State of Oregon is hiring: Bond Accountant (Accountant 2) in Salem

Bond Accountant (Accountant 2)

If you have strong customer service skills, exceptional analytical skills, and a passion for making a difference, consider taking on a role within The Oregon Department of Agriculture, Administrative Services Financial Services. We are currently recruiting for a Bond Accountant (Accountant 2) position.

This is a Limited Duration position scheduled to last until 6/30/2027, however, we will also consider a job rotation for current, regular status employees of the state of Oregon in good standing that are expected to continue through at least 6/30/2027. Please note, employees who are in trial service are not eligible for a job rotation. In order to be considered for the job rotation option, you must attach approval from your supervisor to your application in the Resume/Cover Letter section.

At the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA), employees work with a dynamic and supportive team of mission-focused individuals tasked with ensuring healthy natural resources, environment, and economy for Oregonians now and in the future through inspection and certification, regulation, and promotion of agriculture and food. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are embedded in the Department of Agriculture core values. Employees at all levels of the agency work together to foster fairness, equity, inclusion, and belonging. The department strives to be a model employer committed to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion.

We are looking to fill a Bond Accountant (Accountant 2). This position works within ODA's Administrative Services, Financial Services section, and is located at The Oregon Department of Agriculture office in Salem, Oregon.

As a Bond Accountant (Accountant 2) you will perform accounting processes related to Article XI-Q bonds for the agency. The position is responsible for related activities: bond issuance, project disbursements, and debt service payments. This position records and reconciles capital asset and capital outlay related transactions including depreciation, acquisitions, dispositions, and transfers. The position prepares year-end reporting and preparation of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) questionnaire, notes, and disclosures.

1. Reconciles bond proceeds deposit in the Statewide Financial Management Application (SFMA) for agency to receive cash once a bond sale closes.
2. Records bond deposit, underwriter's discount, bond liability and processes DAS cost of issuance invoices and forwards to Accounts Payable for payment.
3. Prepares debt refunding documentation and records refunding transactions in SFMA as outlined in the Oregon Accounting Manual (OAM). Reconciles General Ledger (GL) accounts related to the debt, amortizes related debt accounts for old debt, verifies balances in amortized GL accounts, and calculates percentage of refunded debt.
4. Records interest earned on bond sale proceeds in SFMA monthly and track for arbitrage reporting purposes.
5. Track project expenditures against Legislatively Approved appropriation.
6. Submits disbursement request form, invoice summary form, invoice copies, and supporting documentation to Department of Administrative Services (DAS) Capital Finance Coordinator at least monthly for bond disbursements.
7. Works with DAS on any questions during the process, draws down bond proceeds upon DAS approval, and record transactions in SFMA.
8. Submits completion certificate within 30 days of project completion or when all proceeds have been used to DAS Capital Finance Section Analyst.
9. Prepares financial reports from the accounting system data warehouse, research information and compiles special fiscal reports for presentation to agency leadership, legislative committees, Chief Information Officer, as needed.

This is what you need to qualify:

• A Bachelor's degree in accounting, or a Bachelor's degree in any discipline that includes or is supplemented by 32 quarter (21 semester) credit hours from an accredited institution in Accounting AND two (2) years of accounting experience equivalent to Accountant 1 work to include setting-up ledgers, account codes and controls, and modifying accounting systems; OR
• Possession of a Certified Public Accountant or Certified Government Financial Manager certificate AND two (2) years of accounting experience equivalent to Accountant 1 work to include setting-up ledgers, account codes and controls, and modifying accounting systems; OR
• 32 quarter (21 semester) credit hours from an accredited institution in Accounting AND four (4) years of related accounting experience to include a) classifying, analyzing, and reconciling financial data and records; b) designing, recommending, and installing modifications of accounting methods, procedures, forms, and records; c) preparing financial statements and reports; d) analyzing and interpreting laws, regulations, codes, and ordinances to ensure the legality of financial transactions; and e) analyzing, interpreting, and making recommendations related to accounting transactions, accounts, and account relationships resulting in accounting entries.

NOTE: 15 quarter (10 semester) graduate-level accounting credit hours may substitute for one (1) year of accounting experience. Graduate-level courses used to satisfy the educational requirement may not be used to satisfy the experience requirement.

Desired Attributes:

• Experience using and applying Generally Accepted Accounting Practices.
• Experience with complex accounting systems like SFMA/R*Stars.
• Experience using Excel and OBIEE.
• Experience performing accounting processes related to Article XI-Q bonds.
• Experience recording and reconciling capital assets and capital outlay related transactions including depreciation, acquisitions, dispositions, and transfers.
• Experience preparing year-end reporting and preparation of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR).
• Ability to work both independently as well as collaboratively in a team setting, sharing information, and coordinating processes.
• Ability to manage one's own work time to accomplish program objectives and collaboration with the team members.

Projected Recruitment Timeline:

• Recruitment Closes: September 23, 2025
• 1st Round of Interviews: September 25-30
• 2nd Round of Interviews: TBD

*These dates are approximate and may change.*

How to apply:

• Required: Attach a cover letter and a resume to your application. Please describe how you meet the qualifications and desired attributes in your cover letter. Applications without both requested documents attached will not move forward in the recruitment process.

Upon submitting your application, please be sure to check your account for pending questions and tasks such as declaring Veterans' Points and attaching supporting.

• Current state employees please apply through your employee Workday account.

What's in it for you?

The State of Oregon offers a competitive and affordable health and benefits package, including excellent medical, vision, and dental coverage, paid holidays off, and personal business leave, as well as paid and accrued vacation leave and sick leave. In addition to standard medical benefits and employee leave, the state also provides additional optional benefits, such as basic life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, deferred compensation savings program, and flexible spending accounts for health care and childcare expenses. More information is available from the Public Employees Benefit Board.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are embedded in the Department of Agriculture core values. Employees at all levels of the agency work together to foster fairness, equity, inclusion, and belonging. The department strives to be a model employer committed to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job and that candidate may not meet every one of our listed preferred qualifications. Lived experience may count towards the desired attributes. If you are excited about this position, we encourage you to apply. If you are unsure as to whether you meet the minimum qualifications of this position, please contact our human resources department to discuss your application.

Additional Information:

• This position is represented by SEIU.
• Current state employees, please apply through your employee Workday account.
• Per the Pay Equity Law passed in 2017, an equal pay analysis will be conducted to determine the compensation of the successful candidate. The analysis will be based on the relevant experience, education, training, and certifications documented in the application materials.

• United States Employment Eligibility: The Oregon Department of Agriculture does not offer visa sponsorship. Within three days of hire, all applicants will be required to complete the US Department of Homeland Security's Form I-9, confirming authorization to work in the United States. The Oregon Employment Department is an E-Verify employer. If you are the successful candidate, you must present your I-9 acceptable documents (See page 3) for employment verification.

Questions/Need Help?

If you have questions about the recruitment or need an accommodation for the recruitment process, please email