Senior Staff Accountant - Bureau of Motor Vehicles

Location: Augusta, Maine

If you are a current State of Maine employee, please submit your application through the internal application process using the Find Jobs report in PRISM. Seasonal employees who do not have PRISM access should apply through the State’s career page and indicate on the application that they have previously worked for the State.

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Position: Senior Staff Accountant

Department: Secretary of State - Bureau of Motor Vehicles

Division: Administration & Finance Services

Location: Augusta

Schedule: Monday - Friday

Job Class: 0330

Grade: 23

Salary: $52,659.57 - $73,885.03 annually (includes a 2.25% stipend)

Closing Date: November 11, 2026

Join Our Team at the Department of the Secretary of State:

At the Department of the Secretary of State, we are a team dedicated to providing efficient and exceptional service to our community. We prioritize work-life balance and offer excellent benefits to support our team in achieving professional success while maintaining personal well-being. Join a team that fosters a culture of teamwork, integrity, and continuous improvement, offering opportunities for growth and making a meaningful impact on the lives of our citizens.

Are you ready to make a difference?

We are looking for dedicated and collaborative individuals who thrive in a fast-paced, customer-focused environment. If you are passionate about delivering outstanding public service, contributing to a high-performing team, and supporting the people of Maine every day, we want you on our team.

About the Position

The Senior Staff Accountant role oversees the Staff Accountant team within the Accounting Unit by setting priorities, supervising staff, and providing guidance to ensure efficient operations. The position manages daily reconciliations, monthly reconciliations, and also oversees complex accounts receivable (A/R), accounts payable (A/P), cash receipting (CR), and banking functions. The role monitors workflows, identifies opportunities for process improvements, collaborates with leadership to implement enhancements, and serves as a subject matter expert for resolving operational issues relating to their team.

The position also maintains knowledge of applicable laws, regulations, policies, and accounting standards - including SAAM, GAAP, GASB, and Office of the State Controller (OSC) guidance to ensure compliance and accurate financial operations.

What We’re Looking For

• Innovative Thinking: Proven ability to implement new programs, streamline processes, and bring forward-thinking solutions to complex challenges.
• Team Collaboration: A leader who builds strong, collaborative relationships across teams and creates an environment where employees feel valued and empowered to contribute to shared goals.
• Communication Skills: Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to clearly convey complex information to both internal teams and external stakeholders.
• Leadership Excellence: Experience leading teams with a strong track record of driving positive change and developing talent.
• Positive Workplace Culture: Commitment to creating a workplace environment where respect, transparency, and mutual support are central to the team’s success.
• Adaptability and Resilience: Ability to respond to changing priorities with agility, making decisions that maintain service excellence and operational integrity.

Key Competencies We Value

• Emotional Intelligence: A strong ability to connect with others, building trust and fostering collaboration across all levels of the organization.
• Problem Solving and Innovation: Comfort with navigating complex problems and leading teams to create practical, innovative solutions.
• Conflict Resolution & Feedback: Skilled in guiding teams through challenges and offering constructive, actionable feedback.
• Time Management: Expertise in balancing multiple projects and responsibilities effectively while maintaining high standards.
• Continuous Improvement: A mindset focused on continuous learning, both for yourself and your team, to drive positive changes across the Bureau.

In This Role You Will

• Supervise and mentor a team of three Staff Accountants. Overseeing hiring, training, performance evaluations, and fostering a positive work environment.
• Oversee complex reconciliations and troubleshooting, as well as recurring journal entries and disbursements, to ensure accuracy and compliance.
• Drive process improvements by identifying inefficiencies in workflows, implementing innovative solutions, and ensuring cross-system accuracy and compliance.
• Collaborate with colleagues and leadership to enhance internal controls, improve operational efficiency, and uphold best practices in accounting principles.
• Preference will be given to candidates who bring digital fluency and a process-improvement mindset:
• Comfort learning and adopting new technologies, experience streamlining or digitizing paper-based work, clear written communication, curiosity about emerging workplace tools, and the judgment to evaluate and verify their output before relying on it.
• Supervisory experience in accounting or business operations.
• Experience with accounts payable, accounts receivable, deposits, or financial processing.
• Experience with Lean or other continuous improvement practices.
• Experience improving workflows, including streamlining or digitizing paper-based work.
• Demonstrated ability to learn and adopt new technologies, including evaluating and verifying new digital tools.
• Knowledge of accounting principles and financial regulations.
• Strong organizational, written communication, and problem-solving skills.

Minimum Qualifications

(Entry level knowledges, skills, and/or abilities may be acquired through, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO the following course work/training and/or experience).

Intermediate to advanced education, training, and/or experience in accounting, business administration, financial planning, budgeting, or another related field demonstrating competency in analyzing complex data and records, interpreting policies, rules, and laws, designing operational frameworks, identifying process and procedure deficiencies, and developing practical solutions.

Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. Please note that this position is not eligible for visa sponsorship or STEM OPT extensions, and successful candidates will be required to complete an I-9 form upon hire.

The successful candidate must pass a National Criminal Background check, which may include fingerprinting.

Why Join Our Team?

We believe in supporting our workforce's health and well-being with a valuable total compensation package, including:

Work-Life Fit: Take time for yourself with 13 paid holidays, 12 days of sick leave, and 3+ weeks of vacation leave annually. Vacation leave accrual increases with years of service, and overtime-exempt employees receive personal leave.

Health Insurance Coverage: The State of Maine pays 85%-95% of employee-only premiums ($12,213.69 - $14,790.59 annual value), depending on salary. Use this chart to findPremium Rates for you and your family, including the percentage of dependent coverage paid by the State.

Dental Insurance: The State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums ($365.28 annual value).

Retirement Plan: The State contributes the equivalent of 14.06% of the employee's pay towards the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS).

Gym Membership Reimbursement: Improve overall health with regular exercise and receive up to $40 per month to offset this expense.

Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts: Set aside money pre-tax to help pay for out-of-pocket health care expenses and/or daycare expenses.

Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness: The State of Maine is a qualified employer for this federal program. For more information, visit the Federal Student Aid office.

Living Resources Program: Navigate challenging work and life situations with our employee assistance program.

Parental leave is one of the most important benefits for any working parent. All employees who are welcoming a child—including non-birthing and adoptive parents—receive six weeks of fully paid parental leave. Additional unpaid leave may also be available, under the Family and Medical Leave Act.

Voluntary Deferred Compensation: Save additional pre-tax funds for retirement in a MaineSaves 457(b) account through payroll deductions.

Contact information

Questions about this position should be directed to Terri Kanaris, Talent Acquisition Specialist, via email [email protected].

Application Instructions

Interested applicants need to apply online by selecting the "Apply for this opening" button along with uploading a cover letter, current resume, and copies of any transcripts or certifications you wish to have considered while evaluating your application. In order for us to properly determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for any posting, you must be sure your resume includes month and year for any experience listed along with the duties and responsibilities associated with each particular time period. Applications cannot accepted after the posting closing date.

If you require a paper application, please download and print one HERE or contact our office at 207-441-9993. Paper applications for this posting should be submitted along with cover letter and resume before the closing date to Secretary of State, Office of Human Resources, 101 Hospital Street, Augusta, ME 04330 or faxed to 207-624-9313. Be sure title of the job you are applying for is included. Applications cannot be accepted after the posting closing date.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to building an inclusive workplace that respects and values diversity across all backgrounds.

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If you are unable to complete the online application, please contact the Human Resources representative listed on the job opening you are interested in applying for. They will work with you for an alternative method of submitting.