STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Associate Accounts Examiner

Recruitment #240709-0946AR-001

Introduction

The State of Connecticut, Office of the State Comptroller (OSC) is currently seeking detail oriented, analytical individuals who are eager to contribute their expertise within the Applications Support Unit, Central Accounts Payable Division as an Associate Accounts Examiner. Join our team and embark on a rewarding career that offers growth, superlative benefits, and a culture that encourages work/life balance.

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU
  • Work for a Forbes top company - ‘Forbes’: State of Connecticut Ranked One of the Best Employers of 2023.
  • Comprehensive health and dental insurance, providing you with peace of mind and access to quality healthcare.
  • Robust pension plan and supplemental retirement offerings to secure your financial future.
  • Generous paid time off, including vacation days, sick leave, personal days, and 13 holidays per calendar year.
  • We are an eligible Public Service Loan Forgiveness employer, which means you may be eligible to have qualifying student loans forgiven after 10 years of service.
  • A culture that recognizes the importance of work/life balance and offers alternate work schedules and telecommuting options.
  • Opportunities to invest in your professional growth and development with training programs, tuition reimbursement, and opportunities for advancement within the State of Connecticut.
  • Connecticut is a strong community with a lot to offer in entertainment, food and shopping, recreation in our beautiful state parks and forests, diverse culture, and rich history. Learn more about all Connecticut has to offer.
POSITION HIGHLIGHTS
  • Full-Time, 40 hours per week
  • Monday through Friday
  • Location: 165 Capitol Avenue, Hartford, CT 06106
  • Hybrid (office/telework) may be available
THIS JOB IS FOR YOU IF
  • You’re comfortable working in a high-volume environment and are motivated by contributing to the smooth and efficient processing of multiple business areas. 
  • You have strong analytical skills and experience evaluating financial records, methods, and procedures.
  • You are systematically minded and can devise and install accounting procedures and systems.
  • You’re highly organized and can interpret, analyze, document, and test business requirements.
  • You value fiscal accountability and want to be a reliable steward of State resources.
  • You have a background in accounting and financial services and a strong sense of budgetary controls.
  • You want to do work that matters and want to build a better Connecticut with the Office of the State Comptroller, promoting economic growth, advocating for fiscal control, and championing policies that lower costs.
DISCOVER THE OPPORTUNITY TO
  • Act as liaison to the Office of the State Comptroller’s Central Accounts Payable Division (OSC-CAP) management, department supervisors, key employees, and the Core-CT Financial Team; 
  • Support all statewide accounts payable functions including IRS 1099 processes, FOIA reporting, vendor maintenance, pay cycle processing, electronic invoicing, P-Card payment processing and reporting, and any other Core-CT processes that may affect OSC-CAP staff; 
  • Create and maintain accounting and auditing support applications;
  • Respond to reports of automation failures, troubleshooting, and repair of databases and automated processes;
  • Manage projects, including establishing project objectives, timelines, resources, and assisting units in creating automation solutions for division processes;
  • Interpret accounting processes presented by CAP supervisors and management and translate them into technical processes in applications;
  • Compile reports in support of public FOI requests and transparency initiatives within the Comptroller’s Office;
  • Performs related duties as required. 
ABOUT US
The Office of the State Comptroller (OSC) is an agency whose mission is to provide accounting and financial services, administer employee and retiree benefits, develop accounting policy and exercise accounting oversight, and prepare financial reports for the state, federal and municipal governments, and the public. 

We are located in the State Office Building at 165 Capitol Avenue, Hartford, CT. This state-of-the-art building offers free garage parking, an on-site cafeteria, and ergonomic workspaces.

The Central Accounts Payable division manages the centralized accounts payable function for the state, maintains a database of more than 126,000 records on state vendor profiles, examines state encumbrances and expenditures for compliance, processes special payments, and enforces the statutory, regulatory, and accounting provisions mandated by state and federal law. 

