Accountant 1

Salary: $51,971.00 - $79,062.00 Annually
Location : Dauphin County, PA
Job Type: Civil Service Permanent Full-Time
Job Number: CS-2026-49967-03020
Department: Pennsylvania State Police
Division: SP Firearms Admin Sect
Opening Date: 05/21/2026
Closing Date: 6/3/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Job Code: 03020
Position Number: 00244092
Union: Non-Union
Bargaining Unit: A3
Pay Group: ST06
Bureau / Division Code: 00209431
Bureau / Division: Bureau of Records and Identification / Firearms Administration Section
Worksite Address: 1800 Elmerton Avenue
City: Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Zip Code: 17110
Contact Name: PSP Human Resource Civilian Placement
Contact Email: View email address on click.appcast.io


THE POSITION


Do you excel with numbers and have a passion for accounting? Are you ready to take the next step in your career with the Commonwealth? The Accountant 1 position with the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) offers an exciting chance to support essential financial processes that help keep public safety operations running smoothly. This role allows you to use your analytical skills to review important fiscal information and ensure accuracy in key financial records. You will join a team that values precision, integrity, and steady problem-solving. This is a unique opportunity to refine your existing skills, gain valuable new expertise, and play a key part in supporting PSP's core mission.
DESCRIPTION OF WORK
This position focuses on reviewing, reconciling, and reporting financial information related to Pennsylvania Instant Check System (PICS) background checks and firearms transfer revenue. The role supports fiscal integrity, compliance, and accurate reporting across multiple program areas. As an Accountant 1, you will perform the following duties:

• Revenue Review: Examine daily and monthly deposit reports and verify accuracy of submissions
• Reconciliation Work: Reconcile receipts with system data and ledger postings and prepare financial summaries
• Issue Investigation: Investigate discrepancies in deposits, reporting, or dealer submissions and recommend corrective steps
• Compliance Coordination: Collaborate with internal and external partners to ensure adherence to financial policies and statutory requirements
• Audit Support: Assist with internal reviews, document findings, and support external audit requests
• Training Assistance: Provide guidance to staff and external entities on correct reporting and reconciliation procedures

Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.
Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment, 37.5 hours per week
• Work hours are 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 30-minute lunch.
• Telework: You will not have the option to telework in this position.
• Salary: Selected candidates who are new to employment with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will begin employment at the starting annual salary of $51,971.00 (before taxes).
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY
QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• Successful completion of the Commonwealth's Accounting Intern Program (Commonwealth job title or equivalent Federal Government job title, as determined by the Office of Administration); or
• One year as a Financial Programs Trainee (Commonwealth job title or equivalent Federal Government job title, as determined by the Office of Administration); or
• One year as a Fiscal Technician (Commonwealth job title or equivalent Federal Government job title, as determined by the Office of Administration), and fifteen college credits in accounting; or
• Five years of Bookkeeping experience and fifteen college credits in accounting; or
• A Bachelor's Degree including or supplemented by fifteen credits in accounting.
• Applicants will be considered to have met the educational requirements once they are within 3 months of graduating with a qualifying degree.

Other Requirements:

• You must meet the PA residency requirement. For more information on ways to meet PA residency requirements, follow the link and click on Residency Guidelines.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Legal Requirements:

• You must pass a background investigation and meet Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) compliance requirements.

How to Apply:

• Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
• If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
• Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
• Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.
• All application materials and interview responses must reflect the applicant's own experience, qualifications, and work. Applicants may use generative AI tools for preparation purposes only. Use of AI to misrepresent or falsify information, or to assist during interviews, is not permitted. Review the Guidance for Generative AI Tools & Job Seekers for additional information.

Veterans:

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to and click on Veterans.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.
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.

EXAMINATION INFORMATION

• Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).
• Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.
• Your score is valid for this specific posting only.
• You must provide complete and accurate information or:
  • your score may be lower than deserved.
  • you may be disqualified.
• You may only apply/test once for this posting.
• Your results will be provided via email.

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Health & Wellness

We offer multiple health plans so our employees can choose what works best for themselves and their families. Our comprehensive benefits package includes health coverage, vision, dental, and wellness programs.*

Compensation & Financial Planning
We invest in our employees by providing competitive wages and encouraging financial wellness by offering multiple ways to save money and ensure peace of mind including multiple retirement and investment plan options.


Work/Life Balance
We know there's more to life than just work! Our generous paid leave benefits include paid vacation, paid sick leave, eight weeks of paid parental leave, military leave, and paid time off for most major U.S. holidays, as well as flexible work schedules and work-from-home opportunities.*


Values and Culture
We believe in the work we do and provide continual opportunities for our employees to grow and contribute to the greater good. As one of the largest employers in the state, we provide opportunities for internal mobility, professional development, and the opportunity to give back by participating in workplace charitable giving.

Employee Perks
Sometimes, it is the little "extras" that make a big difference. Our employees receive special employee-only discounts and rates on a variety of services and memberships.

