Accounting Program Director

The Accounting Program Director 

• Directs and makes final determination regarding the maintenance of the Retirement System Ledgers and all subsidiary ledgers
  
• Executes the daily fund cash reporting of all system investment receipts, employer deposits, benefit payments, miscellaneous receipts and all investment disbursements and benefit payments.
  
  
• Regulates the establishment of cash and reconciliation controls for all funds, including asset, liability, revenue and expenditure accounting classifications for application and reporting purposes.
  
• Process Revolving Fund payments.
  
  
• Directs and makes final determination regarding the accountability and maintenance functions relating to all
• depository accounts of the Retirement System.
  
• Executes the guidelines to ensure that all system revenues are accounted for in accordance with various statutes and accounting standards.
  
• Directs the analysis and review of receipts to ensure that moneys are properly segregated in accordance with the law and are properly distributed to the proper Retirement System on a timely basis.
  
• Directs the provisions set forth by law for the Retirement Systems to properly share in the distribution of assets and earnings of the Common Retirement Fund.
  
• Oversees the conduct of accurate daily communication with the Division of Investments and Cash Management to enable timely management of cash.
  
  
• Develops controls for all accounting and financial input data, reconciles and handles disbursements
  
• Develops controls associated with accounting and financial data.
  
• Reconciles computerized output information with master control records.
  
• Processes disbursements.
  
• Directs and makes final determinations regarding transactions and processes related to the Accounting Bureau in accordance with statutory standards
  
• Establishes written standards for the accounting, audit, review, and payment of all expenses, including domestic and international travel relating to protecting and controlling plan assets. Establishes and oversees the accounting controls. Authorizes and approves disbursements from the fund.
  
• Implements and maintains computerized accounting records to support disbursements. Prepares and submits quarterly and annual data for publications in the Comptroller’s Annual Report of the Systems’.
  
• Meets with the Division of Legal Services and Division of Investments and Cash Management to adjudicate and resolve payment issues, discuss alternative processing options and authorizes changes to the current system.
  
  
• Working with the Division of Pension Investment and Cash Management (PICM), Internal Audit, and other internal and external stakeholders, analyze and evaluate the investment portfolio to determine the degree of financial risk related to each type of investment to ensure financial safety of asset, proper accounting treatment and accurate collection of income
  
• Adopts appropriate accounting controls specific to each type of investment.
  
• Meets with industry experts to discuss industry specific practices relating to investment portfolio.
  
  
• Directs and makes final determinations regarding the annual financial audit of the Retirement System, the ongoing audits conducted by the Office of Internal Audit and the quadrennial audit of the New York State Department of Financial Services
  
• Analyzes, reviews and approves the annual audit work plan and staffing assignments.
  
• Identifies areas where extended audit review is necessary and appropriate.
  
• Identifies portfolio risks and reviews appropriate audit steps with Audit Partner to assure compliance with auditing standards.
  
• Establishes auditing and reporting guidelines for external managers and the Custodian Bank.
  
• Identify newly released Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) and Government Accounting Standards Board (GASB) statements and determine when and how these pronouncements will be adopted and establish appropriate accounting and reporting standards for the System.
  
• Prepare reports for the Comptroller’s Audit Advisory Committee meetings.
  
  
• Oversees the preparation of accounting reports and provides insight and analysis to Executive Deputy Comptroller regarding trends
  
• Oversees the preparation of monthly data reports; quarterly investment accounting data reports and annual cash flow projection report; annual published financial statements.
  
• Provides financial information for the Retirement Systems’ Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) and the
• Retirement Systems’ Annual Supplement.
  
• Responsibility for ACFR award applications (GFOA, PPCC).
  
  
• Reviews and analyzes new and existing accounting pronouncements, proposals, drafts and published statements
  
• Directs the analysis of the draft standards, corresponds and speaks with GASB staff and Board members to discuss substantive issues.
  
• Attends meetings of Government Accounting Standards Board (GASB), discusses consequences of adopting these standards, provides written responses to GASB and professional groups.
  
