Accountant V - Detail and Recon Team Lead

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS•Austin, TX

11d•Onsite

About The Position

Join the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and be part of a team committed to creating a positive impact in the lives of fellow Texans. At HHSC, your contributions matter, and we support you at each stage of your life and work journey. Our comprehensive benefits package includes 100% paid employee health insurance for full-time eligible employees, a defined benefit pension plan, generous time off benefits, numerous opportunities for career advancement and more. Explore more details on the Benefits of Working at HHS webpage. Accountant V Detail and Reconciliation Team Lead Performs accounting work involving maintaining, posting, and balancing accounting and financial statements, records, documents, or reports. May specialize in some phase of accounting work such as federal funds accounting. Brief Job Description: Reports directly to the Accounts Receivable (AR) Detail and Reconciliation Manager. Work closely with Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Accounting departments, and state-run program areas to accurately record and report revenue and refunds deposited by HHSC Accounts Receivable (AR). Work with multiple state-run program areas to oversee fund processing for revenue, refunds, liquidated damages, rebates, and licenses. Communicate with internal and external stakeholders via phone, email, and MS Team meetings. Verifying the accuracy of posted payments in the Accounts Receivable Tracking System (ARTS) by running and reconciling financial reports. This position is critical to processing revenue, collections and payments due the State of Texas and for which various state budgets are dependent for operating funds.

Requirements

Knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles and procedures affecting the maintenance of accounting records and automated accounting systems.
Ability to interpret and apply accounting theory to transactions; to work accurately with numerical detail; to analyze, consolidate, and interpret accounting data; and to communicate effectively.
Skill in the use of personal computers, auxiliary equipment, and various software applications.
Skill in problem identification and resolution.
Ability to work within established deadlines and ability to prepare accurate reports.
Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with clients, providers, agency staff and others.
Experience identifying and developing process improvements in the accounting or financial field.
Experience using automated accounting or customer database systems.
Experience with MS office suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams)
Excellent written communications as observed by detail and completeness of information provided on state application.
Five years of progressively responsible experience in customer service, accounting, finance, or related field.
Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a major in accounting, finance, or related field. Each year of experience may substitute for one year of college on a year for year basis up to four years.

Nice To Haves

Accounting experience in State Government or Non-Profit organization is preferred.

Responsibilities

Attends work on a regular basis and may be required to work a specific shift schedule or, at times, even a rotating schedule, extended shift and/or overtime in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.
Acts as a subject matter expert regarding GAAP and Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts policies mandates and the functions of the accounts receivable department to support internal staff and program areas.
Oversee the preparation, verification, and submission of cash deposits to the voucher unit within SB245 72 hours mandated deadline.
Develops, implements, and maintains internal controls to ensure compliance with agency and state requirements, policies, and procedures, and processes in financial areas. Identifies, initiates, and implements areas for process improvement.
Performs research on payments that were incorrectly coded to determine correct coding. Make corrections in the Accounts Receivable Tracking System (ARTS). Document staff errors and retrain staff when needed.
Performs secondary review of verified payments completed by the department entry staff. Make necessary corrections and document staff errors.
Proactively research unallocated checks that have been placed in the suspense account to determine correct coding.
Trains incoming staff and existing staff. Backup to all Detail Team and Reconciliation Team tasks as needed to meet deadlines.
Ensures the safekeeping of negotiable instruments, cash payments, and financial documents received by HHSC Accounts Receivable.
Double check that all team log sheets have been accurately and timely filled out per audit requirement.
Cross train in other areas of the Accounts Receivable Department to aid as a backup and work on special projects as needed and assigned by management.