Accountant 5 (ACPE)(PCN 05-0210)

State of Alaska; Juneau (AK); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/Dental/Vision

Public Employees’ Retirement System

Paid leave & state holidays

Job summary

State of Alaska invites applications for Accountant 5 (ACPE) in Juneau. The role focuses on financial oversight of Alaska Student Loan Corporation, including GL entries, reporting, and coordinating with loan servicers.

The position offers a hybrid schedule with in-office probation followed by potential telework options. Benefits include comprehensive insurance, retirement plans, and paid leave for eligible employees.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance required or equivalent.
• Two years of advanced professional accounting or financial management experience.
• Experience analyzing financial records and preparing reports or audits.
• Familiarity with loan-related financial statements and internal controls.
• Ability to supervise staff and manage multiple tasks.

Responsibilities

• Manage education loan payments, disbursements, and refunds with accurate GL entries.
• Coordinate staff oversight of loan servicer guidelines and related reports.
• Monitor federal loan reporting and related entries in IRIS.
• Manage loan-related disclosures and workpapers for ACPE/ASLC financial statements.
• Develop and update procedures to ensure compliance and internal controls.

Skills

Accounting theory

Internal controls

Staff supervision

Financial reporting

Communication

Problem solving

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance

Tools

IRIS

COMPASS

ALDER reports

Job description

Accountant 5 (ACPE)(PCN 05-0210) in Juneau, AK

State of Alaska

Location

Juneau, AK

Full Time

Remote Employment

Flexible/Hybrid

55938

Department

Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education

Are you seeking a unique State of Alaska accounting position?

Do you enjoy working independently and managing a dedicated team?

Do you believe supporting Alaska’s students in their educational path a worthwhile endeavor?

If you answered yes to these questions, you are encouraged to apply for this position!

Position Summary

The Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education (ACPE) is seeking an Accountant 5 as a subject matter expert on the financial aspects of Alaska Student Loan Corporation (ASLC) loans and Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education (ACPE); the platforms used to originate and service loans, account for balances, and report activity; and the structures necessary to establish efficient and accurate controls and reporting. This position is responsible for completion and coordination of work efforts of loan-related disclosures and workpapers in the financial statements for the ASLC.

This position supervises staff responsible for recording and tracking financial activity on the loans in the general ledger (IRIS); confirming the timeliness and accuracy of loans originated and financial activity recorded in the subsidiary ledger (COMPASS); and analyzing, monitoring, maintaining, and reporting on loan related assets, liabilities, equities, revenues and expenditures recorded in multiple funds and within multiple bank accounts.

Why Join Our Team

Mission

ACPE provides sustainable solutions for college, career and technical training. We are a collaborative team that supports one another. We actively support and model ACPE’s values:Service, Innovation, Empowerment, Quality, and Accountability.

Culture

Wevalue continuous learning and growth. ACPE is the State’s postsecondary education agency, promoting access to, and success in, education and career training after high school. We are Alaska’s trusted higher education agency; our purpose is to serve Alaskans. We operate with integrity in everything we do.

Professional Growth

We support training for employees and have opportunities for upward mobility. ACPE seeks engaged candidates who are eager to expand their knowledge and skills. We are committed to providing the training and support needed for the right candidate to succeed.

Office Location

This position is located in Juneau.ACPE’s Juneau office is located in the Vintage Business Park area of Mendenhall Valley; conveniently close to public transportation and we have ample parking available.

Flexible/Hybrid Work Schedule

This position offers a flexible/hybrid work schedule. However, during the probationary period, employees are required to work full-time, in person, at the Juneau office, Monday through Friday. For more information, please review the State of Alaska Telework Policy. (Download PDF reader)

Upon successfully completing the probationary period, employees become eligible to telework from Juneau, AK. Employees may telework up to four days per week and work in-person at the Anchorage or Juneau office one day per week. Currently, all staff work in-office on Wednesday; this schedule may change based on agency needs, operational needs, special projects, meetings, or other job responsibilities that may require employees to work in the office more frequently. Employees should be prepared to report to the office as needed.

Benefits

Insurance Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance with employer contributions
• Employer-paid Basic Life Insurance (additional optional coverage may be available)
• Optional insurance plans, including long- and short-term disability, accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D), long-term care, and supplemental survivor benefits
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) for eligible health care or dependent care expenses

Retirement Benefits

• Membership in the Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS) or Teachers’ Retirement System (TRS), as applicable
• Employer contributions to defined benefit or defined contribution retirement plans, depending on date of hire
• Contributions to the Alaska Supplemental Annuity in lieu of Social Security
• Optional participation in the Alaska Deferred Compensation Program

Paid Leave and Other Benefits

• Personal leave that increases with years of service
• Twelve paid State holidays each year

