Full Jobs List Full Exams List
Principal Accountant
Description of Duties
This is a managerial level professional accounting position responsible for planning and directing the activities of two or more functional sections of the department to which assigned. Employees perform the more complex and responsible accounting functions of the units. The work is performed using an automated or manual accounting system. The employee reports directly to and works under the general supervision of a higher level staff member with wide latitude allowed for the setting of priorities, work schedules, and for developing internal procedures. General supervision may be exercised over an accounting and clerical staff.
Minimum Qualifications
Candidates must meet the following minimum requirements on or before the date of the written exam:
EITHER:
- Graduation with a Master's or Bachelor's degree in Accounting, PLUS five (5) years paid full‑time or its part‑time professional* experience** in auditing or accounting, OR,
- Graduation with a Bachelor's degree in Economics, Finance or Business Administration that included a minor, or a minimum of fifteen (15) semester credit hours in accounting, PLUS six (6) years of professional* experience as defined in (A) above, OR,
- Any equivalent combination of education and experience as defined by the limits of (A) and (B) above.
*Professional experience in auditing or accounting shall not include account keeping, bookkeeping or other clerical financial or record keeping activities.
Special Requirements:
Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications under (B) must submit a student copy of their transcript or itemized list of course work and credits received at time of application.
NOTE: Your degree must have been awarded by a college or university accredited by a regional, national, or specialized agency recognized as an accrediting agency by the U.S. Department of Education/U.S Secretary of Education. If your degree was awarded by an educational institution outside the United States and its territories, you must provide independent verification of equivalency. A list of acceptable companies who provide this service can be found on the Internet at http://www.cs.ny.gov/jobseeker/degrees.cfm. You must pay the required evaluation fee.
Anticipated Eligibility – Age and Educational Requirements:
According to Civil Service Law, section 54 which became effective September 4, 2024, applicants who are within 12 months of meeting the minimum age or attaining the minimum educational requirements following the date of examination, may take the civil service exam, but will be restricted from certification until such a time that the minimum age or educational requirements are met. Candidates will be required to provide proof of qualifying education and/or age within 12 months of exam date in order to be eligible for appointment from a certified list.
