Accountant 1 - SCI Laurel Highlands

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; Somerset Township (PA); On-site; USD 50,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's Department of Corrections is seeking an Accountant 1 to manage financial data supporting programs across facilities. You will prepare statements, balance accounts, and oversee funds with an emphasis on accuracy and compliance.

Key duties include monthly financial reporting, account reconciliation, data oversight, inmate account support, and budget coordination, with standard 37.5-hour weeks and no telework. Applicants must meet PA residency requirements.

Qualifications

• One year as a Financial Programs Trainee or equivalent, or
• Five years of bookkeeping experience with 15 accounting credits, or
• Bachelor's Degree with accounting credits, or
• One year as Fiscal Technician with 15 accounting credits, or
• Applicants within three months of graduating with a qualifying degree

Responsibilities

• Prepare monthly financial statements and supporting reports.
• Review and balance checking accounts, petty cash, and inmate-related records.
• Monitor transactions, verify accuracy, and resolve discrepancies.
• Address inmate account inquiries and ensure fiscal compliance.
• Track expenditures, prepare budget requests, and report to committees

Skills

Attention to detail

Financial analysis

Data analysis

Communication

Education

Bachelor's Degree with accounting credits

Accounting coursework 15 credits

Job description

Build your career with the Department of Corrections as an Accountant! In this role, you will work with financial data that supports programs and services across multiple institutions. Your attention to detail will help ensure accuracy, compliance, and strong fiscal oversight. Join a team that values dedication and supports growth through important financial work!

This position supports the Business Office by preparing, reviewing, and analyzing financial information for multiple facilities. It plays a key role in maintaining accurate accounting records and ensuring proper oversight of funds and accounts. As an Accountant 1, you will perform the following duties:

• Financial Reporting: Prepare monthly financial statements, summaries, and supporting reports for review and submission
• Account Reconciliation: Review and balance checking accounts, petty cash, and various inmate-related fiscal records
• Data Oversight: Monitor transactions, verify accuracy, and resolve discrepancies across multiple accounts
• Inmate Account Support: Address inquiries, review documentation, and ensure fiscal compliance with laws and policies
• Budget Coordination: Track expenditures, prepare budget requests, and report status updates to committees

Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment, 37.5 hour work week
• Work hours are 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 30-minute lunch.
• Telework:You will not have the option to telework in this position.
• Salary:In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• One year as a Financial Programs Trainee (Commonwealth job title or equivalent Federal Government job title, as determined by the Office of Administration); or
• Successful completion of the Commonwealth's Accounting Intern Program (Commonwealth job title or equivalent Federal Government job title, as determined by the Office of Administration); or
• Five years of Bookkeeping experience and fifteen college credits in accounting;or
• One year as a Fiscal Technician (Commonwealth job title or equivalent Federal Government job title, as determined by the Office of Administration), and fifteen college credits in accounting; or
• A Bachelor's Degree including or supplemented by fifteen credits in accounting
• Applicants will be considered to have met the educational requirements once they are within three months of graduating with a qualifying degree.

Other Requirements:

• You must meet the PA residency requirement. For more information on ways to meet PA residency requirements, follow the link and click on Residency Guidelines.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Legal Requirements:

• A conditional offer of employment will require submission of criminal history reports. See hiring agency contact information.
• You must pass a background investigation and meet Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) compliance requirements.

Veterans:

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.

• Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).
• Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.
• Your score is valid for this specific posting only.
• You must provide complete and accurate information or:
  • your score may be lower than deserved.
  • you may be disqualified.
• You may only apply/test once for this posting.
• Your results will be provided via email.