ACCOUNTANT ADVANCED

The Maryland State Retirement Agency is the administrator of the Maryland State Retirement and Pension System.  The System is a multi-employer, public employees’ benefit retirement system composed of twelve (12) separate retirement and pension systems with additional plan components, covering approximately 200,000 active members and more than 150,000 retires and beneficiaries.

The Agency is recruiting to fill an Accountant Advanced position in its Administration Division, Data Control - Retirement File Maintenance Section.

16

120 East Baltimore Street

Baltimore, Maryland 21202

The position is responsible for the analysis and reconciliation of critical agency master file data base files including the following: 1. 1099R tax reporting files used to report calendar year end distributions to active, deceased, and retired members, in compliance with Internal Revenue Service rules and regulations. 2. Refund Master Files which record automated refunds (over 5,000 per year in excess of $23 million) issued to members and their beneficiaries throughout the year. This includes voucher preparation and refund verification for all disbursements above the agency-established threshold.

This position works in the Retirement File Maintenance Section of the Data Control Unit. This Section is responsible for arguably the most important function the Agency performs – monthly payment of pension benefits to over 160,000 payees. This Section is responsible for validating, processing, and reconciling numerous computer production jobs each month to accomplish the end activity of issuing payments to the Pension System’s retirees and beneficiaries. The production jobs include updates to payee records for deductions, including Federal taxes, State of Maryland taxes, and health care premium deductions. This Section is also responsible for reconciliation of monthly payments of retirement benefits, refund payments to withdrawn members, and death benefit payments to beneficiaries of deceased retirees and members. These monthly reconciliations are ultimately rolled into the Agency’s annual process of issuing over 175,000 1099-R tax documents to payees and reporting this data with 100% accuracy to the Internal Revenue Service. The incumbent will communicate regularly via telephone and email with staff of other State agencies and other governmental employers who participate in the Pension System.  

This position acts as a back-up to the Accountant Lead worker and will assist in all reconciliations, and in the reviewing and approving of work produced by staff. The incumbent must be able to demonstrate excellent communication and customer service skills to interact positively with the Agency’s customers. The Accountant Advanced must also be  fair and positive in interactions with staff and provide an example of exceptional professionalism in the performance of their duties. The incumbent must be extremely organized, detail oriented, and able to work in a fast paced, deadline oriented, and sometimes stressful work environment.

Education: A Bachelor's degree in Accounting from an accredited college or university, including or supplemented by three credit hours in auditing.

Experience: Three years of experience examining, analyzing and interpreting accounting systems, records and reports by applying generally accepted accounting principles.

Notes:

1. Candidates may substitute a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with thirty credit hours in Accounting and related courses, including or supplemented by three credit hours in auditing for the required education.

2. Applicants who have met the requirements for admission to the CPA examination prior to July 1, 1974 will be considered to have met the educational requirement referenced above.

3. Possession of a certificate as a Certified Public Accountant or a master's degree in accounting from an accredited college or university may be substituted for one year of the required experience.

4. Applicants may substitute one year of professional auditing experience for one year of the required experience.

5. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a commissioned officer in the Accounting Officer classification or Financial Management specialty codes in the Accounting field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience and education.

Preferred Qualifications:

• At least 3 years of demonstrated experience reconciling high volume (at least 10,000 transactions) and high dollar volume reconciliations;                
• At least 1 year experience reviewing and approving work;                
• At least 1 year of demonstrated experience working with Microsoft Office software, including Word, Outlook, and Excel.

Please make sure that you provide sufficient information on your application to show that you meet the minimum for this recruitment.  All information concerning your qualifications must be submitted by the closing date.  We will not consider information submitted after this date. 

Successful candidates will be ranked as Best Qualified, Better Qualified, or Qualified and placed on the employment (eligible) list for at least one year.  This list will be used by the hiring agency to select employees.

For education obtained outside the U.S., a copy of the equivalent American education as determined by a foreign credential evaluation service must accompany the application.

Due to the confidential nature of the work, selected candidates must undergo and pass a background check.

The examination will consist of a rating of your education, training, and experience as presented on your application and as they relate to the requirements of the position.  You may be asked to complete a supplemental questionnaire.  The supplemental questionnaire may be used as part of the rating process.  Therefore, it is important that you provide complete and accurate information on your application. 

STATE OF MARYLAND BENEFITS

The on-line application process is STRONGLY preferred.  If on-line application process is not available, you may submit a paper application, supplemental questionnaire (by the closing date) to:

Department of Budget and Management

Recruitment and Examination Division

301 W. Preston St., Suite 608

Baltimore, MD  21201  

For education obtained outside the U.S., a copy of the equivalent American education as determined by a foreign credential evaluation service must accompany the application.  All information concerning your qualifications must be submitted by the closing date.  We will not consider information submitted after this date. 

For inquiries regarding this recruitment, please call 410-767-4850  

Resumes will NOT be accepted in lieu of completing the on-line or paper application. Appropriate accommodations for individuals with disabilities are available upon request by calling 410-767-3623.

We thank our Veterans for their service to our country, and encourage them to apply. 

Bilingual applicants are encouraged to apply.

TTY  Users: call via Maryland Relay

As an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruiting, retaining and promoting employees who are reflective of the State’s diversity.