EXPANDED SCOPE
FOR
CHIEF ACCOUNTANT
OC
1,2,3,4,5,6
PRINCIPAL
ACCOUNTANT OC
1,2,3,4,5,6
SENIOR
ACCOUNTANT OC & PR
1,2,3,4,5,7
SENIOR AUDITOR PR
1,2,3,4,5,7
1. PREPARING WRITTEN
MATERIAL-These
questions test for the ability to present information clearly and accurately,
and to organize paragraphs logically and comprehensibly. For some questions,
you will be given information in two or three sentences followed by four
restatements of the information. You must then choose the best version. For
other questions, you will be given paragraphs with their sentences out of
order. You must then choose, from four suggestions,
the best order for the sentences.
2. GENERAL ACCOUNTING-These questions test for knowledge of the general accounting principles and
practices used in the preparation of financial statements, in the recording and
reporting of financial transactions, and in financial decision-making.
Candidates will be required to demonstrate a current knowledge of Generally
Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). Knowledge of computerized information
systems as it applies to accounting may be required.
3. GENERAL AUDITING-These questions
test for knowledge of the principles and procedures involved in substantiating
and examining transactions and financial statements. It will require a
knowledge of auditing techniques and Generally Accepted Auditing Standards
(GAAS). Knowledge of the use of computerized accounting or auditing systems as
it pertains to auditing may be required. Questions relating to internal
controls applicable to manual and computerized accounting systems may be
included.
4. GOVERNMENTAL
ACCOUNTING-These
questions test for knowledge of the accounting practices employed to provide
financial information used in determining and forecasting the condition of
governmental units, and used for monitoring governmental performance, in terms
of legal, contractual and fiduciary requirements. These questions will test for knowledge of and familiarity with common
governmental funds, appropriation and encumbrance accounting, accounting for
revenue and expenditures, and other aspects of accounting relating to the governmental
sector.
5. UNDERSTANDING AND
INTERPRETING TABULAR MATERIAL-These questions test your ability to
understand, analyze, and use the internal logic of data presented in tabular
form. You may be asked to perform tasks such as completing tables, drawing
conclusions from them, analyzing data trends or interrelationships, and
revising or combining data sets. The concepts of rate, ratio, and proportion
are tested. Mathematical operations are simple, and computational speed is not
a major factor in the test. You should bring with you a hand-held battery- or
solar-powered calculator for use on this test. You will not be permitted to use
the calculator function of your cell phone.
6. ADMINISTRATIVE
SUPERVISION-These
questions test for knowledge of the principles and
practices involved in directing the activities of a large subordinate staff,
including subordinate supervisors. Questions relate to the personal
interactions between an upper level supervisor and
their subordinate supervisors in the accomplishment of objectives. These
questions cover such areas as assigning work to and coordinating the activities
of several units, establishing and guiding staff development programs,
evaluating the performance of subordinate supervisors, and maintaining
relationships with other organizational sections.
7. SUPERVISION-These questions
test for knowledge of the principles and practices employed in planning,
organizing, and controlling the activities of a work unit toward predetermined
objectives. The concepts covered, usually in a situational question format,
include such topics as assigning and reviewing work; evaluating performance;
maintaining work standards; motivating and developing subordinates;
implementing procedural change; increasing efficiency; and dealing with
problems of absenteeism, morale, and discipline.
The New York State Department of Civil
Service has not prepared a test guide for this examination. However, candidates
may find information in the publication 'General Guide to Written Tests'
helpful in preparing for this test. This publication is available online at: https://www.cs.ny.gov/testing/testguides.cfm.
USE OF CALCULATORS
IS RECOMMENDED