STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Associate Accountant

Recruitment #221207-0941AR-001

Introduction

About Us
At the State of Connecticut, Office of Policy and Management (OPM), we report directly to the Governor and provide information and analysis that the Governor uses to formulate public policy for the state. We also assist state agencies and municipalities in implementing the law and public policy on behalf of the people of Connecticut. We prepare the Governor’s budget proposals; implement and monitor the execution of the enacted budget; and oversee the executive branch agencies that report to the Governor.

The Role
This is an exciting opportunity to work as an Associate Accountant within the Criminal Justice Policy and Planning Division (CJPPD).  In this role, you will be responsible for the financial oversight of multiple federal grants and state-funded programs designed to provide funding to various criminal justice stakeholders. The division will rely on you to ensure compliance with all federal and state financial requirements. You will lead the review of all financial documentation submitted through applications for funding or as a requirement of grant monitoring, as well as track and monitor all financial expenditures.

The ideal candidate for this position will possess the ability to work independently, be exceptionally detail-oriented, demonstrate fantastic communication skills, as well as maintain positive working relationships with multiple criminal justice stakeholders and have the capacity to multi-task and adapt to changing circumstances.

This is a forty hour per week position, conveniently located in Hartford, CT and easily accessible to all major highways. 

As a State employee you will enjoy: 
  • Flexible work hours and telecommuting arrangements.
  • Outstanding medical and dental benefits supporting your health and wellness.
  • The ability to begin planning for your future with excellent retirement plans and defined contribution plans.
  • Paid time off including vacation, sick time, and thirteen holidays.
  • Interested in learning more about employee benefits?  Check out our benefits page for more information.
Interested in becoming a state employee?  Watch the video below to learn more:

Selection Plan

To Apply:
  • 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.
  • The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.
  • For assistance in applying, please visit our 'Applicant Tips on How to Apply' page.
  • 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.
  • 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.
After You Apply: 
  • Although applicants will receive correspondence via email, as a backup they are also encouraged to sign on to their Personal Status Board daily to monitor their status, view all emailed notices and complete tasks required in the recruitment process.
  • 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 question's expiration date. Please regularly check your email and JobAps Personal Status Board for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders daily in the event an email provider places auto-notification emails in a user's spam. 
  • 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. Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications as indicated to apply for this position. 
  • The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class. Interviews will be limited to candidates whose experience and training most closely meet the requirements of the position.
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. 
  • If have any questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact opm.recruitment@ct.gov. 
  • Follow the State of Connecticut on Linkedin.     

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In a state agency this class is accountable for performing the most complex accounting tasks within a variety of accounting programs and systems. This class may also be accountable for lead or consultative responsibility.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

This position will be responsible for the following: 

  • Financial oversight of federal grants including but not limited to grant application, budget development, compilation and review of budget proposals and budget revisions;
  • Development and management of the match account for federal grant awards;
  • Management of time allocation of personnel charged to federal grants and other funds;
  • Examination of financial expenditures for compliance with state and federal regulations;
  • Assistance with the preparation of financial expenditure reports and statements consistent with both state and federal reporting requirements;
  • Assistance with the review of audit reports and the response to findings and corrective actions where necessary;
  • Management of fiscal technical assistance to division leadership in maintaining accounting records, financial status updates on activities and progress of all grant awards;
  • Examination of accounting methods and procedures to ensure compliance with accepted accounting principles, laws and regulations and state or federal requirements;
  • Engagement with subgrantees/providers to ensure timely and accurate reporting and compliance with federal grant requirements;
  • Examination of all financial documents submitted by subgrantees including but not limited to: quarterly financial reports, cash requests and all supporting documentation related to provider expenditures to support federal drawdown requests;
  • Adoption of the role of financial liaison between the Criminal Justice Policy and Planning Division, OPM Business Office, providers and other pertinent parties to ensure access to accurate information and to keep relevant parties informed;
  • Administration of a Grants Management System (“Grantium”) for the setup of new grant awards, reconciliation of grant expenditures, grant close out, etc.; 
  • Performance as the lead contact for technical assistance, system updates, and inquires pertaining to the use of the Grantium system ; and
  • Performance of related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

Considerable knowledge of professional accounting principles and practices including governmental accounting and budgeting; interpersonal skills; oral and written communication skills; considerable ability to analyze and evaluate financial records, methods and procedures; ability to devise and install accounting procedures and systems; some supervisory ability.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Seven (7) years of experience in accounting or auditing.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

One (1) year of the General Experience must have been at the level of Accountant, Auditor or Accounts Examiner with responsibility for the exercise of independent analysis and judgement in the application of professional accounting principles and practices.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

  1. College training in accounting or a closely related field 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 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) year of the General and Special Experience: Certified Public Accountant, Certified Internal Auditor.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Experience utilizing financial management systems, including but not limited to PeopleSoft CORE-CT, and grants management systems;
  • Experience utilizing Microsoft Excel for expenditure tracking and reporting, including the use of data visualization techniques, including but not limited to charts, tables, and pivot tables;
  • Experience preparing, monitoring, and managing a budget;
  • Experience managing time allocations for grant-funded personnel;
  • Experience with business office functions such as accounts payables, receivables, purchasing, and cash management practices;
  • Experience developing and managing contracts and agreements with subgrantees;
  • Experience applying federal and state statutes and regulations in grants management; and
  • Experience communicating effectively verbally and in writing with coworkers in the same  agency and contacts across government and nonprofit organizations. 

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.