Accountant 1 (General Accounting and Defined Contribution Plans Division)

POSITION PURPOSE

This position’s focus is on the accounting operations and financial reporting for the SERS Defined Benefit Plan. The general accounting group maintains Defined Benefit Plan general ledgers; processes employer contributions, member contributions, and benefit payments; processes and reconciles financial data; and collaborates with other groups in preparing various monthly, annual, and ad-hoc financial statements and reports.

GENERAL INFORMATION

This opportunity has been posted to both the internal job postings page for Commonwealth employees and the external job postings page for all job seekers. If you are a current or former Commonwealth employee, we encourage you to apply to both the internal posting (bid) and external posting (merit system employment list). About SERS: Established in 1923, SERS is one of the nation’s oldest retirement plans for public employees and manages the pension benefits of more than 246,000employees for 96 public sector employers. In 2025, SERS paid more than $4.0billion in benefits and managed nearly $50 billion in assets . Additional information is available at . Our mission is to prepare our members and participants to achieve financial security in retirement. We achieve this through focusing on our mission, acting ethically and with integrity, empowering our members, embracing innovation, fostering life work balance, modeling an inclusive and respectful workplace, valuing and developing team members, collaborating, and finding joy in our work. SERS is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all qualified individuals to our team. We are committed to an inclusive and respectful work environment that fosters personal and professional growth, embraces the contributions of all team members, and leverages diversity in people, ideas, and experiences to achieve our highest potential. Work Hours A work schedule beginning and ending between 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., inclusive, with a half-hour or one-hour unpaid meal period will be considered, dependent on operational requirements. The requested work schedule may not end prior to 4:00 p.m. Full-time employment, 37.5-hour work week, Monday through Friday. Supervisor Edward Vaz, Accountant 3 Telework eligibility You may have the opportunity to work from home part-time (hybrid telework schedule), depending on operational needs. In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection and work from an approved location inside Pennsylvania. If you are unable to telework, you must work on-site at the work location specified in this job posting. Telework arrangements are subject to change. Additional details may be provided during the interview.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Performs core processes associated with the recording, classifying, and posting of transactions to the general ledger. Processes checks and electronic payments related to the receipt of contributions from approximately 100 SERS employers. Performs the multi-step daily cash movement process (Block Ticket), which ensures SERS internal records agree with PA Treasury reporting. Prepares and posts journal entries to the general ledger. Prepares general ledger reconciliations as part of the monthly and annual financial statement processes. Produces contribution invoices for several employers and monitors aged accounts receivable. Assists with quarterly reconciliation of contributions received from employers. Maintains various logs, including Benefit Payments, and reconciles as appropriate. For internal control purposes, documents processes that the position is responsible for. Compiles financial information for surveys and information requests. Compiles annual component unit reporting for the PA Bureau

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Perform core processes related to contributions and benefit payments Prepare journal entries Prepare general ledger reconciliations Prepare Commonwealth component unit reporting Maintain various logs, including Benefit Payments & FWT, and reconciles as appropriate Compile financial information for surveys Reconcile cash balances Use various IT systems and excel to complete assigned work Document processes and procedures

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING

A Bachelor's Degree including or supplemented by fifteen credits in accounting; OR One year as a Fiscal Technician, and fifteen college credits in accounting; OR One year as a Financial Programs Trainee; OR Five years of Bookkeeping experience and fifteen college credits in accounting; OR Successful completion of the Commonwealth's Accounting Intern Program.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

You must meet the PA residency requirement. Information on ways to meet PA residency requirements is available here. You must be able to perform the essential job functions. You must pass a background investigation.

RECRUITMENT METHODS

You must be eligible for selection in accordance with merit system employment regulations. Applicants must meet the criteria for one of the following recruitment methods to be considered for this vacancy: Transfer Only current civil service employees who hold the same job title will qualify for transfer to another agency. You must meet meritorious service criteria defined as (a) the absence of any discipline above the level of written reprimand during the 12 months preceding the closing date of this posting, and (b) the last regular or probationary performance evaluation showing an overall rating of satisfactory or higher. Reassignment Only current civil service employees in the same agency who hold the same or a similar job title with the same maximum salary within the same occupational group (or where there is a logical career movement) will qualify for reassignment. You must meet meritorious service criteria defined as (a) the absence of any discipline above the level of written reprimand during the 12 months preceding the closing date of this posting, and (b) the last regular or probationary performance evaluation showing an overall rating of satisfactory or higher. Voluntary Demotion Employees who hold regular or probationary civil service status may request to voluntarily demote to a job title with a lower maximum hourly salary. Reinstatement Former civil service employees may only be reinstated to the job title from which they resigned. Current civil service employees are not eligible through reinstatement. Promotion Without Exam (PWOE) Promotion provisions are not subject to the terms of a collective bargaining agreement. You must have or have held regular civil service status in one of the following classifications: Corporation Tax Accountant Technician Fiscal Technician Fiscal Technician Supervisory You must meet meritorious service criteria defined as (a) the absence of any discipline above the level of written reprimand during the 12 months preceding the closing date of this posting, and (b) the last regular or probationary performance evaluation showing an overall rating of satisfactory or higher. You must meet seniority criteria defined as a minimum of one year in the next lower class(es) by the posting close date with no break in service. Employees who previously held regular civil service status in the job title of the position being filled are also eligible for promotion without examination. Promotion without examination requirements are issued in accordance with merit system employment regulations. The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply. #J-18808-Ljbffr Commonwealth of Pennsylvania