What You’ll Do

• Manage, serve as primary source of staff coverage and review work of staff responsible for education loan payments, scholarship/grant and education loan funding, education loan disbursements and refunds, accurate recording of all activity to the general ledger, tracking and clearing deposit activity, transferring loan receipts from depository bank account to proper bank account, reconciling the depository bank account and various balance sheet accounts.
• Finance liaison for loan servicer (AES) responsible for: understanding and relaying updates to the loan servicing guidelines or other documents, managing finance loan related oversight and monitoring tasks, understanding AES’s financial and administrative processes and reports, and constructing tools and resources for finance staff in relation to the servicer’s loan data.
• Manage and review work of staff responsible for monitoring federal loan reporting required by USDOE; paying/depositing of net SAP and Interest Benefits; validating federal loan repurchases; tracking federal consolidations and claims, properly recording related entries in IRIS, and the preparation of the schedule of federal financial assistance related to participation in federal loan programs, and the annual federal awards report for the ASLC.
• Assist with the coordination of efforts to manage the preparation of loan related audit schedules that support ASLC financial statements which includes but is not limited to: liaison for loan related tasks; coordinate staff schedules and assignments; review partner SOC I reports and document results; ensure user entity controls are in place and documented; ensure loan and origination support documentation is accurate; document and/or provide partner and loan related process overviews; manage and review work of staff responsible for loan related disclosures and workpapers, including preparing workpapers used to support the estimate loan and interest loss allowances and reconciling the education loan system to the general ledger.
• Assist staff with developing, updating and implementing processes and procedures to comply with governing rules and regulations, eliminate duplication of effort, enhance efficiencies and ensure sound financial and internal control practices. Edit, approve, publish, and ensure accuracy and maintenance of procedures, guides, tools, forms on ACPE’s SharePoint site.
• Research issues, test and implement updates, maintain mapping documents, and relay changes between AES, ACPE, and DOA (IRIS only) related to IRIS and InfoCentre structures. Manage and assist staff responsible for creating, editing, and publishing ALDER reports for the Finance loans unit and intermittently payable/budget unit. Design, implement and maintain structures for various systems used by loan staff: IRIS and Infocentre.
• Manage and review work of staff responsible for calculating and recording subsidized interest on non-Federal loans accurately.
• Serve as Finance representative (in-person and via MS Teams) on agency wide projects as needed and manage and support staff participating in loan-related projects, such as: annual write-offs, PFD garnishments, and new year loan offerings.
• Other duties as assigned, including ad hoc and routine loan data analysis and reporting.

What We’re Looking For – Desired Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge

• Accounting theory, concepts, principles, methods, and terminology.
• Sound internal controls.
• Responsibilities associated with supervising and managing staff.
• Data processing as applied to financial control and accounting systems.
• Federal and state laws, regulations, guidance and precedents relating to ACPE and ASLC.

Skills

• Analyzing accounts, interpreting the significance and interrelationships of financial data, and preparing sound financial management recommendations.
• Preparing accurate, complete, and concise financial reports and statements.
• Developing, analyzing, maintaining and implementing improvements to manual and/or automated financial systems.
• Communicating technical financial information to those who may not have an accounting background.
• Being objective and discrete in obtaining and using sensitive information.
• Developing an approach to solve complex problems in a timely manner.
• Producing an effective and efficient work product with limited guidance.
• Managing staff and projects with competing deadlines.
• Using computer-based software spreadsheet applications and accounting systems.

Abilities

• Design approaches to new programs/processes with limited prior exposure.
• Design new approaches to existing programs and processes.
• Resolve issues where governing laws and regulations are highly interpretive and precedents are nonexistent or conflicting.
• Plan and coordinate problem resolutions that involve a number of organizational units.
• Conduct examinations requiring an integrated analysis of intricate and complex accounting systems and business activities.
• Instruct, supervise and evaluate employees.
• Communicate effectively with others, verbally and in writing.

Minimum Qualifications

A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college in Accounting or Finance

AND

Two years of advanced professional-level accounting or financial management experience.

The required experience includes such work as analysis, preparation, or evaluation of financial records and reports; financial auditing; or accounting systems administration.

Substitutions:

A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college that includes at least 15 semester/20 quarter hours in Accounting or Finance, of which at least 9 semester/12 quarter hours are upper-division coursework will substitute for the required degree.

Four years of any combination of post-secondary education from an accredited college (3 semester/4 quarter hours equal one month) and/or practical, responsible accounting experience will substitute for the required degree, if it includes at least 15 semester/20 quarter hours in Accounting or Finance of which at least 3 semester/4 quarter hours are upper-division coursework.

Certification as a Certified Public Accountant, Certified Management Accountant, Certified Internal Auditor, or Certified Government Financial Manager will substitute for the required degree and one year of advanced professional level accounting experience.

Special Note:

“Upper-division coursework” means coursework that is specialized, in-depth and advanced. Such coursework emphasizes problem-solving, analytical thinking skills, and theoretical applications, with depth and rigor in a discipline’s theories and methods; specialization in a particular field or profession; refinement of general education; and/or development of specific intellectual and professional skills. Upper-division coursework is commonly identified in college catalogs as 300 level and higher. “Practical, responsible experience” means active participation applying the practices and methods of a profession based on good judgment and sound thinking with personal accountability and reliability. Clerical experience is not considered practical, responsible experience.

Additional Required Information

Other Information

This is a fully exempt job class under AS 39.25.110(11).

COVER LETTER REQUIRED

In accordance with the State of Alaska Cover Letter Policy, this position is a Range 17 or higher. The duties of this position require the evaluation of competencies that cannot be fully assessed through the application alone; therefore, a cover letter is required and must be submitted with your online application. Your cover letter should be no more than one page (2-3 paragraphs).

In your cover letter, describe how your knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience align with the key responsibilities and desired qualifications outlined in this job bulletin. If you reference work experience that is not already documented in your application, include the employer’s name, job title, dates of employment, whether the position was full-time or part-time, and a brief description of your responsibilities.

Applicants who do not submit a cover letter or who fail to adequately address the requested information may not advance to the next stage of the recruitment and selection process.

Education:If postsecondary education is being used to meet minimum qualifications, you must complete the Education and Training section of the application and attach your transcripts to your application. If you have not obtained a degree, please indicate the number of credit hours earned in the “Degrees Obtained” field.

Special Instructions for Foreign Education: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the above requirements, if applicable. If utilizing this education you must show that the education credentials have been submitted to a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials and that such education has been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education programs; or an accredited U.S. state university reports the other institution as one whose transcript is given full value