Financial Programs Trainee

Are you ready to refine your skills accounting skills while beginning a rewarding career that provides critical services for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania? Apply to be Financial Programs Trainee with the Bureau of Commonwealth Payroll Operations (BCPO), Payroll/Travel Advancements and Accounts Receivables Section. This is a year-long trainee position that prepares you to perform professional payroll accounting functions to manage employee generated debts to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania from salary and travel advancements. Sharp analytical skills, independent decision making, attention to detail, excellent communication skills, and the ability to handle multiple shifting priorities while working cohesively with a team are vital within this role and will be further developed during the training period. You will also receive extensive training to develop a thorough knowledge of the human resource (HR)/Payroll and Finance Systems in systems, applications, and products (SAP) and associated software.

Are you ready to refine your skills accounting skills while beginning a rewarding career that provides critical services for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania? Apply to be Financial Programs Trainee with the Bureau of Commonwealth Payroll Operations (BCPO), Payroll/Travel Advancements and Accounts Receivables Section. This is a year-long trainee position that prepares you to perform professional payroll accounting functions to manage employee generated debts to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania from salary and travel advancements.

Sharp analytical skills, independent decision making, attention to detail, excellent communication skills, and the ability to handle multiple shifting priorities while working cohesively with a team are vital within this role and will be further developed during the training period. You will also receive extensive training to develop a thorough knowledge of the human resource (HR)/Payroll and Finance Systems in systems, applications, and products (SAP) and associated software.

This position is trained to process claims, receivables, record adjustments, collections, and other functions related to employee generated debts to the Commonwealth. It also focuses on auditing, processing, and accounting for salary and travel advancements and remittances. As a Financial Programs Trainee, you will learn and perform the following duties: Receivables Processing: Review and audit salary claims/receivables, post and verify data, and make appropriate corrections and adjustments as needed Overpayment Collection: Coordinate the collection of monies owed by employees for a variety of reasons; record all incoming checks and remittances Account Maintenance: Ensure advance checks are issued correctly, complete the monthly bank reconciliation process, and resolve issues with checks or deposits Detail Analysis: Review incoming checks, requests, inquiries, and other related matters to ensure that the correct processes and procedures are followed Communication: Prepare, review, and send correspondence to employees and agency partners and provide technical guidance Agency Coordination: Work with internal sections, human resource offices, banks, and other partners to support smooth financial operations Work Schedule and Additional Information: Full-time employment Work hours are 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 60-minute lunch. Alternate Work Schedules (AWS) available upon completion of probationary period. Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) full-time, with occasional in-office days when work dictates such requirements. In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection and work from an approved location inside Pennsylvania. If you are unable to telework, you will have the option to report to the headquarters office in Harrisburg. The ability to telework is subject to change at any time. Additional details may be provided during the interview. Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable. You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

This position is trained to process claims, receivables, record adjustments, collections, and other functions related to employee generated debts to the Commonwealth. It also focuses on auditing, processing, and accounting for salary and travel advancements and remittances. As a Financial Programs Trainee, you will learn and perform the following duties:

Receivables Processing: Review and audit salary claims/receivables, post and verify data, and make appropriate corrections and adjustments as needed

Overpayment Collection: Coordinate the collection of monies owed by employees for a variety of reasons; record all incoming checks and remittances

Account Maintenance: Ensure advance checks are issued correctly, complete the monthly bank reconciliation process, and resolve issues with checks or deposits

Detail Analysis: Review incoming checks, requests, inquiries, and other related matters to ensure that the correct processes and procedures are followed

Communication: Prepare, review, and send correspondence to employees and agency partners and provide technical guidance

Agency Coordination: Work with internal sections, human resource offices, banks, and other partners to support smooth financial operations

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

Full-time employment

Work hours are 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 60-minute lunch. Alternate Work Schedules (AWS) available upon completion of probationary period.

Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) full-time, with occasional in-office days when work dictates such requirements. In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection and work from an approved location inside Pennsylvania. If you are unable to telework, you will have the option to report to the headquarters office in Harrisburg. The ability to telework is subject to change at any time. Additional details may be provided during the interview.

Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.

You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

QUALIFICATIONS Minimum Experience and Training Requirements: Four years of experience in bookkeeping work which included twelve (12) credits in accounting; or A Bachelor's Degree including twelve (12) credits in accounting; or Any equivalent combination of experience and training which includes twelve (12) credits in accounting. Applicants will be considered to have met the educational requirements once they are within three (3) months of graduating with a qualifying degree. Other Requirements: You must meet the PA residency requirement . For more information on ways to meet PA residency requirements, follow the link and click on Residency Guidelines. You must be able to perform essential job functions. This position is not subject to the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement or memorandum of understanding. You must be eligible for selection in accordance with merit system employment regulations. Recruitment Methods: Applicants must meet one of the following methods to be considered for this vacancy: Promotion Without Exam Reassignment ( Only current civil service employees in the same agency who hold the same or similar job title, with the same maximum salary, within the same occupational group or where there is a logical career movement, will qualify for reassignment.) Meritorious service is defined as (a) the absence of any discipline above the level of written reprimand during the 12 months preceding the closing date of the posting, and (b) the last regular or probationary performance evaluation showing an overall rating of satisfactory or higher. Transfer (Only current civil service employees who hold the same job title will qualify for transfer to another agency.) Meritorious service is defined as (a) the absence of any discipline above the level of written reprimand during the 12 months preceding the closing date of the posting, and (b) the last regular or probationary performance evaluation showing an overall rating of satisfactory or higher. Voluntary Demotion Reinstatement ( Former civil service employees may only be reinstated to the job title from which they resigned. Current civil service employees are not eligible through reinstatement. ) Promotion Without Examination (PWOE): Class Restrictions for Promotion Without Examination Only - You must have or have held regular civil service status in one of the following classifications: Fiscal Assistant Clerical Supervisor 1 Clerical Assistant 3 Employees who previously held regular civil service status in the job title of the position being filled are also eligible for promotion without examination. The promotion without examination requirements are issued in accordance with merit system employment regulations. Meritorious service is defined as (a) the absence of any discipline above the level of written reprimand during the 12 months preceding the closing date of the posting, and (b) the last regular or probationary performance evaluation showing an overall rating of satisfactory or higher. Applicants must have a minimum of one year in the next lower classes by the posting closing date with no break in service. How to Apply: Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education). If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date . Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted. Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position. All application materials and interview responses must reflect the applicant’s own experience, qualifications, and work. Applicants may use generative AI tools for preparation purposes only. Use of AI to misrepresent or falsify information, or to assist during interviews, is not permitted. Review the Guidance for Generative AI Tools & Job Seekers for additional information. Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS): 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals). If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date. The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.

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If your education was acquired outside of the United States, you must upload a copy of your foreign credential evaluation report. We can only accept foreign credential evaluations from organizations that are members of the National Association of Credential Services (NACES). A list of current NACES members can be found by visiting www.naces.org and clicking the Evaluation Services Link.

Yes

No

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120 credits or more

90 but less than 120 credits

60 but less than 90 credits

30 but less than 60 credits

Less than 30 credits

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If you answer “Yes” to this question based on education acquired outside of the United States, you must upload a copy of your foreign credential evaluation report. We can only accept foreign credential evaluations from organizations that are members of the National Association of Credential Services (NACES). A list of current NACES members can be found by visiting www.naces.org and clicking the Evaluation Services Link.

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4 years or more

3 but less than 4 years

2 but less than 3 years

1 but less than 2 years

Less than 1 year

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07

Required Question