988 Accountant I.

State of Colorado; Denver (CO); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work arrangements for eligible 

Paid holidays and leave

PERA retirement benefits

Job summary

Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS) is seeking an Accountant I to manage professional accounting functions for the 988 Mental Health Line Enterprise, ensuring GAAP/GASB compliance and accurate financial reporting. You will handle invoices, reconciliations, budget tracking, and contract monitoring while coordinating with the 988 Fiscal Manager and program staff.

The role requires independent judgment, attention to detail, and ability to prepare analyses and ad hoc reports using CORE,

Qualifications

• Four years of relevant experience in accounting or auditing.
• Education/experience combination equal to four years.
• CPA licensure can substitute for four years of education.
• Experience with CORE (Advantage) and GAAP/GASB standards is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Process invoices and payments for contracts and grants.
• Reconcile accounts and monitor funding utilization.
• Prepare expenditure summaries and financial trends for leadership.
• Coordinate with program staff on invoice submission requirements.

Skills

Google Suite

Excel

Public-sector accounting

Program accounting

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting

CPA licensure

27 credit hours accounting/auditing

Tools

CORE (Advantage)

Job description

Department Information

This position is open to current Colorado residents only.

Please note: This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies.

Please note: This position has hybrid working conditions requiring in-office presence approximately 1-3 times per month or as needed for business operations and are subject to change. Limited travel may be required.

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CDHSCareers

Description Of Job

The 988 Division, housed within the Behavioral Health Administration, is responsible for the operation, oversight, and strategic development of Colorado’s 988 Mental Health Line. Established pursuant to federal law and state statute (SB21-154 and SB25-236), the 988 Mental Health Line operates as a TABOR-defined Enterprise, providing a sustainable and dedicated funding structure to support crisis services statewide. The Division ensures that all Coloradans have access to a 24/7, easy-to-remember, and confidential entry point for behavioral health crisis services through phone, text, and chat. It manages statewide contracts with the 988 contact center, provides fiscal and programmatic oversight, ensures compliance with state and federal requirements, and advances coordination with local, regional, and national partners. In addition, the 988 Division leads efforts to expand public awareness, integrate the 988 Mental Health Line with the broader behavioral health and emergency response systems (including 911), and promote consistent quality of care. This work supports the BHA’s mission to create a comprehensive, effective, and accessible behavioral health continuum by ensuring Coloradans in crisis are connected quickly and seamlessly to the help they need.

This position exists to perform professional accounting functions for the 988 Mental Health Line Enterprise, ensuring accurate financial reporting, proper accounting treatment of transactions, and compliance with state fiscal rules, grant requirements, and contract terms. The Accountant I applies Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) standards, and State fiscal policies to analyze financial activity, reconcile accounts, and resolve discrepancies across multiple funding streams.

The position is responsible for maintaining the accuracy and integrity of assigned accounts and financial records, including invoice processing, budget tracking, reconciliations, and contract fiscal monitoring. The position exercises independent judgment in determining appropriate accounting treatment, identifying and resolving discrepancies, and ensuring compliance with applicable fiscal and contractual requirements.

The position serves as a primary accounting resource for assigned contracts and appropriations, supporting enterprise sustainability through financial analysis, accounts payable management, funding reconciliation, and coordination with BHA Accounting, Contract Management, and program staff.

Job Duties

Accounting Records and Budget Tracking

This position performs professional accounting functions for the 988 Mental Health Line Enterprise under the direction of the 988 Fiscal Manager. This position performs duties as invoice processing, financial reconciliation, expenditure tracking, and accounts payable management for assigned contracts, appropriations, enterprise revenue, and grant funding streams. The position supports timely vendor payments, accurate financial records, and compliance with state fiscal rules, contract requirements, and federal grant conditions.

This position exercises independent judgment in applying GAAP, GASB standards, and State fiscal rules to resolve discrepancies, and maintain the accuracy and integrity of assigned accounts and financial records.

