Accountant(Hybrid)

Introduction

Are you seeking career growth within the State of Connecticut? If so, consider this new and exciting opportunity!

The State of Connecticut, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP) is currently recruiting for an Accountant to join our team within the Fiscal Services Unit in Middletown, CT.

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

• Visit our NEWState Employee Benefits Overview page!
• Work at a Forbes-recognized company! Connecticut is proud to be featured on both America's Best Employers by State and Best Employers for New Grads in 2024. With our dynamic job market and commitment to fostering a thriving workforce, Connecticut stands out as a top destination for both seasoned professionals and fresh graduates seeking to launch their careers.
• Professional growth and development opportunities
• A healthy work/life balance to all employees
• The State of Connecticut is an eligible Public Service Loan Forgiveness employer, meaning you may be eligible to have qualifying student loans forgiven after 10 years of service. Click here for more information

POSITION HIGHLIGHTS

• This position is full-time, following a first shift schedule, 40 hours per week, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday, located at 1111 Country Club Road in Middletown, CT.
• This position will be assigned to the Accounts Receivable Unit.
• As an Accountant, you will be responsible for the preparation of the daily deposit to include reconciling online payment transactions, researching and processing bank adjustments, and utilizing CORECT Financial modules to journalize daily deposits and other required reporting tasks.
• You will also be responsible for reconciling monthly surplus revenue, utilizing Microsoft Excel by applying advanced formulas and balancing accounts, and preparing journal entries.
• As an accountant, you will be tasked with providing accounts receivable documents upon state auditor requests, compiling revenue data for annual GAAP reporting, and assisting the Fiscal Administrative Supervisor as needed.

ABOUT US

The DESPP is committed to protecting and improving the quality of life for all by providing a broad range of public safety services, training, regulatory guidance, and scientific services utilizing enforcement, prevention, education and state of the art science and technology. DESPP is structured on three key Strategic Pillars created by Commissioner Ronnell Higgins.

1. Operational Efficiency, Efficacy and Excellence

• Making decisions through the thoughtful and informed use of data
• Challenging the "that's the way it's always been done" construct—i.e., thinking outside the box as to how we can improve
• Constantly seeking better results

2. Shared Fiscal Responsibility

• Recognizing our collective responsibility to steward the agency's resources
• Realigning planned budgetary actions to ensure that they are in taxpayers' interests
• Preparing together for potential budget stresses and fiscal challenges

3. Ethics and Accountability

• Critically and constantly measuring our practices against our policies
• Performing quarterly performance evaluations agency-wide to measure success and flag areas needing improvement
• Regularly engaging external partners for feedback and assessments
• Opening our doors to Connecticut students and workers for apprenticeships, internships, and career pathways

For an inside look at what it's like to work as an employee for the State of Connecticut, please watch the video below!

Selection Plan

FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:

Check out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources? Visit our Applicant Reference Library for additional support throughout the recruitment process.

BEFORE YOU APPLY:

• Meet Minimum Qualifications: Ensure you meet the Minimum Qualifications listed on the job opening by the job closing date. You must specify your qualifications on your application. The minimum experience and training requirements listed must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.
• Educational Credits: List your earned credits and degrees from accredited institutions accurately on your application. To receive educational credits towards qualification, the institution must be accredited. If the institution of higher learning is located outside of the U.S., you are responsible for providing documentation from a recognized USA accrediting service which specializes in determining foreign education equivalencies to the contact listed below.
• Resume Policy: Per Public Act 21-69, resumes are not accepted during the initial application process. As the recruitment process progresses, candidates may be required to submit additional documentation to support their qualification(s) for this position. This documentation may include: a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the request and discretion of the hiring agency.
• Preferred Shift/Location: Select all location(s) and shift(s) you are willing to work on your application. Failure to do so may result in not being considered for vacancies in that specific location or shift.
• Timely Submission: All application materials must be received by the job posting deadline. You will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the State. Late submissions are rarely accepted, with exceptions only for documented events that incapacitate individuals during the entire duration of the job posting. Request exceptions by emailing DAS.SHRM@ct.gov.
• Salary Calculations: For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from one of the three branches of state government (i.e., Executive, Legislative, Judicial) to the other.
• Note: The only way to apply to this posting is via the ‘Apply’ or ‘Apply Online’ buttons on the official State of Connecticut Online Employment Center job posting.

