PROFESSIONAL ACCOUNTANT SPECIALIST - SES

State of Florida • Tallahassee, FL

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Florida Department of Corrections is hiring a supervisory Professional Accountant Specialist in the Office of Finance and Accounting at Central Office. This Selected Exempt Service position manages the Accounts Payable Mail Distribution and Invoice Preparation section (HUB), directing staff and operations to support accurate, timely financial transactions and compliance with Department policies and accounting procedures. The position is not telework eligible and must report to the FDC office in the area it serves.

The incumbent oversees invoice and vendor-statement receipt, research, and distribution; State and payroll warrant processing and distribution; warrant aging and cancellations; interest-penalty processing; voucher documentation and processing through FLAIR; and annual record retention. The supervisor serves as liaison with the Department of Financial Services regarding warrants and interest penalties, maintains system access through Axiom Pro Administration, and uses Accounts Payable programs including Ariba on Demand, FLAIR (PALM), BARS, Axiom Pro Administration, FACTS, Information Warehouse, and FLAIR RDS.

The role plans workloads, workflows, deadlines, objectives, and staff time; guides employees on procedures; develops, updates, implements, and monitors accounting procedures and performance standards; and coordinates staff training and evaluation. It supports disbursement control, reporting, internal controls, annual certified-forward processes, invoice processing, file maintenance, customer service, and compliance with GAAP and written policies. The supervisor records errors and coordinates corrective action, prepares requested reports and analyses, and responds to inquiries from auditors, vendors, public-records requesters, governmental entities, and Department sections. As backup, the position helps distribute invoices, process and mail warrants, maintain files, answer and route the bureau phone line, research outstanding vendor warrants, and process interest penalties. Other special duties or projects may be assigned.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent and three years of experience in accounting, auditing, or finance; alternatively, three years of postsecondary education and one year of experience in accounting, auditing, or computer systems analysis involving accounting or auditing data.
• Applicants must pass a Level 2 background check before starting work.
• Must be a U.S. citizen or authorized to work in the United States.

Nice To Haves

• Supervisory or team lead experience.
• Experience with Microsoft Outlook.
• Experience in Accounts Payable.

Responsibilities

• Plan, direct, monitor, and supervise the Accounts Payable Mail Distribution and Invoice Preparation section and its staff.
• Oversee receipt and distribution of invoices and vendor statements, and receipt, processing, and distribution of State and payroll warrants.
• Serve as the Department’s liaison with the Department of Financial Services on warrants and interest penalties.
• Capture daily work statistics, manage aging warrants, ensure vouchers are documented and populated in the automated program, and oversee processing through FLAIR; report deficiencies to management.
• Ensure warrant cancellations are completed in Florida PALM and administer Axiom Pro system access for employees.
• Ensure valid interest penalties are processed according to procedures and monitor and process penalty payments in compliance with statute and rule.
• Manage annual records retention and coordinate retirement of records that meet retention requirements.
• Coordinate timely invoice routing with organizational areas and vendors to support payment-process compliance.
• Plan employee workloads, workflows, deadlines, objectives, and time utilization; guide staff on procedures and assist with problem resolution.
• Develop, update, implement, and supervise procedures and training for accounting activities, including invoice processing, disbursement control, reporting, internal controls, certified-forward processes, file maintenance, and customer service.
• Ensure errors are recorded and corrective action is taken; coordinate reports and analyses requested by management or outside parties.
• Establish employee evaluation criteria, meet regularly with staff, counsel and train employees, monitor performance standards, and motivate staff to improve work quality and quantity.
• Exercise supervisory authority, including hiring or recommending hiring, assigning work, and taking or recommending personnel actions such as transfer or discipline.
• Respond to requests and inquiries from auditors, vendors, public-records requesters, governmental entities, and Department sections.
• As backup, distribute invoices, process and mail warrants, maintain files, answer and route the bureau phone line, assist vendors and internal divisions with accounting information, and research and resolve outstanding vendor warrant issues.
• Complete other special duties or projects as needed.

Benefits

• Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays.
• Comprehensive health insurance and life insurance with accidental death and dismemberment benefits.
• Supplemental dental, vision, life, disability, and hospitalization insurance.
• Tuition-free college courses.
• Florida Retirement System pension plan.
• Florida Retirement System investment plan (401(k)-type retirement plan).
• Deferred Retirement Option Program (DROP).
• Deferred compensation.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: High school or GED