Accountant I

The Department of Developmental Services (DDS) is seeking a motivated and dedicated candidate for the position of Accountant I in the Central-West Region Accounting Office located in Springfield. This position is responsible for managing individuals’ social security benefits; assisting with SNAP benefits; working with financial information and statistical reporting; preparing financial reports; processing payments; maintaining accounting records and performing financial duties that require varying degrees of decision making; ensuring that all Standard Operating Procedures are followed and assists with maximizing revenue.

Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive):

• Responsible for consumer funds record management, including examining and preparing requisitions, issuing checks for the processing of requisitions, etc.; collect and verify financial information including monthly State and Federal benefits and enters in customized databases.
• Prepare, produce, review, maintain financial statements and reports and maintain individual accounts and financial records, such as the check register, daily transactions, bank accounts, etc. to reflect financial status requiring extreme accuracy. Compile, review and analyze data concerning assigned unit activities.
• Reconcile financial documents, records, transactions and statements including monthly savings account and master checking account.
• Produce reports and provide proper documentation to appropriate internal/external destination. Issue wage reports to Social Security on a monthly basis. Provide information, reports, correspondence, and resolution(s) to Social Security Administration including Representative Payee and SSI Continuing Eligibility reports as requested.
• Respond and advise to inquiries with agency personnel and outside agencies in order to provide assistance either by telephone, in writing, or in person to staff to resolve accounting discrepancies and/or obtain statistical data and documentation for various reports.
• Relate with various staff to exchange and obtain information concerning the department’s function. Confer with others concerning accounting-related matters. Monitor assigned unit activities to ensure effective operations and compliance with established standards.
• Verify the personal needs allowance transfer and authorized staff accessing local bank account on a monthly basis and follow up on outstanding receipts.
• Manage consumer billing by reviewing accounts and distributing bills to appropriate sources for payment. Work directly with medical vendors on billing issues.
• Perform financial audits periodically both on and off site and provide training in financial management and records as required.
• Carry out electronic data processing accounting systems to maintain information storage and retrieval and to simplify manual accounting procedures to produce reports; responsible for advanced financial management including On-Line banking/ACH transfers in a timely and accurate manner.
• Review agency accounting procedures, reports, etc. for accuracy, updating and correction to ensure compliance with established reporting requirements and all Standard Operating Procedures. Recommend changes or improvements in accounting procedures.
• Work with confidential consumer information and ensure proper access to information; work on special projects including statistical reporting, auditing, typing, copying, and assisting the department or other departments as specified by supervisor; perform related work as required.
• Assists with obtaining information for completing SNAP and Section 8 applications and recertifications in order to maximize revenue for the Department. Enter information in a customized database.

Required Qualifications:

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of accounting including terminology.
• Knowledge of the methods of general report writing.
• Ability to analyze and determine the applicability of accounting data, to draw conclusions and to make appropriate recommendations.
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as financial reports, accounts and ledgers.
• Ability to understand, apply and explain the laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, etc. governing assigned unit activities.
• Ability to perform mathematical calculations using formulas to solve accounting problems.
• Ability to gather information by examining records and documents and through questioning individuals.
• Ability to maintain accurate records.

Please Note:

This position is located in Springfield, MA.

Schedule: Monday through Friday: 8:00am – 4:00pm

Days Off: Sunday/Saturday

About the Department of Developmental Services:

The mission of the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) is to create innovative and genuine opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities including Autism Spectrum Disorder to participate fully and contribute meaningfully to their communities as valued members. DDS serves over 43,000 vulnerable individuals throughout their lifetimes, providing a spectrum of day, employment, and residential supports. The agency directly oversees and manages $3 billion in public funds ($2.7B operating budget) and approximately 5,500 staff, the largest state employee workforce of any agency in the Massachusetts executive branch of government.

For more information about our agency and programs visit: www.mass.gov/dds