Accountant I

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.

Brief Job Description:

Would you thrive in an environment where you learn and grow personally and professionally all while helping make a positive impact on people’s lives? Do you appreciate being around others like yourself who are dependable, trustworthy, hard workers who believe in the value of teamwork? HSCS is dedicated to building an atmosphere where employees feel valued and supported while providing specialized care for Texans in need. HSCS is comprised of nine psychiatric hospitals, one youth residential treatment facility, and thirteen state supported living centers. The psychiatric hospitals are a hub of excellence for forensic mental health and complex psychiatric care, with all facilities accredited by The Joint Commission. They provide state-of-the-art treatment that is recovery-oriented and science-based. If providing hope and healing through compassionate, innovative, and individualized care interests you, we welcome your application for the position below.

This position reports directly to the Financial Officer at the facility (state hospital or state-supported living center) and provides administrative and financial support services. The Accountant I routinely performs entry-level accounting work for the financial office, such as, handling trust fund and petty cash reimbursements, requisition entry, telecommunication coordination, expenditure transfer vouchers, payroll/paymaster duties (employees and client/resident), and backup Accounting Technician II as needed.

The Accountant I must have a working knowledge of the HHSC rules and facility policies and procedures, demonstrate the ability to communicate clearly both orally and in writing and provide training as needed to other employees. Completion of job duties requires working under limited supervision with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgement and provides excellent customer service to all consumers.

Performs other duties as assigned. Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

Attends work on a regular basis and may be asked 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.

Coordinates with State Office Paymasters, Warrant Distribution, and Time Labor and Leave personnel on internal payroll matters. This includes monitoring employees leave status as well as if they are retiring, terminating or transferring to another agency/job to prevent salary overpayments. Process voucher reversals and cancellations to prevent salary overpayments for terminated employees. Create packets of salary overpayment information to send to State office paymasters as well as the certified letters to the terminated employee on the overpayment. Track when salary overpayments are paid back from the employee. Produce warrant registers to verify payment and employment details and prepare payroll warrants for distribution to employees. Assists employees with any payroll and insurance related questions.

Generate and process purchase vouchers for clients/residents payroll workshop program from their timesheets. Track and report the clients/residents earnings in a spreadsheet for State Office Accounting 1099 reporting at the end of the year.

Entry of trust fund and petty cash reimbursement vouchers. Requires auditing and verification of all source documents from the facilities. Emphasis is placed on accuracy of the request documents and receipts as well as timeliness of voucher processing times so as not to deplete the petty cash account. This includes classifying, coding and verifying the correct Account, program, fund, class and project grant are used on the voucher. Ability to use accounting tools, such as the Comptroller Public Accounts website to verify correct coding.

This position processes expenditure transfer voucher requests. Expenditure transfer vouchers include correction vouchers for wrong accounting codes as well as the billing for shared services between the SSLCs and SHs. Coordinates with State Office Accounting and Budget staff to ensure validity of coding, funding, etc. and properly process the accounts payable transactions through the accounting system (Centralized Accounting and Payroll/Personnel System (CAPPS).

Works as the facility telecommunications coordinator which assists with maintaining and tracking telecommunication equipment that includes pagers, cell phones, and the local telephone system. Review and approve user accounts under the State office accounting telecommunication databases.

Participates on special projects as required or requested and performs other duties as assigned. These tasks may require coordination with staff within the agency, other state and federal agencies, or outside entities. Completes projects successfully within the parameters established and performs other duties as assigned and as required to maintain effective and efficient departmental, division, agency and enterprise operations within established timeframes. Provide backup coverage for others in the unit and team members using a rotational task schedule. As well as providing backup for the Accounting Technician, as needed.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles and procedures affecting maintenance of accounting records.

Skill in the use of automated accounting systems.

Ability to review and audit the work of others to interpret and apply accounting theory, business processes and Comptroller policies and to analyze, consolidate and interpret accounting data.

Ability to efficiently process accounting information to ensure data integrity for positive audits and accurate reports.

Ability to effectively communicate, oral and written, with internal and external customers.

Ability to use Microsoft Office applications including Outlook, Word, excel, and Access.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

None

Initial Screening Criteria:

Experience in accounting and financial operations.

Experience with a computerized accounting or bookkeeping system.

Graduation from a standard or high school or equivalent.

Experience with local, state, or federal financial operations of a public entity is preferred.

Additional Information:

Applicants must pass a fingerprint criminal background check, pre-employment drug screen, and registry checks including the Client Abuse/Neglect Reporting System (CANRS), Nurse Aid, Medication Aide and Employee Misconduct, List of Excluded Individuals/Entities (LEIE). Males between the ages of 18-25 must be registered with the Selective Service.

All applicants must be at least 18 years of age to be considered for employment at a state-operated facility. Waco Center for Youth applicants must be 21 years of age.

Flexibility in work hours may be required for this position. The position may be required to work overtime and/or extended hours.

Compliance with HHSC immunization policy and state hospital operating procedures related to immunizations is required. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, healthcare workers are considered to be at significant risk for acquiring or transmitting hepatitis B, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (chicken pox), tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), and influenza. All these diseases are vaccine preventable. As a result, state hospital policy requires employees be vaccinated according to their level of contact with individuals. In the event you choose to not be immunized for the influenza virus, you may be required to wear a mask and take other protective measures.

Review our Tips for Success when applying for jobs at DFPS, DSHS and HHSC.

Active Duty, Military, Reservists, Guardsmen, and Veterans:

Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited to those listed in this posting. All active-duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified to fill this position. For more information please see the Texas State Auditor’s Job Descriptions, Military Crosswalk and Military Crosswalk Guide at Texas State Auditor's Office - Job Descriptions.

ADA Accommodations:

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHSC and DSHS agencies will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring and selection process for qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747. If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview.

Pre-Employment Checks and Work Eligibility:

Depending on the program area and position requirements, applicants selected for hire may be required to pass background and other due diligence checks.

HHSC uses E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work. Download the I-9 Form

Telework Disclaimer:

This position may be eligible for telework. Please note, all HHS positions are subject to state and agency telework policies in addition to the discretion of the direct supervisor and business needs.