Job Description
About the Organization:
The Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation (OCABR) is a state agency within the Executive Office of Economic Development and is responsible for protecting consumers through advocacy and education. The Office of Consumer Affairs works to ensure that the businesses our agencies regulate treat all Massachusetts consumers fairly. The Division of Banks ("DOB"), Division of Insurance ("DOI"), Division of Occupational Licensure ("DOL"), Division of Standards ("DOS"), and Department of Telecommunications and Cable ("DTC") all fall under the OCABR umbrella and help us to fulfill our critical mission of building better businesses and smarter consumers.
The Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation is committed to creating and sustaining a work culture that is welcoming, inclusive, and mutually respectful to all its employees regardless of race, color, age, creed, religion, national origin, ethnicity, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran or disability status. We strive to reflect diversity in all facets and levels of our agency. The Office or Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation values inclusiveness and diversity within their employee and management teams. Within our community we strive to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable, and welcoming.
Want more jobs like this?
Get jobs in Boston, MA delivered to your inbox every week.
The Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation is committed to ensuring a diverse and inclusive workplace where all employees feel respected, valued, and empowered to maximize their skills and talents to serve our citizens.
About the Role:
The Accountant IV reports to the Accountant V and/or the Director of Accounting, and provides accounting and reporting support for certain agencies. The main functions are to prepare and process encumbrance and payment documents on behalf its assigned agencies. The Accountant IV has daily contact with agency personnel, budget staff, other accountants in the unit, and is required to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
Duties and Responsibilities: (these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive):
- Process encumbrance transactions in MMARS ensuring all procurement rules, regulations, and procedures have been followed, utilizing Supplier Diversity vendors when at all possible.
- Prepare and enter payment transactions for review and approval. This includes researching past due balances, verifying that funds have been encumbered, and ensuring payment will be made to secure any prompt payment discounts.
- Use COMMBUYS to review purchase orders, bids, and other transactions.
- Research and use statewide contracts to ensure encumbrances are processed according to established policies and procedures.
- Confer with agency personnel and vendors through oral, written, and electronic communication to resolve accounting discrepancies.
- Resolve discrepancies and vendor payment inquiries using MMARS research, reports, and discussion with internal and external customers as appropriate.
- Process vendor related transactions in MMARS ensuring all supporting backup is in place, and has been verified according to Comptroller policies and procedures.
- Collect, track, analyze, record and process stipend payments to Board Members.
- Review and process employee reimbursements.
- Generate reports by using the Information Warehouse (CIW), analyze data, and prepare spreadsheets and other financial reports to capture and display spending, revenue, and other financial activity.
- Reconciles financial documents, records, transactions and statements to ensure conformance with established standards.
- Provide accounting analysis, data entry, record keeping, and other activities as assigned.
- Performs related duties such as preparing contracts and purchase requisitions; attending staff meetings and training sessions; responding to inquiries regarding assigned agency functions; reviewing and/or approving invoices for payment; and conferring with others concerning accounting-related matters.
- Analyze project expenditure patterns in order to make recommendations or take appropriate action to control spending.
Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Knowledge of the principles and practices of accounting including terminology.
- Knowledge of the methods of general report writing.
- Ability to analyze and determine the applicability of accounting data, to draw conclusions and to make appropriate recommendations.
- Ability to read and interpret documents such as financial reports, accounts and ledgers.
- Ability to understand, apply and explain the laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, etc. governing assigned unit activities.
- Ability to perform mathematical calculations using formulae to solve accounting problems.
- Ability to follow oral and written instructions.
- Ability to gather information by examining records and documents and through questioning individuals.
- Ability to maintain accurate records.
- Ability to prepare general and financial reports.
- Ability to write concisely to express thoughts clearly and to develop ideas in logical sequence.
- Ability to communicate effectively in oral expression.
- Ability to exercise sound judgment.
- Ability to exercise discretion in handling confidential information.
- Ability to deal tactfully with others.
- Ability to establish and maintain harmonious working relationships with others.
- Ability to work independently.
- Ability to work in a team setting.
- Ability to give written and oral instructions in a precise, understandable manner.
- 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; motivating subordinates to work effectively; determining the need for disciplinary action and either recommending or initiating disciplinary action.
- Knowledge of the principles, practices and techniques of supervision.
- Ability to coordinate the efforts of others in accomplishing assigned work objectives.
- Knowledge of the methods and techniques of financial analysis.
- Knowledge of the principles and practices of financial management.
All applicants should attach a cover letter and resume to their online submission for this position.
SALARY PLACEMENT IS DETERMINED BY YEARS OF EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE POSITION AND THE HUMAN RESOURCES DIVISION'S RECRUITING GUIDELINES. IN THE CASE OF A PROMOTIONAL OPPORTUNITY, THE SALARY PROVISIONS OF THE APPLICABLE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT WILL APPLY TO (OR WILL BE UTILIZED FOR) PLACEMENT WITHIN THE SALARY RANGE.
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) four years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, professional experience in accounting or auditing, of which at least (B) two years 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 a maximum of two years of the required (A) experience and one year of the required (B) experience.
Education toward such a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed.
NOTE: Educational substitutions will only be permitted for a maximum of one year of the required (B) experience.
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.