Review Vacancy
AgencyTeachers' Retirement System
TitleAccountant Aide 1/Trainee
Occupational CategoryFinancial, Accounting, Auditing
Bargaining UnitCSEA Local 658 (NYS Teachers’ Retirement System)
Salary RangeFrom $56187 to $73311 Annually
Minimum Qualifications NY HELPS Program Information
This title is part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide Program (NY HELPS).
For the duration of the NY HELPS Program, this title may be filled via a non-competitive appointment, which means no examination is required but all candidates must meet the minimum qualifications, and any specialized requirements, of the title for which they apply.
At a future date (within one year of permanent appointment), it is expected employees hired under NY HELPS will have their non-competitive employment status converted to competitive status, without having to compete in an examination.
Minimum Qualifications
EITHER 1) Reachable on the Civil Service eligible list; OR 2) Eligible for reassignment by virtue of having permanent competitive service as an Accountant Aide 1 (SG-13); OR 3) Eligible for transfer under the provisions of the Civil Service Law by virtue of having one year of permanent competitive service in an appropriate title.
To be appointed via the NY HELPS program, you must meet the following requirements:
Accountant Aide Trainee 1 (Grade 9) - Six credit hours in accounting, auditing, or taxation courses and either one year of experience gathering, preparing and updating financial data, financial reports, and records; or reconciling accounts and data, reviewing accounting and auditing reports, and verifying accuracy of calculations, balances, and supporting documentation; or assisting accountants or auditors conducting financial and program audits by counting, verifying, and reconciling inventory and cash on hand, determining and verifying the accuracy and propriety of transactions, records, reports, and statements.
Accountant Aide Trainee 2 (Grade 11) - Nine credit hours in accounting, auditing, or taxation courses and either 18 months of experience gathering, preparing and updating financial data, financial reports, and records; or reconciling accounts and data, reviewing accounting and auditing reports, and verifying accuracy of calculations, balances, and supporting documentation; or assisting accountants or auditors conducting financial and program audits by counting, verifying, and reconciling inventory and cash on hand, determining and verifying the accuracy and propriety of transactions, records, reports, and statements.
Accountant Aide (Grade 13) - Twelve semester credit hours of accounting, auditing, or taxation courses and either two years of gathering, preparing, and updating financial data, financial reports, and records; or reconciling data, reviewing accounting and auditing reports, and verifying accuracy of calculations, balances, and supporting documentation; or assisting accountants or auditors conducting financial and program audits by counting, verifying, and reconciling inventory and cash on hand, determining and verifying the accuracy and propriety of transactions, records, reports, and statements.
*Transcripts must be provided during the application process.
Duties Description The Accountant Aide (Accountant Aide 1/Trainee) in the Payroll, Tax, & Cash Unit is responsible for, but not limited to, the following duties:
Member and employer loan payment application, verification, and deposit
Daily bank deposit
Depository bank processes and functions
Tracking and reconciling incoming and outgoing cash
Maintaining petty cash
Answering telephone inquiries from members/retirees related to lost checks, direct deposit, mailing addresses, etc.
Examining current processes and procedures for efficiencies and improvements to controls and services provided to internal and external customers
Daily reconciliation of NYSTRS cash position to the custodian bank daily ending balance
Transmitting bank files for timely disbursements
Enter and verify all loan checks in the JPM lock box
Monitor checks held in decision manager
Process school loan payments
Assist in processing manual payments that may need to be processed as soon as possible
Handle and sort internal and external mail that is delivered to the Finance department
Off Cycle Processing
Daily reclaim process
FIN-149 processing
Back-up for other Payroll and Cash Control functions
Other appropriate duties as assigned
The Accountant Aide (Accountant Aide 1/Trainee) in the Accounting Operations unit is responsible for, but not limited to, the following duties:
Daily processing bank reclaims related to overpayment of retirement benefits
Review deduction exceeds earnings, paper checks and any manual adjustments
Daily application of payments received in the accounts receivable module
Daily interaction with the Cash Control Unit on payments received
Including stop check support for CC as it relates to AR
Ingest Rejected reclaims into ECM
Create customers for goal recoveries in PSFS
Answer reclaim phone line
Follow up on reclaim memo’s needed by RD
Follow up on collection items.
Update active reclaim spreadsheet with conversation information
Timely referral of accounts receivable balances to third-party collections.
This includes; gathering collection documentation, sending to collection agencies, updating ECM, monitoring accounts and reconciling system reports to agency reports
Attend AR related meetings to take notes, document decisions and update any procedures as directed by Senior Accountant.
Support primary contact with Internal Audit on fraud, waste, and abuse cases
Regular verbal and written communication with internal customers, members and their families, participating employers, and other third-parties related to accounts receivables
Assist in completing assigned balance sheet account reconciliations monthly/quarterly by the established deadlines until they reach journey level – grade 13
Problem-solve and elevate to Senior Accountant as necessary
Respond timely to requests for information from financial statement and regulatory auditors
Additional Comments All applications to NYSTRS should be done via our website: https://www.nystrs.org/careers/job-opportunities/
Preferred Qualifications
Experience performing similar duties in a financial institution
Understanding of accounting, finance, and banking functions
Experience working on and across teams
Ability to handle multiple tasks and priorities at once
Comfortable interacting with members and coworkers verbally and in writing
Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Ability to successfully collaborate with other Finance units and NYSTRS’ departments to achieve positive outcomes
Ability and willingness to provide excellent customer service
Ability to think critically
Attention to detail
Organization and self-management skills
Independence and self-motivation
Work Environment, Travel, and Physical Demands
The Accountant Aide (Accountant Aide 1/Trainee) will work in a comfortable indoor office environment with limited physical demands. Occasional local travel may be required in addition to optional occasional overnight travel for training events.
Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.