Deputy Director of Accounting

Company: Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Location: Boston
Posted on: November 13, 2024

Job Description:

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Job Description - Deputy Director of Accounting (240006XO)
The Department of Transitional Assistance is seeking dynamic and solution-oriented applicants for the position of Deputy Director of Accounting. This role is responsible for overseeing the collection of verified client overpayments, associated state and federal financial reporting functions, and a variety of other functions related to the accounting requirements for the Supplemental Food and Nutrition (SNAP), Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children (TAFDC), and Emergency Aid to the Elderly Disabled and Children (EAEDC) programs. This role is responsible for setting the strategic direction for these functions, ensuring all applicable rules and regulations are followed, and recommending best practice policies and procedures.
This role reports to the Director of Accounting, directly supervises three (3) staff, and leads a team of seven (7) individuals.
Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive):

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• Supervise, develop, and evaluate direct reports.
  
• Collaborate with the Accounting Director and other teams within the division on cross-functional tasks that all business units are functioning optimally.
  
• Lead the development and improvement of unit specific standard operating procedures and support the learning and development of direct reports.
  
• Oversee the day-to-day operations of the Collections Unit. This includes receiving verified overpayment cases from the agency's Program Integrity unit, accurately processing accounts receivable transactions from clients and other payors, responding to client inquiries, escalating overpayment cases through state intercept processes, and supporting agency activities during the fair hearings process.
  
• Plan, evaluate, monitor, and continuously improve collections and related financial reporting functions.
  
• Manage the agency's contractual relationship with its long-term debt collections vendor, oversee the expungement of aged or other types of claims that meet certain criteria, and oversee the development of internal management reports and required federal financial reports related to the Collections function.
  
• Ensure the timely reconciliation and updating of various accounting systems in use within the Collections Unit - including the state's official accounting system (MMARS) and the agency's online eligibility and case management system (BEACON).
  
• Liaise with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food and Nutrition Services Division to manage the agency's required Claims Management Plan and ensure the agency complies with all federal standards.
  
• Support the management of the Accounts Payable and Program Accounting functions as needed and serve as the Accounting Director's backup during peak work periods and in their absence.
  
• Represent the unit when collaborating with the agency's IT and policy teams on Collections specific reports, system-generated client notices, workflows, and policies.
  
• Other duties, as assigned.
  
  Preferred Qualifications:
  
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  • Experience supporting and supervising diverse cross functional staff teams in the achievement of team centered accomplishments.
    
  • Ability to motivate, supervise and support program staff in carrying out complex tasks.
    
  • Knowledge of principles and practices of accounting, compliance, quality assurance/quality control, and financial management with an ability to understand, apply and explain pertinent laws, rules, regulations, policies, and programs.
    
  • Ability to coordinate competing interests and work under time constraints.
    
  • Knowledge and experience in managing administrative operations, achieving milestones, and meeting deadlines. Ability to coordinate numerous projects simultaneously to successful completion.
    
  • Ability to provide and support excellence in customer service including the ability to respond to escalated client questions and mediate conflicts patiently, respectfully, and appropriately.
    
  • Demonstrated commitment to valuing diversity and contributing to an inclusive working and learning environment.
    
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office including Access, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
    
    Agency Mission: The Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) is the state agency responsible for administering public assistance programs to low-income residents of the Commonwealth. DTA is committed to providing a high level of service to all those in need. The mission of the Department is to assist and empower low-income individuals and families to meet their basic needs, improve their quality of life, and achieve long term economic self-sufficiency. DTA serves one out of every seven people in Massachusetts - including working families, children, elders, and people with disabilities. Our services include food and nutritional assistance, economic assistance, and employment supports.
    A criminal and tax history background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services prior to the candidate being hired. For more information, please visit
    Education, licensure and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division's Hiring Guidelines.
    Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth's website.
    For questions, please contact the Office of Human Resources at 1-800-510-4122 and select option #4.
    Qualifications
    MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS:
    Applicants must have at least (A) five (5) years of full-time or, equivalent part-time, professional, administrative, supervisory, or managerial experience in business administration, business management, public administration, public management, clinical administration or clinical management of which (B) at least one (1) year must have been in a project management, supervisory or managerial capacity or (C) any equivalent combination of the required experience and substitutions below.
    Substitutions:
    I. A certificate in a relevant or related field may be substituted for one (1) year of the required (A) experience.
    II. A Bachelor's degree in a related field may be substituted for two (2) years of the required (A) experience.
    III. A Graduate degree in a related field may be substituted for three (3) years of the required (A) experience.
    IV. A Doctorate degree in a related field may be substituted for four (4) years of the required (A) experience.
    When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.
    An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.
    The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.
    Primary Location
    United States-Massachusetts-Boston-600 Washington Street
    Job
    Accounting and Finance
    Agency
    Department of Transitional Assistance
    Schedule
    Full-time
    Shift
    Day
    Job Posting
    Aug 1, 2024, 2:54:39 PM
    Number of Openings
    1
    Salary
    88,182.79 - 135,742.36 Yearly
    If you have Diversity, Affirmative Action or Equal Employment Opportunity questions or need a Reasonable Accommodation, please contact Diversity Officer / ADA Coordinator: EmmaLee Pallai/EmmaLee.Pallai@mass.gov - 6172164363
    Bargaining Unit: M99-Managers (EXE)
    Confidential: No
    Potentially Eligible for a Hybrid Work Schedule: Yes
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Keywords: Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Cranston , Deputy Director of Accounting, Executive , Boston, Rhode Island