AFTER YOU APPLY:

• Referral Questions: This posting may require completion of additional Referral Questions (RQs), which must be completed by the questionnaire’s expiration date. If requested, RQs can be accessed via an email sent to you after the job close date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section).
• Prepare For An Interview:Interviews are limited to those whose experience and training are most aligned with the role. To prepare, review this helpful Interview Preparation Guide to make the best impression!
• Stay connected! Log in daily to your JobAps Personal Status Board to track your status and check email (including spam/junk folders) for updates and tasks.
• The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
• Note: This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules. Candidates who are offered and accept a position with the State of Connecticut are bound by the State Code of Ethics for Public Officials and State employees, available at www.ct.gov/ethics.

DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY SERVICES AND PUBLIC PROTECTION:

Candidates selected for an interview must provide the following at the time of interview:

State Employees:

• Two (2) most recent performance evaluations
• Completed CT-HR-13

Non-State Employees:

• Two (2) professional references contact information including name, email and phone number (at least one being a current and/or previous supervisor)
• Completed CT-HR-13

Candidates who have been selected for employment with the Department of Emergency Services & Public Protection 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. Any pending disciplinary history within the past 2 years and review of attendance records are also considered in this selection process.

Click here to complete the Criminal Convictions addendum (CT-HR-13). The CT-HR-13 can also be found on the DAS website by typing in "CT-HR-13" into the "Search Department of Administrative Services" search field.

QUESTIONS? WE’RE HERE TO HELP:

Due to high volume, we are unable to confirm receipt or provide status updates directly. For recruitment updates, please check your Personal Status Board and review our Frequently Asked Questions. If you have additional questions about the recruitment process, reach out to Alejandro G. Dávila-Hurtado at Alejandro.Davila-Hurtado@CT.Gov.

Join the State of Connecticut and take your next career step with confidence!

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In a state agency this class is accountable for independently performing a full range of tasks in professional accounting.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

• Records complex and compound journal entries;
• Prepares balance sheets and financial statements involving multiple accounts;
• Analyzes and interprets accounting records and reports;
• Assists higher level staff in planning, design and implementation of accounting procedures or systems;
• Reviews expenditures and prepares or reviews financial statements;
• Assists in budget management by compiling and reviewing agency manager program budget proposals, preparing estimates and calculations of projected expenditures and quarterly allotments, and preparing monthly reports;
• Monitors fiscal aspects of grant programs by preparing or reviewing financial reports, reviewing expenditures for compliance with grant contracts, providing technical assistance to grantees in maintaining accounting records;
• Recommends accounting related improvements to business practices such as accounting controls and financial reviews;
• Utilizes electronic data processing (EDP) systems for financial records, reports and analysis;
• Assists in EDP experts in planning and implementation of financial aspects of EDP systems;
• May supervise bookkeeping (e.g., maintenance, balancing and reconciling of accounts), accounts payable and/or receivable functions or other accounting related paraprofessional or clerical functions;
• Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

• Knowledge of
• professional accounting principles and practices;
• governmental accounting and budgeting;
• basic auditing principles and practices;
• Skills
• interpersonal skills;
• oral communication and written skills;
• Ability to
• prepare, analyze and evaluate financial statements and other accounting records and reports;
• analyze and evaluate accounting methods and procedures;
• utilize EDP systems for financial management;
• read and interpret written materials.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Six (6) years of experience in accounting or auditing.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

Two (2) years of the General Experience must have been at the paraprofessional level. Work at the paraprofessional level requires exercise of some independent judgment in applying basic accounting principles and may be compared to the level of a full charge bookkeeper.

NOTE: For state employees this experience is interpreted at the level of an Assistant Accountant.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

• Successful completion of an Accounting Careers Trainee program approved by the Department of Administrative Services may be substituted for the General Experience and Special Experience.
• College training in accounting or a closely related field may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's degree.
• A Master's degree in accounting may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.
• Certification as a Certified Public Accountant or Certified Internal Auditor may be substituted for one (1) year of the General and Special Experience.
• Two (2) years of experience as an Assistant Accountant may be substituted for the General and Special Experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience working with Accounts Receivable and Billing;
• Experience utilizing financial software or Peoplesoft software;
• Experience applying state statutes, federal regulations, or agency guidelines. Experience preparing fund reconciliations;
• Experience working independently on tasks with competing deadlines;
• Experience creating financial spreadsheets utilizing Microsoft Excel; and
• Experience communicating in writing and verbally with internal and external stakeholders.

Conclusion

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, and persons with disabilities.

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.