This position independently executes assigned accounting workflows within established fiscal frameworks and procedures. Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Managing the receipt, review, routing, and tracking of invoices from providers and contractors to support timely payment processing.
• Reviewing invoice documentation determining completeness and compliance of invoice documentation, including appropriate accounting treatment and coding and required approvals prior to submission for vouchering.
• Reconciling payments within CORE and resolving discrepancies between financial systems, contracts, and source documentation, CORE reports, contracts, and internal trackers.
• Maintaining and validating financial records and tracking systems to ensure accuracy of obligations, expenditures, and available balances for assigned contracts and funding streams.
• Performing reconciliations between CORE, internal trackers, and contract documentation to ensure transactions are accurately recorded.
• Identifying, analyzing, and resolving discrepancies, including determining appropriate corrective actions and adjustments for review by the 988 Fiscal Manager.
• Supporting fiscal year-end accounts payable accrual processes by Preparing accounts payable accruals and supporting year-end close processes in coordination with CDHS Accounting.
• Monitoring funding utilization and determining appropriate actions to ensure proper use of funds and compliance with funding requirements.
• Preparing and analyzing expenditure summaries and financial trends to support program and leadership decision-making
• Providing technical guidance to program staff and contractors regarding invoice submission requirements and allowable cost documentation.
• Developing standard financial spreadsheets and ad hoc reports using CORE, Info Advantage, Excel, Tableau, and other approved systems.
• Communicating invoice status and payment processing issues to internal and external stakeholders.

Contract Monitoring and Compliance

This position performs fiscal monitoring and compliance functions for assigned contracts within the 988 Mental Health Line Enterprise. The Accountant I reviews financial activity, evaluates compliance with contract terms, and applies GAAP, GASB standards, and State fiscal rules to determine the allowability and appropriate accounting treatment of expenditures.

Requirements

The position exercises independent judgment in identifying, analyzing, and resolving fiscal and compliance issues and works directly with contractors and internal stakeholders to ensure accurate financial reporting and adherence to contractual, statutory, and regulatory requirements. Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Drafting standard engagement communications to contractors requesting required fiscal documentation.
• Reviewing and evaluating contractor financial documentation to determine compliance with contract terms and fiscal requirements.
• Maintaining and analyzing contract monitoring records to ensure accurate tracking of financial activity and compliance status.
• Analyzing financial data and preparing compliance summaries identifying findings, risks, and recommended actions to the 988 Fiscal Manager.
• Communicating directly with contractors to address documentation deficiencies, clarify fiscal requirements, and resolve compliance issues.
• Participating in fiscal year-end monitoring and reporting processes, including analysis of contractor expenditures and compliance with funding requirements.
• Monitoring and validating corrective actions to ensure resolution of identified fiscal and compliance issues.
• Coordinating with contractors and internal stakeholders to obtain and validate financial documentation necessary for compliance and reporting.

Other Duties as assigned

This position performs additional accounting and financial analysis duties as assigned under the general direction of the 988 Fiscal Manager. These duties support the application of established accounting principles and fiscal processes and may involve independent analysis, interpretation of financial data, and development of materials to support program and leadership decision-making. Assignments may include, but are not limited to:

• Performing accounting and reconciliation support activities related to assigned funding streams, contracts, or financial processes
• Preparing ad hoc financial analyses, summaries, and reports to support fiscal monitoring and program decision-making
• Developing written communications related to financial activity, compliance requirements, or reconciliation outcomes
• Participating in workgroups or meetings and providing accounting-related input, analysis, or documentation
• Completing special projects or financial assignments requiring analysis of fiscal data and application of accounting principles

Minimum Qualifications

ACCOUNTANT I (H8A1XX) Experience Only

• Four (4) years of relevant experience in an occupation related to invoice review, invoice payment, accounts reconciliation, compliance or auditing.

