Review Vacancy
AgencyEducation Department, State
TitleSenior Accountant, Accountant Trainee 1 (NY HELPS), Box OSEA-320/40161
Occupational CategoryNo Preference
Bargaining UnitPS&T - Professional, Scientific, and Technical (PEF)
Salary RangeFrom $66951 to $85138 Annually
Appointment Type Contingent Permanent
Duties Description The New York State Education Department’s (NYSED) Office of Special Education and Adult Career and Continuing Education Services (OSEA) is seeking candidates for a Senior Accountant position in the Fiscal and Administrative Services Team. The incumbent of this position will serve as a fiscal liaison within the Department. Duties of this position include, but are not limited to, the following:
• Prepare budget updates for OSEA programs including Office of Special Education, Adult Education, High School Equivalency, Proprietary School Supervision, and Vocational Rehabilitation.
• Work on matters pertaining to OSEA contracts, procurements, and payments.
• Track and analyze spending from federal and State sources.
• Review and approve contract payments, and assure they are in accordance with contract terms.
• Audit, process, and track contract claims and vouchers.
• Work on miscellaneous fiscal, budget, and administrative projects.
• Prepare end-of-the-fiscal-period financial transactions to ensure that all federal and State funds are fully expended before the fund end dates.
• Prepare documents and materials relevant to new contracts and contract amendments.
• Assist with the review and preparation of required federal reporting; and
• Provide technical assistance to ACCES staff and vendors on all aspects of contracting, claiming, and status updating.
Minimum Qualifications NY HELPS
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 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. Employees will then be afforded with all of the same rights and privileges of competitive class employees of New York State. While serving permanently in a NY HELPS title, employees may take part in any promotion examination for which they are qualified.
NON-COMPETITIVE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
To be considered for appointment through NY HELPS candidates must meet the open-competitive minimum qualifications for this position. The qualifications are:
Accountant Trainee 1: A bachelor's degree in accounting, auditing, or taxation or a bachelor's degree with 24 semester credit hours in accounting, auditing, or taxation courses.
Accountant Trainee 2:
• A bachelor's degree in accounting, auditing, or taxation or a bachelor's degree with 24 semester credit hours in accounting, auditing, or taxation courses 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.
*A master’s or higher degree in accounting, auditing, or taxation may substitute for one year of experience.
Senior Accountant: Candidates must have either:
• A bachelor's degree in accounting, auditing, or taxation or a bachelor's degree with 24 semester credit hours in accounting, auditing, or taxation courses AND
• 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
• A currently valid Certified Public Accountant License and registration issued by New York State.
*A master’s or higher degree in accounting, auditing, or taxation may substitute for one year of experience.
COMPETITIVE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Reassignment: Candidates must have one year of permanent competitive or 55b/c service as a Senior Accountant.
Eligible List Appointment to Accountant Trainee 1: Candidates who are reachable on the Professional Career Opportunities (PCO) Select Titles eligible list for Accountant Trainee 1 may be considered for appointment. If you are on the Civil Service eligible list for this title, you may receive a canvass letter. You must complete and return it as instructed on the letter. For PCO Select eligible list minimum qualifications for appointment to Accountant Trainee 1, please visit https://www.cs.ny.gov/pco/pco-title-details/title-info.cfm?jobcode=0403001&type=Select
Eligible List Appointment to Senior Accountant: Candidates who are reachable on the Professional Career Opportunities (PCO) Select Titles eligible list for Senior Accountant may be considered for appointment. If you are on the Civil Service eligible list for this title, you may receive a canvass letter. You must complete and return it as instructed on the letter. For PCO Select eligible list minimum qualifications for appointment to Senior Accountant, please visit https://www.cs.ny.gov/pco/pco-title-details/title-info.cfm?jobcode=0403300&type=Select
Section 70.1 Transfer to Senior Accountant: Candidates must have one year of permanent competitive or 55b/c service in a title SG-16 or above deemed eligible for transfer under Section 70.1 of the Civil Service Law. Candidates must also possess a bachelor's degree in accounting, auditing, or taxation AND two years of professional experience in accounting/auditing, financial internal, or field auditing.
Section 70.1 Transfer to Accountant Trainee 1: Candidates must have one year of permanent competitive or 55b/c service in a title SG-12 or above deemed eligible for transfer under Section 70.1 of the Civil Service Law. Candidates must also possess 24 semester credit hours in accounting, auditing, or taxation courses.
Section 70.1 Transfer to Accountant Trainee 2: Candidates must have one year of permanent competitive or 55b/c service in a title SG-14 or above deemed eligible for transfer under Section 70.1 of the Civil Service Law. Candidates must also possess a bachelor's degree in accounting, auditing, or taxation AND one year of professional experience in accounting/auditing, financial internal, or field auditing.
Section 70.4 Transfer to Accountant Trainee 1: Candidates may be eligible for nomination for transfer under Section 70.4 of the Civil Service Law to Accountant Trainee 1 if they are a current NYS employee with one year of permanent competitive or 55 b/c service in a title SG-12 or higher AND have standing on the Professional Career Opportunities Select Job Titles eligible list for this title AND possess a bachelor’s degree AND 24 semester credit hours in accounting, auditing, or taxation courses.
