visual acuity is required to read data on computer monitor and read financial documents. Incumbent must be able to use PC, printers, calculator, and telephone. Visual acuity is required to read data on a computer monitor. Ability to communicate with others verbally and in writing. All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

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

The population of Fairfax County is very diverse where 38.7% of residents speak a language other than English at home () and we encourage candidates bilingual in English and a foreign language to apply to this opportunity.

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. TTY 703-222-7314. DHREmployment@fairfaxcounty.gov EEO/AA/TTY.

#LI-RS1
Merit Positions

Fairfax County is proud to offer employees an attractive and comprehensive benefits program, including the following:

• Medical/Vision/Dental Insurance Coverage
• Group Term Life Insurance
• Long Term Disability
• LiveWell Program
• Flexible Spending Programs
• Paid Leave (annual, sick, parental, volunteer activity, and more!)
• Paid Holidays
• Contributory Retirement Plan
• Deferred Compensation
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employees' Child Care Center
• Commuter Benefit Program
• Continuous Learning Opportunities

NOTE: Fairfax County Government is a qualifying employer under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. For more information about the PSLF program:

For additional details please visit the
Non-Merit Positions

Non-Merit Benefit Eligible: scheduled to work a minimum 1,040 hours and no more than a maximum of 1,560 hours in a calendar year.

• Medical/Vision/Dental Insurance Coverage
• Flexible Spending Program
• Deferred Compensation

Temporary: scheduled to work a maximum of 900 hours in a calendar year.

• No benefits

01

What is the highest level of education that you have completed?

• Less than 12th grade
• High school diploma or GED
• Some college
• Associate's degree
• Bachelor's degree
• Master's degree
• Doctorate degree

02

Please indicate all major(s) or minor(s) for your completed degree(s). Check all that apply.

• Accounting
• Finance
• Public policy
• Business administration
• Public administration
• Other (related)
• Other (non-related)
• None of the above

03

If you answered "Other (related field)" or "Other (non-related field)" for the previous question, please list the discipline of your degree. If this question does not pertain to you, or you do not have a degree, enter "Not applicable."
04

If you answered "Some college" for the highest level of education completed, please indicate the number of quarter or semester hours you have completed towards a degree.

• Less than 45 quarter hours
• 45 to less than 90 quarter hours
• 90 to less than 135 quarter hours
• 135 to less than 180 quarter hours
• 180 or more quarter hours
• Less than 30 semester hours
• 30 to less than 60 semester hours
• 60 to less than 90 semester hours
• 90 to less than 120 semester hours
• 120 or more semester hours
• Not applicable

05

How many years of full-time equivalent professional-level finance, business administration, budgeting, or contract management experience do you have?

• None
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five to less than six years
• Six to less than seven years
• Seven to less than eight years
• Eight or more years

06

Do you currently possess a CPA (Certified Public Accountant) license?

• Yes
• No

07

How many years of full-time equivalent professional-level accounts payable experience do you have?

• None
• Less than one year
• One year to less than two
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five to less than six years
• Six years or more experience

08

How many years of full-time equivalent professional-level accounts receivable experience do you have?

• None
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five or more years

09

How many years of full-time equivalent procurement experience do you have (do not include years procuring office supplies and administrative items)?

• None
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five or more years

10

How many years of full-time equivalent experience with responding to audit requests for documentation on payables and receivables?

• None
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five or more years

11

Do you have any professional-level experience in any of the following areas? Check all that apply.

• Accruals
• Forecasting revenue or expenditures
• Writing accounting policies or procedures
• Researching, preparing responses defining accounting policy and procedures
• Interacting with vendors
• Document retention
• None of the above

12

How many years of full-time equivalent professional-level supervisory experience do you have?

• None
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five or more years

13

Are you proficient in any of the following Microsoft Office Suite applications? Check all that apply.

• Outlook (Composing email messages; sending and receiving email messages; organizing email messages into folders; managing contacts; scheduling appointments & meetings, managing tasks)
• Word (Knowledge of common functions such as creating a title; using, modifying, and creating styles; indenting paragraphs; using tabs and tables; inserting a hard page break; using page numbering; creating headers and footers; inserting graphics; adding comments and tracking changes)
• PowerPoint (Creating a template and working with a design template; working with graphics, animation and multimedia; building interactive presentations using hyperlinks)
• Excel (Basic knowledge of creating a worksheet; performing calculations in a worksheet; modifying and formatting a worksheet; printing workbook contents; creating and modifying pivot tables; using formulas and links to other cells/worksheets)
• None of the above

14

Please indicate your level of proficiency with Microsoft Excel.

• Beginner (Basic knowledge of creating a worksheet; performing calculations in a worksheet; modifying and formatting a worksheet; printing workbook contents)
• Intermediate (Knowledge of inserting and modifying graphic objects in a worksheet; customizing and enhancing workbooks; analyzing data using Pivot Tables, Slicers, and Pivot Charts)
• Advanced (Extensive knowledge of increasing productivity and improving efficiency by streamlining workflow; collaborating with others using workbooks; auditing worksheets; analyzing data; working with multiple workbooks; importing and exporting data, using Excel with the web)
• None of the above

15

Please indicate your prior or current use of an Enterprise Resource System (SAP, ORACLE, etc.). Check all that apply:

• Used an Enterprise Resource System for human resource management only.
• Used an Enterprise Resource System to process payments and receivables.
• Used an Enterprise Resource System to process procurement documents.
• None of the above

Required Question