For more information on all of these Total Rewards benefits, please visit and click on the benefits box.

*Eligibility rules apply.
01


Have you been employed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as a Fiscal Technician for one or more years full-time?

• Yes
• No

02


If you are claiming experience in the above question, please list the employer(s) where you gained this experience in the text box below. The employer(s) and a description of the experience must also be included in the appropriate sections of your application if you would like the experience to be considered in the eligibility decision. If you claimed you do not have experience, type N/A in the text box below.
03


Have you successfully completed the Commonwealth's Accounting Intern program?

• Yes
• No

04


If you are claiming experience in the above question, please list the employer(s) where you gained this experience in the text box below. The employer(s) and a description of the experience must also be included in the appropriate sections of your application if you would like the experience to be considered in the eligibility decision. If you claimed you do not have experience, type N/A in the text box below.
05


Have you been employed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as a Financial Programs Trainee for one or more years full-time?

• Yes
• No

06


If you are claiming experience in the above question, please list the employer(s) where you gained this experience in the text box below. The employer(s) and a description of the experience must also be included in the appropriate sections of your application if you would like the experience to be considered in the eligibility decision. If you claimed you do not have experience, type N/A in the text box below.
07


Have you successfully completed, or are you within three months of completing a bachelor's degree? If you are claiming credits/degree, you must upload a copy of your college transcript(s) for this education to be considered in the eligibility decision. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. You must attach your transcript(s) prior to the submission of your application by using the "Attachments" tab on the left. You will not be able to add a transcript(s) to the application after it has been submitted.
If you answer "Yes" to this question based on education acquired outside of the United States, you must upload a copy of your foreign credential evaluation report. We can only accept foreign credential evaluations from organizations that are members of the National Association of Credential Services (NACES). A list of current NACES members can be found by visiting and clicking the Evaluation Services Link.

You must attach your documentation prior to the submission of your application by using the "Attachments" tab on the left. You will not be able to add a document to the application after it has been submitted.

• Yes
• No

08


If you are within three months of completing a bachelor's degree, on what date do you expect to graduate? If this does not apply to you, please type N/A in the text box.
09


Have you completed 15 or more college level credits in accounting?If you are claiming credits/degree, you must upload a copy of your college transcript(s) for this education to be considered in the eligibility decision. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. You must attach your transcript(s) prior to the submission of your application by using the "Attachments" tab on the left. You will not be able to add a transcript(s) to the application after it has been submitted.
If you answer "Yes" to this question based on education acquired outside of the United States, you must upload a copy of your foreign credential evaluation report. We can only accept foreign credential evaluations from organizations that are members of the National Association of Credential Services (NACES). A list of current NACES members can be found by visiting and clicking the Evaluation Services Link.

You must attach your documentation prior to the submission of your application by using the "Attachments" tab on the left. You will not be able to add a document to the application after it has been submitted.

• Yes
• No

10


Do you possess five or more years of full-time bookkeeping experience?

• Yes
• No

11


If you are claiming experience in the above question, please list the employer(s) where you gained this experience in the text box below. The employer(s) and a description of the experience must also be included in the appropriate sections of your application if you would like the experience to be considered in the eligibility decision. If you claimed you do not have experience, type N/A in the text box below.
12


Are you currently licensed as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA)?

• Yes
• No

13


If you answered yes to the above question, please provide your CPA license number. If you answered no to the above question, type N/A in the text box below.
14


You must complete the supplemental questions below. These supplemental questions are the exam and will be scored. They are designed to give you the opportunity to relate your experience and training background to the major activities (Work Behaviors) performed in this position. Failure to provide complete and accurate information may delay the processing of your application or result in a lower-than-deserved score or disqualification. You must complete the application and answer the supplemental questions. Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position or to determine your score.
All information you provide on your application and supplemental questions is subject to verification. Any misrepresentation, falsification or omission of material facts is subject to penalty. If requested, you must provide documentation, including names, addresses, and telephone numbers of individuals who can verify the validity of the information you provide in the application and supplemental questions.

Read each question carefully. Determine and select which "Level of Performance" most closely represents your highest level of experience/training. List the employer(s)/training source(s) from your Work or Education sections of the application where you gained this experience/training. The "Level of Performance" you choose must be clearly supported within the description of the experience and training information entered in your application or your score may be lowered. In order to receive credit for experience, you must have worked in a job for at least six months in which the experience claimed was a major function.


If you have read and understand these instructions, please click on the "Yes" button and proceed to the exam questions.

If you have general questions regarding the application and hiring process, please refer to our

• Yes

15



WORK BEHAVIOR 1 - ACCOUNTING TRANSACTIONS
Applies relevant accounting principles and practices to a variety of work activities, such as reporting and reconciliation of account ledgers. Monitors, reconciles, and processes transactions.


Levels of Performance


Select the Level of Performance that best describes your claim.