55b/c Appointment to Accountant Trainee 1: This position is eligible for 55b/c designation and candidates with 55b/c eligibility are encouraged to apply. Candidates must possess a current 55b/c eligibility letter and the following minimum qualifications:
• A bachelor's degree in accounting, auditing, or taxation or a bachelor's degree with 24 semester credit hours in accounting, auditing, or taxation courses.
55b/c Appointment to Accountant Trainee 2: This position is eligible for 55b/c designation and candidates with 55b/c eligibility are encouraged to apply. Candidates must possess a current 55b/c eligibility letter and the following minimum qualifications:
• A bachelor's degree in accounting, auditing, or taxation or a bachelor's degree with 24 semester credit hours in accounting, auditing, or taxation courses 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.
*A master’s or higher degree in accounting, auditing, or taxation may substitute for one year of experience.
55b/c Appointment to Senior Accountant: This position is eligible for 55b/c designation and candidates with 55b/c eligibility are encouraged to apply. Candidates must possess a current 55b/c eligibility letter and the following minimum qualifications:
• A bachelor's degree in accounting, auditing, or taxation or a bachelor's degree with 24 semester credit hours in accounting, auditing, or taxation courses AND
• 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
• A currently valid Certified Public Accountant License and registration issued by New York State.
*A master’s or higher degree in accounting, auditing, or taxation may substitute for one year of experience.
For information regarding the transfer options of your current title, please visit the Civil Service Career Mobility Office Website. https://careermobilityoffice.cs.ny.gov/cmo/gotit/title-search/index.cfm
Additional Comments CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: This will be a contingent permanent, competitive or contingent permanent, non-competitive appointment. For 55b/c appointment, candidates must possess the minimum qualifications, a current 55b/c eligibility letter and is subject to verification of applicant eligibility. Promotions and transfers may change appointees’ negotiating unit. Candidates should be aware that changes in negotiating units may affect their salary, insurance, and other benefits.
Verification of education/experience will be required at the time of interview for all candidates.
This position allows for the opportunity to telecommute up to 30% each bi-weekly pay period and is granted at the discretion of the supervisor and the appointing office.
This position may be filled as a traineeship. The starting salaries for this position are outlined below. For current New York State employees, salary is based on the candidate’s salary at the time of hire. Candidates appointed at the trainee level will be required to successfully complete the traineeship to advance to the full performance level title and salary.
Current starting salaries:
• $53,764 (Accountant Trainee 1- NS equated to SG-14)
• $59,994 (Accountant Trainee 2- NS equated to SG-16)
• $66,951 (Full Performance level SG-18)
This position leads to a maximum salary of $85,138 based on annual performance advances and traineeship advances. For new State employees appointed to graded positions, the annual salary is the hiring rate (beginning of the Salary Range) of the position. Promotion salaries are calculated by the NYS Office of the State Comptroller in accordance with NYS Civil Service Law, OSC Payroll rules and regulations and negotiated union contracts
Interested in a job with New York State, but don’t know where to start?
Visit these links for information on working for New York State:
• https://www.cs.ny.gov/jobseeker/
• https://www.cs.ny.gov/pio/publications/gettingajob.pdf
Generous benefits of working for New York State, including, but not limited to, the following:
Holiday & Paid Time Off
• Thirteen (13) paid holidays annually.
• Thirteen (13) days of paid vacation leave in year one, increasing to 20+ days with additional years of service.
• Five (5) days of paid personal leave annually.
• Thirteen (13) days of paid sick leave annually for PEF/CSEA and eight (8) days paid sick leave annually for M/C.
• Annual professional leave and educational leave opportunities for eligible staff.
Health Care Benefits
• Eligible employees and dependents can choose from a variety of affordable and generous health insurance programs.
• Family dental and vision benefits at no additional cost.
Additional Benefits
• Enrollment in the New York State pension system which has earned the distinction of being one of the best-managed and best-funded plans in the nation OR Optional Retirement Defined Contribution Plan with 8% salary match (eligibility requirements apply).
• NYS Deferred Compensation and an exclusive 403(b) Optional Retirement Savings Plan.
• Paid Parental Leave for all employees and Paid Family Leave (M/C Only).
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF).
• Eligibility for various life insurance options.
Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.
Name Office of Human Resources Management
Email Address OSEAJobs@nysed.gov
Address
Street NYS Education Department
89 Washington Avenue, Room 528 EB
Notes on ApplyingAPPLICATION: Qualified candidates should send a resume and letter of interest by July 17, 2026, to OSEAJobs@nysed.gov (email submissions are preferred). Your resume must clearly indicate how you meet the minimum qualifications for this position. You must include the Box number (OSEA-320/40161) of the position in the subject line of your email and cover letter to ensure receipt of your application. Links to application materials will not be accepted (i.e., Google Docs). Your social security number may be required to confirm your eligibility.
New York State Education Department (NYSED) is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. NYS Human Rights Law prohibits discrimination because of age, race, creed, color, national origin, sexual orientation, military status, sex, disability, predisposing genetic characteristics, marital status, domestic violence victim status, gender identity, prior conviction records, prior arrests, youthful offender adjudications, or sealed records.