Accountant I

Texas Health and Human Services; Abilene (TX); On-site; USD 36,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Pension plan

Paid time off

Career advancement opportunities

Job summary

Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) in Abilene seeks an Accountant I to provide administrative and financial support, handling trust fund, petty cash reimbursements, payroll duties, and related tasks at the Abilene State Supported Living Center.

This full-time, nonexempt role requires accuracy, clear communication, and adherence to HHSC policies; telework is not available, and occasional overtime may be required.

Qualifications

• Experience in accounting and financial operations.
• Experience with a computerized accounting or bookkeeping system.
• Experience in oral or written communications.
• Experience in local, state, and federal laws and regulations relevant to financial operations of a public entity is preferred.
• Graduated from an accreted four-year college or university with major coursework in accounting, finance, or a related field is generally preferred.

Responsibilities

• Attends work on a regular and predictable schedule in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.
• Coordinate payroll matters and assist with paymasters, warrants, and expenditures to prevent overpayments.
• Process vouchers and track client/resident earnings for reporting and compliance.
• Enter trust fund and petty cash reimbursements with accurate coding and proper documentation.
• Prepare expenditure transfer vouchers and coordinate with budgeting staff for proper funding.
• Serve as telecommunications coordinator and manage related accounts as needed.
• Participate in special projects and provide backup coverage within the unit.

Skills

Accounting knowledge

Payroll processing

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting

Tools

CAPPS

Job description

ABILENE, TX

Join the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and be part of a team committed to creating a positive impact in the lives of fellow Texans. At HHSC, your contributions matter, and we support you at each stage of your life and work journey. Our comprehensive benefits package includes 100% paid employee health insurance for full-time eligible employees, a defined benefit pension plan, generous time off benefits, numerous opportunities for career advancement and more. Explore more details on the Benefits of Working at HHS webpage.

• Accountant I
• Health & Human Services Comm
• Accounting\Financial Services
• Internal and External
• 08/26/2026
• $3,248.00 - $4,837.08
• Monthly
• TEXAS-B-15
• Day
• Not Eligible for Telework
• Up to 5%
• Regular
• Full time
• Nonexempt
• Abilene State Supported Living Center
• ABILENE
• 2501 MAPLE ST
• Abilene

Brief Job Description

Come work in an environment where we truly value and respect those we serve and believe in the mission that all people can achieve a higher level of wellness and independence.

The state supported living centers serve people with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are medically fragile or who have behavioral problems. The centers provide campus-based direct services and supports at 13 centers located throughout the state. Learn About Our State Supported Living Centers

If you are looking for a place to work where you can establish a career that is filled with purpose, this is the job for you!

The Accountant I reports directly to the Regional Accounting Manager and provides administrative and financial support services. The Accountant I routinely performs entry-level accounting work for the financial office, such as, handling trust fund and petty cash reimbursements, requisition entry, telecommunication coordination, expenditure transfer vouchers, payroll/paymaster duties (employees and client/resident), and backup Accounting Technician II as needed.

The Accountant I must have a working knowledge of the HHSC rules and facility policies and procedures, demonstrate the ability to communicate clearly both orally and in writing and provide training as needed to other employees. Completion of job duties requires working under limited supervision with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment and providing excellent customer service to all consumers. The Accounting Technician II reports directly to the Financial Officer at the facility (state hospital or state-supported living center) and provides administrative and financial support services. The Accounting Technician II routinely performs highly complex (senior-level) technical accounting support work for the financial office in areas of bookkeeping and financial activities (such as, handling all processing in the trust fund system, pro-card coordination, deposits, travel coordination, paymaster tasks (non-regional office), review and audit cash, voucher prep/scanning (regional office only), deposit and reconciliation reports for Accountant IV at RBMO, and backup cashier as needed).

Essential Job Functions (EJFs)

Attends work on a regular and predictable schedule in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.