OR

Education And Experience

• A combination of related education (coursework requires 27 semester hours completed in accounting or auditing) and/or relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned equal to four (4) years
• Current, valid licensure as a CPA by the Colorado Board of Accountancy will substitute for four (4) years of education

Preferred Qualifications

• Years of State Service
• Demonstrated Proficiency with Google Suite
• Strong preference will be given to candidates who possess a bachelor's degree in accounting, or have 27 credit hours of accounting or auditing coursework from an accredited college or university
• Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office software, specifically Excel
• Demonstrated experience working with CORE (Advantage)
• Preference will be given to candidates with public-sector and/or government accounting experience
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience with program accounting principles and practices with human-services related programs
• Able to perform at high levels of accuracy and participation in both team and individual environments
• Preference will be given to candidates who demonstrate having greater depth of experience and knowledge related to accounting principles and practices
• [Standard/full] background check and reference check required
• This position requires State of Colorado residency at the time of application (unless otherwise identified in the posting), and residency within the state throughout the duration of employment in this position.
• Motor Vehicle Check , if the employee will drive a state-owned vehicle, either in an on-going capacity while performing their normal day-to-day job duties OR on occasion for training/meetings/client visits/etc.
• Must possess a valid, non-restricted Colorado Driver’s License or an non-restricted U.S. Driver's License for positions within 30 miles of the CO state border
• Out-of-State Driver’s License holders must obtain a valid, non-restricted Colorado Driver’s License within 30 days of employment start date.
• Other Conditions of Employment specific to Program
• Former State employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must:
• Disclose that information on the application.
• Explain why the prior termination or resignation should not disqualify you from the current position.
• Provide your employee number from your prior State employment. Absent extraordinary circumstances, prior disciplinary termination or resignation in lieu of termination and failure to provide this information will disqualify the applicant from future State employment with CDHS.

Appeal Rights

You may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board or request a review by the State Personnel Director if your application is eliminated. You will find the appeals process, the official appeal form, and how to deliver it on the State Personnel Board website.

Contact The State Personnel Board For Assistance

• At [phone], or
• Refer to the Colorado Code of Regulations (CCR) 801-1, State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, Chapter 8, Resolution of Appeals and Disputes, within the Rules webpage.

About Us

If your goal is to build a career that makes a difference, consider joining the dedicated people of the Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS). Our professionals strive to design and deliver high quality human and health services that improve the safety, independence, and well-being of the people of Colorado. In addition to a great location and rewarding and meaningful work, we offer:

• Strong, secure, yet flexible retirement benefits including a PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan www.copera.org plus 401(k) and 457 plans
• Medical and dental health plans
• Employer supplemented Health Savings Account
• Paid life insurance
• Short- and long-term disability coverage
• 11 paid holidays per year plus vacation and sick leave
• BenefitHub state employee discount program
• Employee Wellness program MotivateMe
• Excellent work-life programs, such as flexible schedules, training and more
• Remote work arrangements for eligible positions
• Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more information, go to https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/dhr/student-loan-forgiveness-programs .

Our Values

We believe in a people-first approach: To serve the people of Colorado, we develop a culture and work environment that creates an energized, inspired, and healthy team capable of giving their best to Coloradans.

Balance creates quality of life: We want our team to be resilient through a supportive workplace that values flexibility, health and wellness, and employee engagement.

We hold ourselves accountable: We take responsibility through our actions, programs, and results for the state of health and human services in Colorado.

Transparency matters: We are open and honest with employees, our partners, the Coloradans we serve, and the public.

We are ethical: We abide by what is best for those we serve by doing what is right, not what is easy.

Collaboration helps us rise together: We work together with all partners, employees, and clients to achieve the best outcomes for Coloradans.

We are committed to increasing the diversity of our staff and providing culturally responsive programs and services. Therefore, we encourage responses from people of diverse backgrounds and abilities.

ADA Accommodations

CDHS is committed to a Colorado for ALL qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment.

This includes completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or performing essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to [e-mail].

EEO Statement

The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer.

We are committed to increasing a “Colorado for ALL" of our staff and providing culturally responsive programs and services. Therefore, we encourage responses from people of all backgrounds and abilities. The State of Colorado believes that a “Colorado for ALL” drives our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.

~THE STATE OF COLORADO IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER~

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