Accountant 2

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The Oregon Department of Human Services is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are guided by our Equity North Star and our vision for a positive RiSE organizational culture that advances equity and diversity. We encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQIA2S+ community members, and others to help us achieve our vision of a diverse and inclusive community.

Opportunity awaits! The Office of Financial Services is seeking to fill Two (2) Accountant 2 positions to design, report and maintain agency specific accounting and moderately complex structures and subsystems that require frequent changes to ensure data integrity.  If you are skilled professional with strong understanding of accounting principles and practices, consider taking on a key role in our team as the (Accountant 2, with the Office of Financial Services) for the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS).

About Office of Financial Services

The Office of Financial Services (OFS) operates as a shared financial service for ODHS and Oregon Health Authority (OHA). The Office of Financial Services (OFS) provides leadership and management, fiscal policy direction, financial systems management, and coordination of core financial accounting, payroll, and financial reporting services for ODHS and OHA.

OFS management leads and supervises staff in the areas of Financial Reporting, Taxation, Federal Grant Management and Reporting, Cash Flow Management, Proprietary and Governmental Fund Accounting, Revenue Application, Cost Allocation, Interface, E-Commerce, Accounting Structure, Accounts and Contracts Payable, Trust Accounting, Accounts Receivable, Payroll and Benefits, Cash Receipting, Treasury, and Account Reconciliation for ODHS and OHA.

The size, scope, and complexity of the financial structure of these agencies is the most complex in the State of Oregon. Currently OFS has approximately 150 full-time equivalent employees responsible for more than 20 financial systems and millions of dollars processed each week.

Summary of Duties

Consult professionally with agency program managers or external organizations and ensure the proper functioning and accountability of fiscal operations. Apply advanced accounting knowledge that entails the integration of decisions and individual transaction relationships with total agency or statewide accounting objectives. Responsible for moderately complex accounting system operations, accounting structures, internal controls, financial reporting, and agency policy consultation. Requires the application of accounting principles and theory to develop or revise accounting systems or to examine, analyze, and interpret accounting data and reports.

As an Accountant 2, you will:

Accounting Functions:

• Ensure proper functioning and accountability of fiscal operations. Reconcile complex accounts.

• Develop and initiate business and internal accounting controls to safeguard assets and ensure the integrity of data and the fiscal system.

• Interpret, apply, and ensure compliance of assigned operations with governing laws, regulations, policies, and procedures. Interpret and apply laws, rules, regulations, and fiscal policies and procedures.

• Collaborate to ensure moderately complex assignments are completed accurately.

• Recommend and evaluate changes or enhancements to accounting operations to meet the needs of the agency and to utilize the available technology.

• Responsible for cash management, federal revenue, and federal draws.

Reporting and Analysis:

• Ensure the completeness and accuracy of the financial reporting requirements for an agency of moderate complexity. Prepare the required financial statements and related notes and disclosures for a moderately complex agency.

• Advise agency management on financial matters. Research financial problem areas using discretion in recording and analyzing the data. Identify significant trends and make comparisons to previous accounting periods.

• Prepare a variety of specialized financial management reports, schedules, and analyses.

• Analyze and interpret moderately complex fiscal and statistical data and reports and recommends management action.

Minimum Qualifications

• Possession of a Certified Public Accountant or Certified Government Financial Manager certificate AND two years of accounting experience equivalent to Accountant 1 work to include setting-up ledgers, account codes and controls, and modifying accounting systems. OR

• A Bachelor’s degree in accounting, or in any discipline that includes or is supplemented by 32 quarter (21 semester) credit hours from an accredited institution in Accounting AND two years of accounting experience equivalent to Accountant 1 work to include setting-up ledgers, account codes and controls, and modifying accounting systems. OR

• 32 quarter (21 semester) credit hours from an accredited institution in Accounting AND four years of related accounting experience to include a) classifying, analyzing, and reconciling financial data and records; b) designing, recommending, and installing modifications of accounting methods, procedures, forms, and records; c) preparing financial statements and reports; d) analyzing and interpreting laws, regulations, codes, and ordinances to ensure the legality of financial transactions; and e) analyzing, interpreting, and making recommendations related to accounting transactions, accounts, and account relationships resulting in accounting entries.

