STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Associate Accounts Examiner

Hybrid

Recruitment #230711-0946AR-001

Introduction


Do you have experience with complex financial analysis? Are you looking to tackle a more independent role? 
If so, look no further than this chance to join the State of ConnecticutDepartment of Social Services (DSS), as an Associate Accounts Examiner!

What We Have To Offer!
  • To work for a Forbes top company: ‘Forbes’ State of Connecticut Ranked One of the Best Employers of 2023 - State of CT Receives National Recognition for Offering Job Growth, Competitive Benefits, and Flexible Schedule
  • Industry leading health benefits, including medical and dental coverage
  • Comprehensive pension plan and supplemental retirement offerings
  • Retirement healthcare offerings
  • Professional growth and development opportunities
  • Outstanding work-life balance
We are looking for qualified candidates who would join our team in the Office of Community Services (OCS), within the Division of Program Oversight and Grants Administration (POGA).  The OCS Team ensures compliance, efficiency, and accountability within federal and state programs administered by the Department.   The OCS Team is responsible for grant administrative and program oversight of the following federal block grants:  Community Services Block Grant, Social Services Block Grant, Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, Low Income Water Assistance Program as well as various American Rescue Plan Act and State funded programs. This is an exciting opportunity for the qualified candidate to assist POGA with managing its fiscal and compliance responsibilities.

This position will work with OCS and POGA staff, non-profits, vendors, federal partners and other state agencies to perform accounting and auditing activities, including but not limited to the following:
  • Analyzing financial records, documents and reports to streamline operational outcomes
  • Reviewing prior audit reports, financial statements, budgets or other available data
  • For an on-site audit meets with officials of organization being examined to discuss audit procedures, answers questions and obtains necessary information and records
This position will have the opportunity to assist the OCS Team with performing examination of financial records and documents of other state agencies, businesses, municipalities or other organizations which are monitored by OCS;
  • Applying State and Federal cost standards, laws, statutes, and regulations
  • Utilizing professional accounting and auditing principles and practices to identify potential issues and create resolutions 
  • Applying State and Federal cost standards, laws, statutes, and regulations.
Position Highlights 
  • Located in our Central Office at 55 Farmington Avenue, Hartford, CT
  • Full-time, 40 hours per week
  • Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
  • Hybrid Role
Who we are
DSS delivers and funds a wide range of programs and services as Connecticut’s multi-faceted health and human services agency.  We serve about one million residents of all ages in all 169 Connecticut cities and towns.  We support the basic needs of children, families, older and other adults, including persons with disabilities.

We invite you to join our team and take part in fulfilling our vision of a Connecticut where all are healthy, secure, and thriving!

Selection Plan

To Apply:

  • Ensure that your application is complete and detailed before submitting it. We are no longer accepting resumes in accordance with PA 21-69. You will not be able to make revisions once your application is submitted into the JobAps system.
  • The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.

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 question'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.
  • The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
  • These positions will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules
  • 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.
  • 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.

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 Ethan Ives via email at Ethan.Ives@ct.gov.

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In a state agency this class is accountable for performing highly complex and difficult examination work involving the financial records of state agencies, businesses, municipalities, or other entities. This class may also be accountable for working lead or consultative responsibility.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

  • Performs highly complex and difficult examination work involving the financial records of State agencies, businesses, municipalities, or other entities receiving money distributed and monitored by the State; 
  • Determines priorities; 
  • Assigns and reviews work; 
  • Establishes and maintains unit procedures; 
  • Provides staff training and assistance; 
  • Conducts or assists in conducting performance evaluations; 
  • Acts as liaison with other operating units, agencies and outside officials regarding unit policies and procedures; 
  • Examines complex and varied financial documents and data submitted; 
  • Researches historical and/or other related data as needed; 
  • Analyzes and compares data to determine appropriate status or action; 
  • Determines compliance of documents or procedures with laws, regulations and any state or federal requirements; 
  • Holds meetings with audit subjects; 
  • May participate in conferences and hearings; 
  • May coordinate unit workflow; 
  • Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

  • Considerable knowledge of 
    • professional accounting and auditing principles and practices; 
    • governmental and commercial accounting; 
  • Skills 
    • interpersonal skills; 
    • oral and written communication skills; 
  • Considerable ability to 
    • analyze financial records, documents, and reports; 
    • prepare reports including narrative and statistical sections; 
  • 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 professional level.

NOTE: Professional level accounting or auditing is interpreted as work performed as a professional 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

  • 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.
  • A Master's degree in accounting may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.
  • Certification as a Certified Public Accountant or Certified Internal Auditor may be substituted for one (1) year of the General and Special Experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Experience with using professional accounting and auditing principles and practices to identify potential issues and create resolve
  • Experience with governmental accounting
  • Experience in analyzing financial records, documents and reports to streamline operational outcomes; reviewing prior audit reports, financial statements, budgets or other available data; for an on-site audit meets with officials of organization being examined to discuss audit procedures, answers questions and obtains necessary information and records
  • Experience in sharing findings verbally and in writing to forecast accounting risk and strategy
  • Experience applying State and Federal cost standards, laws, statutes, and regulations
  • Experience conducting or participating in examinations of financial records and documents of state agencies, businesses, municipalities or other organizations which are monitored by the state
  • Experience utilizing EDP systems for financial records, reports and analysis (i.e. examining various financial records including revenue, expenditure, payroll and grant accounting, examining and reconciling accounting records with supporting data, such as vouchers, invoices and cash receipts)
  • Experience with Microsoft Excel including creating and developing spreadsheets, using macros, pivot tables, VLOOKUP, and importing and exporting data
  • Experience in communicating prepared reports and statistical narrative for internal and external shareholders

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

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.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes. As such, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.