Finance Specialist
: Job Details :

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) is seeking a Finance Specialist (Accountant III) to play an essential role in ensuring the smooth financial operations of our organization at Western Massachusetts Hospital. You will oversee a variety of crucial tasks, including processing payments, monitoring expenditures, and preparing vital documentation such as ISA forms. Your attention to detail will shine as you reconcile Personal Need (PNA) and bank accounts, ensuring accuracy and compliance with regulatory standards. As the backbone of our financial systems, you will interpret and adhere to state, hospital, and federal regulations while handling invoices, credits, and procurement processes. Your problem-solving skills will be put to the test as you troubleshoot vendor-related issues and collaborate closely with department heads and external agencies to resolve discrepancies. Additionally, you will provide valuable technical assistance to ensure that our team remains compliant with agency laws and regulations. If you thrive in a fast-paced environment where attention to detail is paramount, and you're eager to contribute to the financial health of our organization, we invite you to apply and be part of our dedicated team. Hours: Monday - Friday, 37.5 hours, flexible, between 8:00 am - 5:00 pm Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive): Interpret and apply financial regulations to ensure adherence to reporting standards. Verify invoice accuracy to determine net payable amounts for hospital purchases. Prepare payments in compliance with state regulations. Input all payments accurately into the MMARS system. Address vendor-related issues directly to resolve discrepancies. Maintain comprehensive filing systems for payment documentation. Generate monthly balance reports for financial transparency. Collaborate with hospital staff and external agencies to resolve accounting issues. Reconcile accounts payable documents to ensure compliance with standards. Provide technical support to stakeholders for regulatory compliance. Manage the Patients Fund Account and prepare spenddown reports. Maintain accurate records of cash receipts and reconcile patient funds. Process receipts in the form of cash and checks by completing the required forms and preparing deposits. Assist Contract Officer in all phases of the Contract process. Communicate with Social Workers regarding PNAs and balances on monthly and or on an as needed basis. Monitor verification and accuracy of invoices and credits from vendors to discern net amount payable for Hospital purchases from all appropriations. Troubleshoot various issues with products, enter approved purchases into COMMBUYS, build and maintain effective working relationships with business partners. Preferred Qualifications: Knowledge of the principles and practices of business management. Ability to read and interpret documents such as financial reports, accounts, ledgers, and contracts. Skilled at gathering information through questioning individuals and by examining records and documents, determine the applicability of data, to draw conclusions and make appropriate recommendations. Ability to maintain accurate records and prepare general reports including charts, graphs, and tables. Sound judgment and discretion when handling confidential information. Excellent communication skills. DPH Mission Statement: The mission of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) is to prevent illness, injury, and premature death, to assure access to high-quality public health and health care services, and to promote wellness and health equity for all people in the Commonwealth. We envision a Commonwealth in which all people enjoy optimal health. According to comparative analyses, Massachusetts ranks among the healthiest of states, but we still face numerous challenges, including chronic and infectious diseases, substance abuse, violence, preventable hospitalizations, and health disparities. More information can be found at: www.mass.gov/DPH About Western MA Hospital: The Western Massachusetts Hospital is the only public hospital operating in the western region of Massachusetts with a mission to serve as a medical safety net for many uninsured and under-insured residents in the region. Western Massachusetts Hospital provides both acute and chronic hospital care to patients with a variety of chronic diseases and complicated medical conditions, such as: Cardiac and pulmonary disease Chronic neurological disorders Complications of strokes Dementia with major behavioral issues End stage terminal illnesses of various diagnoses Consider joining our dynamic team of health care professionals in a work environment that provides high staff to patient ratio and delivers high quality care to all patients on all units. Enjoy the opportunity to provide quality services in a long-term care setting where familiar faces are the norm rather than the exception. Learn more: About the Department of Public Health: The mission of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) is to prevent illness, injury, and premature death, to assure access to high quality public health and health care services, and to promote wellness and health equity for all people in the Commonwealth. We envision a Commonwealth in which all people enjoy optimal health. Massachusetts ranks among the healthiest of states according to comparative analyses, but we face numerous challenges, including chronic and infectious disease, substance abuse, violence, preventable hospitalizations, and health disparities. DPH coordinates programs and policies to address specific diseases and conditions and offer services to address the needs of vulnerable populations. We also develop, implement, promote, and enforce regulations and policies to assure that the conditions under which people live are most conducive to health and enable people to make healthy choices for themselves and their families. We license health professionals, healthcare facilities and a variety of businesses that impact public health. We operate the state laboratory and four public health hospitals. We monitor health status and manage vital records including births, marriages and deaths. We educate people about public health issues and work closely with local boards of health and community partners to identify and solve public health problems. Learn more about nursing opportunities at DPH Pre-Offer Process: A criminal background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services prior to the candidate being hired. For more information, please visit Education, licensure and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division's Hiring Guidelines Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth's website. If you require assistance with the application/interview process and would like to request an ADA accommodation, please click on the link and complete the Reasonable Accommodation Online Request Form For questions, please contact Human Resources at 1-800-###-#### Option 4.Qualifications: First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days. MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS: Applicants must have at least (A) three years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, professional experience in accounting or auditing, of which at least (B) one year must have been in a supervisory, administrative or managerial capacity, or (C) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitutions below. Substitutions: I. An Associate's degree with a major in accounting, business administration or business management may be substituted for a maximum of one year of the required (A) experience.* II. A Bachelor's degree with a major in accounting, business administration or business management may be substituted for a maximum of two years of the required (A) experience.* III. A Graduate degree with a major in accounting, business administration or business management may be substituted for the required experience.* *Education toward such a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed. Salary placement is determined by a combination of factors, including the candidate's years of directly related experience and education, and alignment with our internal compensation structure as set forth by the Human Resources Division's Hiring Guidelines. For all bargaining unit positions (non-management), compensation is subject to the salary provisions outlined in the applicable collective bargaining agreement and will apply to placement within the appropriate salary range. Comprehensive Benefits When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future. Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards! Title 101 CMR 23.00 ( Regulation ) requires certain agency staff to have received the COVID-19 vaccination and Influenza vaccination, or have taken required mitigation measures, to prevent viral infection and transmission in State Hospitals and State Congregate Care Facilities. The Regulation applies to this position. Successful candidates will be required to acknowledge and attest to your vaccination status for both COVID-19 and Influenza. An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.