GENERAL GOVERNMENT SERVICE CENTER

ACCOUNTING SUPPORT SPECIALIST

Opening Date: January 24, 2025

Closing Date:  February 7, 2025

Job Class Code: 0944
Grade: 20
Salary: $20.68 - $28.88/Hourly
Position Number: 014004761

The General Government Service Center (GGSC) is one of five financial service centers within the Department of Administrative and Financial Services established to provide centralized accounting and budgeting services to agencies across state government.  GGSC serves roughly 30 agencies across the Department of Administrative and Financial Services (including Information Technology, Real Estate, Purchases, Lottery, Alcohol and Marijuana), the Governor’s Office, the Department of Economic and Community Development, the Department of Education, various Cultural Agencies and Boards and Commissions—a mix of government entities that adds variety to standard accounting practices.
 
Job Duties:

GGSC is seeking an Accounting Support Specialist who has accounting knowledge to become immediate contributors to our department. Successful candidates will meet the minimum qualifications referenced below. Additionally, successful candidates will have demonstrated knowledge of accounting, fixed assets, cash management, revenue/expenditure monitoring and other routine accounting services. Successful candidates will be skilled in the use of standard desktop technology and demonstrate the ability to follow directions and to work as part of a team or individually with limited supervision. Ideal candidates will have previous government accounting experience, be reliable, possess interpersonal communication skills, have a can-do attitude with a willingness to learn, expand and grow and can demonstrate an appreciation for providing exemplary customer service.  
 
Sample of Typical Duties:

• Applies accounting theory and principles to account for revenues, expenditures, transfers, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and inventory in accordance with GAAP/GASB to accurately report results of agency operations.
• Reviews, verifies, and approves for accuracy and classification transactions posted to accounting journals, general ledger accounts, and other subsidiary records to ensure accuracy of records.
• Reviews and processes accounts payable, accounts receivable, travel expenses, financial contracts, pre- and post- audit billings, and payments to ensure compliance with state policies and procedures and satisfy financial obligations.
• Sets-up, monitors, and makes adjusting and closing entries for books, ledgers, and journals to document financial activity for projects and programs.
• Reviews and balances subsidiary and control accounts, collections, inventory, and other accounts to ensure soundness and accuracy.
• Prepares financial and statistical reports such as statements of cash receipts and disbursements, accounts payable and receivable, supporting schedules, profit and loss, and other detailed and summary reports to provide pertinent information about financial operations to senior accounting and program staff.
• Applies knowledge of established standards and state accounting systems, procedures, and structures to troubleshoot and resolve problems with existing and new accounting systems.
• Monitors status of accounts, budgets, and contracts to provide information to senior accounting staff.
• Exchanges relevant information, explains accounting procedures, and resolves accounting discrepancies associated with payment authorizations, fund transfers, payroll accounting, collections, account and budget balances, and other financial transactions to provide technical information to financial and program staff.
• Computes and prepares a variety of complex financial reports to monitor and summarize financial and operating information related to federal funds.
• Reviews and reconciles adjusting entries for accounts payable to ensure accurate financial records.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED: 

• Knowledge of GAAP/GASB.
• Knowledge of generally accepted accounting theories, principles, methods, practices, and terminology.
• Knowledge of governmental accounting standards and systems.
• Knowledge of computerized accounting systems.
• Knowledge of standardized desktop technology and products.
• Ability to apply accounting principles in locating and correcting accounting errors.
• Ability to apply accepted accounting principles to income statements and balance sheets.
• Ability to verify fiscal source documents and application of fees, refunds, collections, and discounts.
• Ability to prepare narrative and statistical reports and financial statements, projections, and schedules, and analyze and interpret information from reports.
• Ability to review fiscal transactions for conformity with applicable laws, rules, policies, and procedures.
• Ability to communicate effectively.
• Ability to write clearly and effectively.
• Ability to recommend improvements in accounting controls, financial review trails, and business practices.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Entry-level to intermediate education, training, and/or experience in accounting, administrative support functions, or another closely related field demonstrating competency in applying accounting principles and standards and preparing complex reports.

Benefits of working for the State of Maine:

No matter where you work across Maine state government, you find employees who embody our state motto—"Dirigo" or "I lead"—as they provide essential services to Mainers every day. We believe in supporting our workforce's health and wellbeing with a valuable total compensation package, including:

• Work-Life Fit – Rest is essential. Take time for yourself using 13 paid holidays, 12 days of sick leave, and 3+ weeks of vacation leave annually. Vacation leave accrual increases with years of service, and overtime-exempt employees receive personal leave.
• Health Insurance Coverage – The State of Maine pays 85%-95% of employee-only premiums ($11,196.96 - $12,514.32 annual value), depending on salary. Use this chart to find the premium costs for you and your family, including the percentage of dependent coverage paid by the State. 
• Dental Insurance – The State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums ($387.92 annual value).
• Retirement Plan – The State contributes the equivalent of 13.29% of the employee's pay towards the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS). 

State employees are eligible for an extensive and highly competitive benefits package, covering many aspects of wellness. Learn about additional wellness benefits for State employees from the Office of Employee Health and Wellness.

Note: Benefits may vary somewhat according to specific collective bargaining agreements and are prorated for anything less than full-time.

There's a job and then there's purposeful, transformative work. Our aim is to create a workplace where you can learn, grow, and continuously refine your skills. Applicants demonstrate job requirements in differing ways, and we appreciate that many skills and backgrounds can make people successful in this role. 

As an Equal Opportunity employer, Maine State Government embraces a culture of respect and awareness. We are committed to creating a strong sense of belonging for all team members, and our process ensures an inclusive environment to applicants of all backgrounds including diverse race, color, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, physical or mental disability, religion, age, ancestry, national origin, familial status or genetics. 

If you’re looking for a great next step, and want to feel good about what you do, we’d love to hear from you. Please note reasonable accommodations are provided to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.

Thinking about applying?

Research shows that people from historically excluded communities tend to apply to jobs only when they check every box in the posting. If you’re currently reading this and hesitating to apply for that reason, we encourage you to go for it! Let us know how your lived experience and passion set you apart.