Financial Assistant I

Financial Assistant I supports payroll, procurement, accounting, and budget operations for the Legislative Council Service in a hybrid role based in Santa Fe.

Responsibilities

• Prepare, process, and review accounting, payroll, and budget documents; reconcile accounts including biweekly payroll, payment expenditures, and monthly fiscal reports to ensure accuracy.
• Support the certified procurement officer with procurement verification and compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and accounting procedures.
• Monitor expenditures to ensure spending stays within authorized budgets.
• Administer employee benefits.
• Compile information from financial records to prepare special management reports.
• Assist with analysis and maintenance of operating budgets.
• Maintain an inventory of office supplies.
• Assist the Chief Financial Officer with external audit preparation as needed.
• Reconcile legislator travel monthly to support preparation and verification of end-of-year member reports.
• Assist members with travel reimbursement processes and related needs.
• Support members and staff with questions involving committees, travel, and payroll.
• Communicate and maintain professional working relationships with the DFA, PERA, the State Treasurer, and other outside agencies as required.

Requirements

• Interpret, analyze, summarize, and compile financial data accurately.
• Use good judgment when appraising financial situations.
• Apply state laws and regulations to accounting documents and, where appropriate, to procurement matters.
• Prepare reports.
• Understand accounting language, software, and related documents.
• Present comments clearly and concisely.
• Operate relevant equipment to complete accounting functions.
• Maintain effective working relationships with associates and other individuals.
• Participate in continuous and ongoing training through the DFA and other state agencies.
• Assist members and staff with accounting, per diem, and mileage questions.

Qualifications & Preferred

• Minimum experience: 3 years.
• Education: Associate’s degree (Required).
• Accounting certificate or 12 hours of accounting principles is preferred.

Skills / Abilities

• Make daily decisions on appropriate accounting treatment for financial transactions.
• Recommend solutions to accounting problems impacting agency operations.
• Propose changes or revisions to the accounting system or its operational features.
• Work effectively under stressful conditions.

Benefits

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Pay & Job Details

• Salary: $59,980.00 - $70,577.00 per year
• Job type: Full-time
• Work direction: General direction
• Guidelines: State and federal laws, agency rules and procedures, and accounting manuals

Working Conditions

• General office setting in the State Capitol.
• During legislative sessions, the agency is open seven days per week; long hours are typical and staff may be on-call depending on session demands.
• Travel and additional hours may be required, primarily for interim committee staff.
• Legislative employees are exempt from the Personnel Act and from the federal Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938.
• No overtime pay is provided to regular, year-round staff.
• Compensatory time may be provided at the discretion of the LCS director for some additional time worked during session.

Physical Requirements

• Some lifting and carrying of files, boxes, and computer equipment is common.

Location

• Hybrid remote: Santa Fe, NM 87501
• Commute preferred: Santa Fe, NM 87501
• Relocation: Santa Fe, NM 87501 (Relocate before starting work required)

Application Question

• Have you taken 12 hours of accounting principles?