Review Vacancy
AgencyState Comptroller, Office of the
TitleSenior Accountant - Item# 08005
Occupational CategoryFinancial, Accounting, Auditing
Bargaining UnitPS&T - Professional, Scientific, and Technical (PEF)
Salary RangeFrom $45455 to $71980 Annually
Appointment Type Contingent Permanent
Minimum Qualifications Interested candidates must be reachable on the appropriate Civil Service eligible list or currently an employee of New York State eligible to transfer under Section 70.1 or 70.4 of the Civil Service Law.
Transfer via 70.1
To be eligible for a 70.1 transfer to a Sr. Accountant, SG-18, a candidate must: Have one year of permanent, competitive service in a qualifying title allocated to a grade 16 or higher and a bachelor’s degree and 24 credit hours in accounting, auditing, or taxation courses.
To be eligible for a 70.1 transfer to an Accountant Trainee, a candidate must: Have one year of permanent, competitive service in a qualifying title, allocated to a grade 12 or higher, a bachelor’s degree or higher including 24 credit hours in accounting, auditing, or taxation courses.
Transfer via 70.4
To be eligible for a 70.4 transfer to an Accountant Trainee, a candidate must: Have one year of permanent, competitive service in a position allocated to a grade 12 or higher,
A bachelor’s degree or higher including 24 credit hours in accounting, auditing, or taxation courses.
Meet the open competitive minimum qualifications of the position
And
Have standing on the open competitive examination Professional Career Opportunities (PCO-Select Job Titles). To be eligible for a 70.4 transfer to the Sr. Accountant, SG-18, a candidate must have: One year of permanent, competitive service in a position allocated to a grade 16 or higher.
A bachelor’s degree or higher including 24 credit hours in accounting and/or auditing courses. Meet the open competitive minimum qualifications of the position, and Have standing on the open competitive examination Professional Career Opportunities (PCO-Select Job Titles).
To be eligible to transfer from an Accountant Aide to an Accountant Trainee 1, the candidate must: Have one year of permanent competitive service as an Accountant Aide, and 24 credit hours in accounting/auditing.
To see if your title is eligible to transfer, please go to the GOT-IT website www.careermobilityoffice.cs.state.ny.us.
When determining eligibility for transfer, the Office of Human Resources will confirm trainee level. Depending on qualifications, candidates may be required to serve a 2-year traineeship that leads to the journey level, grade 18 position.
Duties Description * Request and review tax status documentation for international taxpayers:
o Verify citizenship status of taxpayers including U.S. citizen, resident alien or non-resident alien (NRA).
o Obtain and review documentation mandated by the IRS – Form W-9, Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification, and Form W-8BEN, Certificate of Foreign Status of Beneficial Owner for United States Tax Withholding and Reporting.
o Maintain tracking spreadsheet and send follow up letters to payees as needed.
o When status is determined to be NRA, apply applicable withholding rates.
o In cases where tax treaty exists between the U.S. and payee’s home country, ensure correct reduced rate of withholding is applied to payment.
o When NRA withholding is made, include IRS payment in the daily tax liability calculations.
* Maintain tax related records:
o Perform tax related maintenance including pensioner tax withholding changes via IRS Form W-4, and current and adjustments to prior year 1099-R records.
* Federal tax withholding calculations for Domestic Relations Orders (DRO):
o Calculate the federal tax to be withheld from ad hoc “first check” payments and recurring monthly pension payments for pensioners with a DRO and for the corresponding alternate payee.
* Correspondence with members/retirees:
o Written and verbal correspondence with members/retirees regarding tax-related questions and issues of varying complexity.
* Apply rules and regulations to distributions from the System:
o Obtain a general understanding and knowledge of relevant sections of the Internal Revenue Code and the New York State Retirement and Social Security Laws that pertain to distributions paid by the Retirement System. This includes but is not limited to: withdrawals, pension benefits, death benefits, eligibility to roll-over distributions, and mandatory and optional federal tax withholding.
* Daily federal withholding tax reconciliation and remittance to the IRS on behalf of the Retirement System members and retirees:
o Calculate the federal tax liability for the Employees’ Retirement System (ERS) and Police and Fire Retirement System (PFRS) every business day using MEBEL and General Ledger reports.
o Reconcile and enter prior day liability into MEBEL system to be uploaded to General Ledger.
o Enter current day liability on JP Morgan Chase for daily ACH payment to the IRS.
* Prepare required IRS documentation:
o Maintain and reconcile records of data used to prepare annual IRS Form 945, 945-A, 1042, and 1042-A.
o Prepare annual IRS Forms.
* Research tax issues:
o Assist Associate Accountant with research of tax issues affecting Retirement System operations. This may include existing laws and proposed changes in the Internal Revenue Code.
o Must be familiar with both printed and electronic media technology sources.
* Participate in Calendar Year End Processing:
o Assist Associate Accountant in preparing, reviewing and verifying data and reports used to reconcile payment data for annual reporting purposes to the IRS and to System payees.
* Complete insurance statements and income verification requests:
o Use MEBEL system information to prepare IRS Form 812 – Life Insurance Statement.
o Use MEBEL system information to respond to income verification requests from government agencies, financial institutions, or other entities.
Additional Comments Desired Competencies
Excellent written communication skills, with knowledge of rules for business writing, proper spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Excellent verbal communication skills and the ability to interact professionally with internal and external business partners.
* Knowledge of or ability to learn IRS regulations pertaining to government defined benefit plans.
* Knowledge and proficiency with computer applications such as Microsoft Excel and Word.
* Ability to manage several activities simultaneously while maintaining accuracy and quality of work.
* Ability to meet deadlines while maintaining accuracy and quality of work.
* Attentive to detail.
Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.
Email Address recruit@osc.state.ny.us
Address
Notes on ApplyingInterested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume to recruit@osc.state.ny.us no later than January 30, 2019. Please reference Item #08005–GOER-JAM in the subject line of the email and in the cover letter when responding. The GOER Vacancy # should not be included.