Review Vacancy
AgencyChildren & Family Services, Office of
TitleSenior Accountant/Senior Accountant Trainee 1/2 (NY HELPS)
Occupational CategoryFinancial, Accounting, Auditing
Bargaining UnitPS&T - Professional, Scientific, and Technical (PEF)
Salary RangeFrom $52198 to $82656 Annually
Appointment Type Contingent Permanent
Duties Description The Bureau of Financial Operations (BFO) directs and coordinates all financial operations of the agency. This includes the collection of all revenues, processing of vouchers, payment to vendors, encumbrance documents, journal transfers, appropriation refunds, and deposits to the Office of the State Comptroller (OSC). BFO processes payments to juvenile justice Medicaid providers, monthly payments to OCFS foster parents, private adoptive parents, and quarterly annuity payments to Native Americans. The BFO manages the disbursement and payment tracking for all NYS Commission for the Blind (NYSCB) Equipment Loans and Business Enterprise Programs. The BFO processes county detention and Supervision and Treatment Services for Juveniles Program (STSJP) claims, the OCFS Care and Maintenance bill for youth in OCFS facilities and municipalities’ claims for the various youth development programs. BFO responds to payment inquiries from vendors. The BFO serves as the agency's liaison with OSC and Business Services Center (BSC) on matters involving fiscal and agency travel transactions. The BFO also prepares and files all federal claims for the agency, reconciles all federal grant awards, and prepares all Central Office cost allocation plans.
Under the general direction of an Associate Accountant, the duties of the position include, but are not limited to:
• Review and approve general ledger journal entries, accounts payable vouchers and agency travel authorizations.
• Ensure maintenance of accounting records in accordance with applicable guidelines.
• Act as an agency liaison to the Office of General Services (OGS) BSC and the Office of NYS Comptroller (OSC) for accounts payable service lines.
• Prepare and timely submit all required reports by prescribed timeframes.
• Conduct both written and telephone communication to customers, vendors, program administrators and staff regarding requests for information, answering questions, as well as formal communications intended for a larger, agency-wide audience.
• Maintain a comprehensive understanding of various systems, such as the NYS Statewide Financial System (SFS) and OCFS fiscal management system, including the ability to run reports, analyze the data and provide resourceful suggestions to improve upon.
• Provide guidance and technical assistance to agency staff, customers and vendors to facilitate the appropriate processes, ensuring all control requirements are met.
• Gain knowledge of AnalyzeNY, OGS BSC, State Finance Law, OSC’s Guide to Financial Operations, and OSC travel and expense policies. Apply governing policies as applicable to required activities and tasks being performed.
• Participate in gathering requirements and implementing new or required laws, financial system updates, as well as LEAN initiatives.
• Coordinate audit inquires and draft responses to audit recommendations for the BFO in conjunction with expense transactions.
• Identify and recommend improvements to BFO procedures.
• Supervise one Accountant Aide
• Monitor and evaluate performance metrics. Develop corrective or improvement measures.
• Plan, prioritize, and direct work based on priority of assignment and employee skillset.
• Periodically conduct meetings with subordinates and supervisors to discuss and resolve work matters and inform staff about new or amended agency procedures.
• Evaluate and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Work on special projects.
Additional duties will be discussed in detail during the interview.
Minimum Qualifications Transfer: One year of permanent competitive or 55-b/c service in this title or in a title eligible for 70.1 transfer.
This position may be designated 55 b/c and is subject to verification of applicant eligibility.
Open to the Public: This title is part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide Program (NY HELPS).*
To be considered for appointment through NY HELPS, candidates must meet the open-competitive minimum qualifications for this position, which are:
For Accountant Trainee 1 (equated to SG-14):
Either 1. A bachelor's or higher degree in accounting, auditing, or taxation; OR
2. A bachelor's or higher degree with 24 semester credit hours in accounting, auditing, or taxation courses.
Note that courses such as business law, economics, statistics, and most finance courses, although taken as part of an accounting curriculum, cannot be counted toward the 24 semester credit hours.
