Financial Specialist
Location: MIAMI GARDENS, FL 33054 · Type: Full Time · Category:
Education
St. Thomas University - Office of Public Guardian
Position Summary:
This position performs a variety of accounting and bookkeeping functions in
support of the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG). Expert knowledge of
QuickBooks and Excel, along with experience in the accounting or finance
field, is required, or an equivalent combination of education, proven
expertise, and experience in bookkeeping, accounting, or financial management
with a strong understanding of accounting principles and practices and
knowledge of Social Security benefits and eligibility.
This position is subject to review by Court Administration, the Social
Security Administration, and the Florida State Auditor. The role is
responsible for the management and marshalling of all fiscal client needs,
including income tax preparation, court accountings, asset inventories, and
required financial reports. Additionally, this position must be able to
perform audits and ensure ongoing compliance with established auditing
standards and internal protocols.
Essential Functions:
Prepares timely and accurate net asset values, yields, distributions, and
other fund accounting output on OPG client accounts for subsequent review.
Documents and recommends client financial transactions and actions by
entering account information and analyzing accounting options.
Summarizes current client financial status by collecting information,
preparing balance sheets, profit and loss statements, and other required
reports.
Substantiates financial transactions by auditing client documents.
Prepares payments by verifying documentation and requesting/issuing
disbursements via the clients' independent bank account.
Maintains financial security by following internal controls and protects
operations by keeping financial information confidential.
Answering accounting procedure questions by researching and interpreting
accounting policy and regulations.
Prepares special financial reports by collecting, analyzing, and
summarizing account information and trends.
Complies with federal, state, and local, financial legal requirements by
studying existing and new legislation and enforcing adherence to
requirements as related to guardianship asset management and other
programmatic needs.
Prepares the yearly income tax form for the OPG clients (when
applicable).
OPG Program and Grants
Assists the Program's Executive Director in overseeing and monitoring
compliance with State contractual requirements and State regulations,
procedures, and policies.
Consistently reviews accounting related policies to ensure compliance with
University and State regulations.
Budgets, monitors, maintains, and supervises monthly income and
expenditures records for Public Guardian (OPG) clients/wards and
compiles periodic reports, including annual accounting reports to the
Probate Court and the Social Security Administration.
Issues payments, research expenditures, solves problems, and authorizes
bank transactions with Executive Director/Public Guardian approval.
Reconciles bank statements with ward accounts and monthly bank deposits.
Maintains wards' records by routing all fiscal documents accordingly and
by supervising ward account balances.
Analyzes revenue and expenditure trends and recommends appropriate budget
levels to ensure expenditure control of wards.
Communicate detailed information via various types of secure communication
formats to representatives of the department of Children and Families,
Social Security, Veterans' Administration, as well as authorizes and
consents to entitlement related functions.
Collaborates with guardian representatives in all aspects of ward
entitlement applications and maintenance including applications for
Medicaid, Social Security and SSI benefits.
Collaborates with program Benefits and Eligibility Coordinator and
monitors and tracks telephone DCF interviews and redetermination
requirements as needed and collaborates with guardian representatives in
this area. Collects and maintains data for statistical reports for the
programs and wards and prepares tracking instruments for task status.
Collaborates with the grants department and provides bank reconciliation
reports in a timely manner.
Maintains a system of interrelated files and records. Prepares regular or
special reports on department fiscal activities and modifies or devises
forms for reporting data and establishes controls for accuracy of data.
Monitors and issues monthly SSA Organizational Representative Payee check
vouchers.
Transmits instructions and/or sensitive information to and from staff
members. Answers incoming calls, takes messages, and responds to inquiries
in accordance with general office procedures and instructions.
Reviews, classifies, and distributes incoming mail including confidential
correspondence.
Performs other related duties incidental to the work described herein as
assigned by the program executive director.
Will complete the 40-Hour Guardianship and successfully pass the state
Guardianship exam within one year of employment.
Qualifications
Candidates must have a solid understanding of accounting principles and
practices, including financial recordkeeping, reconciliation, reporting, and
financial management procedures. Knowledge of Social Security benefits,
eligibility requirements, and related regulations is also required.
An equivalent combination of education, specialized training, proven
expertise, and relevant professional experience in bookkeeping, accounting, or
financial management may be considered in lieu of a formal degree.
