Job Information
State of Massachusetts Contract Auditor in Boston, Massachusetts
About the Operational Services Division (OSD) The Operational Services Division (OSD) is an oversight agency of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts within the Executive Office for Administration and Finance. OSD’s primary focus is to help our government buyers and business customers succeed in meeting their goals by providing outstanding customer service, competent advice and guidance, and high-quality products and services that exceed the expectations of those we serve. Join our Dynamic Team OSD's diverse team of 150 professionals is transforming the way government operates. Our hybrid work environment fosters creativity and collaboration, allowing us to deliver cutting-edge solutions in strategic sourcing, print and mail, surplus property, and more. Join us and make a lasting impact. Are you passionate about shaping public policy and enhancing government operations? Join our dynamic team as a Contract Auditor. This role offers a unique opportunity to develop and support innovative compliance and quality assurance (QA) strategies to ensure that executive branch agencies conduct procurements in alignment with the Commonwealth’s statutes, regulations, and policies. Working alongside auditors, analysts and your unit Director and closely with the OSD Legal team and other units, you will play a pivotal role in analyzing executive agency procurement and other activities, reviewing documentation and purchasing transactions processed through the Massachusetts Management Accounting and Reporting System or (MMARS), and the eProcurement system, COMMBUYS, to review compliance of departmental contracts and/or purchases in accordance with OSD’s regulations and policies. Key Attributes: Key attributes of a successful candidate include proven problem-solving and communication skills, the ability to manage ambiguity, a creative thinker, and the ability to manage multiple competing priorities while working within a close-knit team. Your exceptional attention to detail will ensure high-quality work product, minimizing errors and enhancing overall project outcomes. Key Responsibilities: * Analyzes contracts, reports, records, and documents to ensure compliance with established OSD statutes, regulations, and policies, * Perform quality assurance reviews and departmental contract analysis on procurement activities to ensure compliance with the state procurement regulations, rules, and policies; * Provides technical assistance to agency staff and communicate results, issues, or concerns to internal and external stakeholders; * Develops information for preparing documents and manuals by analyzing objectives and requirements and conferring with agency personnel to obtain statistical data and supportive documentation to conduct effective and comprehensive audits * Engages and facilitates executive agencies to discuss the results/issues and corrective actions needed; * Prepares memos, reports, correspondence, and corrective action plans concerning assigned activities to provide requested information and make appropriate recommendations; * Follows up on past quality assurance findings to ensure the compliance with past Corrective Action Plans; * Performs related duties such as maintaining records, attending meetings, preparing correspondence, and developing dashboard tools for compliance tracking and reporting; * Generate and analyze MMARS encumbrance and payment transactions to spot check agencies procurement and contracting activities to ensure compliance with OSD regulation and policies; * Collaborate with other oversight agencies on OSD procurement initiatives to enable OSD visibility of the full procurement including MMARS statewide contract reference fields and object code usage; * Work with OSD Units, including Performance Analytics, Help Desk, and Training to assist with the team’s initiatives, in order to brainstorm oversight activities and recommend tools for enhancement and tracking Requirements: * Ability to read and interpret documents such as financial transactions, contracts, and databases; * Ability to analyze and determine the applicability of data, identify red flags, and to draw conclusions and make appropriate recommendations; * Strong organizational and time management skills needed to maintain accurate records in both written and electronic format; * Excellent written communication skills, including preparation of reports, memos, and corrective action plans; * Strong oral communication and presentation skills; * Excellent time management skills, with the ability to work independently and meet deadlines. * Proficiency with Microsoft Office 365 tools, including Teams, Outlook, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint, as well as databases, dashboards, applications, and other organizational and presentation software. * Ability to supervise, including planning and assigning work, conducting periodic performance reviews and training, and motivating staff to work effectively, when necessary. * Familiarity with MMARS and/or COMMBUYS is a plus. The Operational Services Division values staff diversity and contributions to an inclusive working and learning environment. DEI Value Statement Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are integral to the Operational Services Division’s (OSD's) mandate to oversee transparent and equitable practices through a variety of public services and programs within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. OSD commits to cultivating and nurturing a diverse workforce, which is reflective of the communities we serve and recognized as our greatest strength. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are our core principles, guiding us in who we aspire to be in our business operations and partnerships. First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days. MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS:Applicants must have at least (A) three years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, professional experience in accounting or auditing, or (B) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitutions below. Substitutions: I. A Bachelor's degree with a major in accounting, business administration or business management may be substituted for a maximum of one year of the required experience.* II. A Graduate degree with a major in accounting, business administration or business management may be substituted for a maximum of two years of the required experience.* Education toward such a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed. Note: Educational substitutions will only be permitted for a maximum of two years of the required experience. _Comprehensive Benefits_ When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future. Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards! *An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role. Job: Accounting and Finance* *Organization: Operational Services Division *Title: *Contract Auditor Location: Massachusetts-Boston-1 Ashburton Place Requisition ID: 24000A6A