Vendor Accountant

State of Indiana; Indianapolis (IN); Hybrid; USD 47,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Join the State of Indiana as an Accountant in the Department of Child Services, overseeing vendor management and ensuring smooth referral and payment processes. This role offers a chance to make a significant impact on the lives of children and families in Indiana while enjoying a comprehensive benefits package.

Benefits

Medical Plan Options

Wellness Rewards Program

Flexible Work Scheduling

Education Reimbursement Program

Group Life Insurance

Qualifications

• Specialized knowledge of public accounting principles.
• Ability to prepare and interpret complex financial statements.

Responsibilities

• Oversee Vendor Management functions for DCS.
• Analyze business operations and financial commitments.
• Prepare and reconcile financial reports.

Skills

Public Accounting

Budget Preparation

Financial Analysis

Tools

Automated Accounting Systems

Job description

Select how often (in days) to receive an alert:

Begin a fulfilling career with the State of Indiana by joining one of the largest employers in the state, offering a range of opportunities across 60+ agencies. At the state, you'll find competitive compensation, a robust benefits package and a commitment to work-life balance. Most importantly, you'll have the chance to make a real and measurable impact on the lives of Hoosiers across Indiana.

About the Department of Child Services:

Join a team that engages with families and children to improve lives in meaningful and significant ways. DCS engages authentically with children who are victims of abuse or neglect and strengthens families through services that focus on family support and preservation. The Department also administers family preservation and prevention services, foster care, and child support throughout the State of Indiana. You will relentlessly pursue permanency for children and families through reunification, guardianship, adoption or support youth in making a successful transition to adulthood. While this job is difficult and may have long and sometimes unconventional hours, this is more than a job—it is a calling to improve your community and neighbors. Will you join us in supporting our Mission, Vision, and Values?

Mission:The Indiana Department of Child Services leads the state’s response to allegations of child abuse and neglect and facilitates child support payments. We consider the needs and values of all we serve in our efforts to protect children while keeping families together whenever possible.

Vision:Children will live in safe, healthy, and supportive families and communities.

Values:We at the Indiana Department of Child Services empower our team, in collaboration with state and local partners, to make decisions in the best interest of every child in our care by embracing:

• Child Safety
• Permanency
• Collaborative partnerships with foster and adoptive families
• A culture of safety and transparency
• A commitment to continuous improvement

Role Overview:

The Accountant oversees and actively participates in all DCS Vendor Management functions, including the Resource Unit and Payment Research Unit. Vendor Management functions are vital for successful referral of DCS services, as well as payment for those services. Vendor Management works closely with DCS staff, vendors, and other state agencies, helping to ensure that referral and payment processes are running smoothly and that information provided to vendors is consistent and accurate, helping to strengthen the partnerships between DCS and its vendor communities.

This position traditionally starts at an annual salary of $47,320 but may be commensurate with education and job experience.

A Day in the Life:

The essential functions of this role are as follows:

• Oversee andactively participate in the processing of Vendor Forms and KidTraks User Agreements for all DCS contracted providers, non-contracted vendors, licensed foster parents, kinshipplacements, and adoptive parents, so that the referral and payment processesrun smoothly for these vendors.
• Research email and phone inquiries via KidTraks, PeopleSoft & Casebook, and work toward resolvingoften-complicated issues involving vendor invoicing andpayments; coordinate with others as needed (e.g. DCS field staff, services/program team, KidTraks technical team, Central Eligibility Unit, Indiana Comptroller's Office, etc.); communicate findings logically and effectively.
• Assist in the development and maintenance of training and resource materialsfor DCS vendors.
• Prepare, examine, and analyze accounting records financial reports to assess compliance with procedural standards.
• Analyze business operations, trends, costs, revenues, financial commitments, and obligations to project future revenues and expenses or to provide advice.
• Assist the supervisor in analyzing budgets, preparing periodic reports that compare budgeted costs to actual costs.
• Advise the controller or supervisor on the status of assigned accounts.
• Assist in the development of general policies for a fiscal program.
• Assist management in the preparation of agency or program area budget requests.
• Reconcile complex discrepancies between accounts and notifies the appropriate department or supervisor of errors.
• Prepare reports for reconciliation of grant funded accounts.
• Analyze and interpret financial statements and reports for accuracy.
• Serve as liaison between agency and the federal government or other funding source for assigned account.
• Coordinate computerized accounting system within assigned area.
• Control the flow of appropriated funds.
• Direct the work of lower-level accountants and account clerks assisting in complex or unusual situations.
• Some essential functions of this position may be performed onsite at the agency’s worksite or other assigned worksites while some essential functions of this position may be eligible for work from home authorization in accordance with policy. Remote work authorization is not automatic and is dependent upon operational needs and agency approval.

The job profile is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time.

What You'll Need for Success:

You must meet the following requirements to be considered for employment:

• Specialized knowledge of theories, principles, and practices of public accounting.
• Specialized knowledge of agency organization and function.
• Specialized knowledge of federal and state accounting and bookkeeping laws, policies, and procedures.
• Specialized knowledge of automated accounting systems.
• Ability to solve complex accounting methods and procedures to meet agency needs.
• Ability to prepare budgets.
• Ability to prepare and interpret complex financial statements and reports.
• Ability to reconcile discrepancies between accounts.
• Able to perform essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.

Supervisory Responsibilities/Direct Reports:

This role may serve as a team lead for an assigned work group.

Benefits of Employment with the State of Indiana:

The State of Indiana offers a comprehensive benefits package for full-time employees that includes:

• Three (3) medical plan options (including RX coverage) as well as vision and dental plans
• Wellness Rewards Program: Complete wellness activities to earn gift card rewards
• Health savings account, which includes bi-weekly state contributions
• Flexible work scheduling options, including the potential for hybrid remote work for employees whose work may be performed outside state facilities
• Deferred compensation 457(b)account (similar to401(k) plan) with employer match
• Two (2) fully-funded pension plan options
• A robust, comprehensive program of leave policies covering a variety of employee needs, including but not limited to:
  • 150 hours of paid New Parent Leave and up to eight weeks of paid Childbirth Recovery Leave for eligible mothers
  • Up to 15 hours of paid community service leave
  • Combined 180 hours of paid vacation, personal, and sick leave time off
  • 12 paid holidays, 14 on election years
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Group life insurance
• Employee assistance program that allows for covered behavioral health visits
• Qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
• Free Parkingfor most positions
• Free LinkedIn Learningaccess

The State of Indiana is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to recruiting, selecting, developing, and promoting employees based on individual ability and job performance. Reasonable accommodations may be available to enable individuals with disabilities to complete the application and interview process as well as perform the essential functions of a role. If you require reasonable accommodations to complete this application, you can request assistance by contacting the Indiana State Personnel Department at [e-mail] .