Job Posting

Under the supervision of the Chief Financial Officer, the Accounting Specialist performs accounting related duties for the Accounting and Investment Accounting Departments, technical and advanced administrative duties for the Employer Services Department, and research and administrative support to the Chief Financial Officer, Accounting Manager, Purchasing Officer, Director of Investment Accounting and Investment Accounting staff. The position analyzes Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, provides CEM Benchmarking data research and assists with other research related data. 

Education Requirements

An associate degree in math, statistics, accounting, education, business administration or equivalent knowledge and work experience is required.

Experience

Requires two years of responsible experience with duties that include business mathematics, fundamental accounting practices and administrative duties. Candidates with bachelor’s degrees are required to have only one year of experience as described above.

Summary of Duties and Responsibilities

This position provides technical accounting duties for the Accounting Department and technical and administrative duties in support of the Chief Financial Officer and other areas within the Finance Department. This position is responsible for analyzing, researching and coordinating documents and information that allow for the accurate response to FOIA requests, various financial reports and the CEM Benchmarking study. In addition, this position assists with the Investment Accounting Laserfiche project and serves as the employer administrator in support of the Employer Services Department regarding issues related to the Employer Access area of the TRS Web site. 

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

This position requires extensive working knowledge of fiscal practices utilized in the preparation of bank deposits and must have the ability to interpret and comply with accounting practices that are regulated by TRS policy, the Office of the Comptroller procedures, and state statute. The incumbent must be able to analyze and synthesize complex data into a final work product. The incumbent must possess good communication skills to effectively communicate with all parties. Organizational ability as well as the ability to change direction and priorities will be required due to the variety of assignments the incumbent will be asked to perform.

Selection Criteria

ANALYTICAL SKILLS

Analyzes information and reviews problems thoroughly; determines the nature and relationship of situations.

COMMUNICATION SKILLS

Speaks effectively in public situations, to small groups or one-on-one. Composes memorandums, letters, reports and specified documents in a clear, concise and well-structured manner.

COMPUTATIONAL SKILLS

The ability to select the appropriate calculation (or formula) to solve a specific problem; and the ability to accurately derive an answer by using mathematical calculations.

COMPUTER SKILLS

A general understanding of the major software packages with demonstrable efficiency in at least one spreadsheet software package (Excel).

INTERPERSONAL SKILLS

Interacts with others in a positive, open and cooperative manner.

JOB KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

Has completed specified amount of time previously performing essential duties of the job and/or has completed specified degrees, coursework or training programs to perform the job. Possesses a body of information or level of understanding necessary to complete assigned responsibilities.

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Job Description

Purpose:

Under the supervision of the Chief Financial Officer, the Accounting Specialist performs accounting related duties for the Accounting and Investment Accounting Departments, technical and advanced administrative duties for the Employer Services Department, and research and administrative support to the Chief Financial Officer, Accounting Manager, Purchasing Officer, Director of Investment Accounting and Investment Accounting staff. The position analyzes Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, provides CEM Benchmarking data research and assists with other research related data. 

Nature and Scope:

This position provides technical accounting duties for the Accounting Department and technical and administrative duties in support of the Chief Financial Officer and other areas within the Finance Department. This position is responsible for analyzing, researching and coordinating documents and information that allow for the accurate response to FOIA requests, various financial reports and the CEM Benchmarking study. In addition, this position serves as the employer administrator in support of the Employer Services Department regarding issues related to the Employer Access area of the TRS Web site. 

The incumbent must have a working knowledge of fiscal practices utilized in the preparation of bank deposits and must have the ability to interpret and comply with accounting practices that are regulated by TRS policy, the Office of the Comptroller procedures, and state statute. The incumbent must be able to analyze and synthesize complex data into a final work product. This position works with employers, state agencies and the custodian bank; therefore, the incumbent must possess good communication skills to effectively communicate with all parties. Organizational ability as well as the ability to change direction and priorities will be required due to the variety of assignments the incumbent will be asked to perform.

The greatest challenge of this position is to organize time and work in order to assure continuous and, when required, simultaneous activity focused on accounts receivable and reconciliation of records. The incumbent must perform all assignments in these areas with a high degree of accuracy, often meeting strict deadlines.

Principal Accountabilities:

1. Balance and verify deposits of employer electronic TRS and health insurance remittances. 
2. Monitor and control the timely receipt of employer payments, both contributions and billed amounts.
3. Enter account balance corrections and 2.2 consolidations into STAR as requested by Member Services staff.
4. In a back-up capacity, prepare deposits for checks and state warrants received at TRS; balance and verify the Office of the Comptroller diskette deposit information for state agencies; enroll new employers in the Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) program; calculate the amount and transfer funds to cover TRS expenditures; prepare rollover acceptance letters for financial institutions or companies sending rollovers to TRS on behalf of members.
5. Communicate with employers, members, banks, other state agencies and staff on accounting-related matters.
6. Serve as the employer administrator assisting employers with problems or questions regarding the secure Employer Access area of the TRS Web site.
7. Enter blanket transfers and waivers into STAR as requested by Employer Services staff.
8. Assist in the development, implementation, and testing of STAR issues and the online employer access area of the TRS Web site.
9. Responsible for analyzing and compiling data for FOIA request for the Accounting and Employer Services departments.
10. Compose, type, edit and proof technical reports, memos and correspondence including activity reports for the Chief Financial Officer, Accounting Manager, Purchasing Officer, Director of Investment Accounting and Investment Accounting staff. Assist the Chief Financial Officer with submitting TRS financial reports to various state agencies.
11. Assist in the TRS state vehicle assignments and other travel needs.
12. Coordinate travel arrangements for the Chief Financial Officer, Accounting Manager, Purchasing Officer, Director of Investment Accounting and Investment Accounting staff; process reimbursement vouchers.
13. Serve as timekeeper for the Accounting Department and the Investment Accounting Department. In a back-up capacity, perform timekeeping duties for the Employer Services Department.  
14. Annually, coordinate with various department managers throughout the agency to compile information for the CEM study (including the time allocation worksheets and survey), Public Accountability Report and Fee Imposition Report.
15. Assist in the Investment Accounting Laserfiche Project.
16. Review Investment Cash Transfers, Quarterly Fees, Capital Calls, and Security Transfers for accuracy and compose fax transmissions. Scan documents into Laserfiche for final verify.
17. Perform other duties as required or assigned.