General Ledger/Financial Reporting Accountant (Accountant V)

MISSION: The Texas Education Agency (TEA) will improve outcomes for all public-school students in the state by providing leadership, guidance, and support to school systems.

Core Values: 
• We are Determined: We are committed and intentional in the pursuit of our main purpose, to improve outcomes for students. 
• We are People-Centered: We strive to attract, develop, and retain the most committed talent, representing the diversity of Texas, each contributing to our common vision for students.
• We are Learners: We seek evidence, reflect on success and failure, and try new approaches in the pursuit of excellence for our students.
• We are Servant Leaders: Above all else, we are public servants working to improve opportunities for students and provide support to those who serve them.

New hires, re-hires, and internal hires will typically receive a starting salary between the posted minimum and the average pay of employees in their same classification. Offers will be commensurate with the candidate’s experience and qualifications and will thoughtfully consider internal pay equity for agency staff who perform similar duties and have similar qualifications. The top half of the posted salary range is generally reserved for candidates who exceed the requirements and qualifications for the role. The maximum of the salary range is reserved for candidates that far exceed the required and preferred qualifications for the role.

POSITION OVERVIEW:
The Accounting Division is seeking a General Ledger/Financial Reporting Accountant to perform highly complex (senior-level) accounting work. This individual will fulfill monthly and quarterly general ledger responsibilities that are focused on meeting deadlines for federal and state financial reporting compliance requirements.  This position completes system reconciliations for federal grants at the cash and appropriation levels.  The General Ledger/Financial Reporting Accountant also assists with preparation of the Annual Financial Report (AFR).  The position reports to the Assistant Accounting Director and works under limited supervision with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.  

Flexible work location within the state of Texas may be considered for qualified candidates.

Please note that a resume and tailored cover letter are required attachments for applying to this position. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Applicants who are strongly being considered for employment must submit to a national criminal history background check.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Job duties are not limited to the essential functions mentioned below. You may perform other functions as assigned.

1. Accounting System Reconciliations: performs monthly reconciliations between TCAPPS (TEA's modified version of CAPPS accounting system) and the Uniform State-wide Accounting System (USAS) at the cash and appropriation levels; maintains overall quality control of the accounting system and ensures the integrity of system processing and accounting files
2. Federal Grant Reconciliations: performs monthly state and federal grant reconciliations with sufficient time to follow up with the correction entries
3. Federal Grant Reporting: prepares state and federal grant reports by the due dates
4. AFR Report Development: performs quarterly AFR reconciliations of general ledger accounts between TCAPPS and USAS for assigned funds; assists in preparation of the Annual Financial Report (AFR) and completes all assigned tasks and duties for the preparation of the Annual Financial Report (AFR) by the established due dates with a focus on meeting deadlines
5. Preparation of Timely and Accurate Journal Entries: performs the month-end close process; prepares and enters quarterly binding encumbrances; prepares the investment purchases journals and USAS for the Permanent School Fund; performs the SPA-State Property Assets reconciliations and related journal entries

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
• Education: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university
• Degree Fields: 4-year degree or additional degree/certificate must include 18 semester hours in accounting.  Transcript showing 18 accounting hours is required.  
• Experience: At least four [4] years of experience in accounting and financial operations.   
• Substitutions: An advanced degree may substitute for two years of required experience.

OTHER QUALIFICATIONS:
• Share the belief that all Texas students can achieve at high levels and are able to succeed in college, career, or the military.
• Perform complex accounting work and to interpret and apply complex accounting theory.
• Ability to work as a contributing member of a team by establishing and maintaining positive, effective working relationships with all levels of staff.
• A desire to self-reflect, give/receive feedback and continuously improve.
• Ability to work efficiently and effectively both independently and in a collaborative team setting within a virtual/telework environment.
• Experience with general ledger, reconciliations, Annual Financial Reporting, and federal grants is preferred. 
• Advanced Excel skills are preferred.   
• Degree in Accounting, Business Administration, Finance, or related field preferred. This may be an Associate’s Degree or Certificate in Accounting in addition to a Bachelor’s Degree in any field.  
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license is preferred.
• Accounting experience in a government agency, particularly a Texas state agency, is preferred.

As an equal opportunity employer, we hire without consideration to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, disability, age or veteran status, unless an applicant is entitled to the military employment preference.

To review the Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) codes from each branch of the U.S. Armed Forces to each job classification series in the State’s Position Classification Plan (provided by the State Auditor's Office), please access the Military Crosswalk (occupational specialty code) Guide and click on the military “occupational category” that corresponds with the state classification in this job posting title.

This position requires the applicant to meet Agency standards and criteria, which may include passing a pre-employment criminal background check, prior to being offered employment by the Agency.

To learn more about working at TEA, including hiring timelines, process details, and candidate resources, please visit the Employment at TEA page.

No phone calls or emails, please. Due to the high volume of applications, we do not accept telephone calls and cannot reply to all email inquiries. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. Please add "capps.recruiting@cpa.texas.gov" and "@tea.texas.gov" to your safe senders list to ensure you receive email notifications from our talent acquisition team and/or hiring division regarding your candidacy.