Accountant I

State of Mississippi; Mississippi; On-site; USD 37,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

State of Mississippi's East Mississippi State Hospital in Lauderdale County is hiring an Accountant I to support Business Services. The role handles routine accounting tasks, records financial data, and assists with AP, reconciliations, and month-end activities.

The position emphasizes accuracy, organization, and adherence to state procedures while developing expertise in governmental accounting practices and MAGIC-based systems.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• 0–2 years of experience preferred.
• Experience with governmental accounting is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Maintain financial records and process routine accounting transactions.
• Reconcile accounts and assist with accounts payable activities.
• Prepare journal entries and assist with monthly closes.

Skills

Analytical skills

Attention to detail

Organizational skills

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Tools

MAGIC

Job description

Accountant I in 38 - LAUDERDALE COUNTY, MS

State of Mississippi

$36,624.00 - $64,364.39 Annually

Location

38 - LAUDERDALE COUNTY, MS

Full-Time

Job Number

9431-0372-20261008LAU

0372 - MH-EAST MS STATE HOSPITAL

Opening Date

10/12/2026

10/16/2026 at 11:59 PM Central Time (US & Canada)

Agency Minimum Salary

$36,624.00

$64,364.39

Preferred Qualifications

Typically requires a Bachelor’s Degree and 0-2 years of experience.

East Mississippi State Hospital is a state-operated psychiatric facility under the Mississippi Department of Mental Health, providing comprehensive inpatient and residential mental health services to individuals across the region. EMSH serves a diverse population through a multidisciplinary approach that emphasizes safety, quality care, and recovery-focused treatment. In addition to psychiatric services, the hospital supports multiple programs and facilities dedicated to meeting the complex clinical and operational needs of those we serve, while maintaining compliance with state, federal, and accreditation standards.

About the Position

The Accountant I performs entry-level professional accounting and financial work in support of East Mississippi State Hospital’s Business Services operations. This position is responsible for maintaining financial records, processing routine accounting transactions, preparing payment-related documentation, reconciling accounts, and supporting accounts payable activities in accordance with established procedures, state requirements, and EMSH policies. The Accountant I reviews and processes invoices, receiving reports, vouchers, payment requests, expense reports, and related financial documents; records and posts financial information in MAGIC and other applicable systems; prepares journal entries; assists with ledger balancing and account reconciliation; and helps monitor purchase orders and vendor accounts. The position also supports monthly accounts payable reporting, reviews outstanding purchase orders, assists with closing unused funds, monitors and helps resolve GR imbalance issues, and provides backup support for routine Business Services functions such as mail distribution, transaction tracking, spreadsheet maintenance, and receipting. Work is performed using established accounting procedures and standard financial processes, with increasing responsibility as the employee develops knowledge of EMSH fiscal operations and governmental accounting practices.

What you'll need to be Successful

To be successful within the Accounting job family, employees must demonstrate accuracy, organization, integrity, analytical ability, and sound professional judgment. Employees should be able to interpret financial information, reconcile accounts, identify and resolve discrepancies, maintain accurate documentation, and manage multiple deadlines while complying with applicable accounting requirements and agency procedures.

Address 210 East Capitol Street
Suite 800
Jackson, Mississippi, 39201