Professional Career Opportunities - Job Title Details

Accountant Trainee 1, G-14

Occupation Group

Accounting, Auditing and Finance

Salary Information

Starting Salary

$49,202

Career Ladder Information

Salary Information for Accountant Trainee 1
Title Grade Hiring Rate/yr Job Rate/yr
Accountant Trainee 1 14 $52,198 $66,634
Accountant Trainee 2 16 $58,247 $74,135
Senr Accountant 18 $65,001 $82,656
Assoc Accountant 23 $84,156 $106,454
Supvg Accountant 25 $93,530 $117,875
Prin Accountant 27 $103,784 $127,830
Assnt Chief Accountant 29 $114,976 $140,815
Chief Accountant 31 $127,433 $155,130
Accounting Program Dir 66 $147,758 $185,851

All salary grades for trainees titles are non-statutory (NS) equated to the salary grade identified. These grade equations apply to the starting salaries in their respective salary schedule for the traineeship levels.

Job Description

Accountants under the supervision of a higher ranking accountant, fiscal or program officer, perform professional accounting or auditing tasks requiring a knowledge of accounting principles and procedures in the development, examination, review, analysis or supervision of financial and accounting records including the preparation of related reports and statements. Within broad administrative policy limitations and following well established and accepted accounting and auditing methods and procedures, accountants design new or revise existing accounting systems. A Senior Accountant may perform both accounting and auditing activities or, depending on the nature of an agency program and the assignment, may specialize in one functional area. Senior Accountants functioning as auditors, will conduct or supervise on-site field audits of the accounts and operations of regulated corporations and others governed by State and local laws and regulations.

Trainees will receive a combination of structured training, on-the-job training, and/or practical job performance to gain the knowledge and experience necessary to function at the full performance level.

Agencies with this Title

Various New York State agencies

Minimum Qualifications

You must meet the requirements below to qualify for this title.

Either 1. A bachelor's or higher degree in accounting, auditing, or taxation; OR

2. A bachelor's or higher degree with 24 semester credit hours in accounting, auditing, or taxation courses.

Note that courses such as business law, economics, statistics, and most finance courses, although taken as part of an accounting curriculum, cannot be counted toward the 24 semester credit hours.

Advanced Placement

If chosen, you may, at the agency's discretion, be appointed to a higher level. You must inform the agency of any additional qualifications at your interview.

View Additional Qualifications

For Trainee 2 you must also have:

Either 1. One year of professional experience in accounting/auditing or financial internal or field auditing, where you were responsible for the full range of activities in the design and/or review, analysis and management of accounting systems, resulting in the preparation of, or recommendations on, financial statements in accord with generally accepted accounting principles; OR

2. A master's or higher degree in accounting, auditing, or taxation.

For the Full Performance Level you must also have:

Either 1. Two years of professional experience in accounting/auditing or financial internal or field auditing, where you were responsible for the full range of activities in the design and/or review, analysis and management of accounting systems, resulting in the preparation of, or recommendations on, financial statements in accord with generally accepted accounting principles; OR

2. A master's or higher degree in accounting, auditing, or taxation AND one year of professional experience in accounting/auditing or financial internal or field auditing, where you were responsible for the full range of activities in the design and/or review, analysis and management of accounting systems, resulting in the preparation of, or recommendations on, financial statements in accord with generally accepted accounting principles; OR

3. A currently valid Certified Public Accountant license and registration issued by New York State.

Experience NOT considered qualifying are activities restricted to teaching, bookkeeping, maintaining/auditing payroll records or accounts receivable/accounts payable, or preparing tax returns.

How to Apply

The November 2022 PCO Examination is closed, applications are no longer being accepted