• Presents certain positions on behalf of the Comptroller, prepares written text for presentation by OSC Executive leadership, testifies before GASB on pension related matters.
  
  
• Oversees the implementation and enhancement of PeopleSoft modules and other technologies used by the Accounting Bureau to complete their work
  
• Reviews and approves design decisions and procedural changes that affect the Accounting Bureau.
  
• Oversees the bureau’s business portfolio review activities.
  
• Is accountable for Bureau’s implementation and planning for system improvements.
  
  
• Directs and makes final determinations regarding the Tax Services section on all matters relating to the treatment of distributions from the Retirement Systems for purposes of federal income tax reporting and the reporting of federal income tax withholding and other related matters that arise.
  
• Reviews and interprets present tax code, proposed tax legislation and Retirement System legislation which affects the taxable distributions of the retirement systems.
  
• Establishes policy regarding the tax treatment of various distributions such as pension payments, accidental disability payments, rollover distributions and loans at retirement.
  
• Regulates the withholding taxes from various types of retirement benefits and oversees the preparation of required daily income tax withheld reports, and the submittal of annual form 1099-R reporting statements for all pensioners, beneficiaries and withdrawn members.
  
• Proposes revisions or new legislation aimed at improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the Division.
  
  
• Performs a variety of administrative functions related to the Accounting Bureau
  
• Directs a staff of professional accountants and clerical support staff in accomplishing the Bureau’s mission.
  
• Establishes and ensures adherence to Bureau timetables and deadlines.
  
• Represents the Retirement System at national conferences and meetings related to the overall accountability of
• Retirement System funds. (GFOA, GASB, NASACT, NACRIEF)
  
• Provides expert technical assistance on matters of investment and retirement system accounting related issues.
  
• Directs the preparation and maintenance of written accounting procedures.
  
• Attends 110 State Street Condo board meetings as the Retirement System’s representative.
  
  

Minimum Qualifications

• Completed 24 semester credit hours in accounting/auditing.
  
• Bachelor’s degree or higher.
  
• At least nine (9) years of progressively responsible experience in accounting.
  
• At least four (4) years of managerial experience (which may be concurrent).
  
• A Master’s degree may be substituted for one year of experience.
  
  

Desired Competencies

• Ability to manage, mentor and guide staff to outstanding performance.
  
• Ability to manage multiple deadlines and complete complex filing requirements.
  
• Ability to collaborate with internal and external business partners and create excellent business relationships.
  
• Ability to manage multiple audits and respond timely, completely and accurately to all audit requests.
  
• Ability to monitor staffing needs and changes. Adept at writing justifications for positions and adhering to all hiring practices and policies.
  
• Ability to interpret complex GASB standards and implement appropriately.
  
• Knowledge of Retirement and Social Security Law.
  
• Knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.
  
• Knowledge of IRS regulations related to a qualified government plan.
  
• Knowledge of investment asset categories and financial reporting of investments.
  
• Excellent excel skills and ability to work with complex excel workbooks.
  
• BBA or BS in Accounting.
  
• CPA or MBA preferred.
  
• Experience with enterprise technology resource planning and implementation preferred.
  

Additional Comments

Telecommuting
The Office of the New York State Comptroller (OSC) supports telecommuting where it is reasonable to do so based upon the agency’s mission and operational needs. Generally, employees new to OSC will be restricted from telecommuting for at least 8 calendar weeks. After the initial 8 calendar week restriction, if an employee’s primary residence location, duties, and work performance are aligned with telecommuting and operational needs they may be allowed to do so. Generally, OSC employees may telecommute up to 5 days per pay period but may be approved to telecommute less.

Reasonable Accommodation
The NYS Office of the State Comptroller provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the Division of Human Resources at (518) 474-1924.

Equal Opportunity Employment
The Office of the NYS Comptroller values a workforce with a broad, diverse range of backgrounds and perspectives. All employees are expected to contribute to a professional environment focused on self-evaluation and improvement, as well as acceptance and support of coworkers.

Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.