Accountant II

State of Maryland • Baltimore County, MD

5d • Onsite

About The Position

This contractual position within the Maryland State Police (MSP) Licensing Division analyzes and conducts general accounting and reconciliations of fees collected and reported by the division. These fees include those related to professional licenses, wear and carry handgun permits, handgun qualification licenses, regulated-firearm purchase applications, machine-gun registrations, regulated-firearm dealer registrations, and other Licensing Division collections. The role applies generally accepted accounting principles while complying with applicable statutes, regulations, directives, and policies; advises management on fiscal practices and reconciliation changes; and participates in and prepares fiscal audit reports.

The position is located at the Maryland State Police Licensing Division, 1111 Reisterstown Road, Pikesville, Maryland 21208. Candidates are subject to an initial drug screening and a criminal background investigation, including a polygraph examination, before permanent appointment can be made.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in accounting from an accredited college or university, including or supplemented by three credit hours in auditing.
• Two years of experience examining, analyzing, and interpreting accounting systems, records, and reports using generally accepted accounting principles.
• Candidates may substitute a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with 30 credit hours in accounting and related courses, including or supplemented by three credit hours in auditing, for the required education.
• Applicants who met the requirements for admission to the CPA examination before July 1, 1974, are considered to have met the education requirement.
• A Certified Public Accountant certificate or a master's degree in accounting from an accredited college or university may substitute for one year of required experience.
• One year of professional auditing experience may substitute for one year of required experience.
• U.S. Armed Forces military service as a commissioned officer in the Accounting Officer classification or a Financial Management specialty code in the accounting field may substitute year-for-year for the required experience and education.
• Candidates are subject to an initial drug screening and a complete criminal background investigation, including a polygraph examination, before permanent appointment; a criminal conviction may be grounds for rejection.

Nice To Haves

• One year of experience with Financial Management Information Systems (FMIS), CJAMS, and D635.
• One year of experience using Microsoft Office, including Word and Excel.
• One year of experience and knowledge performing audits.
• One year of experience preparing, analyzing, and interpreting financial reports and statements.

Responsibilities

• Interpret and apply pertinent laws and regulations to fiscal accounting operations.
• Develop and revise accounting policies to improve accounting controls and efficiency.
• Formulate internal controls to ensure the reliability and security of funds and records.
• Review and authorize financial transaction records for submission to fiscal control agencies.
• Reconcile entire accounts by determining the materiality of exceptions, selecting appropriate accounting treatment, assessing the effect of adjustments on the overall system, and maintaining audit-trail documentation.
• Prepare financial reports and statements by ensuring accounting records provide a reliable basis for reporting, developing procedures for producing reports, and analyzing and interpreting reports.
• Assist with fiscal year-end close-out by ensuring items are properly accrued and adjusted.
• Advise management on account status and recommend alternatives to improve the agency's financial position.
• Participate in fiscal audits by explaining accounting procedures, providing transaction documentation, and assisting with corrective action plans arising from audit exceptions.
• Liaise with information-processing and fiscal-control agencies to resolve accounting records and systems issues.
• Adapt procedures and develop reporting techniques to meet statewide fiscal requirements and special requirements for other funding sources.
• Perform other job-related duties as requested.

Benefits

• Eligible contractual employees working for a participating agency who have a current employment contract and work at least 30 hours per week or an average of 130 hours per month may qualify for subsidized health benefits for themselves and dependents. The employee pays 25% of medical and prescription premiums, and the State subsidizes the remaining 75%.
• Dental coverage, accidental death and dismemberment insurance, and life insurance are available at the employee's full premium cost.
• Contractual employees may receive leave at a rate of one hour for every 30 hours worked, up to 40 hours per calendar year.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Mid Level