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ACCOUNTANT II (CONTRACTUAL)

Recruitment #14-999999-697

Introduction

The Maryland State Retirement Agency has a contractual position for an Accountant II within the Agency’s Administration Division/ Data Control Unit, located at 120 E. Baltimore Street, Baltimore, Maryland.  The Maryland State Retirement Agency is the administrator of the Maryland State Retirement and Pension System.  The System is a multi-employer, public employees’ defined benefit retirement system composed of twelve (12) separate retirement and pension systems with additional plan components, covering approximately 193,000 active members and more than 137,000 retirees and beneficiaries.  

This is a non-traditional line of accounting work that departs from the application of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). Employees in this position will be required to prove account balances, identify record discrepancies, research discrepancies by retrieving and examining source documents, communicate with external and internal customers to gather additional information, correct inaccuracies and adjust records in accordance with source documents, maintain accurate data by entering and updating records when additional information is received; summarize numerical data using computer programs, utilize calculators and computer spreadsheets in the preparation of financial transactions. 

The position requires a highly motivated individual who has, or can develop, an expert knowledge of pension laws, broad technical knowledge of automated information system processing requirements and operations, strong analytical and research skills, and excellent problem solving skills. This position is ideal for an individual that is interested in moving beyond a traditional accounting role (e.g. general ledger accounting, fixed assets, financial statements, etc.) and transitioning into a career involving the proper financial administration of a defined benefit retirement plan. 

GRADE

15

LOCATION OF POSITION

Maryland State Retirement Agency, 120 East Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD. 21202

Main Purpose of Job

The main purpose of this position is to resolve and correct differences between expected and actual member contributions that have been withheld and remitted to the State Retirement and Pension System (SRPS) by over 100 separate participating employers. Performance of this function requires a thorough knowledge and understanding of applicable laws, regulations, policies, and procedures related to the mandatory employee contributions to the defined benefit retirement plans of the SRPS; frequent written and oral communications with personnel and payroll staff of the participating employers for the purpose of resolving individual and systemic contribution errors; and the preparation of transactions to correct data on the SRPS master file. This work is performed under the supervision of the Contribution Audit Unit Supervisor who provides technical leadership, direction, and coordination to the Unit. The timely and accurate resolution of contribution errors, in accordance with prescribed laws, regulations and procedures is an essential element in the Agency's effort to meet the objectives of our Mission Statement, as follows: Efficiently collect the required employer and employee contributions necessary to fund the system. Effectively communicate to participants and employers information about benefits provided by the system. Accurately and timely pay retirement allowances provided by State pension law to the Systems retirees and their beneficiaries.

MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

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

Experience: Two 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.

DESIRED OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Preferred Qualifications (It is desired that the applicant have):

A Bachelor's degree.

Experience working with a defined benefit plan.

Experience reviewing and analyzing reports to detect and resolve discrepancies between expected and actual results.

 

LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS

PLEASE DO NOT FORWARD A COPY OF YOUR DRIVER’S LICENSE. Employees in this classification may be assigned duties which require the operation of a motor vehicle.  Employees assigned such duties will be required to possess a motor vehicle operator's license valid in the State of Maryland.

BENEFITS

This is a contractual position which does not provide State Benefits.

FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS

HOW TO APPLY:

Please submit an unofficial or official transcript which identifies a minimum of 30 credit hours in accounting coursework including or supplemented by 3 credit hours in auditing. This is the method the recruiter uses to determine if an applicant has completed the minimum educational requirements.

  • Submitting a graduate level transcript with less than 30 visible accounting credits may be deemed insufficient because it provides less than the minimum number of accounting credits.  In this case, it is advisable to submit multiple transcripts totaling or exceeding the minimum number of accounting credits.
  • Submitting a copy of your diploma may be deemed insufficient because it does not provide a list of courses completed.  The recruiter must verify 30 credits in accounting coursework including or supplemented by 3 credits in auditing. 
  • Submitting a combination of transcripts which do not cumulatively provide a minimum of 30 accounting credits including or supplemented by 3 credits in auditing may be deemed insufficient. 

You must apply online via the State's new on-line employment application system (JobAps) at the following web address: http://dbm.maryland.gov/jobseekers To be considered for this recruitment. Resumes are not accepted in lieu of the State application. Please refrain from writing “See Resume” or “See Attached” on the application. All information concerning your qualifications must be received in our office by the close of this recruitment. We will not consider information submitted after the closing date. Due to the confidential nature of the work, selected candidates must undergo and pass a background check.

If you are unable to complete an online application or upload a college transcript, please fax the required documents ( i.e. State Application or transcript) to 410-468-1733 attention of S. Hudson (include on your fax coversheet: Contractual Accountant II/14-999999-697). Do not mail or hand deliver documentation. If you have questions, please contact 410-625-5539.

APPLICATIONS: Applications may be obtained by visiting the DBM website at: www.dbm.maryland.gov; by writing to DBM, OPSB, Recruitment & Examination Division, 301 W. Preston Street Baltimore, Maryland 21201; or by calling 410-625-5539, toll-free: 800-705-3493; TTY users call Maryland Relay Service, 800-735-2258.

QUALIFICATIONS: You must possess the minimum qualifications to be considered for this position. If you are scheduled to complete an educational or licensing requirement within six months of the assessment, you may participate in the examination process. Credit may be given for relevant part-time, temporary, or volunteer experience, if you list the number of hours worked per week. For education obtained outside the U.S., you will be required to provide proof of the equivalent American education as determined by a foreign credential evaluation service. This evaluation must be submitted with your application. All information used to determine your qualifications must be submitted by the closing date. Therefore, be sure that you accurately and thoroughly complete the application.

Equal Opportunity Employer




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