Accounting Team Manager (#380)

ACCOUNTING TEAM MANAGER

LOCATION: Capital Judicial Center, Augusta

The Job:

This position is in a complex and highly specialized field and possesses a broad spectrum of knowledge utilized daily in providing: 1) consultative, professional advice and expertise; and 2) in evaluating and making recommendations to branch executive management, in accordance with statutory and constitutional requirements, consistent with the goals of the Chief Justice and State Court Administrator.

            This position is responsible for the operational oversight and management of the Finance Unit and will also assist the Manager of Accounting & Finance with operational coordination of financial activities; analyzing and evaluating operational policies and procedures; developing and recommending policies; areas for improvement; and alternatives that resolve complex problems and capturing operational efficiencies.

            The unit provides budget and fiscal analysis and works collaboratively with staff throughout the branch, providing consultative, financial, and accounting services. Areas of fiscal expertise include compliance with state and federal laws and regulations, cash management, internal controls, revenue forecasting for budget development, application of generally accepted accounting and financial practices, financial analysis, and accounting and financial processing.

            The finance unit handles all aspects of cash management, banking activity, revenue audits and applicable policy and procedure review.  The units also: complete all special billing projects, manages abandoned property, coordination and application of statutorily authorized off-set programs, acquisition/coordination of death certificates for debt write-off, oversees/approves all revenue reimbursements, special reporting, petty cash management, process documentation and process improvements. The staff manage the daily operations associated with accurate and timely receipt of cash, documentation and records retention for all branch revenues, reconciliation of banking information and security of judicial bank accounts for all courts throughout the state, among other activities. Most of this team’s work is deadline driven and heavily regulated by both state and federal statute, so acute attention to detail is required.

Salary Range: 

Confidential Management Grade 19, annual salary $80,308.80 - $102,980.80

What We Offer:

At the Maine Judicial Branch, we value our employees, which is why we offer great benefits. In addition to competitive pay, we provide:

• Work-life balance: 13 paid holidays, 2+ weeks of vacation leave, and 12 paid sick days every year.
• Paid Parental Leave: 4 weeks
• Gym membership and childcare reimbursement programs
• Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program
• Health insurance coverage (85%-100% employer-paid for employee-only plan)
• Health insurance premium credit (5% decrease in employee premiums)
• Dental insurance (100% employer-paid for employee-only plan)
• Health and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• Defined Benefit Pension plan contributions
• Voluntary deferred compensation (retirement savings 457 Plan)
• Up to $1000 Tuition Reimbursement each year
• Employer-paid life insurance (1x annual salary)
• Additional wellness benefits

Responsibilities:

• Researches and prepares regular and special reports, correspondence, and analytical studies as well as solution recommendations, regarding trends, revenue analysis, including ad hoc reports upon request for the Director of Budget and Accounting, State Court Administrator, Chief Justice, and other high level executive leadership.

• Reviews, analyzes, and develops financial information to prepare monthly, annual, and ad hoc reports.

• Develops, implements, and oversees accounting policies and procedures to ensure the Judicial Branch can satisfy state and federal reporting requirements.

• Develops, prepares, and implements year-end closing procedures and instructions to ensure accurate and appropriate financial information is submitted.

• Manages special projects to ensure appropriate policies and procedures are used in the development of financial information.

• Acts as a liaison to provide leadership and expert technical advice to the Maine Judicial Branch on all matters pertaining to Governmental Accounting and Financial Reporting.

• Apply professional financial, statistical, and programmatic knowledge and analytical skills to a wide variety of Judicial Branch analytic/financial initiatives.

• Interpret policy, operational, and financial analytic/reporting.

• Translate outcomes into supporting analysis for fiscal impact forecasts, budgets, utilization and/or actual fiscal outcomes.

• Assist with troubleshooting and evaluating work program, budget, and finance related issues.

• Responsible for the management and oversight of employees in the finance unit, including training, scheduling, assigning work, reviewing work product, establishing performance standards, and taking corrective measures to enforce those standards. The position is responsible for applying established personnel policies and procedures and enforcing collective bargaining agreements.

• Work both individually and as part of multi-discipline teams on projects varying in size and scope from short-term ad-hoc requests to long-term strategic initiatives to validation of application system upgrades, updates and conversions while collaborating with other units, divisions, and entities.

• Collect and analyze financial and other source data; prepare reports, analyses, and forecasts in support of operational and budgetary initiatives; and general ledger and transactional reconciliations.

• Assist in validating and maintaining integrity of data within and extracted from our data systems.

• Research and analyze internal and external data and monitor macro-level trends to inform decision making.

• Work with and manage teams from across the branch to improve financial outcomes and operational efficiency.

• The position regularly exercises independent judgement in providing: 1) consultative, professional advice and expertise; and 2) in evaluating and making recommendation to executive management in accordance with statutory and constitutional requirement, and consistent with the goals of the Chief Justice and State Court Administrator.

• This position utilizes advanced analytical, interpretive, evaluative, and constructive thinking skills to resolve highly complex problems, and to design and assess in-depth and complex forecasting models. Individuals must maintain an expert knowledge and understanding of branch finances, programs, and be able to interpret various projects ensuring financial alignment and compliance with applicable laws, rules, regulations, and mandates.

• This position provides financial information and strategic advice and reports to leadership and the Chief Negotiator for purposes of developing financial collective bargaining strategy.

• Coordinates and maintains all banking information and relationships for the branch, including security coordination approvals and access to all bank accounts.

• Conducts internal audits of Judicial Branch locations as required, and prepares written audit reports including findings, comments, and recommendations.  This position also serves and the expert and point of contact for all external revenue auditors.

We’re Looking For:

To qualify, you must have at least eight (8) years’ experience in business administration, legal services, accounting, fiscal management and/or procurement administration to include two (2) years in a supervisor or managerial role -OR- a bachelor’s degree in a related field and four (4) years of professional experience in business administration, legal services, accounting, fiscal management and/or procurement administration to include two (2) years in a supervisor or managerial role. Directly related professional experience may be substituted for education on a year-for-year basis.

SKILLS/EXPERIENCE/TRAINING REQUIRED TO ADEQUATELY PERFORM JOB DUTIES

• Knowledge of GAAP.

• Knowledge of state and federal laws, rules, and regulations applicable to preparation of state and federal reports.

• Knowledge of accounting systems of the state.

• Knowledge of accounting theories, principles, and practices.

• Knowledge of governmental accounting and financial reporting.

• Ability to develop and implement policies and procedures.

• Ability to understand and stay current with Government Accounting Standards Board (GASB) pronouncements and revisions.

• Ability to understand complex financial accounting systems.

• Ability to prepare complex financial reports.

• Ability to analyze and evaluate accounting systems, methods, procedures, and other control mechanisms.

• Ability to research laws, regulations, and highly technical accounting issues and offer sound advice.

• Ability to work with a variety of people from different professions.

• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.

• Ability to build productive professional relationships and maintain harmonious working relationships with staff, volunteers, community groups, and the public.

• Ability to establish positive working relationships with court personnel, judges, attorneys, and others in carrying out responsibilities.

• Ability to work effectively with culturally diverse populations and individuals with disabilities.

• Ability to staff various committees and commissions.

How to Apply:

Cover letter, resume, and online application must be submitted online at https://www.courts.maine.gov/about/jobs.html.