Accountant Assistant (NY HELPS)

Overview

This Accountant Assistant position is offered at Erie 1 BOCES within the Finance Services department, located at the E1B Education Campus in West Seneca, NY. The standard working hours are from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The role involves working under the guidance of a senior accountant, supporting a wide range of financial processing and reporting tasks aligned with established procedures.

Compensation and Benefits

• The hourly wage is set at $28.64.
• Educational stipends are available annually: $500 for an Associate degree or accredited training certificate, $1,000 for a Bachelor’s degree, and $1,500 for a Master’s degree.
• An extensive benefits package is provided, including 15 paid holidays per year, ample paid personal/sick leave and vacation days, premium health and dental coverage with 85% of the premium paid by the employer, no-cost life insurance, Flexible Spending Account (FSA) options, participation in the New York State Retirement System, and access to 403b and 457 retirement savings plans.
• The organization is committed to principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct reviews and processing of financial transactions such as invoices, billings, cash receipts and disbursements, payroll entries, budget changes, and federal grant related documents.
• Perform entry-level professional accounting assignments adhering to accounting principles and practices over a broad spectrum of activities.
• Prepare standard financial statements and reports for the Board of Education and internal staff.
• Verify accuracy and compliance of financial records including contract billing, invoicing, and travel-related expenses.
• Generate various accounting and budget reports for supervisory review.
• Assist in reconciling and balancing financial and budgetary reports.
• Compile data for financial and statistical reporting needs.
• Check financial documentation for correctness and resolve discrepancies.
• Support the development and periodic updating of internal financial documentation to maintain organization and effectiveness.
• Review transaction workflows and suggest improvements to internal controls and operational efficiencies.
• Train colleagues on essential financial procedures to maintain departmental performance.
• Provide assistance to team members during periods of increased workload, staff absences, or tight deadlines.
• Serve as the primary backup for Deputy Treasurer duties when needed.
• Respond to inquiries from customers, divisions, and finance staff regarding assigned responsibilities.
• Maintain organized files for accounting and compliance requirements.
• Utilize software tools such as WinCap and Excel to create reports that support financial analysis for various divisions.
• Provide guidance and training on department policies to division personnel as necessary.
• Perform additional related duties as assigned within the scope of the civil service position.

Qualifications and Eligibility

• No civil service examination is required during the NY HELPS Program for this role.
• Applicants must meet minimum civil service standard qualifications: a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Business Administration, or Finance from an accredited college/university; or an Associate degree in these fields plus two years of satisfactory accounting or auditing experience; or a comparable combination of education and experience.
• Relevant experience in finance-related functions such as accounting, accounts receivable, and accounts payable is necessary.