Principal Cost Analyst

The State of Connecticut, Department of Social Services (DSS) is recruiting for two (2) Principal Cost Analysts for the Division of Health Services Certificate of Need and Rate Setting Unit, located at 55 Farmington Avenue, Hartford, CT 06105. This position is full-time, 40 hours per week; Monday - Friday.  The position is responsible for monitoring a team of accountants engaged in cost analysis work of determining per diem rates of reimbursement for Medicaid supported patients or carries out such responsibilities directly; consults with and advises administrators of facilities in preparation and presentation of financial and cost finding reports; analyzes and interprets cost reports and recommended reimbursement rates to administrators; attends and participates in appeals hearings for purpose of performing continuous evaluation of cost trends by analyzing facility expenditures and/or adjustments of expenditures in terms of need, policies, financial objectives and legal requirements and recommends appropriate action; performs related duties as required.  The Certificate of Need and Rate Setting Unit works closely with all other units within in the Division as well as with Quality Assurance and DSS Fiscal Divisions. Close interaction between the position and other Divisions within the agency is needed. This position also requires the ability to work closely with legislative members and committees and other state agencies.

 

  The Department of Social Services participates in E-Verify.

• This position will be filled in accordance with reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules.  
• In addition to the checking of references and of facts stated in the application, a thorough background investigation of each candidate may be made before individuals are certified for appointment.  
•  In order to be considered for this job opening, you must meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening. 
•  You must specify your qualifications on your application.
• 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. Interviews will be limited to candidates whose experience most closely meet the preferred requirements of the position.
• Please Note: You will be unable to make revisions once you submit your application for this posting to the JobAps system.
• If selected for further consideration, State employees may be required to provide last 2 service ratings and last 2 years attendance records, non-state employees may be required to provide 2 current letters of professional reference and resume.
• Applicants invited to interview may be required to submit additional documentation, which supports their qualification(s) for this position. 
• These documents may include:  performance reviews, supervisory references, college transcripts, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency.
• If you have any questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Rose Marie Orsini at RoseMarie.Orsini@ct.gov, 860-424-5571.

In the Connecticut Lottery Corporation, Departments of Children and Families, Mental Health and Addiction Services, Social Services and Office of the State Comptroller, this class is accountable for acting as a working supervisor over a team of technical personnel engaged in cost analysis or for independently performing highly complex cost analysis work.

Plans unit workflow and determines priorities; schedules, assigns, oversees and reviews work; establishes and maintains unit procedures; provides staff training and assistance; conducts or assists in conducting performance evaluations; acts as liaison with operating units, agencies and outside officials regarding unit policies and procedures; may make recommendations on policies or standards; may prepare reports and correspondence; performs related duties as required.

CONNECTICUT LOTTERY CORPORATION: Independently performs highly complex cost, revenue and financial analysis functions; coordinates budget preparation process and develops recommendations as to budgeted levels for various revenue and expense categories and line items; reviews accounts and records for budgetary control of corporate expenses and revenues; performs complete general ledger accounting in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP); prepares periodic financial statements for various product groups and operating departments; performs cost benefit and break-even analyses for lottery retailer incentive programs, marketing campaigns and consumer promotional programs; makes recommendations regarding design and modification of incentive programs for entrepreneurial sales staff and monitors program results; creates and applies meaningful expense and revenue allocation schemes using cost accounting principles; provides financial, analytical and statistical feedback to assist in development of strategic sales and marketing plans; analyzes prize liability and unclaimed prizes by game; provides sales and cost analyses, using statistical methods, trends and curve extrapolations to assist management in formulation of corporate policy; assists in compilation of financial data necessary for preparing detailed complex financial statements; acts as liaison with operating units, other state lotteries and lottery associations; may lead staff as assigned; performs related duties as required.

DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES: Monitors a team of accountants engaged in cost analysis work of determining per diem rates of reimbursement for Medicaid supported patients or carries out such responsibilities directly; consults with and advises administrators of facilities in preparation and presentation of financial and cost finding reports; analyzes and interprets cost reports and recommended reimbursement rates to administrators; attends and participates in appeals hearings for purpose of performing continuous evaluation of cost trends by analyzing facility expenditures and/or adjustments of expenditures in terms of need, policies, financial objectives and legal requirements and recommends appropriate action; performs related duties as required.

DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES: Monitors a team of accountants engaged in any of the following tasks or carries out such responsibilities directly: cost analysis work of determining per diem rates of reimbursement for children in residential placement, group homes and fee for service rates; consults with and advises administrators of facilities in preparation and presentation of financial and cost finding reports; analyzes and interprets cost reports and recommended reimbursement rates to administrators; attends and participates in appeal hearings for purpose of performing continuous evaluation of cost trends by analyzing facility expenditures and/or adjustments of expenditures in terms of need, policies, financial objectives and legal requirements and recommends appropriate action; independently performs highly complex cost, revenue and financial analysis functions; coordinates budget preparation process and develops recommendations as to budgeted levels for various revenue and expense categories and line items; reviews accounts and records for budgetary control of expenses and revenues; prepares periodic financial statements; performs cost benefit and break-even analyses; provides cost analyses using statistical methods, trends and extrapolations to assist management in formulation of financial and budgetary policy; assists in compilation of financial data necessary for preparing detailed complex financial statements; acts as liaison with operating units; performs related duties as required.

DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH & ADDICTION SERVICES: Leads team of professional technical staff engaged in cost analysis work of determining rates of reimbursement for behavioral health services; performs highly complex cost, revenue and fiscal analysis work in determining rates of reimbursement; negotiates rates with providers; consults with and advises agency facilities on financial and cost finding reports; analyzes and interprets cost and revenue reports and recommends reimbursement rates; provides financial, analytical and statistical information to assist in budgeting and rate setting; using statistical methods, trends and forecast models provides information to management; assists in development of highly complex financial reports; coordinates budget preparation process and develops recommendation as to budgeted levels for various revenue and expense categories and facility fund levels; reviews accounts and records for budgetary control of expenses and revenues; prepares detailed complex financial statements; may attend and participate in appeals hearings; may act as a liaison with operating units; performs related duties as required.

OFFICE OF THE STATE COMPTROLLER: Monitors a team of accountants engaged in cost analysis, cost reporting or rate setting including preparation of cost allocation plans, determining reimbursement rates for fringe benefits on federal programs and preparing or advising on preparation and negotiation of indirect cost studies; determines weekly per capita cost for patients in state institutions; prepares Medicare cost reports or reviews and approves such cost reports for state hospitals; coordinates Medicare reimbursement plans; determines and negotiates interim Medicare billing rates and rates for Medicaid supported patients in state facilities; maintains records; performs continuing evaluation of cost trends, methods of cost determination and allocation, recommending action as required; interprets constitutional and statutory provisions affecting state financial expenditures and revenues; reviews accounts and records for budgetary control of state expenditures and revenues; assists in compilation of financial data necessary for preparing detailed complex financial statements; provides consultation to state agencies; performs related duties as required.

Considerable knowledge of principles and practices of business administration; considerable knowledge of principles and techniques of health care budgeting, budget control and cost accounting; some knowledge of research techniques and statistical principles and procedures; considerable oral and written communication skills; interpersonal skills; considerable ability to interpret costing and reporting regulations; some supervisory ability; ability to utilize computer software.

Eight (8) years of experience in technical work in cost accounting or fiscal management.
NOTE: Fiscal management is defined as professional accounting or auditing work with responsibility for the review and recommendation of financial policies and procedures of a business organization.

One (1) year of the General Experience must have been in an advanced professional capacity recommending cost funding policies in a medical, intergovernmental or quasi-public setting.
NOTES:
1. For State Employees, experience in an advanced professional capacity is interpreted as experience at the level of an Associate Accountant or above.
2. Intergovernmental is defined as interactions between a state government and the federal government or within or between state government(s).

1. College training may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's degree.
2. A Master's degree in accounting, business administration or hospital administration may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.
3. Certification as a Certified Public Accountant may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.

Preferred Skills for  this position are set forth below:

• Independently performs highly complex cost, revenue and financial analysis functions in support of federal reporting requirements and for calculating Medicaid reimbursement rates. Advanced fiscal analysis skills, general understanding of healthcare policy and Medicaid reimbursement principles.                        

• General understanding of healthcare policy and Medicaid reimbursement principles including value-based reimbursement, quality performance, and acuity based case mix reimbursement.                         

 • Ability to analyze claims data, provider financial data, quality performance data, and cost reports.

 • Perform Medicaid reimbursement analyses of health care and human services topics and issues, which will typically require an understanding of state and federal legislation, regulations, and policies, and the ability to combine and synthesize data and information from multiple sources.

• Ability to participate in Medicaid rate appeals and hearings.

• Strong interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills.

•Able to prepare written summaries and reports in easily understood formats for both internal and external stakeholders.

 • Ability to gather and analyze financial data to determine standard costs for nursing home providers.

 • Able to conduct cost report auditing and reviews in support of cost based rate calculations conducted on an annual basis as well as ability to conduct special rate projection analysis

 • Successful candidates must be able to represent the department at legislative committees, other state agencies and work collaboratively with contractors.

 • Strong ability to work independently.

  • Ability to adapt to changing needs and able to managing multiple priorities under compressed deadlines.

• Advanced Microsoft Office skills including Word, Excel, and Access.

CONNECTICUT LOTTERY CORPORATION: Incumbents must obtain an occupational license in accordance with Section 12-802a of the Connecticut General Statutes.

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.