Staff Accountant
Indianapolis, IN, US, 46204
Work for Indiana
Begin a fulfilling career with the State of Indiana by joining one of the largest employers in the state, offering a range of opportunities across 60+ agencies. At the state, you'll find competitive compensation, a robust benefits package and a commitment to work-life balance. Most importantly, you'll have the chance to make a real and measurable impact on the lives of Hoosiers across Indiana.
About the Department of Child Services:
Join a team that engages with families and children to improve lives in meaningful and significant ways. DCS engages authentically with children who are victims of abuse or neglect and strengthens families through services that focus on family support and preservation. The Department also administers family preservation and prevention services, foster care, and child support throughout the State of Indiana. You will relentlessly pursue permanency for children and families through reunification, guardianship, adoption or support youth in making a successful transition to adulthood. While this job is difficult and may have long and sometimes unconventional hours, this is more than a job—it is a calling to improve your community and neighbors. Will you join us in supporting our Mission, Vision, and Values?
Mission: The Indiana Department of Child Services leads the state’s response to allegations of child abuse and neglect and facilitates child support payments. We consider the needs and values of all we serve in our efforts to protect children while keeping families together whenever possible.
Vision: Children will live in safe, healthy, and supportive families and communities.
Values: We at the Indiana Department of Child Services empower our team, in collaboration with state and local partners, to make decisions in the best interest of every child in our care by embracing:
- Child safety
- Permanency
- Collaborative partnerships with foster and adoptive families
- A culture of safety and transparency
- Continuous improvement
Role Overview:
The Staff Accountant assists the finance leadership with various financial tasks across all financial units. You will research, correct, and resolve errors identified by the Indiana State Central Collection Unit. You will also be the primary handler for physical checks. The accountant adjusts debit card recalls, chargebacks and reversals, and the other state returned payments. Other functions include responding to emails and handling open and hold requests.
This role requires:
- High attention to detail
- Ability to closely follow regulations
- Advanced investigation skills
- Robust communication skills
- Meticulous scrutiny of records to ensure accurate and timely completion.
This position is in the DCS offices in downtown Indianapolis, Indiana.
Salary:
The salary for this position traditionally starts at $39,000 but may be commensurate with education or work experience.
Use our Compensation Calculator to view the total compensation package.
A Day in the Life:
Responsibilities include:
- Reconcile accounts and subsidiary ledgers with the general ledger.
- Post transactions to cost summary journals.
- Prepare a variety of accounting and financial reports from the accounts maintained.
- Prepare, correct, and adjust entries before closing accounts.
- Analyze procurement activity and disbursal of funds, and assist in the preparation of program area budget requests.
- Review accounts to ensure availability of funds before encumbrances and advise supervisor if account balance is not in agreement with the State Auditor’s Office.
- Ensure all contractual obligations are fulfilled before payment to vendors for services or purchases.
- Secure specifications and requisitions for purchases of equipment, furniture, and supplies.
- Monitor verification and editing of ledger input to the computerized accounting system for the specific program area.
- Recommend changes in accounting policies and methods and assist in developing accounting procedures.
The job profile is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time.
What You'll Need for Success:
You must meet the following requirements to be considered for employment:
- Broad knowledge of theories, principles, and practices of public accounting.
- Broad knowledge of federal and state laws, policies, and procedures about government accounting and bookkeeping.
- Broad knowledge of agency function and organization.
- Broad knowledge of automated accounting systems.
- Ability to solve standard accounting problems.
- Ability to evaluate and recommend modifications to existing accounting policy and procedures.
- Ability to prepare and interpret financial statements and reports.
- Ability to assist in budget preparation.
- Ability to accurately perform arithmetic calculations.
- Effective communication skills.
- Able to perform essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.
Supervisory Responsibilities/Direct Reports:
Benefits of Employment with the State of Indiana:
The State of Indiana offers a comprehensive benefits package for full-time employees that includes:
- Three (3) medical plan options (including RX coverage) as well as vision and dental plans
- Wellness Rewards Program: Complete wellness activities to earn gift card rewards
- Health savings account, which includes a bi-weekly state contribution
- Flexible work scheduling options, including the potential for hybrid remote work for employees whose work may be performed outside state facilities
- Deferred compensation 457B account (similar to 401k plan) with employer match
- Two (2) fully-funded pension plan options
- A robust, comprehensive program of leave policies covering a variety of employee needs, including but not limited to:
- 150 hours of paid New Parent Leave and up to eight weeks of paid Childbirth Recovery Leave for eligible mothers
- Up to 15 hours of paid community service leave
- Combined 180 hours of paid vacation, personal, and sick leave time off
- 12 paid holidays, 14 in election years
- Education Reimbursement Program
- Group life insurance
- Referral Bonus program
- Employee assistance program that allows for covered behavioral health visits
- Qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
- Free Parking for most positions
- Free LinkedIn Learning access
Equal Employment Opportunity:
The State of Indiana is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to recruiting, selecting, developing, and promoting employees based on individual ability and job performance. Reasonable accommodations may be available to enable individuals with disabilities to complete the application and interview process as well as perform the essential functions of a role. If you require reasonable accommodations to complete this application, you can request assistance by contacting the Indiana State Personnel Department at jobs@spd.IN.gov.
Nearest Major Market: Indianapolis
