Job Description
The Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services (DDS) is dedicated to creating, in partnership with others, innovative and genuine opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities to participate fully and meaningfully in, and contribute to, their communities as valued members.
The Department of Developmental Services (DDS) is excited to offer a career opportunity to a motivated and talented individual for the Accountant III position to function in the Northeast Residential Services Office located in Danvers, MA.
The Accountant III's primary responsibilities are related to the everyday operations of Northeast Residential Services. This includes working directly with the Assistant Director of Operations and Director of NRS to advise and assist with all aspects of budgeting within the agency, including tracking of all expenditures to ensure they are in compliance with all applicable regulations, serving as liaison to Regional Business Office, overseeing equipment and space leases, and assisting in all aspects of procurement of goods and services. The incumbent also monitors expenditures for consumer related medical/clinical service contracts, and ensures that all activity complies with established policies, procedures, rules, and regulations governing the Commonwealth. The Accountant III serves as a liaison to landlords, works with the Area offices for rent paying homes, and creates rent letters for individuals, rep payees, and landlords. The incumbent supervises and oversees first level and second level reviews.
Want more jobs like this?
Get jobs in Peabody, MA delivered to your inbox every week.
The Accountant III also provides support, training, and supervision to an Accountant I, in addition to providing support and training to all NRS staff and authorized shoppers. They may also travel to different locations for meetings, training sessions, conducting audits, and other related duties as needed.
The Accountant III is an integral position in NRS as NRS is a large agency with complex needs and the incumbent is the key contact who interfaces and works with the Regional Business Office.
Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive):
- Reviews accounting procedures, reports, etc., for accuracy, updating and corrections and for recommending changes or improvements in agency accounting procedures or operations.
- Reviews financial reports and purchases, including food, furniture, and equipment, for trends in major programs to determine their effect on spending, and to make recommendations for improvement.
- Reviews expenditures that pertain to the state budget, as well as individual residents' funds to ensure all expenditures are completed within budgetary allocations and all applicable regulations.
- Evaluation requests for additional funds, as well as oversees the transfer of funds.
- Provides oversight over all lower subs of the budget to ensure spending is within allocated limits, while also identifying trends.
- Raises any concerns to the Regional Operations Manager and NRS leadership if/when there are unmet needs or projected shortfalls and makes recommendations to resolve.
- Works in partnership with and serves as an extension of the Regional Business Office to oversee funds while examining trends in spending, advocating for needs, and making projections for future needs .
- Works with the area offices to ensure all rents are paid, communicates any changes, and troubleshoots short falls.
- Monitors food costs and makes recommendations for how to ensure spending is within identified limits, while educating authorized staff on how to shop in order to stay in compliance with Executive Orders, State and Federal Regulations, and department guidelines.
- Oversees the safe handling of residents' personal funds and is responsible for ensuring compliance with all State and Federal (Social Security) guidelines; serve as the lead contact to Social Security when compiling information needed for periodic audits and Social Security Reviews.
- Examines all fiscal reviews and conducts audits that identifies potential areas of concern, as well as any deficiencies while making recommendations for correction(s).
Preferred Qualifications at hire:
- Ability to supervise including planning and assigning work according to the nature of the job to be accomplished, the capabilities of subordinates and available resources; controlling work through periodic reviews and or evaluations; determining subordinates training needs and providing or arranging for such training; and motivating subordinates to work effectively.
- Ability to give written and oral instruction in a precise manner.
- Knowledge of the principles and practices of accounting including terminology.
- Ability to analyze and determine the applicability of accounting data, to draw conclusions, and to make appropriate recommendations.
- Ability to create and circulate audit reports in a professional, accurate and timely fashion.
- Knowledge of the methods of general report writing.
- Ability to maintain accurate records and to be well organized including maintaining and establishing filing systems.
- Ability to analyze and determine the applicability of accounting data, to draw conclusions and to make recommendations.
- Ability to read and interpret documents such as financial reports, accounts, ledgers.
- Ability to understand, apply, and explain the laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedure governing assigned unit activities.
- Ability to perform mathematical calculations using formulas.
- Ability to gather info by examining records and documents and through questioning individuals.
- Ability to maintain accurate records.
- Ability to prepare reports.
- Ability to write concisely, express thoughts clearly in logical sequence.
- Ability to communicate effectively in both written and oral expression.
- Ability to exercise sound judgement.
- Ability to exercise discretion in handling confidential information.
- Ability to deal tactfully with others.
- Ability to establish and maintain a harmonious relationship with others.
- Ability to work independently.
- Ability to work in a team setting.
Agency Requirements:
- Must have reliable transportation and the ability to travel to different work sites during the work day.
Please Note:
This position is located in Danvers, MA
Schedule: 9:00am - 5:00pm
Days Off: Saturday/Sunday
Flexibility required to meet the needs of the program/area office.
About the Department of Developmental Services:
The mission of the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) is to create innovative and genuine opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities including Autism Spectrum Disorder to participate fully and contribute meaningfully to their communities as valued members. DDS serves over 43,000 vulnerable individuals throughout their lifetimes, providing a spectrum of day, employment, and residential supports. The agency directly oversees and manages $3 billion in public funds ($2.7B+ operating budget) and approximately 5,500 staff, the largest state employee workforce of any agency in the Massachusetts executive branch of government.
For more information about our agency and programs visit: www.mass.gov/dds
Pre-Hire Process:
Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Record Law and may be published on the Commonwealth's website.
- Education, licensure, and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division's Hiring Guidelines.
Recommended candidates must successfully complete pre-employment screening which includes:
- Disabled Persons Protection Commission (DPPC) Abuse Registry Search: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/dppc-abuser-registry
- Criminal background check (CORI) by regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services. http://www.mass.gov/hhs/cori
- National Background Checks, Chapter 234 of the Acts of 2014, conduct fingerprint-based check. https://www.mass.gov/lists/dds-fingerprint-background-checks
If you require assistance with the application/interview process and would like to request an ADA accommodation, please click on the link and complete the ADA Reasonable Accommodation Online Request Form.
For technical help with MassCareers, including logging into your profile and/or resetting your password, please call the Employee Service Center at 617-979-8500 for assistance.
For questions regarding this requisition, please contact the Executive Office of Health and Human Services Human Resources at 1-800- 510-4122 Ext. #4.
Qualifications
First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.
MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS: Applicants must have at least (A) three years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, professional experience in accounting or auditing, of which at least (B) one year must have been in a supervisory, administrative or managerial capacity, or (C) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitutions below.
Substitutions:
I. An Associate's degree with a major in accounting, business administration or business management may be substituted for a maximum of one year of the required (A) experience.
II. A Bachelor's degree with a major in accounting, business administration or business management may be substituted for a maximum of two years of the required (A) experience.
III. A Graduate degree with a major in accounting, business administration or business management may be substituted for the required experience.
Education toward such a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed.
Salary placement is determined by a combination of factors, including the candidate's years of directly related experience and education, and alignment with our internal compensation structure as set forth by the Human Resources Division's Hiring Guidelines. For all bargaining unit positions (non-management), compensation is subject to the salary provisions outlined in the applicable collective bargaining agreement and will apply to placement within the appropriate salary range .
Comprehensive Benefits
When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.
Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!
An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.
The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.