Senior Accountant/ Accountant Trainee 1/2 (NY HELPS)

Duties Description

The Local District Claiming Unit within The Bureau of Local District Services and Financial Systems (BLDSFS) is tasked with the development and implementation of federally required subrecipient monitoring processes and procedures for the Social Services Block Grant (SSBG) and IV-B Subpart 1. The unit also reviews and approves cooperative agreements between the LDSSs and other local governmental agencies which can be claimed for reimbursement through OCFS. Additionally, BLDSFS works with OTDA to update the Fiscal Reference Manuals whenever changes in legislation, policies, and/or procedures require updates to OCFS funded programs.

This position will be tasked with assisting with the development and implementation of subrecipient monitoring processes and procedures specific to NYC. The employee would be responsible for providing assurance that the local district claiming adheres to federal and state regulations to ensure revenue reimbursement is appropriate. The incumbent will also be responsible to analyze the impact of regulatory changes on federal, and state claiming dollars and suggest system changes and/or claim form changes that may improve federal reporting and address state single audit findings.

This position will also be relied upon to monitor federal claiming to ensure that federal regulation is adhered to and provide additional guidance as necessary to local district staff to review expenditures and support appropriate claiming.

Under the general direction of an Associate Accountant, the duties of the position may include, but are not limited to:

• Assist with the development and implementation of federally required subrecipient monitoring processes and procedures specific to NYC.
• Provide claiming and fiscal reporting technical assistance to 58 LDSSs and other state agencies, in accordance with the cost allocation plans established.
• Work with the LDSSs to ensure maximum federal and state reimbursement is provided for all OCFS services provided to eligible New York State citizens.
• Review and approve cooperative agreements for services provided to the LDSSs by other local governmental agencies.
• Review and comment on proposed federal and state legislation, regulations, and releases for impact upon state and local policies and procedures.
• Utilize technical writing expertise to ensure accurate updating and creation of accounting and fiscal policies and procedures.
• Review OCFS programs and services reference in the Fiscal Reference Manuals and update accordingly.
• Assist in federal and state audits/reviews and obtain any requested audit information.
• Assist with special projects as assigned.
  
  

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.

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

• 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

• A master's or higher degree in accounting, auditing, or taxation may substitute for one year of experience
  
  

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

• 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
• 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

Salary reflects SG-14 to SG-18, Accountant Trainee 1 to Senior Accountant.

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. After 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.

The salary listed applies to candidates starting as a Accountant Trainee 1, equated to a SG-14. The salary for candidates appointed to a Senior Accountant SG-18 starts at $66,951. For current New York State employees, salary is based on the candidate’s salary at the time of hire.

Please specify in your cover letter or resume how you meet the minimum qualifications (as described above) when responding to this posting. For example, you should provide specific date ranges for qualifying experience, qualifying education or certifications, or the age range of individuals served. Non-specific submissions may be disqualified from further consideration if the information you provide does not meet the minimum qualifications.

NOTE ON TELECOMMUTING: Employees are required to apply and obtain approval through management to telecommute according to the agency’s Telecommuting Program Guidelines and can be discussed at time of interview.

Background Investigation Requirements

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.