NOTE: 15 quarter (10 semester) graduate-level accounting credit hours may substitute for one year of accounting experience. Graduate-level courses used to satisfy the educational requirement may not be used to satisfy the experience requirement.

Essential Attributes

We are looking for candidates with:

• Experience working with financial management systems.

• Skilled in applying standard accounting knowledge and accounting theory.

• Strong attention to detail, organization, and time-management skills.

• Experience interpreting, applying, and explaining laws, regulations and fiscal policies and procedures.

• Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

• Review, analyze, interpret, and reconcile financial reports and transactions.

• Ability to review existing policies and procedures and make process improvement recommendations where applicable while being cognizant of the impacts to other areas.

Attention all candidates! A cover letter is required. Clearly describe how you meet the minimum qualifications and essential attributes in your application materials. Your application materials will determine if you are selected to move forward in the selection process. Please include detailed work and education history.

• Please make sure your application materials, resume and job history, are clearly outlined as this information will be used to determine your starting salary range. If you are selected as the final candidate and a degree is listed as a minimum qualification for the position, please be prepared to provide verification of your completed education before moving forward in the hiring process. Note: Your resume and cover letter may be uploaded in the Resume/CV field on the online application.

• The use of outside resources such as Artificial Intelligence software during applicant skill assessments, examinations, and/or interviews is prohibited unless otherwise stated by the hiring agency. Unauthorized use of outside resources during the hiring process will result in disqualification.

• The State of Oregon does not request or require your age, date of birth, attendance or graduation dates from an educational institution during the application process.

Working Conditions

• This position follows a standard professional work schedule.

• Initial training is conducted in person at the Salem office for approximately three weeks (five days per week). The training period may vary based on experience and business needs.

• After successful completion of training, this position is eligible for a hybrid work schedule. Hybrid schedules require flexibility, up to two or three in‑office workdays per week, with additional on‑site days as needed during periods of increased workload.

• Note: some travel expenses not provided, nor reimbursable for remote work employees per travel policy paragraph 105: https://www.oregon.gov/das/Financial/Acctng/Documents/40.10.00.pdf

• Works in an integrated environment where diverse programs, partners and staff create the work team.

• Serve a diverse range of customers with compassion and professionalism through a trauma informed lens.

• General work conditions include high stress environment due to a high-volume workload with short time frames.

• Priority and scope of projects must be intensely monitored and frequent adjustments are required.

Background Checks and Requirements

• If selected as a finalist, we will conduct a criminal history and background check. Adverse criminal history or background check may lead to disqualification. Additional background check information.

• The Oregon Department of Human Services does not offer visa sponsorship. Within three days of hire, you will be required to complete the US Department of Homeland Security’s I-9 form confirming authorization to work in the United States. ODHS will use E-Verify to confirm that you are authorized to work in the United States.

Benefits

• ODHS Employee Resource Group communities that promote shared learning.

• Cost of Living Adjustments.

• Annual salary increases (until you reach the top of the listed salary range).

• Amazing benefits package.

• Possible eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Employment Preference

Veterans’ and Oregon National Guard preference:

• Eligible Veterans and Oregon National Guard servicemembers (current and former) who meet the qualifications of the position will be awarded candidate preference. For more information, please visit Veterans Resources.

General Information

• This is a permanent, full-time position and is represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU).  

• This recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies in the same classification.

Contact Information

We invite you to contact the recruiter for accommodation requests under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), application questions or job-specific questions.

• The recruiter for this position is Cris Jansen. If you contact the recruiter, please include the job requisition number: REQ-XXXXX.

• Email: Crista.jansen@odhs.oregon.gov