STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Accounting Careers Trainee

Target Class: Accounts Examiner

Recruitment #230523-0034AR-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. 

The OSC Central Accounts Payable Division is currently seeking qualified candidates to fill two (2) Accounting Careers Trainee positions.  These positions are accountable for mastering skills necessary to satisfactorily complete the training program for a professional accounting or auditing position to the target classification of Accounts Examiner

Position Highlights:
  • Full-time, 80 hours/biweekly, 
  • 1st shift, with a work week of Monday through Friday.
  • Located close to downtown Hartford and major highways.
Comprehensive Benefit Offerings: 
  • 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.
  • Extensive pension plan and supplemental retirement offerings.
  • Paid time off - including 13 paid holidays per calendar year.
  • Professional growth and paid professional development opportunities.
  • A healthy work-life balance to all employees.

The Office of the State Comptroller is located in the State Office Building at 165 Capitol Avenue, Hartford, Connecticut.  This state-of-the-art building offers free garage parking, an on-site cafeteria, and ergonomic workspaces.  

For assistance in applying, please visit our 

Selection Plan

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.

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.

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 Bonnie.Schlechtweg@ct.gov.

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.
AUDIT - Receives training in the following job functions: Conducts post audits of statewide expenditures claims; performs various complex ancillary examinations of critical statewide agency fiscal operations to ensure that integrity is maintained in the procurement and accounts payable processes; determines if state agencies  are adhering to proper accounting, procurement and budgetary guidelines and complying with statutory authority; summarizes monthly discrepancies and issues monthly reports; provides advice to agencies and other operating units relating to governmental accounting procedures, procurement regulations, contracting, personal service agreements, purchasing of goods and services, leases and other fiscal practices as set forth by the regulating agencies; researches unposted or unpaid encumbrance documents and takes appropriate corrective action; assists in conducting state agency training sessions for encumbrance and expenditure processing; performs post audit of selected Core-CT purchasing card (P-Card) transactions to ensure compliance with the Agency established procedures, the Office of the State Comptroller’s purchasing card policies and the Department of Administration procurement and P-Card regulations.  Other duties as may be required.

ADMINISTRATION – Receives training related to Comptroller’s statewide policy initiatives:  work with management to establish comprehensive guidelines and standards for government agencies which increase transparency and reduce the possibility of fraud, waste and abuse of public funds;  produce educational aids and provide training and support to government entities regarding changes to accounting standards and to increase agency compliance with policies and procedures; investigate and work with agencies to resolve deficiencies in agency policy and procedures; monitor changes in State statutes, Federal regulations, and standards proclamations issued by selected accounting standards organizations; work with management to update Comptroller’s statewide policy; ensure procedures are maintained for Comptroller Continuity of Operations Plan; conduct special audits; review existing training materials, manuals, policies, and procedures for conformance to current state and federal statutes and regulations; provide advice and interpretation to agencies on internal controls, accounting standards, and state and federal statutes and regulations; provide guidance to other units on the creation of policy and training materials.  Other duties as may be required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

  • Knowledge of
    • accounting and auditing principles and practices; 
    • business mathematics and statistics;
    • business uses of information technology;
    • effective report writing;
  • Ability to
    • read and understand written materials;
    • utilize computer software.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Candidates must be able to meet the experience and training requirements of the designated job class at the completion of the development program.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Bachelor’s degree in accounting or a closely related field
  • Knowledge of governmental accounting/auditing including accounts payable practices, procurement standards, and procedures
  • Knowledge or experience with internal control documents, or continuity of operations and emergency response plans
  • Knowledge or experience with interpreting state or federal statutes, regulations and guidelines
  • Excellent interpersonal skills, as well as oral and written communication skills
  • Experience with creating and presenting complex training materials to broad audiences and analyzing effectiveness
  • Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office, especially Word, Excel, Access, and macros

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.

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.