Chief Utility Accounting and Finance

THE LIST RESULTING FROM THIS EXAMINATION WILL BE USED
FOR VACANCIES IN THE PLAINVIEW, NEW YORK AREA ONLY.

Appointees who work in Nassau or Suffolk Counties will receive an additional $3,026 annual downstate adjustment.

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Minimum Qualifications

On or before September 9, 2017, you must have:

Either 1. a bachelor’s degree including or supplemented by 24 semester credit hours in accounting and/or auditing courses AND eight years of qualifying experience;

Or 2. a master’s degree in accounting AND seven years of qualifying experience;

Or 3. either qualifying degree as listed in 1 or 2 above, AND a currently valid Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license and registration issued by New York State, AND five years of qualifying experience;

Or 4. a bachelor’s degree with at least 18 semester credit hours in finance, economics, and/or accounting with at least 9 of these credit hours in finance AND eight years of qualifying experience;

Or 5. a master’s degree with at least 18 semester credit hours in finance, economics, and/or accounting with at least 9 of these credit hours in finance AND seven years of qualifying experience;

Or 6. either qualifying degree as listed in 4 or 5 above, AND a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) certification, AND five years of qualifying experience.

Qualifying Experience: Professional accounting/auditing or financial internal or field audit experience with responsibility for the full range of activities in the design and/or review, analysis, and management of accounting systems, resulting in the preparation of, or opinions or recommendations on, financial statements in accord with generally accepted accounting principles. Financial analysis experience includes analyzing financial/investment practices, assessing financial condition and cost structure, analyzing new securities issues, assessing financial and business risk, and the measurement of the cost of capital. This experience must have been obtained working: with a regulatory agency; in the utility industry, including energy, telecommunications, water, or cable services; or in other regulated industries. This qualifying experience must also include three years of the supervision of both projects and individuals AND one year advising agency, utility, or regulated company management.

If you expect to meet the educational requirements by January 31, 2018, you can be admitted to the written test, but you cannot be considered for appointment until you submit proof of successful completion of the educational requirement to the Appointing Authority at the time of the employment interview. Failure to meet the educational requirements by January 31, 2018 may result in your removal from the eligible list.

IMPORTANT: Unless waived, you must pay the non-refundable processing fee. For information on fee waivers, visit https://www.cs.ny.gov/examannouncements/types/oc/appinfo.cfm##Fee. It is important that you verify that you entered the correct examination number and title on your online or paper application prior to submitting. If you apply online, you should immediately review your email confirmation notice to verify that you applied for the correct examination. If you do not receive a confirmation number after submitting your online application, your application was NOT received by the Department of Civil Service. No late applications will be accepted after the filing deadline has passed.

Notes

1. Your degree or college credit must have been awarded by a regionally accredited college or university or one recognized by the NYS Education Department as following acceptable educational practices. If your degree or college credit was awarded by an educational institution outside the United States and its territories, you must provide independent verification of equivalency. You can write to the Examination Information Desk of the NYS Department of Civil Service for a list of acceptable companies who provide this service. This information can also be found on the Internet athttp://www.cs.ny.gov/jobseeker/degrees.cfm. You must pay the required evaluation fee. If you are applying on the Internet, you must mail the independent verification of equivalency to the NYS Department of Civil Service, Albany, New York 12239. Attention: S2SEH.
2. Appropriate part-time and volunteer experience, which can be verified, will be accepted on a prorated basis.
3. New York State residence is not required.
4. A promotion examination is also being held for these positions. If you are eligible for appointment from a promotion list, you may not be appointed in your own agency from the list resulting from this examination open to the public.
5. Although a promotion examination is being held, it is expected that appointments will be made as the result of this examination open to the public.

The Positions

These positions exist in the Department of Public Service in Plainview, New York only.

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Duties

As a Chief, Utility Accounting and Finance, you would report to the Deputy Director or Director of the Office of Accounting, Audits and Finance and manage a program or section consisting of professional, technical and support staff, advise the agency’s Directors, Commissioners, and Chair on accounting and financial issues pertaining to the electric, gas, steam, water, and communications utilities; ensure that the utility companies under Public Service Commission (PSC) jurisdiction comply with PSC rules, regulations, policies, and orders; provide technical support, supervision, and guidance to staff in matters pertaining to rate issues, tariff analysis, corporate structure and governance issues, communication studies, and electric, gas, steam and water utility construction programs; and oversee and/or prepare testimony and testify as an expert witness at hearing before the PSC, other New York State agencies, the legislature, and Federal agencies. You would be responsible for the professional development of your staff and maintaining/ensuring compliance with internal controls. You would lead and or advise staff teams in major rate cases, policy proceedings and other significant PSC proceedings/matters.

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Subject of Examination

There will be a written test which you must pass in order to be considered for appointment. The written test is designed to test for knowledge, skills, and/or abilities in such areas as:

