What are the responsibilities and job description for the Lead Accountant - Gracedale Nursing Home position at Northampton County?
In order to be considered for this position, applicants must successfully submit a completed application prior to the posting deadline. Applications submitted with incomplete or missing education and/or work experience sections will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed. These applicants will be disqualified from consideration. The attachment of a resume to the application does not fulfill this requirement and will not prevent incomplete applications from being rejected. Education and work experience fields must be completed, regardless of the presence of an attached resume.
Once the posting closes, all applications will be reviewed. The information provided on the application will be utilized to determine whether or not each applicant meets the Minimum Requirements for this position as noted in the Job Description. We encourage all applicants to provide a comprehensive, concise history of their education, certification, licensing, and employment history. Please read the Minimum Requirements thoroughly and then demonstrate that you meet these requirements on your application.
For questions regarding this posting, please contact Sherry Christman, Human Resources Analyst at schristman@norcopa.gov or 610-829-6382.
Equal Employment Opportunities – It is the policy of Northampton County to provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all persons regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, marital status, sex, gender identity, gender expression, age, genetic information, disability, or any other status protected by the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and any other state, federal, or local law.
GENERAL PURPOSEThe Lead Accountant position assists with fiscal and accounting functions for the County inpatient nursing facility, preparation of quarterly and annual special revenue fund financial statements, annual budget and required state and Federal financial reports.
The employee assigned to this title will periodically be required to be available during evening hours as task/project requirements dictate. Must be available to attend budgetary meetings, as well as complete projects such as cost reports, end of year financial statements, and audit preparations within strict deadlines. Weekend and/or holiday hours may be needed to assist with the completion of payroll for holidays or staffing shortages.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED
This position reports directly to the Assistant Nursing Home Administrator.
SUPERVISION EXERCISED
This position is responsible for the supervision of the Accounting, Accounts Payable, and Payroll departments at Gracedale Nursing Home.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES OF THE POSITION
Reviews and analyzes all general ledger accounts, invoices, payroll, and other fiscal matters including the timely submission of Payroll Based Journal (PBJ) and other required reports. Determines accuracy and compliance with requirements and accepted accounting standards.
Manages and completes Intergovernmental Transfer (IGT) process, sales tax reporting, and business sales reports. Maintains business licenses, ensuring licenses in current standing.
Completes all Cost Reports including, but not limited to, Medicare and Medicaid Cost Reports, Resident Day Reporting, and other reports as required by policy and/or regulations.
Works with consultants in preparation of required reports, including responding in a timely manner to information, document, and data requests.
Performs account reconciliation and resolves discrepancies, inadequate documentation and other problems. Evaluates sufficiency of established system and revises as necessary to improve process. Reports potential problems and/or discrepancies to Assistant Nursing Home Administrator, Nursing Home Administrator, and County Fiscal department.
Assists in review of patient accounts for third party billings, personal funds, and insurance applications.
Assists in review of payroll, including time and attendance records.
Assists with the preparation of annual budget in cooperation with Assistant Nursing Home Administrator and Nursing Home Administrator.
Serves as team lead on special projects as instructed by Assistant Nursing Home Administrator.
Conducts department activities in accordance with Federal and State long-term care regulations.
Prepares quarterly and annual special revenue fund financial statements.
Prepares State and Federal reports as requested and when required.
Assists with and facilitates the annual audit for the nursing home facility.
Identifies automation needs and coordinates system development and implementation with other County personnel.
Works in coordination with Business Office Manager on accounts receivable, billing resolution, and special projects.
*An employee assigned to this title shall perform a majority, but may not perform all, of the duties listed in this job description. Conversely, minor level duties performed on the job may not be listed. The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.
REQUIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE – Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s degree, including or supplemented by twenty-one (21) credits in professional accounting courses; AND
At least four (4) years of satisfactory, full-time professional financial accounting experience, including some experience with financial statement preparation; AND
At least two (2) years of accounting experience in an inpatient nursing facility is preferred.
All employees of Gracedale Nursing Home will be required to attend Feeding Program training.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
Thorough knowledge of goals, objectives, principles, and practices commonly employed in the development and maintenance of governmental fiscal and accounting programs.
Thorough knowledge of accounting principles, practices, and methods used in budget development, budget administration, and accounting functions.
Ability to develop knowledge of billing and reimbursement structure from Federal and State agencies and commercial insurance companies.
Ability to develop knowledge of State, Federal, and other regulations and requirements governing accounting and fiscal operations of a long-term inpatient nursing facility.
Knowledge of the principles, practices, capabilities, and limitations of automated data processing systems as they pertain to budget and accounting programs.
Ability to serve as team lead and work with the accounting, technical, and clerical personnel carrying out assignments and special projects as directed by the Assistant Nursing Home Administrator.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with officials and representatives of other County agencies, State and other governmental officials, representatives of social service and related organizations, and the public.
Ability to express ideas and communicate County policy on professional and/or administrative subjects, both verbally and in writing.
Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English to perform the duties of this position.
TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT
Telephone, personal computer (including Microsoft Word applications, ERP and other specialized software), calculator, fax machine, and copy machine.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to walk, sit, talk or hear.
The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to twenty-five (25) pounds.
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.
SELECTION GUIDELINES
Formal application, rating of education and experience, interview, and reference check as well as job related tests may be required.
The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.
FLSA STATUS: FLSA EXEMPT (NOT ELIGIBLE FOR OVERTIME)
DESIGNATION: CAREER SERVICE
PAY GRADE: CS/GR28
UNION STATUS: NON-UNION
Updated April 2026