Deputy Director of Accounting

Description

The Department of Transitional Assistance is seeking dynamic and solution-oriented applicants for the position of Deputy Director of Accounting .

This role is responsible for overseeing the collection of verified client overpayments, associated state and federal financial reporting functions, and a variety of other functions related to the accounting requirements for the Supplemental Food and Nutrition (SNAP), Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children (TAFDC), and Emergency Aid to the Elderly Disabled and Children (EAEDC) programs.

This role is responsible for setting the strategic direction for these functions, ensuring all applicable rules and regulations are followed, and recommending best practice policies and procedures.

This role reports to the Director of Accounting, directly supervises three (3) staff, and leads a team of seven (7) individuals.

Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive) :

• Supervise, develop, and evaluate direct reports.
• Collaborate with the Accounting Director and other teams within the division on cross-functional tasks that all business units are functioning optimally.
• Lead the development and improvement of unit specific standard operating procedures and support the learning and development of direct reports.
• Oversee the day-to-day operations of the Collections Unit. This includes receiving verified overpayment cases from the agency’s Program Integrity unit, accurately processing accounts receivable transactions from clients and other payors, responding to client inquiries, escalating overpayment cases through state intercept processes, and supporting agency activities during the fair hearings process.
• Plan, evaluate, monitor, and continuously improve collections and related financial reporting functions.
• Manage the agency’s contractual relationship with its long-term debt collections vendor, oversee the expungement of aged or other types of claims that meet certain criteria, and oversee the development of internal management reports and required federal financial reports related to the Collections function.
• Ensure the timely reconciliation and updating of various accounting systems in use within the Collections Unit including the state’s official accounting system (MMARS) and the agency’s online eligibility and case management system (BEACON).
• Liaise with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Services Division to manage the agency’s required Claims Management Plan and ensure the agency complies with all federal standards.
• Support the management of the Accounts Payable and Program Accounting functions as needed and serve as the Accounting Director's backup during peak work periods and in their absence.
• Represent the unit when collaborating with the agency’s IT and policy teams on Collections specific reports, system-generated client notices, workflows, and policies.
• Other duties, as assigned.

Preferred Qualifications :

• Experience supporting and supervising diverse cross functional staff teams in the achievement of team centered accomplishments.
• Ability to motivate, supervise and support program staff in carrying out complex tasks.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of accounting, compliance, quality assurance / quality control, and financial management with an ability to understand, apply and explain pertinent laws, rules, regulations, policies, and programs.
• Ability to coordinate competing interests and work under time constraints.
• Knowledge and experience in managing administrative operations, achieving milestones, and meeting deadlines. Ability to coordinate numerous projects simultaneously to successful completion.
• Ability to provide and support excellence in customer service including the ability to respond to escalated client questions and mediate conflicts patiently, respectfully, and appropriately.
• Demonstrated commitment to valuing diversity and contributing to an inclusive working and learning environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office including Access, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.

Agency Mission : The Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) is the state agency responsible for administering public assistance programs to low-income residents of the Commonwealth.

DTA is committed to providing a high level of service to all those in need. The mission of the Department is to assist and empower low-income individuals and families to meet their basic needs, improve their quality of life, and achieve long term economic self-sufficiency.

DTA serves one out of every seven people in Massachusetts including working families, children, elders, and people with disabilities.

Our services include food and nutritional assistance, economic assistance, and employment supports.

Learn more about our services and programs visit :