Senior Accountant, (SG-18), Accountant Trainee 2,(SG-16), Accountant Trainee 1,(SG-14)(NYHELPS) Item# 08002

Accountant Trainee

Duties Description

Perform professional accounting or auditing tasks requiring a knowledge of accounting principles and procedures in the development, examination, review, analysis or supervision of financial and accounting records including the preparation of related reports and statements. Within broad administrative policy limitations and following well established and accepted accounting and auditing methods and procedures, accountants design new or revise existing accounting systems. May perform both accounting and auditing activities or, depending on the nature of an agency program and the assignment, may specialize in one functional area.

Trainees will receive a combination of structured training, on-the-job training, and/or practical job performance to gain the knowledge and experience necessary to function at the full performance level.

Review pay sheets. Identify and resolve errors; perform quality control on amounts to be paid. Review the Pay Confirmation process and check/direct deposit distribution information. Reconcile payroll distribution amounts to include check and direct deposit, bank transmittal confirmation, accounts payable interface to third parties, and tax deposit transmittal. Review payroll reports. Compare subsidiary detail on PeopleSoft North American Payroll and AP to GL; make necessary adjusting entries.

Minimum Qualifications

Do you want a career with a purpose that provides work/life balance? Apply today to join the Office of the New York State Comptroller.

No exam required under the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide (NY HELPS) Program:

Non-Competitive Qualifications for appointment under the NY HELPS Program:

For appointment to the Accountant Trainee 1 you must have:

• A bachelor's or higher degree in accounting, auditing, or taxation.
• OR
• A bachelor's or higher degree with 24 semester credit hours in accounting, auditing, or taxation courses.

*Note that courses such as business law, economics, statistics, and most finance courses, although taken as part of an accounting curriculum, cannot be counted toward the 24 semester credit hours.

For appointment to the Accountant Trainee 2 you must have:

• All requirements for appointment to Accountant Trainee 1 AND
• One year of professional experience in accounting/auditing or financial internal or field auditing, where you were responsible for the full range of activities in the design and/or review, analysis and management of accounting systems, resulting in the preparation of, or recommendations on, financial statements in accord with generally accepted accounting principles.
• OR
• A master's degree or higher degree in accounting, auditing, or taxation.

For appointment to the full journey level (Senior Accountant) you must have:

• All requirements for appointment to Accountant Trainee 2 AND
• Two years of professional experience in accounting/auditing or financial internal or field auditing, where you were responsible for the full range of activities in the design and/or review, analysis and management of accounting systems, resulting in the preparation of, or recommendations on, financial statements in accord with generally accepted accounting principles.
• OR
• A master's or higher degree in accounting, auditing, or taxation AND one year of professional experience in accounting/auditing or financial internal or field auditing, where you were responsible for the full range of activities in the design and/or review, analysis and management of accounting systems, resulting in the preparation of, or recommendations on, financial statements in accord with generally accepted accounting principles.
• OR
• A currently valid Certified Public Accountant license and registration issued by New York State.

Competitive Minimum Qualifications:

You must be currently reachable on the appropriate eligible list for this title, eligible under the 55 b/c program (see below), or eligible to transfer to this title under Section 70.1 of the Civil Service Law.

To determine if you your current Civil Service titles is eligible for transfer to this title, visit the Career Mobility GOT-IT website: NYS Position: Senior Accountant.

Appointments via transfer must not result in a second, consecutive transfer with an advancement of more than two S-grades or one M-grade.

Depending on qualifications, you may be required to serve a 1 or 2-year traineeship that leads to the full level grade 18 position.

55b/55c Program appointment:

This position may be designated 55 b/c and is subject to verification of applicant eligibility. For more information on this program, please visit the NYS Department of Civil Service website, 55b/c Recruitment Resources Center (ny.gov).

Traineeship salary information:

The position may be filled at the Accountant Trainee 1 equated to SG-14 ($56,183), Accountant Trainee 2 equated to SG-16 ($62,694), or full performance Senior Accountant SG-18 ($69,964) based on the candidate's education, experience, and previous state service. Salary is nonnegotiable.

Candidates hired at the trainee level will be advanced to the full performance Senior Accountant SG-18 following successful completion of the traineeship.

Additional Comments

Preferred Qualifications/Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to conduct oneself and communicate in a constructive, professional manner with all internal and external business partners, verbally and in writing.
• Ability to prepare detailed account and transaction reconciliations for multiple accounts and accurately prepare complex reports.
• Ability to work competently with multiple web based and software systems.
• Ability to work well under the pressure of daily time constraints while maintaining the accuracy of the work performed.
• Ability to work independently and in a collaborative, team environment, providing backup and support to other staff.
• Ability to timely identify, research, communicate, and document any discrepancies or unusual circumstances.
• Candidate is preferred to have strong Excel skills including formulas and pivot tables.

Telecommuting: The Office of the New York State Comptroller (OSC) supports telecommuting where it is reasonable to do so based upon the agency's mission and operational needs. Generally, employees new to OSC will be restricted from telecommuting for at least 8 calendar weeks. After the initial 8 calendar week restriction, if an employee's primary residence location, duties, and work performance are aligned with telecommuting and operational needs they may be allowed to do so. Generally, OSC employees may telecommute up to 5 days per pay period but may be approved to telecommute less.

Reasonable Accommodation: The NYS Office of the State Comptroller provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the Division of Human Resources at View phone number on click.appcast.io.

Equal Opportunity Employment: The Office of the NYS Comptroller values a workforce with a broad, diverse range of backgrounds and perspectives. All employees are expected to contribute to a professional environment focused on self-evaluation and improvement, as well as acceptance and support of coworkers.

The Office of the State Comptroller does not participate in E-Verify or sponsor visa applications.

OSC offers competitive salaries and benefits, and opportunities for advancement, continuing education, and professional development. We provide a professional environment where employees are encouraged to push themselves while maintaining work-life balance. Our generous benefits package includes:

• A state pension with vesting after five years' service
• Comprehensive medical, dental and vision insurance available to all employees and their dependents
• Flexible spending accounts for dependent and health care
• Productivity Enhancement Program (PEP), allowing eligible employees to exchange previously accrued leave in return for a credit to be applied toward their health insurance
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
• NYS Deferred Compensation plan
• Access to NY 529 and NY ABLE College Savings Programs, and U.S. Savings Bonds
• Holiday and paid time off
• Shift and geographic pay differentials
• A committed continuous learning environment
• Informational Brown Bag sessions
• Wellness at Work Programs to promote employee health and wellness
• OSC Mentoring Program to network, contribute, and provide an opportunity to strengthen competencies in a variety of areas
• And much more