Accountant II

Accountant II The Travel Accountant II performs advanced accounting work for the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS).
This position will function as an Accounts Payable Specialist in the Travel Section area.
This work involves the use of several systems, such as eTravel, CAPPS 9.
2 Financials, USAS, HHSAS 8.
8, Hal File, and TRS.
Work involves auditing, researching, resolving discrepancies, analyzing, and processing travel claims.
This position communicates on a complex level with others (internally or externally) to provide, exchange, or verify information, answer inquiries, address issues, or resolve problems or complaints.
Provide support to DSHS travelers regarding policies, procedures, rules, regulations, standards, requirements, and state travel laws and rules to state agencies.
Attendees work on a regular and predictable schedule in accordance with agency leave policy and perform other duties as assigned.
Prepares reports, schedules, and processes journal entries.
Researches and reconciles discrepancies in accounts, bank statements, or appropriation balances and reports findings.
Uses software applications for reporting, such as Excel, PowerPoint, and Word, to perform essential job functions.
Assists with the preparation of ad hoc reports requested by management, department staff, and budget staff.
Essential Job Functions: (30%) Audit travel claims.
Research and analyze travel vouchers and communicate professionally with departmental staff via the Comments field in eTravel, by phone, or by email to obtain the information necessary to correct a reimbursement or relay information.
Research, analyze, audit, and approve refunds of revenue and expenditures, adjustments to vouchers, and process corrections into CAPPS Financials and eTravel.
Audit travel claims.
Maintains the DSHS Travel Advance Fund and its monthly reconciliation and annual certification.
Ensures agency compliance with state requirements, policies, and procedures in financial areas.
Contacts current and former employees regarding outstanding vouchers or amounts owed to the fund and follows up.
Loads credit amounts onto DART cards for agency employees and responds to inquiries billed on the cards as well as on individual billing accounts of agency personnel.
Interact with other departments to ensure coordination and compliance with all policies and procedures.
Confirms account and chatfield codes on invoices.
(25%) Process the Travel travel request.
Issue travel advance cards.
Reviews and prepares vouchers and invoices for entry.
Handle all travel reservations.
Maintenance of individual state travel charge card account applications and submission to CitiBank for processing, accounts close or increase or decrease credit lines, and close DART cards.
Work closely with reconciliation and centrally billed accountants.
Works with program areas to get necessary approvals or receivers for purchases.
Maintain the Travel Advance spreadsheet.
Confirms account codes and chart field coding on travel vouchers.
Identify and communicate funding issues to leads, budget, and program management.
Timely and accurate filing and keeping of records and travel request forms and distribution of copies of centrally billed items to appropriate team staff for reconciliation of billing accounts.
Review vouchers and check for errors prior to entry.
Train peers to ensure procedures, coding, and state guidelines are being followed.
Mail DART cards to travelers.
Uses Microsoft Access, Excel, Word, Hal file, USAS, and HHSAS to perform essential job functions.
Serves as a travel office contact for all regional and state office program staff.
(20%) Serve as a liaison between departmental budgets, vendors, and other agencies on all matters relating to payment vouchers, including problem resolution and interpretation of law, rules, and regulations.
Ensures vouchers are approved and coded accurately and in accordance with all state and agency regulations.
Identify discrepancies or deficiencies related to processing vouchers, payment distribution, and vendor setups and initiate necessary corrective action through CAPPS and eTravel.
Prepare related reports and correspondences using Word and Excel software programs.
(15%) Process the payment voucher and code.
Assist program staff, accounting staff, and budget staff with budgetary matters.
Prepare or enter the budget journal and transfers as required to address funding issues.
Provides technical assistance on accounting matters related to voucher processing and tracking.
Uses Microsoft Access, Excel, Word, Hal file, USAS, the eTravel System, and CAPPS to perform essential job functions.
Provide necessary training and technical assistance to staff.
Employees enter balance payment vouchers into CAPPS and email travelers timely to advise of payments issued and faxes and files accompanying paperwork.
Provides technical assistance on accounting matters related to voucher processing and tracking.
(5%) Assist with eTravel remedy tickets from the IT help desk.
Works with the manager and team leads on staff training, performance, attendance, and production.
Will bring issues to the attention of management as needed.
Completes the required internal and external training and refreshers.
Keeps management informed of unapproved processes or policy changes.
(5%) Other duties as assigned.
Knowledge Skills Abilities: Knowledge of financial administration and fiscal accounting; of governmental accounting; of budget control methods, policies, and procedures; and of laws and regulations pertaining to fiscal operations.
Ability to follow accounting programs, to train others, to enter documents, to interpret laws and regulations, to apply accounting theory, to communicate effectively, and to lead the work of others.
Knowledge of state accounting and budgetary procedures.
Knowledge of the legal restrictions governing state accounts payable guidelines.
Advanced software skills in Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Word.
Skills in monitoring and analyzing payments.
Skills in assisting with preparing financial reports and performing financial analysis.
Skill in processing financial transactions.
Ability to prepare clear, concise, and accurate financial reports and schedules.
Ability to analyze financial data.
Ability to prioritize assignments and meet work deadlines.
Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, other agencies, and the public.
Registration or Licensure Requirements: None Initial Selection Criteria: 1 year of accounting or bookkeeping experience.
Experience in oral and written communications.
Experience with accounting software and financial operations.
Experience to efficiently interpret and apply policies, procedures, or business processes.
Experience in using Microsoft Office applications.
Associate Degree generally preferred.
Experience and education may be substituted for one another.
Additional Information: Requisition # 592017 Additional Information: Telework opportunities In-Basket in Excel and Words document If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747.
If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview.
MOS Code: HHS agencies use E-Verify.
You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work.
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHS agencies will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring and selection process for qualified individuals with a disability.
Top 10 Tips for Success when Applying to Jobs at HHSC and DSHS HHS agencies use E-Verify.
You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work.
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHS agencies will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring and selection process for qualified individuals with a disability.
If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747.
If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview.