Agency Information: The Kansas Office of Early Childhood exists to strengthen Kansas’s early childhood system by improving efficiency, transparency, and safety in state programs, funding, and policy implementation. KOEC oversees over 20 early childhood care and education programs including childcare licensing and subsidy, home visiting, and grant programs funded through the Children’s Initiatives Fund. We envision an early childhood system where:
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Every child is supported and equipped with the foundations for necessary lifelong success;
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Families have access to early childhood programs and services through a coordinated, easy-to-navigate system that reduces fragmentation and administrative burden;
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Providers across the mixed-delivery system are supported, well-prepared, and have the resources necessary to deliver high-quality experiences for children; and communities and businesses are strengthened through a coordinated approach that supports workforce participation and enables families to thrive.
Following the application period, KOEC leadership will review applications and invite chosen candidates to interview. The individual selected for this position will not begin the new role until the Office is formally opened but would be expected to support the KOEC transition efforts.
About the Position
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Who can apply: Anyone
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Classified/Unclassified Service: Unclassified
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Full-Time/Part-Time: Full-time
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Regular/Temporary: Regular
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Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
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Eligible to Receive Benefits: Yes
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Veterans' Preference Eligible: Yes
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Application Deadline: Open Until Filled
Compensation:
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Annual Salary Range: $54,000-$57,500.
- Note: This role will have a salary set by the Director of Early Childhood and be commensurable with experience.
Employment Benefits:
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Comprehensive medical, mental, dental, vision, and additional coverage
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Sick & Vacation leave
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Work-Life Balance programs: parental leave, military leave, jury leave, funeral leave
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Paid State Holidays (designated by the Governor annually)
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Fitness Centers in select locations
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Employee discounts with the STAR Program
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Retirement and deferred compensation programs
Visit the Employee Benefits page for more information
Position Description:
The Fiscal Accountant, reporting to the Deputy Director of Operations and Fiscal Affairs, performs professional accounting and grant administration functions in support of the Kansas Office of Early Childhood (KOEC). This role maintains the financial integrity of KOEC's diverse funding streams, including federal grants and state appropriations (including the Children's Initiatives Fund (CIF)), ensuring accurate tracking, reporting, and compliance with applicable state and federal requirements and all governing regulations.
This position works closely with program staff and fiscal leadership to provide timely, accurate financial information that supports sound decision-making and responsible stewardship of public resources overseen by KOEC.
Job Responsibilities:
Grant Administration and Financial Reporting
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Federal and state grant administration: Perform grant administration activities across assigned KOEC programs, including federal and state grants. Coordinate with program staff to ensure all financial commitments are tracked and met in accordance with grant requirements.
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Federal Financial Reports (FFRs): Prepare, review, and submit all required federal financial reports, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and timely submission in accordance with federal requirements and agency timelines.
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Grant compliance monitoring: Monitor grant fund balances, expenditures, and commitments to ensure compliance with applicable state and federal fiscal rules, regulations, and grant agreements. Flag discrepancies and work with program staff to proactively resolve issues.
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Indirect cost computation: Compute indirect costs earned for applicable federal and private grants, applying the appropriate rate (restricted or unrestricted) as approved in the indirect cost rate agreement. Ensure amounts expended do not exceed amounts earned and comply with special conditions.
Accounting and Fiscal Operations
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Manage cost allocation plan: Allocate monthly and quarterly overhead charges—including but not limited to leased office space, building surcharges, copier rental, mail, telecommunications, and data services—to appropriate funding sources using established usage formulas. Ensure all state and federal programs benefiting from shared services are charged their proportionate share.
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Accounting worksheets and reconciliation: Prepare, maintain, and reconcile accounting worksheets and financial records for assigned programs. Ensure records are accurate, up to date, and available for review or audit.
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Payment vouchers and purchasing: Prepare and code payment vouchers. Assist with the processing of purchase requisitions and purchase orders in SMART, ensuring compliance with all state purchasing requirements.
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Fiscal year-end activities: Support fiscal year-end activities, including encumbering unpaid obligations, preparing adjusting entries, reconciling funds, and completing required schedules and documentation.
Compliance and Internal Controls
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Regulatory compliance: Ensure all accounting and grant administration activities comply with applicable state and federal laws, regulations, and agency policies. Stay current on changes to relevant fiscal guidance and apply updates to ongoing work.
