Senior Technical Accountant

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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.

About Office of Financial Services

The Office of Financial Services (OFS) operates as a shared financial service for ODHS and Oregon Health Authority (OHA). OFS is the steward of ODHS and OHA financial resources ensuring honesty, integrity, and accountability by efficiently and effectively providing accurate, accountable, and responsive financial management and business services to clients, stakeholders, and employees in support of ODHS and OHA missions and in compliance with state laws and federal policies, rules, and regulations. 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 170 full-time equivalent employees responsible for more than 20 financial systems and tens of millions of dollars processed each week. 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.

Opportunity Awaits!

We are seeking a highly skilled Accountant with expertise in governmental accounting principles to lead effort to utilize technology and tools to improve financial business processes. This role requires a deep understanding of accounting operations and the ability to translate accounting standards into effective financial operations. The ideal candidate will collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure that financial processes not only meet operational needs but also uphold transparency and accountability. Strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and a commitment to optimizing financial processes are essential for success in this position. We invite you to consider taking on a key role as the (Senior Technical Accountant, Accountant 3, Office of Financial Services, for the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS).

Attention all candidates! A cover letter, resume and answering these 3 questions are required.

Please attach an updated version of your resume along with a cover letter not exceeding two pages that addresses the following. Applicants who do not submit both documents will not be taken into consideration.

• Describe your experience working in Government accounting. Preference will be given to those with government accounting experience.

• Describe your experience with closing accounting books with tight deadlines.

• Describe your experience either performing audits or being the subject of an audit.

Summary of Duties

As a Senior Technical Accountant, you will:

The purpose of this position is to lead efforts to improve financial operations through introducing new technology and process improvements.  In this role you will apply advanced accounting theory and advanced accounting skills to business process design. The incumbent is responsible for the validating the accounting requirements for various processes and assures that accounting structures, internal controls, data integrity and controls, and financial reporting meet the needs of agency customers, vendors, and other partners.

Duties include:

• Evaluate various unit business operations for process improvement.

• Gain knowledge of latest technology and tools that will increase the efficiency of financial business processes.

• Ensure processes are following GAAP, GASB and OAM requirements.

• Ensure solutions are complying and support both state and federal reporting requirements.

• Design, develop, adapt, and implement technology and tools to accommodate special and complex agency accounting needs and to comply with generally accepted accounting principles, federal, state, and other external requirements.

• Analyze data from existing processes for potential integration, documenting options, risks and recommendations.

• Evaluate risk, benefit, and costs of proposals associated business process improvements.

• Develop training on accounting topics related to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Governmental Accounting Standards Board, federal reporting requirements, etc. for the new processes.

• Presents and defends accounting policies and procedures requirements to interested parties.

Minimum Qualifications

• Possession of a Certified Public Accountant or Certified Government Financial Manager certificate AND three years of accounting experience equivalent to Accountant 2 work to include designing and modifying accounting systems that require frequent changes in requirements to meet specific business objectives, consulting with program managers or external organizations, and assuring the proper functioning and accountability of fiscal operations, 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 three years of related accounting experience equivalent to Accountant 2 work to include designing and modifying accounting systems that require frequent changes in requirements to meet specific business objectives, consulting with program managers or external organizations, and ensuring the proper functioning and accountability of fiscal operations; OR 

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

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

Transcripts are not mandatory during the application process, but you are highly encouraged to submit them. They will be used to assess if you fulfill the educational requirements. You must provide them when an offer is extended.

Essential Attributes

We are looking for candidates with experience in the following:

• Government Accounting

• Working knowledge of financial systems technical experience that includes the ability design, analyze, and review the financial systems, business processes and related policies.

• Ability to gather, evaluate, and analyze complex data.

• Ability to analyze and interpret financial data and prepare financial reports, statements and/or projections.

• Knowledge of finance, accounting, budgeting, and cost control procedures.

• Working knowledge of financial software tools to quantify and illustrate routine financial reports, statements, and/or projections.

Working Conditions

• This position may be eligible for hybrid work.

• You must live in Oregon, or neighboring State.

• Work in a typical office environment. Normal office hours. 

• Works in close proximity with people and office equipment with frequent interruptions and distractions. Requires working with a wide variety of people, interpersonal contacts, and sensitive or confidential situations, which may occasionally expose the employee to challenging situations.

• Some travel may be required.

• Regular and consistent attendance is essential.

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.

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

• Possible eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

• Amazing benefits package.

• Cost of Living Adjustments.

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 a Management Service, Non-Supervisory position and is not represented by a union.  

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

Contact Information

• The recruiter for this position is Amy Acree. If you contact the recruiter, please include the job requisition number.

• Email: amy.acree@odhs.oregon.gov

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