Accountant IV

The Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA) administers the Unemployment Insurance (UI) program which provides temporary income assistance to Massachusetts workers who are unemployed through no fault of their own and who are able to work, available for work and looking for a job.

The Accountant IV oversees, monitors, and administers the activities and functions of the Revenue Service's Rate Setting and serves as the primary liaison in the Revenue Department for Third Party Administrators (TPAs). A significant portion of the Accountant IV's responsibility will be computing and validating employer contribution rates for approximately 250,000 private contributory employers and over 500 Governmental Contributory Employers, ensuring DUA is adhering to all state and federal requirements. The Accountant IV will assist with revenue forecasting and conduct analysis of large data sets to validate, identify population-level trends and resolve any variances. The incumbent will also be responsible for assisting and gathering financial information to be used in the preparation of DUA's Fiscal Year End closing process. This staff member will also assist in any internal or external audit of the Revenue Operations area including but not limited to the DOL Single Audit, State Auditor's Office or any other legally designated audit.

DETAILED STATEMENT OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Works in the Rate Setting Unit of the Revenue Department responsible for accurate processing of the Annual Experience Rating of Private and Governmental Contributory Employers.

2. The Accountant IV serves as the primary liaison for Third-Party Administrators (TPAs) for Revenue functions and is responsible for communication with TPAs related to rate setting and provides technical assistance related to quarterly wage report filing, establishing Third-Party access to client accounts, and paying contributions.

3. Working closely with Employer Liability Department, Accountant IV is responsible for identifying, interpreting, investigating, and validating the impact of Experience Transfers and status redeterminations on UI, COVID, EMAC, WTFP contribution rates using the Revenue EMT system.

4. Reconciles difficult rate determination cases and completes employer account reconciliations ensuring transactions are posted in accordance with MGL 151A, Department of Labor (DOL) requirements, and the experience rating formula.

5. The Accountant IV supports employer phones calls as needed and responds to email inquiries regarding the experience rating formula and EMT in general throughout the year. This includes explaining how to calculate experience rates and responding to employers formal written Request for Review inquiries through EMT.

6. Responsible for testing the validity of annual and on-the-fly rate calculation (in EMT), submitting tickets to address any issues identified, and working with developers on testing and implementation of system updates.

7. Responsible for training staff in the computation of experience rates, experience rating rules, and rate re-determinations.

8. Reviews and works on unit task queues to ensure that the unit meets its performance metrics and completes its reporting obligations in a timely, efficient and accurate manner; Ensures work is completed in accordance with state and federal requirements and DUA policy and procedures.

9. Responsible for quarter-end and fiscal year-end reconciliation of Solvency Account as required for annual UI rate run and Research Department forecasting using EMT reports and ETA 2112 reports. Additionally, assist with annual running, validation and submission of the ETA 204 Report.

10. Assists with revenue forecasting, rate forecasting, and calculation of the annual COVID rate factor throughout the year.

11. Reviews and reconciles financial transactions with excellent knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (G.A.A.P.); Conducts analysis of large data sets; Validates the data against EMT, identifies any population level trends, and resolves and explains any discrepancies.

12. Other duties and special projects as assigned.

SALARY PLACEMENT IS DETERMINED BY YEARS OF EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE POSITION AND THE HUMAN RESOURCES DIVISION'S RECRUITING GUIDELINES. IN THE CASE OF A PROMOTIONAL OPPORTUNITY, THE SALARY PROVISIONS OF THE APPLICABLE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT WILL BE UTILIZED FOR PLACEMENT WITHIN THE SALARY RANGE.

Qualifications:
First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.


Minimum Entrance Requirements: Applicants must have at least (A) four years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, professional experience in accounting or auditing, of which at least (B) two years must have been in a supervisory, administrative or managerial capacity, or (C) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitutions below.


Substitutions:


I. An Associate's degree with a major in accounting, business administration or business management may be substituted for a maximum of one year of the required (A) experience.*


II. A Bachelor's degree with a major in accounting, business administration or business management may be substituted for a maximum of two years of the required (A) experience.*


III. A Graduate degree with a major in accounting, business administration or business management may be substituted for a maximum of two years of the required (A) experience and one year of the required (B) experience.*


*Education toward such a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed.


NOTE: Educational substitutions will only be permitted for a maximum of one year of the required (B) experience.


Comprehensive Benefits


When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.


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An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.


The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.