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Audit support: Assist with internal and external audit preparation by maintaining organized, complete financial records and providing requested documentation and explanations.
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Travel and expense audits: Audit travel and miscellaneous expense payments to ensure accuracy and compliance with agency policies.
Additional Duties
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Other duties as assigned: Perform other fiscal and accounting duties as assigned by supervisory staff, including entering voucher screens, preparing financial reports, and supporting special projects within the fiscal team.
Minimum Qualifications
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Three years of experience in professional accounting, auditing, or closely related fiscal work. Education may be substituted for experience as determined relevant by the agency.
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Familiarity with SMART or comparable state accounting and purchasing systems; experience collaborating with the Kansas Department of Administration Service Center or other agencies.
Preferred Qualifications
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Knowledge of state and federal accounting rules, regulations, and procedures, including federal grant requirements.
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Experience in computerized accounting software. Proficiency in developing and maintaining electronic spreadsheets and databases.
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Experience in grant administration, including indirect cost computation and federal financial reporting.
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Familiarity with early childhood, education, or human services programs is a plus.
Kansas Tax Clearance Certificate: A valid Kansas Tax Clearance Certificate is a condition of employment for all employees of the State of Kansas. Applicants (including non-residents) who receive a formal job offer for a State job, are required to obtain a valid Tax Clearance within ten (10) days of the job offer. A Tax Clearance can be obtained through the Kansas Department of Revenue who reviews individual accounts for compliance with Kansas Tax Law. Please be encouraged if you have a missing tax return(s) or you owe taxes to the State of Kansas, the Kansas Department of Revenue will work with you. The Kansas Department of Revenue can set you up on a payment plan to receive a Tax Clearance so you can get a job working for the State of Kansas. The Kansas Department of Revenue can be contacted at 785-296-3199. Kansas Department of Revenue - Tax Clearance Frequently Asked Questions
Recruiter Contact Information:
Name: Sarah Aasen
Email: [email protected]
Job Application Process:
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First Sign in or register as a New User.
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Complete or update your contact information on the Careers> My Contact Information page. *This information is included on all your job applications.
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Upload required documents listed below for the Careers> My Job Applications page.
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Start your draft job application, upload other required documents, and Submit when it is complete.
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Manage your draft and submitted applications on the Careers> My Job Applications page.
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Check your email and My Job Notifications for written communications from the Recruiter.
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Email – sent to the Preferred email on the My Contact Information page
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Notifications – view the Careers> My Job Notifications page
Helpful Resources at jobs.ks.gov: “How to Apply for a Job – Instructions” and “How to Search for a Job – Instructions"
Required Documents for this Application to be Complete:
Upload these on the Careers - My Job Applications page
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DD FM 214 (if you are claiming Veteran’s Preference)
Upload these on the Attachments step in your Job Application
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Resume
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Letter of Interest / Cover Letter
How to Claim Veterans Preference:
Veterans' Preference Eligible (VPE): Former military personnel or their spouse that have been verified as a "veteran"; under K.S.A. 73-201 will receive an interview if they meet the minimum competency factors of the position. The veterans' preference laws do not guarantee the veteran a job. Positions are filled with the best qualified candidate as determined by the hiring manager.
Learn more about claiming Veteran’s Preference
How to Claim Disability Hiring Preference
Applicants that have physical, cognitive and/or mental disabilities may claim an employment preference when applying for positions. If they are qualified to meet the performance standards of the position, with or without a reasonable accommodation, they will receive an interview for the position. The preference does not guarantee an applicant the job, as positions are filled with the best qualified candidate as determined by the hiring manager.
Learn more about claiming Disability Hiring Preference
PLEASE NOTE: The documentation verifying a person's eligibility for use of this preference should not be sent along with other application materials to the hiring agency but should be sent directly to OPS. These documents should be scanned and emailed to [email protected], or can be mailed/delivered in person to:
ATTN: Disability Hiring Preference Coordinator
Office of Personnel Services
Docking State Office Building
915 SW Harrison Street, Ste 260
Topeka, KS 66612
Equal Employment Opportunity:
The State of Kansas is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value diversity, equity, and inclusion as essential elements that create and foster a welcoming workplace. All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, political affiliation, disability or any other factor unrelated to the essential functions of the job.
If you wish to identify yourself as a qualified person with a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act and would like to request an accommodation, please address the request to the agency recruiter.
