ACCOUNTANT LEAD SPECIALIZED

State of Maryland; Baltimore (MD); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental plan

Vision plan

Personal leave

Annual leave

Sick leave

Holidays

Pension

Telework eligibility

Job summary

Maryland State Retirement Agency, located in Baltimore, seeks a Lead Accountant to oversee staff accountants and ensure accurate GL maintenance for GAAP reporting. You will review work, assign tasks, and support monthly closings for the System and related ledgers.

The role emphasizes cash reconciliation, advanced ledger reviews, and ensuring liquidity data reliability. Telework eligibility is available after training, with strong benefits and pension options.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting with auditing coursework.
• Four years of accounting experience including cost, systems, or fund accounting.
• CPA eligibility or CPA may substitute for some experience.
• Additional substitutions for education/experience as described in the ad.

Responsibilities

• Maintain ledgers for State Retirement Agency and related entities to support monthly and annual closings.
• Reconcile cash daily to ensure sufficient funds are available.
• Perform advanced reviews of the general ledger and financial systems.
• Confirm cashflow accuracy for liquidity reporting.
• Prepare source documents ensuring CRLS matches daily banking reports.
• Review CRLs and ensure correct ledger entries by advanced staff.

Skills

Supervisory experience

Excel proficiency

GAAP knowledge

Financial reporting

Cash management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting

Tools

Traverse

MPAS

MPAS-Traverse API

EPDR

Job description

Introduction

The Maryland State Retirement Agency is the administrator of the Maryland State Retirement and Pension System(“System”). The System is a defined benefit retirement system covering State and local government employees of Maryland. It’s composed of twelve (12) separate retirement and pension systems with over 50 different rule sets. The System has over 430,000 participants (customers), including 210,000 members who are actively employed and participating in the System, 179,000 payees who receive a monthly payment from the System, and 44,000 vested members who are no longer actively employed but have earned a benefit that will become payable at a future date.

Located in Baltimore’s Central Business District, SRPS offers a purpose-driven workplace with modern amenities, including panoramic city and harbor views, renovated common areas, upgraded elevators, and an on-site caf.

Employees enjoy comprehensive state benefits including medical, dental, prescription coverage, generous paid leave, participation in the state pension system, and supplemental retirement savings options (401(k), 457(b), and more). Additional perks include an on-site fitness center with showers and lockers, 24/7 building security, and easy access to restaurants, shops, public transit, and major highways.

If you’re seeking a career with impact, stability, and a supportive environment, explore opportunities with MSRPS.

This position is designated as telework‑eligible under the State of Maryland’s Telework Policy, after successfully completing the defined required training period.

GRADE

18

LOCATION OF POSITION

120 East Baltimore Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21202

Main Purpose of Job

This position functions as a Lead Accountant under the direction of the Accountant Supervisor II. This involves assigning tasks to and reviewing the work of the staff accountants to ensure the efficient and accurate maintenance of the general ledger resulting in a precise determination of asset, liability and equity accounts for financial reporting in accordance with General Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and established procedures.

POSITION DUTIES

• Maintaining general ledgers by reviewing and ensuring that the State Retirement Agency (SRA), Maryland Transportation Authority (MTA), & Fund ledgers are maintained and accurate to ensure the timely monthly and annual closings.
• Reconciling cash daily to ensure adequate funds are available to the Agency.
• Performing advanced level reviews of the general ledger and financial systems (Traverse, MPAS, MPAS-Traverse API, EPDR, etc.).
• Confirming information on the cashflow is accurate and a reliable source to obtain the Agency liquidity.
• Preparing source documents to ensure the supporting documentation for cash receipt listings (CRLS) agrees with the report of the daily banking activities.
• Reviewing CRLs prepared by advanced accountants and ensuring information is accurately entered in the general ledger.

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: Four years of experience examining, analyzing and interpreting accounting systems, records and reports by applying generally accepted accounting principles to include two years performing advanced duties in the areas of cost accounting, systems accounting, federal fund accounting, or bond and loan accounting.
• 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 general accounting experience.
• 4. Applicants may substitute one year of professional auditing experience for one year of the required general accounting 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 in federal, State, or local government accounting and financial operations.
• Experience using a general ledger or financial management system to record transactions, research account activity, and/or produce financial reports.
• Experience preparing cash reconciliations, including identifying and resolving discrepancies between bank records and the general ledger.
• Experience with daily cash management, including monitoring cash balances, coordinating cash transfers, and ensuring sufficient liquidity to meet operational obligations.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including managing complex spreadsheets, creating charts and reports, and utilizing advanced formulas and functions.
• Experience in a lead or supervisory role.
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) certification.

LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS

Not Applicable.

SELECTION PROCESS

Successful candidates will be ranked as Best Qualified, Better Qualified, or Qualified and placed on the employment (eligible) list for at least one year. This list will be used by the hiring agency to select employees. 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. Due to the confidential nature of the work, selected candidates must undergo and pass a background check.

EXAMINATION PROCESS

The examination will consist of a rating of your education, training, and experience as presented on your application and as they relate to the requirements of the position. You may be asked to complete a supplemental questionnaire. The supplemental questionnaire may be used as part of the rating process. Therefore, it is important that you provide complete and accurate information on your application.

BENEFITS

• As an employee of the State of Maryland, you will have access to outstanding benefits, including: health insurance, dental, and vision plans offered at a low cost.
• Personal Leave - new State employees are awarded six (6) personnel days annually (prorated based on start date).
• Annual Leave - ten (10) days of accumulated annual leave per year.
• Sick Leave - fifteen (15) days of accumulated sick leave per year.
• Holidays - State employees also celebrate at least thirteen (13) holidays per year.
• Pension - State employees earn credit towards a retirement pension.
• Positions may be eligible for telework.

FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS

As an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruiting, retaining and promoting employees who are reflective of the State’s diversity.

People with disabilities and bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply.

We thank our Veterans for their service to our country.

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