Central Accountant

Employment Benefits

: First day of employment coverage under the State Employee Health Plan (SEHP) for medical and prescription drug coverage and dental plan. Additional voluntary options including vision, hospital indemnity, accident and critical illness insurance plans and flexible spending accounts. SEHP members and their covered family members have access to the HealthQuest Health Center at 9th and Kansas Avenue in Topeka for in person and virtual health care services. Sick & Vacation leave Work-Life Balance programs: parental leave, military leave, jury leave, funeral leave Paid State Holidays (designated by the Governor annually) Employee discounts with the Retirement and deferred compensation programs

Position Summary & Responsibilities:

Central Accountant – Public Service Executive

The Department of Administration, Office of Accounts and Reports (OAR), provides for the central statewide financial policy, financial reporting, auditing, federal reporting, internal controls reviews, SHARP (statewide payroll) and SMART (statewide accounting) systems, debt collections, municipal services, and is comprised of three sections and 12 teams. Additional information about our organization may be found at: .

The successful candidate will participate in planning and directing the work of the municipal services program, with a primary focus on municipal budget, finance and audit guidelines. In accordance with state statute, the team is responsible for the development and maintenance of the Kansas Municipal Audit and Accounting Guide (KMAAG) design, the creation and maintenance of annual budget forms for Kansas municipalities, and reporting critical information related to municipal property tax limitations.

Position duties and responsibilities include:

Prepares and presents training materials in formal workshops for municipal elected officials, financial staff, and public accountants with a focus on municipal finance. Gains the expertise to respond to daily inquiries from elected officials and staff of local units of government regarding municipal finance, budgetary or audit issues. Researches applicable statutes, case law, Attorney General’s Opinions, Kansas Municipal Audit and Accounting Guide (KMAAG), and Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) Pronouncements.  Reviews legislation to determine impact regarding municipalities’ financial practices. Reviews municipal budget and audit filings to determine compliance with state statutes, timely filing, and to identify training needs.  Collects and publishes relevant information related to the approved budget, property tax rate and property tax limitations, in accordance with state statute. Develops, maintains, and updates the Municipal Services website for required items and items of interest to municipal officials and auditors.  Reviews, organizes, and maintains the budget and audit submissions from local units of government for posting to the repository website. 

This position requires an intermediate knowledge of the fundamental doctrines, theories, concepts, principles, terminology and practices of accounting and some understanding of business law, statistics, and general management.

Minimum Qualifications:

Four years of experience in planning, organizing, and directing the work of a department, program, or agency. Education in accounting, business administration, finance, business information systems or a related field may be substituted for experience as determined relevant by the agency.

Preferred Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in business, accounting, or legal studies. Strong analytical skills with experience in professional accounting, auditing and/or legal research. Strong communication skills (both written and verbal) including experience in development and execution of training presentations. Experience with reading, interpreting, and implementing federal, state or program guidelines.

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