STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Accounting Careers Trainee

Target Class: Accountant

Recruitment #220509-0034AR-001

Introduction



The State of Connecticut, Department of Transportation is now accepting applications for the position of Accounting Careers Trainee (ACT) with the target class of Accountant, in the Bureau of Finance and Administration, Office of Finance.  The selected candidate(s) will receive on-the-job training for advancement into a professional level position of Accountant.

We are seeking individuals with a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting for a 2-year training program, or a Master’s degree for a 1-year training program.  Upon successful completion of training, incumbents will be eligible for promotion to Accountant.  

Students graduating in the spring of 2022 with a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting are encouraged to apply.
Note:  Candidates must have completed all degree requirements prior to the job closing date.

Who We Are: The Office of Finance is comprised of three Divisions (Budget Services, Capital Services, and Financial Management & Support) responsible for providing the business and financial support, budgeting, accounting, accounts receivable, and federal and state funding management necessary to meet the needs of the Department.  Office of Finance staff help plan for, monitor, control, and report on the expenses that the Department incurs while maintaining and improving the State’s rails, buses, highways, bridges, pedestrian routes, and various other projects.  
  • The Budget Services Division has 30 employees and is responsible for a variety of accounting functions including coordination/development of the Department’s Operating Budget Request, budget monitoring, requisition approval, expenditure review and correction, payroll monitoring, accounts receivable, and revenue accounting.  The Division also is responsible for administering the Department’s Petty Cash account and Procurement Card program, and preparation of various financial reports. 
  • The Capital Services Division has 50 employees and is responsible for the planning and administration of Federal and State funds dedicated for improvements to the state’s highway and transit infrastructure.  
  • The Financial Management and Support Division has 46 employees and is primarily responsible for providing financial management and administrative support for all the Department’s bureaus. This includes the processing of vendor invoices, recording daily deposits for bus transit and rail parking operators, and providing budget development, monitoring, and reporting services. This Division is also responsible for the completion of mandatory quarterly and annual FTA and FRA federal financial reports and involvement in financial transactions related to project and grant close-outs.
The current recruitment includes positions in Budget Services and Financial Management & Support.  
It is anticipated that this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in all divisions.
 
Position Details: 
The recruited Accounting Careers Trainee position(s) will receive training in various accounting functions, which may include:
  • Reviewing purchase orders, requisitions, requests for P-Card purchases, and/or agreements/construction contracts for appropriate coding and funding availability.
  • Analyzing encumbrance and expenditure activity and coordinating with various bureau staff to prepare estimates of projected expenditures for assigned budget area(s).
  • Preparing and uploading budget journals to record/adjust distribution of operating budget allotments.
  • Reviewing payroll and other expenditure transactions and preparing complex journal entries to correct Department financial records as required.
  • Preparing various weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual budget and expenditure reports.
  • Various tasks to assist in the coordination of the Department’s Biennial Operating Budget Request.
  • Review of invoices, documents, agreements, contracts, legislation, guidance, and similar materials that involve financial transactions, procedures, and the handling of public funds.
  • Examination of documents, audits, expenses, and similar records, to monitor, adjust and close projects, federal agreements, and grants.
  • Creating purchase orders and receivers in the Core-CT accounting system to facilitate the funding of vendor agreements and corresponding invoice payments, and to facilitate Department procurement of goods or services.
  • Reconciling daily deposit information provided by state transit operators to the bank transactions recorded in the Core-CT accounting system.
Benefits: We participate in a competitive benefits package that includes comprehensive healthcare policies including medical and dental coverage, retirement plan options, paid time off, and more! We also encourage a healthy work-life balance for all employees and provide professional growth and development opportunities!

Selection Plan

To Apply:

  • In order to be considered for this job opening, you must meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on this job opening. You must specify your qualifications on your application.
  • The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.
  • Ensure that your application is complete and detailed before submitting it. In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process. You will not be able to make revisions once your application is submitted into the JobAps system.
  • Please select all location(s) and shift(s) you are willing to work on your application. Failure to do so may result in not being considered for vacancies in that specific location or shift.
  • All application materials must be received by the recruiting agency by the time specified on the job opening for the position for which you are applying. Late applications may not be submitted and will not be considered. Exceptions are rare and limited to documented events that incapacitate a candidate during the entire duration of the job posting time period. It is the candidate’s obligation and responsibility to request an exception and provide a legally recognized justification to accommodate such exception. Requests should be made to DAS.SHRM@ct.gov.
Important Information After You Apply:

  • This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQs). You can access these RQs via an email that will be sent to you after the posting's closing date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section). Your responses to these RQs must be submitted by the questionnaire's expiration date. Please regularly check your email and JobAps Personal Status Board for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders on a daily basis in the event an email provider places auto-notification emails in a user's spam.
  • Although applicants will receive correspondence via email, as a backup they are also encouraged to sign on to their Personal Status Board on a daily basis to monitor their status, view all emailed notices and complete tasks required in the recruitment process.
  • Note: At any point during the recruitment process, applicants may be required to submit additional documentation which support their qualification(s) for this position. These documents may include: a cover letter, resume, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency.
  • Interviews will be limited to candidates whose experience and training most closely meet the requirements of the position.
  • The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
  • Candidates who are offered and accept a position with the State of Connecticut are bound by the State Code of Ethics for Public Officials and State Employees which is available at www.ct.gov/ethics.
Connect With Us:

Due to the large volume of applications received, we are unable to provide confirmation of receipt or status during the recruitment process. Updates will be available through your JobAps portal account. Should you have any questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Hayley Newhouse at hayley.newhouse@ct.gov or 860-986-6918.

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

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.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

Receives training in introductory accounting or auditing work for development of skills and knowledge in order to qualify for advancement into a professional agency accounting or auditing position; performs a variety of increasingly difficult duties as skills are acquired during the course of the training period; examines financial records of governmental or private businesses and accounting methods and procedures to ensure compliance with statutes, regulations, guidelines or accepted accounting principles; may receive training in such areas as maintaining financial records and accounts, establishing financial statements and schedules, and preparing budget estimates; performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

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.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

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.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Accounting
  • Experience with Microsoft Office programs, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and Teams
  • Experience with prioritizing, multitasking, and working with deadlines
  • Experience with working independently and as part of a team

Conclusion

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.