Accountant, Accounting Manager, Financial Reporting

The Montana Public Employee Retirement Administration (MPERA) is committed to providing secure and sustainable retirement benefits to nearly 71,000 members and retirees. The agency administers ten retirement plans and is dedicated to customer service, member education, and operational efficiency.

We are looking for someone with exceptional accounting and organizational skills to join our MPERA Team! The work we do centers around the multiple pension funds we administer. Your responsibilities would include performing professional level accounting work and maintaining the financial records of 10 public pension trust funds. This position requires a combination of administrative, technical, and analytical skills and experience.

The incumbent will have the opportunity to perform accounting, auditing and internal control functions as a part of the accounting unit.

Education and Experience:

• Associate’s degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Accounting;
• 3 years of experience in an accounting profession, which includes the preparation of financial statements, preparation of accounting/financial reports that required compliance with governmental accounting principles and practices; and working with accounting database;
• Alternate combinations of education and experience will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Competencies:

Knowledge of:

• Accounting theories and GAAP principles, practices and procedures;
• Internal controls;
• Ability to analyze and interpret accounting data through reports with a high degree of accuracy;
• Ability to prepare and present financial statements;
• Skill to recognize, analyze and solve financial recording/reporting problems and accurately interpret accounting fiscal records/reports;
• Ability to work efficiently in the State financial system or another major computerized accounting system;
• Skills to implement accounting policies and procedures;
• Ability to understand and apply state and federal laws and administrative rules;
• Knowledge to realize the impact and implications of decisions and entries;
• Ability to provide effective and professional customer service;
• Advanced level of verbal and written communication skills;
• Ability to operate a personal computer and general office equipment as necessary to complete essential functions, including using a spreadsheet, word processing, database, email, internet and other computer programs.

Additionally, the successful incumbent should have knowledge of or ability to learn:

• Pension accounting, GASB, FASB, and NCGA.
• State, IRS and other federal laws governing public deferred compensation trust fund accounting and defined contribution trust fund accounting.
• Services and processes performed by entity (“big picture”).
• State and federal laws and administrative rules pertaining to retirement.
• Federal and state directives relevant to continuity planning.

Does this sound like you? Please tell us how and why by submitting your resume and cover letter
.

What can you expect from us in return for your work at our agency?

• Work/life Balance
• Health Coverage
• Retirement plans
• Paid Vacation and Sick Leave and Holidays
• And more…
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) – Employment with the State of Montana may qualify you to receive student loan forgiveness under the PSLF.

Other important information to be aware of:

• This position requires the successful completion of a criminal background check.
• Only online applications are accepted. By applying online, you are able to receive updates and monitor the status of your application.