Senior Accountant/Accountant Trainee (NY HELPS) at NYS Teachers' Retirement System

Wayne State University; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 63,074 - 115,477; Full time

Job summary

Wayne State University is looking for a Senior Accountant/Accountant Trainee in New York to enhance the Finance Systems used by the department. This role involves improving processes and systems while ensuring compliance with accounting principles.

Candidates must hold a bachelor's degree in accounting and possess related professional experience. The position offers a hybrid work schedule and emphasizes a commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, auditing, or taxation or 24 semester credit hours in relevant courses.
• One year of professional experience in accounting/auditing preferred.
• Relevant professional licenses and certifications are a plus.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate current business processes and systems for improvement.
• Research new accounting/finance technology.
• Act as subject matter expert for finance-related technology.

Skills

Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Ability to think critically

Organization and self-management skills

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting, auditing, or taxation

Certified Public Accountant license

Job description

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Senior Accountant/Accountant Trainee (NY HELPS)

Note: Sponsorship is not available for this position. Applicants must hold unrestricted work authorization. NYSTRS is unable to sponsor or assume sponsorship of an employment visa for this position now or in the future.

Position Summary

Under the direction of an Associate Accountant, the Senior Accountant on the Finance Systems team is responsible for activities related to evaluating and improving the systems the Finance Department uses to accomplish its work.

NY HELPS Program Information

• This title is part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide Program (NY HELPS).
• For the duration of the NY HELPS Program, this title may be filled via a non‑competitive appointment, which means no examination is required but all candidates must meet the minimum qualifications, and any specialized requirements, of the title for which they apply.
• At a future date (within one year of permanent appointment), it is expected employees hired under NY HELPS will have their non‑competitive employment status converted to competitive status, without having to compete in an examination.

Minimum Qualifications

EITHER: 1) Reachable on the Civil Service eligible list; OR 2) Eligible for reassignment by virtue of having permanent competitive service as a Senior Accountant (SG‑18); OR 3) Eligible for transfer under the provisions of the Civil Service Law by virtue of having one year of permanent competitive service in an appropriate title.

To be appointed via the NY HELPS program, you must meet the following minimum requirements:

The position of Accountant Trainee is a two‑year traineeship leading to a salary grade 18 (Senior Accountant). The first year of the traineeship is equated to a grade 14. The second year of the traineeship is equated to a grade 16.

Accountant Trainee 1 (Grade 14)

• Either 1. A bachelor's degree in accounting, auditing, or taxation; OR
• 2. A bachelor's degree with 24 semester credit hours in accounting, auditing, or taxation courses.

Accountant Trainee 2 (Grade 16)

• Either 1. A bachelor's degree in accounting, auditing, or taxation OR a bachelor's degree with 24 semester credit hours in accounting, auditing, or taxation courses AND one year of professional experience in accounting/auditing or financial internal or field auditing, where you were responsible for the full range of activities in the design and/or review, analysis and management of accounting systems, resulting in the preparation of, or recommendations on, financial statements in accord with generally accepted accounting principles; OR
• 2. A master's or higher degree in accounting, auditing, or taxation may substitute for one year of experience.

Senior Accountant (Grade 18)

• Either 1. A bachelor's degree in accounting, auditing, or taxation or a bachelor's degree with 24 semester credit hours in accounting, auditing, or taxation courses AND two years of professional experience in accounting/auditing or financial internal or field auditing, where you were responsible for the full range of activities in the design and/or review, analysis and management of accounting systems, resulting in the preparation of, or recommendations on, financial statements in accord with generally accepted accounting principles; OR
• 2. A master's or higher degree in accounting, auditing, or taxation AND one year of professional experience in accounting/auditing or financial internal or field auditing, where you were responsible for the full range of activities in the design and/or review, analysis and management of accounting systems, resulting in the preparation of, or recommendations on, financial statements in accord with generally accepted accounting principles; OR
• 3. A currently valid Certified Public Accountant license and registration issued by New York State.

(NOTE: Courses such as business law, economics, statistics, and most finance courses, although taken as part of an accounting curriculum, cannot be counted toward the 24 semester credit hours.)

(Experience NOT considered qualifying are activities restricted to teaching, bookkeeping, maintaining/auditing payroll records or accounts receivable/accounts payable, or preparing tax returns.)

Preferred Qualifications

• Relevant professional licenses and certifications
• Ownership mentality
• Desire to continuously improve processes
• Desire to learn new skills and grow professionally
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability and willingness to work directly with internal and external stakeholders
• Ability and willingness to provide excellent customer service
• Ability to think critically
• Exceptional attention to detail
• Organization and self‑management skills
• Independence and self‑motivation

Work Modality

Currently we have a hybrid work schedule which may be subject to change in the future.

Job Duties

The Senior Accountant/Accountant Trainee will be responsible for, but not limited to, the following duties:

• Evaluate current business processes and systems for improvement, automation, and efficiency
• Research new accounting/finance technology and systems to improve operations.
• Act as subject matter expert for the implementation of new/improved finance‑related technology and systems
• Build and maintain a strong knowledge of the automated accounting systems used by NYSTRS
• Gather and communicate operational and functionality needs to business analysts, project managers, and IT developers
• Liaise with customer departments to identify ways to better integrate processes to increase compliance and efficiency
• Track and update the Finance Department’s portfolio of IT projects and demands
• Maintain documentation for finance systems and assist in providing training to end‑users
• Coordinate or assist in testing changes to Finance Department systems and processes
• Perform operational accounting duties, including journal entries and account reconciliations

Work Environment, Travel and Physical Demands

• Occasional local travel may be required
• Optional overnight travel for training events

Salary Grade

This position is a grade 14/16/18

Salary Range

• Grade 14 - $63,074 - $92,584
• Grade 16 - $70,492 - $103,474
• Grade 18 - $78,669 - $115,477

Job Type

At NYSTRS, diversity, equity, and inclusion are integral to our mission of providing our members with a secure pension and exceptional customer service. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and equitable culture where all diversity is valued and recognized as a source of strength and enrichment across all operations.

NYSTRS is proud to provide equal opportunities to all employees and qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender expression or identity, national origin, age, ability and disability status, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy status, sexual orientation, citizenship, or any other legally protected class. We are committed to being a workplace that attracts, supports, and retains talented individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences while championing equal opportunity across recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.