Accounting Careers Trainee

The State of Connecticut Department of Transportation (DOT) is currently recruiting for two (2) Accounting Careers Trainee, target class Accountant, in the Bureau of Finance and Administration, Capital Projects unit located in Newington. The selected candidates will receive on-the-job training for advancement into a professional level position of Accountant. This position is full-time, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The Capital Projects unit helps plan for, monitor and control the expenses that the Department incurs while improving the State’s highways, bridges, pedestrian routes, rail services, bus services, ferry services and other transportation facilities. The unit does this by compiling detailed cost estimates for individual capital projects, obtaining specific budget approvals and recording both in various computer applications. These computer applications include the Project Costing portion of the State’s CORE-CT accounting system, various databases and spreadsheets. The unit relies on regular communication with project managers, throughout the Department, for expense forecasts and takes direction from the Capital Planning unit for funding selection from various combinations of federal, State and local sources.

The DOT offers a competitive starting salary and excellent State benefits package including health/dental insurance, generous paid time off, retirement plan, alternate work schedule options and a multitude of other benefits. We also offer the convenience of an on-site, low-cost fitness center, on-site cafeteria, and ample free parking. We are centrally located in Newington with easy access from major highways and by public transportation.

The length of the training program is two (2) years for individuals with a Bachelor’s degree in accounting or in a closely related business field with at least 15 semester hours in accounting; one (1) year for individuals with a Master’s degree in accounting or in a closely related business field with at least 15 semester hours in accounting; for an individual who earns a Master’s degree in accounting or in a closely related business field with at least 15 semester hours in accounting while assigned to this classification is one year from the date the Master’s degree is conferred or the end of the original two (2) year training period, whichever comes first.

*Starting salary with BA degree with 15 semester hours in accounting $51,038 annually
Starting salary with BA degree with 30 semester hours in accounting $54,472 annually
Starting salary with Master's degree in a related field and 15 semester hours in accounting $54,472 annually
Starting salary with Master's degree in a related field and 30 semester hours in accounting $56,200 annually

In order to be considered for this job opening, you must meet the Minimum Qualifications and Preferred Qualifications as listed on the job opening. You must specify your qualifications on your application.

Applicants must include a resume within the "Resume Tab" of their application. Ensure that your application is complete before submitting it. Applicants will be unable to make revisions once their application is submitted into the JobAps system.

Interviews will be limited to candidates whose experience and training most closely meet the requirements of the position.

This posting MAY require completion of additional referral questions (RQ’s) which will be sent to you via email after the closing date. Please regularly check your email for notifications. You must reply by the deadline indicated on the notification or you will be automatically disqualified from consideration.

Due to the volume of applications anticipated, we are unable to provide confirmation of receipt or status during the recruitment process. Updates will be provided through your JobAps portal account.

Direct questions pertaining to this recruitment to jennifer.brame@ct.gov. Reference #79401.

In a state agency this class is accountable for mastering the skills necessary to satisfactorily complete the training program for a professional accounting or auditing position.

While working under the direction of an Associate Accountant, the candidates will perform a variety of increasingly difficult duties as they acquire the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities. These duties may include: creating new project records in Core-CT; using Core-CT and other computer sources to identify the funding makeup of previously approved project estimates; researching and translating expense data from legacy systems; translating requests for additional funding into Core-CT activity codes; estimating the future needs of projects based on collaboration with project managers and the current percentage of project completion; obtaining direction from the Capital Planning unit for appropriate funding sources and translating these into Core-CT funding codes, calculating the applicable federal, State, and Local share of each project activity and updating the Core-CT expense allocation configuration for the current participation ratio; uploading the Core-CT entries needed to adjust the previously approved estimate amounts to the currently proposed amounts; reporting the current status of estimate modifications and budget adjustments to affected project managers and other Departmental units; processing various types of documentation through established Departmental approval paths; completing periodic reports showing unit accomplishments; and other related duties.

Knowledge of accounting and auditing principles and practices; knowledge of business mathematics and statistics; some knowledge of business uses of information technology; some knowledge of effective report writing; ability to read and understand written materials; ability to utilize computer software.

Possession of a Bachelor's or Master's degree in accounting or in a closely related business field with at least 15 semester hours in accounting.

• Enthusiastic, detail-oriented, with a fiscal focus
• Ability to observe and recall technical financial details
• Excellent oral and written communication skills proficient in the use of Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Access)
• Experience with accounting or financial software such as Peachtree, QuickBooks, Quicken, etc.
• Ability to learn State of CT software, CORE-CT, as well as specialized Department software
• Ability to extract, manipulate, organize, perform arithmetical computations and analysis of financial data from accounting systems
• Ability to understand, evaluate and solve problems by exercising reasoning and logic
• Ability to work in an individual or team environment and to establish and maintain cooperative relations with superiors, customers and co-workers
• Ability to understand and follow oral and written directions, policies and procedures
• Ability to explain to others how to follow new or established processes
• Ability to follow up with others as needed until assigned tasks are completed

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.