1. Analyzing and evaluating information - These questions test for the ability to analyze, interpret, and draw reasonable conclusions from information presented in text, data, images or symbols. Analysis may involve identifying a significant problem or issue; focusing on relevant data and text; identifying trends, relationships, and significant features; assessing relevant alternatives; suggesting or evaluating possible conclusions; and applying logical principles to information provided. Sample test material for Analyzing and evaluating information is available.
2. Effectively interacting with others - These questions test candidates’ knowledge of techniques used to interact effectively with a variety of individuals, to provide information about topics of concern, to publicize or clarify agency programs or policies, and to negotiate conflicts or resolve complaints. Sample test material for Effectively interacting with others is available.
3. Administrative supervision - These questions test for knowledge of the principles and practices involved in directing the activities of a large subordinate staff, including subordinate supervisors. Questions relate to the personal interactions between an upper level supervisor and his/her subordinate supervisors in the accomplishment of objectives. These questions cover such areas as assigning work to and coordinating the activities of several units, establishing and guiding staff development programs, evaluating the performance of subordinate supervisors, and maintaining relationships with other organizational sections. Sample test material for Administrative supervision is available.
4. Administrative principles for managers - These questions test for knowledge of the managerial functions involved in directing an organization or an organizational segment. These questions cover such areas as: developing objectives and formulating policies; making decisions based on the context of the administrator's position and authority; forecasting and planning; organizing; developing personnel; coordinating and informing; guiding and leading organizational units; as well as the delegation of authority and responsibility. Sample test material for Administrative principles for managers is available.
5. Preparing reports and official documents - These questions test for the ability to prepare reports and other official documents for use within and among governmental agencies, in legal or regulatory settings, or for dissemination to the public. Some questions test for a knowledge of correct grammar, usage, punctuation, and sentence structure. Others test for the ability to use the proper tone and to express information clearly and accurately. Sample test material for Preparing reports and official documents is available.
6. Understanding and interpreting tabular material - These questions test your ability to understand, analyze, and use the internal logic of data presented in tabular form. You may be asked to perform tasks such as completing tables, drawing conclusions from them, analyzing data trends or interrelationships, and revising or combining data sets. The concepts of rate, ratio, and proportion are tested. Mathematical operations are simple, and computational speed is not a major factor in the test. You should bring with you a hand-held battery- or solar-powered calculator for use on this test. You will not be permitted to use the calculator function of your cell phone. Sample test material for Understanding and interpreting tabular material is available.

Your final score must be 70 or higher in order to pass. Rank on the eligible list will be determined after adding any wartime Veterans' and Civil Service Law Section 85-a credits to your final passing score.

Important: The Department of Civil Service and other state agencies may communicate with you through email correspondence. This may include the notification of your examination results and canvassing you for interest in appointment. It will be important for you to keep your email address, phone number and mailing address current by logging into https://www.cs.ny.gov/home/myaccount.

Test Guide & Sample Test Material

A General Guide to Written Tests is available at http://www.cs.ny.gov/testing/statetestguides.cfm. Sample Test Material for the subject areas described above is also available where indicated and at http://www.cs.ny.gov/testing/sampletestmat.cfm.

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How To Apply

If you do not receive a number after submitting your online application, your application was NOT processed.

Additional Information

New York State is an Equal Opportunity Employer

It is the policy of the State of New York to provide for and promote equal opportunity employment, compensation, and other terms and conditions of employment without unlawful discrimination on the basis of age, race, color, religion, disability, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, veteran or military service member status, marital status, domestic violence victim status, genetic predisposition or carrier status, or arrest and/or criminal conviction record unless based upon a bona fide occupational qualification or other exception.

Appointment to many positions in State government require candidates to undergo an investigative screening. This may include a thorough character investigation, a Federal Bureau of Investigation Criminal Record History Check, a Child Abuse Registry clearance, or other similar procedures. Candidates may be fingerprinted and may be required to pay any necessary fees for that procedure. Depending on the nature of the job, the criminal convictions discovered, or any falsified or omitted information revealed, the investigative findings may bar appointment or result in removal after appointment.

Eligibility for Employment

You must be legally eligible to work in the United States at the time of appointment and throughout your employment with New York State. If appointed, you must produce documents that establish your identity and eligibility to work in the United States, as required by the federal Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, and the Immigration and Nationality Act.

Religious Accommodation

Most written tests are held on Saturdays. If you cannot take the test on the announced test date, due to a conflict with a religious observance or practice, check the box under “Religious Accommodation.” We will make arrangements for you to take the test on a different date (usually the following day).

Reasonable Accommodations in Testing

It is the policy of the Department of Civil Service, in accordance with the New York State Human Rights Law and the Americans with Disabilities Act, to provide qualified persons with disabilities equal employment opportunity and equal opportunity to participate in and receive the benefits, services, programs, and activities of the Department. It is the policy of the Department to provide such persons reasonable accommodations and reasonable modifications as are necessary to provide equal opportunity. Persons with disabilities who require an accommodation to participate in an examination must note this on their application. Further information is available from the Test Administration Unit of the Department of Civil Service. In the Albany area, call 518-457-2487. Outside of the Albany area, call toll free at 1-877-697-5627. For TDD services, call NY Relay at 711 (requires a fee) or 1-800-662-1220.

Admission to Examination

Notice to appear for the test may be conditional as review of applications may not be made until after the test. If you have not received your notice to appear for the written test three days before the date of the test, call 518-474 6470 in the Albany area or toll free at 1-877-697-5627.

Multiple Examinations Scheduled for the Same Day

If you have applied to take a written test announced by either one or several local jurisdictions (county, town, city) scheduled to be held on the same test date as this written test, you must notify each of the local jurisdictions no later than two weeks before the test date to make arrangements for taking all tests at one test site. All tests will be held at the state examination center. For your convenience, contact information for all local civil service agencies is available on our website at: http://www.cs.ny.gov/jobseeker/local.cfm

Cell Phones or Electronic/Communication Devices at the Test Site

Do not bring cell phones, beepers, headphones, or any electronic or other communication devices to the test site. The use of such devices at the test site in the test room, hallways, restrooms, building, grounds, or other areas could result in your disqualification.

S2/TB2 SEH-dah
Issued: 6/23/2017

This announcement is subject to amendment or cancellation without notice. Do not copy it, or post it to any other site, but link to it instead.

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