ACCOUNTANT ADVANCED

State of Maryland; Annapolis (MD); On-site; USD 66,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Maryland Department of Agriculture is seeking an accounting professional to assist the Director of Budget and Capital Grants and the Fiscal Services Chief. The role applies GAAP to monitor FMIS and WebFocus, develops detailed sub-accounting systems, and prepares financial reports for management.

Responsibilities include cost and systems accounting, federal fund accounting, and budget transfers using BARS. This position requires a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and at least three years of

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting with auditing coursework.
• Three years of experience analyzing accounting systems and reports per GAAP.

Responsibilities

• Conduces reconciliations of expenditure and revenue with documentation.
• Assist in preparing operating budgets using BARS and reconcile appropriations.
• Review and authorize financial transactions in FMIS and ADPICS.
• Support audit processes and provide explanations of accounting procedures.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting

Tools

FMIS

WebFOCUS

BARS

ADPICS

R*STARS

Job description

Introduction

The Maryland Department of Agriculture is a department under Maryland's Executive Branch. Formed in 1972 by the Maryland General Assembly to address the agriculture needs for the State of Maryland, the Department oversees and serves as a regulatory body for animal health, consumer services to include marketing and lab services, plant and pest management and resource conservation. As the number one industry in Maryland, the diversity of agriculture programs in the State continue to expand and grow. The Maryland Department of Agriculture’s Fiscal Services Department supports the agency’s programs and operations through effective management of accounting, budgeting, payroll, financial reporting, and other fiscal activities. The Department helps ensure the responsible management of State and federal resources while supporting MDA’s mission and programs.

GRADE

17

LOCATION OF POSITION

MDA Headquarters: Annapolis, MD

Main Purpose of Job

Assists the Director of Budget and Capital Grants and the Fiscal Services Chief with examining, analyzing and interpreting MDA's accounting systems (FMIS & Web-Focus), records and reports by applying generally accepted accounting principles in order to monitor and maintain MDA's accounting systems (FMIS & WebFocus); prepare financial reports and statements and give fiscal advice to management. In addition, applies the principles of accounting to develop and implement detail sub-accounting systems and spreadsheets not available in the general accounting systems (FMIS & Web-Focus). These specialized duties are performed in areas of Revenue, Expenditure & Encumbrance Accounting, Cost Accounting, Systems Accounting, Federal Fund Accounting, Easement Accounting and Budgetary Accounting.

POSITION DUTIES

• Conducts reconciliations of expenditure, revenue, to determine the accuracy and materiality, selecting the proper accounting treatment and maintain documentation of accounts. Performs advanced level cost accounting, systems accounting, federal fund accounting in preparation of financial reports for use by management, which includes instituting and maintaining accounting systems for fund allocations and reconciling these accounts to internal and external accounting systems projections. Reviews and authorizes detailed costs and systems accounting changes, federal fund distributions for inclusion in the general accounting system. Prepares and processes adjustments to correct errors and allocate payments in FMIS (RST ARS), including correcting errors as reported by FMIS (RSTARS). Meets with agency management personnel and program managers to discuss and resolve advanced level accounting problems and issues.
• Assists in the preparation of MDA's operating budget by using the new enterprise budget system - BARS. Become a subject matter expert on BARS. Participate in budget meeting every year during the budget season. Prepares transfers, budget amendments and supplemental requests to reconcile appropriations and revenues with actual and estimated expenditures based upon reconciliations. Prepares quarterly expenditure projections; analyzes past and present budgetary data to identify trends and to project budgetary needs.
• Assign, direct, and review requests for additional funds (budget amendments) as well as identification of funding sources and assist Local Departments and Central staff in proper spending of fiscal resources and in identification of funding sources.
• Assists with close-out by ensuring that items are properly accrued and adjusted at fiscal year end. Participants in the audit process of agency fiscal operations by providing auditors with explanations of accounting procedures, providing documentation of fiscal transactions and assisting in the formulation and implementation of corrective action plans precipitated by audit exceptions.
• Reviews and authorizes financial transaction records for submission on FMIS (R*STARS); approves purchase order in FMIS (ADPICS) for coding and funding availability.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• 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.

DESIRED OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience performing professional accounting work, including analyzing financial records, reconciling accounts, preparing financial reports, and resolving complex accounting discrepancies.
• Experience with governmental accounting, including the application of generally accepted accounting principles, State accounting requirements, policies, and procedures.
• Experience preparing and analyzing operating budgets, expenditure projections, budget amendments, fund transfers, or other budgetary transactions.
• Experience with financial management systems such as FMIS/R*STARS, ADPICS, WebFOCUS, BARS, or comparable accounting and budgeting systems.
• Experience with federal fund accounting, special fund accounting, grant accounting, or other restricted funding sources.
• Experience preparing and processing journal entries, accounting adjustments, accruals, deferrals, or other fiscal year-end closing transactions.
• Experience conducting complex reconciliations, researching discrepancies, and maintaining complete supporting documentation and audit trails.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with demonstrated ability to independently research and resolve complex fiscal and accounting issues.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Employee will be designated as an Emergency Essential Employee.

SELECTION PROCESS

Please make sure you provide sufficient information on your application to show that you meet the qualifications for this recruitment. All information concerning your qualifications must be submitted by the closing date. We will not accept information submitted after this date. Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be considered for this position. Therefore, it is important that you provide complete and accurate information on your application. Report all education and experience related to the essential functions and qualifications of this position. For education obtained outside the U.S., a copy of the equivalent American education as determined by a foreign credential evaluation service must be provided prior to hire.

EXAMINATION PROCESS

Your application is part of the examination process. The examination will consist of a rating of your education, training, and experience related to the requirements of this position. The rating will be based on the information provided on your application. Therefore, it is important you detail all experience and education related to this position completely and accurately.

BARGAINING UNIT STATUS

G

BENEFITS

STATE OF MARYLAND BENEFITS

FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS

Candidates with disabilities and bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply. We thank our Veterans for their service to our country, and encourage them to apply. As an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruiting, retaining and promoting employees who are reflective of the State’s diversity.

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