Construction Accountant (Payments Processing)

Position Title:                          Construction Accountant (Payments Processing)

Location:                                   Albany, NY

 Grade/Classification:            4 (D1) – Professional I

Salary Range:                           $70,592 - $90,008

Department:                            Project Financial Administration

Bargaining Unit:                     CSEA

FLSA Status:                             Exempt

Last Revised: November 19, 2024

Primary Purpose

The Construction Accountant oversees the day-to-day operations and processes involving the auditing and review of Construction Division progress invoices (design and construction payments).

Essential Functions

• Oversee, execute, and supervise a payments team that is responsible for auditing, reviewing, and approving Construction Division progress invoices (design and construction payments) in a consistent, accurate, and timely manner.
• Ensure payment requisitions are complete and in compliance with contracting documents and procedures, including but not limited to the verification of appropriate backup such as time charges, billing rates, prevailing wage, and certified payroll.
• Serve as a payments subject-matter expert for internal DASNY staff and external vendors.
• Exercise sound judgment in matters of financial significance, in collaboration with other DASNY staff, review and determine a course of action with respect to areas not specifically addressed by existing and established processes and/or procedures.
• Elevate any questions and/or concerns with respect to areas not specifically addressed by existing processes and/or procedures to the attention of their supervisor(s).
• Work directly with Accounts Payable, other DASNY staff, clients and vendors to research and resolve matters not specifically addressed by existing processes and procedures. Elevate issues to supervisor(s) as appropriate.
• Identify opportunities for improvement and increased efficiency in unit processes and formulate, document, and implement process improvements in consultation with their supervisor.
• Create, run, review, and analyze various data and reports and resolve data or integrity issues.
• Supervise, assign, and prioritize workload and allocate work among staff.
• Create specifications for the development of new or modifications to applications, software, and reports. Work with Information Services to implement and test.
• Participate and test in the development and/or upgrade of systems and applications; identify opportunities for improvement and/or provide recommendations.
• Maintain the confidentiality of confidential and/or personal information that may be accessed in the course of performing their job duties.
• Ensure compliance with federal and State laws, financial standards/practices, and DASNY policies and procedures.
• Oversee and/or assist with audit activities, including but not limited to creating spreadsheets and analyzing data, as well as collection of documentation requested by the auditors.
• Research and coordinate responses to legal requests, FOIL requests, and other requests for information.

Other Duties and Responsibilities

• Train and evaluate employees.
• Assist with the development, documentation, and implementation of procedures.
• Undertake special assignments as directed.
• Assist with the assessment/development, documentation, and implementation of internal controls, and participate in the review and testing of same.
• Must maintain regular attendance in accordance with DASNY attendance and leave policies.
• Must adhere to the NYS Information Security Policy Standards established and issued by the Office of Cyber Security and Critical Infrastructure Coordination. (Standards can be found on the Intranet).

Supervision

Supervision of employees is required.

Physical/Mental/Visual Demands

Occasional travel may be required using public transportation, DASNY vehicle, rental vehicle, or personal vehicle. This travel may include overnight stays at public accommodations and related establishments. Requires complex and time-pressured decision-making. Must be able to work overtime or extended work hours as needed.

Work Environment

Standard office environment, including the use of one or more of the following: PC, telephone, fax machine, printer, copier, scanner, electronic stapler, three-hole punch, date stamp, shredder.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree plus three years relevant experience; or Associates degree plus five years of relevant experience; or High School diploma or equivalent plus eight years of DASNY relevant experience.

Preferred Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Business or Public Administration or a related field plus three years   relevant and two years of supervisory experience.

Experience with Accounts Payable, accounting, auditing, or other high-volume transactional processing.

Experience with construction project management software applications (e.g. PMWeb, ProCore, eBuilder) Excel Power Query and Power Platform.

Experience processing Design & Construction payments.

Experience working within a Design & Construction organization.

Essential Skills

• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively and exercise sound judgement.
• Demonstrated accuracy and attention to detail.
• Demonstrated analytical and conceptual skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated organizational skills and ability to prioritize.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work in various systems including advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced environment and handle multiple tasks under tight deadlines.

Benefits information:

DASNY provides financing and construction services to public and private universities, not-for-profit healthcare facilities, and other institutions which serve the public good.

We offer a comprehensive benefits plan, which includes:

• Choice of several health insurance plans
• Dental & vision insurance
• Membership in the NYS Retirement System
• Deferred Compensation Investment Plan
• 13 vacation days per year
• 13 sick days per year
•  5 days of personal leave per year
• 12 paid holidays per year (plus one float day)
• Tuition reimbursement
• Training & development opportunities

We offer additional benefits, which includes:

• Telecommuting Work Plan - Employees are required to apply and obtain approval through management to telecommute according to DASNY’s Telecommuting Program Guidelines. The days designated as telecommute days must be consistent with operational needs as determined by DASNY division, department and/or unit management. Employees may only telecommute on up to four (4) workdays per pay period and shall be limited to no more than two (2) contiguous telecommute workdays. Eligibility applies after 3 months of employment.
• Limited Work from Home (LWFH) – additional telecommute days according to DASNY’s Telecommuting Program Guidelines. Eligibility applies after 6 months of employment.
• DASNY is a government employer for purposes of the Public Services Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF Program). The PSLF Program forgives the remaining balance of certain student loans after making 120 qualifying monthly payments. For more information regarding PSLF Program and whether you qualify please visit the Studentaid.gov website.