• Coordinates with State Office Paymasters, Warrant Distribution, and Time Labor and Leave personnel on internal payroll matters. This includes monitoring employees leave status as well as if they are retiring, terminating or transferring to another agency/job to prevent salary overpayments. Process voucher reversals and cancellations to prevent salary overpayments for terminated employees. Create packets of salary overpayment information to send to State office paymasters as well as the certified letters to the terminated employee on the overpayment. Track when salary overpayments are paid back from the employee. Produce warrant registers to verify payment and employment details and prepare payroll warrants for distribution to employees. Assists employees with any payroll and insurance related questions.
• Generate and process purchase vouchers for clients/residents payroll workshop program from their timesheets. Track and report the clients/residents earnings in a spreadsheet for State Office Accounting 1099 reporting at the end of the year.
• Entry of trust fund and petty cash reimbursement vouchers. Requires auditing and verification of all source documents from the facilities. Emphasis is placed on accuracy of the request documents and receipts as well as timeliness of voucher processing times so as not to deplete the petty cash account. This includes classifying, coding and verifying the correct Account, program, fund, class and project grant are used on the voucher. Ability to use accounting tools, such as the Comptroller Public Accounts website to verify correct coding.
• This position processes expenditure transfer voucher requests. Expenditure transfer vouchers include Correction vouchers for wrong accounting codes as well as the billing for shared services between the SSLCs and SHs. Coordinates with State Office Accounting and Budget staff to ensure validity of coding, funding, etc. and properly process the accounts payable transactions through the accounting system (Centralized Accounting and Payroll/Personnel System (CAPPS).
• Works as the facility telecommunications coordinator which assists with maintaining and tracking Telecommunication equipment that includes pagers, cell phones, and the local telephone system. Review and approve user accounts under the State office accounting telecommunication databases.
• Participates on special projects as required or requested and performs other duties as assigned. These tasks may require coordination with staff within the agency, other state and federal agencies, or outside entities. Completes projects successfully within the parameters established and performs other duties as assigned and as required to maintain effective and efficient departmental, division, agency and enterprise operations within established timeframes. Provide backup coverage for others in the unit and team members using a rotational task schedule. As well as providing backup for the Accounting Technician, as needed.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities (KSAs)

• Knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles and procedures affecting maintenance of accounting records.
• Skill in the use of automated accounting systems.
• Ability to review and audit the work of others to interpret and apply accounting theory, business processes and Comptroller policies and to analyze, consolidate and interpret accounting data.
• Ability to efficiently process accounting information to ensure data integrity for positive audits and accurate reports.
• Ability to effectively communicate, oral and written, with internal and external customers.
• Ability to use Microsoft Office applications including Outlook, Word, Excel, and Access.Knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles and procedures affecting the maintenance of accounting records and automated accounting systems.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements Or Certifications

Requires a valid driver’s license.

Initial Screening Criteria

• Experience in accounting and financial operations.
• Experience with a computerized accounting or bookkeeping system.
• Experience in oral or written communications.
• Experience in local, state, and federal laws and regulations relevant to financial operations of a public entity is preferred.
• Graduated from an accreted four-year college or university with major coursework in accounting, finance, or a related field is generally preferred. Experience and education may be substituted for one another.

Additional Information

Applicants must pass a fingerprint criminal background check, pre-employment drug screen, and registry checks including the Client Abuse/Neglect Reporting System (CANRS), Nurse Aide, Medication Aide and Employee Misconduct and HHS List of Excluded Individuals/ Entities (LEIE).

Males between the ages of 18 – 25 must be registered with the Selective Service.

All State Supported Living Center Employees are subject to Random Drug Testing.

Flexibility in work hours may be required for this position. The position may be required to work overtime and/or extended hours. Must be willing to work weekends and holidays.

All applicants must be at least 18 years of age to be considered for employment at a state-operated facility.

Active Duty, Military, Reservists, Guardsmen, And Veterans

Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited to those listed in this posting. All active-duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified to fill this position. For more information please see the Texas State Auditor’s Job Descriptions, Military Crosswalk and Military Crosswalk Guide at Texas State Auditor's Office - Job Descriptions.

ADA Accommodations

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHSC and DSHS agencies will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring and selection process for qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747. If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview.

Pre-Employment Checks And Work Eligibility

Depending on the program area and position requirements, applicants selected for hire may be required to pass background and other due diligence checks.

HHSC uses E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work. Download the I-9 Form

Telework Disclaimer

This position may be eligible for telework. Please note, all HHS positions are subject to state and agency telework policies in addition to the discretion of the direct supervisor and business needs.