For Accountant Trainee 2 (equated to SG-16), you must also have:
Either 1. One year of professional experience in accounting/auditing or financial internal or field auditing, where you were responsible for the full range of activities in the design and/or review, analysis and management of accounting systems, resulting in the preparation of, or recommendations on financial statements in accord with generally accepted accounting principles; OR
2. A master's or higher degree in accounting, auditing, or taxation.
For the Senior Accountant (SG-18) you must also have:
Either 1. Two years of professional experience in accounting/auditing or financial internal or field auditing, where you were responsible for the full range of activities in the design and/or review, analysis and management of accounting systems, resulting in the preparation of, or recommendations on, financial statements in accord with generally accepted accounting principles; OR
2. A master's or higher degree in accounting, auditing, or taxation AND one year of professional experience in accounting/auditing or financial internal or field auditing, where you were responsible for the full range of activities in the design and/or review, analysis and management of accounting systems, resulting in the preparation of, or recommendations on, financial statements in accord with generally accepted accounting principles; OR
3. A currently valid Certified Public Accountant license and registration issued by New York State.
Experience NOT considered qualifying are activities restricted to teaching, bookkeeping, maintaining/auditing payroll records or accounts receivable/accounts payable, or preparing tax returns.
Additional Comments Free parking is available at the Rensselaer location.
Preferred experience:
• Strong organizational and analytical skills
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Fluent in computer skills such as Microsoft Word and Excel
• Understand medical billing codes and payments made by Medicaid rate
• Familiarity with the Statewide Financial System (SFS) and AnalyzeNY
Background Investigation Requirements:
1) All prospective employees will be investigated through a Criminal Background Check (CBC), which includes State and federal Criminal History Record Checks. All convictions must be reported; conviction of a felony or misdemeanor, or any falsified or omitted information on the prospective appointee’s employment application, may bar appointment or result in removal after appointment. Each case will be determined on its own merits, consistent with the applicable provisions of State and federal laws, rules, and regulations. Prospective employees will be fingerprinted in order to obtain a record of their criminal history information, and may be required to pay any necessary fees.
2) All prospective employees will be screened against the Statewide Central Register of Child Abuse and Maltreatment (SCR). Prospective employees will be required to pay any necessary fees.
3) For Division of Juvenile Justice and Opportunities for Youth (DJJOY) prospective appointees will be checked against the Staff Exclusion List (SEL) maintained by the Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs. Prospective employees whose names appear on the SEL as having been found responsible for serious or repeated acts of abuse or neglect will be barred from appointment and may have their names removed from the eligible list(s) for the title(s) if applicable.
The Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) is an equal opportunity employer. OCFS does not discriminate based upon age, race, creed, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, military or veteran status, sex, disability (including pregnancy-related conditions), predisposing genetic characteristics, familial status, marital status or status as a victim of domestic violence, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We devote special attention to dismantling racial injustice and recognize that diversity in our workforce is critical to fulfilling our mission. We are committed to the diversity of our staff, and encourage applicants from marginalized communities to apply. In furtherance of Executive Order 31 and OCFS’s mission to have a diverse workforce, all people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. All applicants must be dedicated to working in and sustaining an environment of inclusion that affirms and celebrates the backgrounds, learned and lived expertise, whole identities, and individual perspectives of our staff. Applicants of all backgrounds and experiences are encouraged to self-identify during the application process.
Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.
Name New York State Office of Children and Family Services
Email Address eoajobpostings@ocfs.ny.gov
Address
Street Bureau of Personnel - DEC
52 Washington Street, 231 North
Notes on ApplyingQualified candidates should e-mail their resume and letter of interest to eoajobpostings@ocfs.ny.gov You MUST include the Vacancy number of the position in the subject line of your email and/or cover letter to ensure receipt of your application. In order to qualify you for the position when you have current or prior New York State employment, you may be contacted by OCFS Personnel for your social security number to confirm your employment history.