Selection Plan

For assistance in applying, please visit our 'Applicant Tips on How to Apply' page

APPLYING FOR THE POSITION
  • For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from one of the three branches of state government (i.e. Executive, Judicial or Legislative) to the other.
  • To be considered for this job opening, you must meet the Minimum Qualifications listed in the job opening. The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date of the job opening, unless otherwise specified. You must specify your qualifications on your application. 
  • Ensure that your application is complete before submitting it. To comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut no longer requests resumes during the initial application process. Once your application is submitted into the JobAps system, you cannot make revisions.
  • To receive educational credits toward qualification for this job posting, the institution must be accredited. For institutions located outside of the U.S., you must provide documentation from a recognized USA accrediting service specializing in determining foreign education equivalencies to the recruiter listed on this job posting.
  • All application materials must be received by the recruiting agency by the specified deadline. Late applications will not be considered. Candidates may request a rare and documented exception for events that incapacitate them during the entire duration of the job posting period by providing a legally recognized justification to accommodate such an exception. Requests may be made to DAS.SHRM@ct.gov.
WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER APPLYING
  • Applicants will receive correspondence via email and are also encouraged to monitor their Personal Status Board daily for status updates, notices, and tasks required in the recruitment process.
  • Some postings may require additional referral questions (RQs). You will receive an email with these questions after the posting’s closing date. Check your email and Personal Status Board for notifications, including your spam or junk folders. 
  • You may be required to submit additional documentation supporting your qualifications at any point during the recruitment process. The documentation may include a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, or licensure, at the discretion of the hiring agency.
  • Candidates who have been selected for employment with the Office of the State Comptroller are subject to a detailed background investigation, including a fingerprint supported state and federal criminal history record check along with reference checks, subject to the provisions of Section 31-51i and conducted in accordance with Section 29-17a of the Connecticut General Statutes. Selection for employment is contingent upon satisfactory completion of the background investigation.
  • The immediate vacancy is listed above, but your application may be considered for future vacancies in this job class.
  • Interviews will be limited to candidates whose experience and training most closely meet the requirements of the position.
  • Candidates offered 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.
CONNECT WITH US
  • Due to the high volume of applications, we cannot confirm receipt or status during the recruitment process. Updates will be available through your JobAps portal account. 
  • If you have any questions about this recruitment, please contact Sara Garrett at osc.hr@ct.gov or 860-702-3572.
  • Follow the State of Connecticut on LinkedIn to stay updated on our career opportunities and news.

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In a state agency this class is accountable for performing highly complex and difficult examination work involving the financial records of state agencies, businesses, municipalities, or other entities. This class may also be accountable for working lead or consultative responsibility.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

  • Performs highly complex and difficult examination work involving the financial records of State agencies, businesses, municipalities, or other entities receiving money distributed and monitored by the State; 
  • Determines priorities; 
  • Assigns and reviews work; 
  • Establishes and maintains unit procedures; 
  • Provides staff training and assistance; 
  • Conducts or assists in conducting performance evaluations; 
  • Acts as liaison with other operating units, agencies and outside officials regarding unit policies and procedures; 
  • Examines complex and varied financial documents and data submitted; 
  • Researches historical and/or other related data as needed; 
  • Analyzes and compares data to determine appropriate status or action; 
  • Determines compliance of documents or procedures with laws, regulations and any state or federal requirements; 
  • Holds meetings with audit subjects; 
  • May participate in conferences and hearings; 
  • May coordinate unit workflow; 
  • Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

  • Considerable knowledge of 
    • professional accounting and auditing principles and practices; 
    • governmental and commercial accounting; 
  • Skills 
    • interpersonal skills; 
    • oral and written communication skills; 
  • Considerable ability to 
    • analyze financial records, documents, and reports; 
    • prepare reports including narrative and statistical sections; 
  • Supervisory ability.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Seven (7) years of experience in accounting or auditing.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

One (1) year of the General Experience must have been at the professional level.

NOTE: Professional level accounting or auditing is interpreted as work performed as a professional Accountant, Auditor, or Accounts Examiner with responsibility for the exercise of independent analysis and judgement in the application of professional accounting principles and practices.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

  • 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.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Experience with Core-CT and Peoplesoft applications, including procurement and financial processes.
  • Experience with Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Access, and Microsoft VBA to analyze data, develop queries, and enhance applications.
  • Experience interpreting and applying professional accounting principles and practices.
  • Experience creating and improving governmental processes and procedures.
  • Experience communicating to a diverse population and building consensus, including verbal and written communication and presentation skills. 
  • Experience analyzing accounting systems and developing procedures and internal controls.
  • Experience with data acquisition and reporting programs including PL/SQL or Adobe Acrobat.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

Conclusion

INCOMPLETE APPLICATION PACKAGES AND THOSE RECEIVED AFTER THE CLOSING DATE INDICATED ABOVE WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.

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, veterans, and persons with disabilities. If you require accommodations under the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), please contact Sara Garrett at osc.hr@ct.gov or 860-702-3572.

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.