STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

State Comptroller Assistant Division Director (General)

Recruitment #220628-1287MP-001

Introduction

The State of ConnecticutOffice of the State Comptroller (OSC), is an agency whose mission is to provide accounting and financial services, to administer employee and retiree benefits, to develop accounting policy and exercise accounting oversight, and to prepare financial reports for the state, federal and municipal governments and the public. 

We are recruiting for a full-time State Comptroller Assistant Division Director (General) for the Central Accounts Payable Division (CAP), which performs centralized accounts payable, audit, and asset management functions.  This position will be responsible for:

  • Overseeing various responsibilities of the division which may include: direct staff in processing pay cycles to produce vendor payments for all State agencies in Core-CT Accounts Payable, Payroll and Retirement modules, annual OPM rental rebates; 
  • Preparation of 1099MISC, 1099NEC, 1099G, 1099I, 1099S; 
  • Managing offsets of delinquent taxes and liens; OFA financial sanctions compliance, review and provide guidance on agency internal controls; audit of financial transactions including expenditure, purchasing, asset management, petty cash and trustee accounts; 
  • Centralized functions of the PCard program; 
  • Issuance of statewide systems security policy and procedures; 
  • Auditing security roles in accounting systems; 
  • Establishing, implementing and disseminating statewide policies and procedures to comply with federal laws, IRS regulations, GASB statements, and state statutes; 
  • Reviewing documents related to assignment/assumption of state contracts, liaison between contracting agency, state agency, and Core-CT; 
  • Overseeing various functions related to asset management; 
  • Reporting and data analysis; 
  • Other ancillary accounts payable functions.

This position is first-shift, 40 hours per week, and is located at the renovated State Office Building at 165 Capital Avenue, in Hartford, CT.  This state-of-the-art building offers free garage parking, ergonomic workspaces, and telework opportunities.  The OSC offers an excellent salary and benefits package.

Selection Plan

Candidates must meet the minimum qualifications as indicated to apply for this position.  State employees currently holding the above title or those who have previously attained permanent status in the class may apply for a lateral transfer.  Candidates who have been selected for employment with the Office of the State Comptroller are subject to a detailed background investigation, including a fingerprint supported state and federal criminal history record check along with reference checks. Selection for employment is contingent upon satisfactory completion of the background investigation.

In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process.  Please ensure that your application is complete prior to submitting.  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, supervisory references, attendance records, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency. Questions about these required documents should be directed to the hiring agency's human resources office:  bonnie.schlechtweg@ct.gov.

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, including your SPAM/JUNK folders. You must reply by the deadline indicated on the notification or you will be automatically disqualified from consideration.

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

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.

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Office of the State Comptroller, this class is accountable for assisting in administering the programs and activities of a major division with statewide impact.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

Assists in directing the planning and organizing of functions within a division; assists in coordinating, planning, and managing division activities; assists in formulating program goals and objectives; assists in developing related policy; assists in implementation of new procedures and procedural revisions; assists in interpreting and administering pertinent laws; evaluates staff; assists in preparing division budgets; maintains contacts with individuals both within and outside of division who might impact on program activities; may coordinate subpoena responses and Freedom of Information requests; may assist in directing retirement benefits functions; may assist in directing employee benefits functions; may assist in directing timely processing of all state payrolls and related documents; may assist in directing auditing, validation, and payment of all claims against the state; may assist in directing maintenance of official accounting records of the state; may develop and maintain guidelines for pension division orders (QDROs) for those retirement systems administered by the Retirement Services Division; may interpret state and federal laws and regulations pertaining to retirement or employee benefits; may provide counsel to state agency staff with respect to retirement benefits in connection with the resolution of labor disputes; may prepare contracts for services required by SERC and the State Comptroller to administer employee or retiree benefits; may assist in the coordination of various pension or health care delivery systems, including health promotion and wellness initiatives; may act as the Retirement Services Division liaison to the Attorney General’s Office; performs other related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

Considerable knowledge of accounting principles and practices including governmental accounting, accounts payable procedures, and/or payroll accounting; knowledge of commercial business practices, particularly accounts receivable practices and procedures; knowledge of fiscal and payroll practices and public payroll audit procedures; knowledge of application of EDP equipment to accounting systems; considerable knowledge of and ability to apply relevant state and federal laws, statutes, and regulations; knowledge of and ability to apply management principles and techniques; considerable interpersonal skills; considerable oral and written communication skills; considerable ability in analysis and preparation of complex and comprehensive financial statements and reports.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Nine (9) years of experience in accounting, auditing, or business management with major responsibilities in the accounting area.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

Two (2) years of the General Experience must have been in a supervisory capacity.

NOTE:

1. Supervisory capacity is defined as scheduling, assigning, overseeing work, and establishing performance standards for employees and taking corrective measures to implement those standards.

2. For State employees, supervisory capacity will be interpreted at the level of Supervising Accountant, Supervising Accounts Examiner, or Payroll Systems Supervisor.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

1. College training in accounting or business administration may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one-half year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's degree.

2. A Master's degree in accounting or a closely related field may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.

3. Certification in any of the following may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience: Certified Public Accountant or Certified Internal Auditor.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Significant experience in a high-volume accounting operation including vendor management, accounts payable, and electronic payment methods.
  • Significant experience (at least five years) in a supervisory role overseeing multiple professional level staff in an Accounting, Auditing, Fiscal, or other closely related field.
  • Proficient knowledge of accounting and financial management; ability to analyze and understand complex financial data, budget reports and actuarial reports.
  • Proficient leadership skills working with staff and external partners.
  • Strong communication skills, including oral, written, and interpersonal. 
  • Effective and proven project management skills as it relates to process improvement and implementation of new initiatives.
  • Experience working with key partners including Core-CT, State agencies, and vendors
  • Experience in creating an effective collaborative work environment.
  • Ability to interpret federal and state statute, audit findings, and recognized industry standards and suggest adjustments to policies and procedures as needed.
  • High level of skill in query writing with plSQL, complex Excel macros including VBA programming, and extensive experience in developing advanced Access Databases.

Conclusion

INCOMPLETE APPLICATION PACKAGES AND THOSE RECEIVED AFTER THE CLOSING DATE INDICATED ABOVE WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.  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, veterans, and persons with disabilities.  If you are requesting special accommodations under the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) please contact Bonnie Schlechtweg at 860.702.3323 or Bonnie.Schlechtweg@ct.gov.