Junior Accountant (Finance Department)
The Junior Accountant role supports the Finance Department by maintaining governmental accounting records and performing routine accounting tasks under general supervision. Responsibilities include coding receipts, reconciling accounts, processing payroll, preparing financial reports, and assisting with budget preparation, ensuring compliance with state regulations and internal policies. This entry-level position requires familiarity with general accounting principles and the ability to handle confidential data accurately and efficiently.
About Careertakes
👉 Important disclosure: Careertakes is a third-party recruiting platform supporting this hiring process. If selected, you will be employed directly by our client, County Government (Public Sector).
Applicants for this role may also receive access to additional matched opportunities through the Careertakes platform.
What You’ll Do
Confidential Client seeks a motivated Junior Accountant to join the Finance Department in Auburn, NY. This is an entry-level governmental accounting role where you will support routine accounting operations and help maintain accurate public-sector financial records.
- Code and classify receipts and post to general and subsidiary ledgers
- Maintain cost accounts, prepare closing entries and take trial balances
- Verify, analyze and reconcile bank accounts and other ledgers
- Assist with payroll preparation and review payroll forms for accuracy
- Prepare financial reports, appropriation account balances and year-end cost reports
- Support preparation of State Aide claims and other grant/program accounting as needed
- Prepare reconciliations, fixed asset records and compute annual depreciation charges
- Assist independent auditors and prepare documentation under direction of the department head
- Participate in budget preparation and meetings about departmental expenses and purchases
- Maintain confidential employee files and respond to routine payroll/benefit inquiries
- Perform related clerical and accounting duties as assigned
Minimum Qualifications
Applicants must meet one of the following minimum qualifications:
- Graduation from a New York State registered or regionally accredited college or university with a Master’s Degree in Accounting, Business, Public Administration, Economics or related field; OR
- Graduation from a New York State registered or regionally accredited four‑year college or university with a bachelor’s degree, including a minimum of eighteen semester hours in accounting; OR
- Graduation from a New York State registered or regionally accredited two‑year college or university with an Associate’s Degree in accounting or related field, including 18 semester hours in accounting and two years of accounting experience; OR
- Graduation from high school or possession of an equivalency diploma and a minimum of five years of accounting experience.
Skills & Competencies
- Working knowledge of general accounting principles, especially as they apply to governmental accounting
- Ability to adapt accounting methods to specific problems and apply rules to routine transactions
- Speed and accuracy with numerical computations and accounting calculations
- Good judgment in allocating charges and classifying receipts and expenditures
- Tactful, professional communication with staff and the public; ability to maintain confidentiality
- Ability to prepare closing entries, take trial balances, verify, analyze and reconcile accounts and reports
- Comfort assisting auditors and preparing supporting documentation
Additional Details
- Location: Auburn, NY (Confidential Client — County Government)
- Estimated compensation: $53,891 per year (estimated)
- Role type: Entry-level / early-career accounting position supporting a county finance team
Why Apply
This role is an excellent opportunity to build hands-on experience in governmental accounting—working with budgeting, grants, payroll, reconciliations and audits—while supporting your local county finance operations. Applicants may receive access to additional matched opportunities via Careertakes.
Equal Opportunity & Hiring Transparency
Careertakes and our client are Equal Opportunity Employers committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We prohibit discrimination or harassment of any kind. To support a fair and efficient hiring process, AI tools may be used to assist with application review or resume screening. These tools do not replace human decision-making. Final hiring decisions are made by people.
If you have questions about how your data is used, please contact us directly.
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