• A. I have experience applying relevant accounting theories and practices to monitor, reconcile, and correct funds. I was responsible for evaluating and validating the posting of accounting entries to general ledger accounts.
• B. I have experience applying relevant accounting theories and practices to monitor, reconcile, and correct funds but did not evaluate and validate the posting of accounting entries to general ledger accounts.
• C. I have successfully completed college-level coursework related to accounting or forensic accounting.
• D. I have NO experience or coursework related to this work behavior.

16


In the text box below, please describe your experience as it relates to the level of performance you claimed in this work behavior. Please be sure your response addresses the items listed below which relate to your claim. If you indicated you have no work experience related to this work behavior, type N/A in the box below.

1. The name(s) of the employer(s) where you gained this experience.
2. Your experience monitoring, reconciling, and correcting funds.
3. Your experience evaluating and validating the posting of accounting entries to general ledger accounts.
4. Your level of responsibility.

17


If you have selected the level of performance pertaining to college coursework, please provide your responses to the three items listed below. If you indicated you have no education/training related to this work behavior, type N/A in the text box below.

1. College/University
2. Course Title
3. Credits/Clock Hours

18



WORK BEHAVIOR 2 - DATA ANALYSIS
Analyzes data and financial statements to ensure transactions are properly recorded and inconsistencies and missing information are detected. Computes figures to confirm data provided by external entities.


Levels of Performance


Select the Level of Performance that best describes your claim.

• A. I have experience analyzing data and financial statements to ensure transactions are properly recorded. I was responsible for detecting missing information and inconsistencies AND making corrections.
• B. I have experience analyzing data and financial statements to ensure transactions are properly recorded. I was responsible for detecting missing information and inconsistencies but did NOT make corrections.
• C. I have successfully completed college-level coursework related to data analysis, spreadsheet applications, or statistics.
• D. I have NO experience or coursework related to this work behavior.

19


In the text box below, please describe your experience as it relates to the level of performance you claimed in this work behavior. Please be sure your response addresses the items listed below which relate to your claim. If you indicated you have no work experience related to this work behavior, type N/A in the box below.

1. The name(s) of the employer(s) where you gained this experience.
2. Your experience utilizing data analysis software to enter data and prepare worksheets.
3. Your experience analyzing data/financial statements to properly record transactions and/or detect inconsistencies and missing information.
4. Your level of responsibility.

20


If you have selected the level of performance pertaining to college coursework, please provide your responses to the three items listed below. If you indicated you have no education/training related to this work behavior, type N/A in the text box below.

1. College/University
2. Course Title
3. Credits/Clock Hours

21



WORK BEHAVIOR 3 - TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
Collaborates with Firearms Compliance Unit, County Sheriffs, and Fiscal Offices to resolve discrepancies during the verification of accounting transactions and other various operations such as the calculation of interest charged, penalty and other fees, and refunding.


Levels of Performance


Select the Level of Performance that best describes your claim.

• A. I have experience resolving discrepancies involving accounting transactions or other operations. I was the escalation point for complex questions.
• B. I have experience answering general questions regarding accounting transactions or other operations.
• C. I have successfully completed college-level coursework related to public speaking, public relations, or communications.
• D. I have NO experience or coursework related to this work behavior.

22


In the text box below, please describe your experience as it relates to the level of performance you claimed in this work behavior. Please be sure your response addresses the items listed below which relate to your claim. If you indicated you have no work experience related to this work behavior, type N/A in the box below.

1. The name(s) of the employer(s) where you gained this experience.
2. The actual duties you performed related to the technical assistance you provided.
3. Your level of responsibility.

23


If you have selected the level of performance pertaining to college coursework, please provide your responses to the three items listed below. If you indicated you have no education/training related to this work behavior, type N/A in the text box below.

1. College/University
2. Course Title
3. Credits/Clock Hours

24



WORK BEHAVIOR 4 - RESEARCH
Conducts research by gathering, analyzing, and organizing information. Evaluates information gathered to determine if it is reliable and relevant.


Levels of Performance


Select the Level of Performance that best describes your claim.

• A. I have experience gathering and reviewing various files and documents. When given a topic, I was responsible for compiling all available information from a variety of data sources and determining if the information was relevant.
• B. I have experience gathering and reviewing various files and documents. When given a topic, I was responsible for compiling all available information from a variety of data sources but did NOT determine if the information was relevant.
• C. I have successfully completed college-level coursework related to research methods, research design and analysis, or data collection.
• D. I have NO experience or coursework related to this work behavior.

25


In the text box below, please describe your experience as it relates to the level of performance you claimed in this work behavior. Please be sure your response addresses the items listed below which relate to your claim. If you indicated you have no work experience related to this work behavior, type N/A in the box below.

1. The name(s) of the employer(s) where you gained this experience.
2. Your experience researching information.
3. Your level of responsibility.

26


If you have selected the level of performance pertaining to college coursework, please provide your responses to the three items listed below. If you indicated you have no education/training related to this work behavior, type N/A in the text box below.

1. College/University
2. Course Title
3. Credits/Clock Hours

Required Question