Accountant Advanced

State of Maryland•Baltimore City, MD

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Maryland State Retirement and Pension System (MSRPS) administers benefits for over 430,000 members, including active employees, retirees, and vested participants across 12 retirement systems—supporting the financial security of Maryland’s public servants. Located in Baltimore’s Central Business District, MSRPS offers a purpose-driven workplace with modern amenities, including panoramic city and harbor views, renovated common areas, upgraded elevators, and an on-site café. Perks include an on-site fitness center with showers and lockers, 24/7 building security, and easy access to restaurants, shops, public transit, and major highways. If you're seeking a career with impact, stability, and a supportive environment, explore opportunities with MSRPS. As required, this position must be available for overtime on evenings, weekends, and holidays. Due to the nature of the payroll processing schedule, the supervisor may designate certain days of the week as critical attendance days. On these days, approved leave may be restricted to emergency situations. Vacations are restricted during the months of June and July. This position is designated as telework‑eligible under the State of Maryland’s Telework Policy, after successfully completing the defined required training period. GRADE 17 LOCATION OF POSITION 120 East Baltimore Street Baltimore, Maryland 21202 Main Purpose of Job There are two available positions. The main purpose of this position is to reconcile payroll data elements (contribution amounts and hours) as reported by over 160 separate employers, to validation reports generated through the State Retirement Agency’s (SRA) automated system. Discrepancies are communicated to employers to facilitate resolution through corrective actions including but not limited to the preparation and submission of manual adjustment transactions. Other critical position functions include identifying discrepancies, resolving differences, and preparing corrective transactions for other Agency prepared non-payroll transactions processed through SRA validation programs. SRA automated processes necessitate a two-step approach whereby data is first processed through a validation program that performs data edits for subsequent continued processing through a separate update process that records (posts) the validation data to the SRA’s active master file used to maintain participant data for over 200,000 active member accounts. Performance of this reconciliation and error resolution process are required for all data validated through Agency programs for the purpose of ensuring the integrity of data updated to the SRA’s active master file. The timely and accurate execution of these responsibilities in accordance with prescribed laws, regulations and procedures is an essential element in the Agency’s efforts to meet the objectives of our Mission Statement.

Requirements

A Bachelor's degree in Accounting from an accredited college or university, including or supplemented by three credit hours in auditing.
Three years of experience examining, analyzing and interpreting accounting systems, records and reports by applying generally accepted accounting principles.
Candidates may substitute a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with thirty credit hours in Accounting and related courses, including or supplemented by three credit hours in auditing for the required education.
Applicants who have met the requirements for admission to the CPA examination prior to July 1, 1974 will be considered to have met the educational requirement referenced above.
Possession of a certificate as a Certified Public Accountant or a master's degree in accounting from an accredited college or university may be substituted for one year of the required experience.
Applicants may substitute one year of professional auditing experience for one year of the required experience.
Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a commissioned officer in the Accounting Officer classification or Financial Management specialty codes in the Accounting field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience and education.

Nice To Haves

One year focused on payroll accounting and benefits reconciliation
Proficiency in data analysis, reconciliations, and journal entry preparation related to payroll and benefits
Experience working independently, managing multiple priorities, and meeting deadlines in a fast-paced environment
Experience using Microsoft Office Suite
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills with a high attention to detail
Excellent communication and collaboration skills working with internal and external stakeholders

Responsibilities

Reconciles payroll validation reports generated through SRA automated systems of employer reported payroll data elements (contributions and hours); identifying discrepancies; communicating differences to employers and initiating corrective actions including but not limited to the preparation and submission of any necessary transactions within that week's payroll processing cycle, or to direct employers to make an adjustment in accordance with SRA payroll validation procedures. Performance of this function requires a thorough knowledge and understanding of standard accounting reconciliation conventions, applicable laws, regulations, policies, and procedures applicable to maintenance of employer payroll data on the SRA's active master file .Handle the daily reconciliation to the individual validation reports to ensure that employer payroll data contribution amounts are in agreement with cash remittance. Contact Payroll Reporting centers for correct adjustment reports or contribution discrepancies.
Review adjustment reports from employers and create current and prior period adjustment transactions to resolve outstanding issues and prepares adjustments to reenter Agency payroll transactions that did not pass SRA's program edits.
Completes the Annuity Savings Fund (ASF) reconciliation. On a daily basis record and maintains a detailed historical file of outstanding cash shortages/overages for adjustments to reported payroll periods. The list must reconcile to the Annuity Savings Fund each day by system and by dollar amount. Reconcile the payroll and adjustment validations for each PRCJ320 report. On a monthly basis complete the ASF reconciliation to the General Ledger as well.
Performs other miscellaneous duties as directed by Division Management. Some of these duties include answering an employer hotline for employer questions and working with unit staff to meet deadlines in the absence of other employees.