Auditor 1, SG-18, Trainee 1 - Trainee 2 (NY-HELPS) - Vacancy ID# 222911

About the role

This position performs field examinations of incorporated cemeteries and financial reviews to ensure compliance with New York State cemetery laws and regulations. Auditors prepare written reports, review applications and annual reports, identify risk factors, investigate fraud, and participate in Division outreach and training activities.

Responsibilities

• Schedule and conduct field examinations of incorporated cemeteries and prepare written reports and worksheets
• Perform between 10 and 20 high priority audits annually, with an additional 15-25 lower priority audits, for a total of 15 to 40 audits per year
• Review applications concerning cemetery service charges for compliance with Article 15 of the Not-for-Profit Corporation Law and draft board orders
• Provide financial review of applications to the New York State Cemetery Board for approval of major alterations, mausoleums, columbaria, land sales, land purchase, and other transactions, including submission of a memorandum and worksheet for the Cemetery Board's review and consideration
• Examine annual reports submitted by incorporated cemeteries and enter key data in the Division's database
• Contact cemetery officials for missing or inconsistent information
• Identify risk factors, cemeteries at risk of abandonment, and cemeteries that may need a priority audit
• Investigate and document instances of fraud or misappropriation of funds
• Assist in preventing cemetery abandonment
• Communicate with cemetery officers, directors, and employees, local officials, and the general public concerning cemetery laws, regulations, and operations
• Participate in Division outreach activities, including Cemetery 101 training, other webinars, one-on-one training with cemetery boards, and attend cemetery-related meetings and conferences

Minimum Qualifications

NY HELPS Non-Competitive Appointment: This title is part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide Program (NY HELPS). For the duration of the NY HELPS Program, this title may be filled via a non-competitive appointment, which means no examination is required but all candidates must meet the minimum qualifications of the title for which they apply. At a future date, employees hired under NY HELPS will have their non-competitive employment status converted to competitive status without having to compete in an examination.

Auditor Trainee 1: A bachelor's degree in accounting, auditing, or taxation OR a bachelor's degree with 24 semester credit hours in accounting, auditing, or taxation courses.

Auditor Trainee 2: A bachelor's degree in accounting, auditing, or taxation OR a bachelor's degree with 24 semester credit hours in accounting, auditing, or taxation courses AND one year of professional experience in accounting/auditing or financial internal or field auditing, where you were responsible for the full range of activities in the design and/or review, analysis and management of accounting systems, resulting in the preparation of, or recommendations on, financial statements in accord with generally accepted accounting principles. Substitution: A master's degree in accounting, auditing, or taxation.

Auditor 1: A bachelor's degree in accounting, auditing, or taxation OR a bachelor's degree with 24 semester credit hours in accounting, auditing, or taxation courses AND two years of professional experience in accounting/auditing or financial internal or field auditing, where you were responsible for the full range of activities in the design and/or review, analysis and management of accounting systems, resulting in the preparation of, or recommendations on, financial statements in accord with generally accepted accounting principles. Substitution: A master's or higher degree in accounting, auditing, or taxation and one year of professional experience as described above; OR a currently valid Certified Public Accountant license and registration issued by New York State.

55 B/C Appointment: This position is eligible for 55B/C designation. Candidates must meet any open competitive minimum qualifications and must submit their current 55B/C eligibility letter along with their application.

Civil Service List Appointment: Candidates must be reachable on the appropriate Civil Service eligible list.

Transfer Qualifications: One year of permanent, contingent permanent, or 55-B/C service in a title SG-12 or higher and otherwise eligible for transfer under Civil Service Law.

Preferred Qualifications

• Background in working with not-for-profit cemeteries
• Background in accounting, auditing, or bookkeeping in connection with not-for-profit entities or volunteer-run organizations
• Experience in field examinations/audits and substantive testing
• Experience in fraud detection/prevention/forensic accounting
• Experience in training others in a professional setting or giving presentations
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel

Pay

For new State employees appointed to graded positions, the annual salary is the hiring rate (beginning of the Salary Range) of the position. Promotion salaries are calculated by the NYS Office of the State Comptroller in accordance with NYS Civil Service Law, OSC Payroll rules and regulations and negotiated union contracts. Positions located within the New York City metropolitan area, as well as Suffolk, Nassau, Rockland, and Westchester Counties, are eligible to receive an additional $4,000 annual downstate adjustment. Positions located within Orange, Dutchess and Putnam are eligible to receive an additional $2,000 Mid-Hudson adjustment.

Schedule

Department of State employees may be approved for a maximum of 50% telecommuting; however, they are required to apply and obtain approval through management in accordance with The Department of State Telecommuting Program Guidelines.