Accountant II - Payroll Supervisor

State of Colorado; Denver (CO); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work arrangements for eligible?

Job summary

State of Colorado is hiring a Payroll Supervisor to oversee payroll and timekeeping operations for 5,500+ employees. The role ensures accurate deductions, timely payments, and proper reporting for taxes and benefits.

The position supervises three Accounting Technician III staff, provides training, and ensures compliance with GAAP and CORE data integrity. Strong Excel skills and public-sector accounting experience are preferred.

Qualifications

• Six (6) years of relevant experience in accounting, finance, or payroll.
• Education combination: coursework and/or experience totaling six years.
• Current CPA licensure counts toward the experience requirement.

Responsibilities

• Supervise payroll/timekeeping staff and assign tasks.
• Review and approve manual checks and wage calculations.
• Ensure timely payroll processing and accurate tax deductions.

Skills

Payroll

Timekeeping

Supervisory experience

Analytical skills

Excel proficiency

Education

27 semester hours accounting/auditing

CPA licensure

Tools

CORE (Advantage)

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Access

Job description

This position is open to current Colorado residents only.

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

Remote Work/Hybrid: In office 2 days a week, Remote 3 days a week

Fort Logan/1575 Sherman

Most State of Colorado employees are eligible for a great benefit package! Please see the Supplemental Information section below for details!

Remote Work/Hybrid: In office 2 days a week, Remote 3 days a week

Please note: These working arrangements are subject to change.

Central Accounting provides fiscal management, accounting, and financial reporting for the Department of Human Services.

This work unit serves to:

• Assure proper accounting for department-wide capital construction projects, fixed asset and lease control, capital construction budget execution and oversight, accounts payable processes, Medicaid monitoring, facility maintenance fund and utility payment control. Provide customer service, training, and mentoring to division personnel associated with accounting transactions and business processes;
• Assist division personnel in the development of sound internal controls and/or accounting management;
• Maintain the integrity of financial data in the State of Colorado’s Operations Resource Engine (CORE);
• Support and complete the fiscal year-end closing;
• Provide timely and accurate reports and related information to all external constituencies;
• Recommend and assist in the development and implementation of new policy/business processes; and
• Ensure that financial reporting and business operations are processed in accordance with established CDHS policies and procedures, statutes, rules, regulations, GAAP, and applicable governmental accounting principles.

About this Unit:

The Payroll and Timekeeping Unit at CDHS is responsible for processing accurate and timely payroll for over 5,500 employees across the state of Colorado. CDHS operates 12 distinct programs, including executive offices, 2 mental health institutes, 3 regional centers, the Division of Youth Services, the Behavioral Health Administration, and 4 veterans’ homes. We support multiple pay cycles—monthly, biweekly, and 7k schedules—each with its own complexities and requirements.

About this Position:

The Payroll Supervisor exists to (a) supervise all payroll and timekeeping functions performed by the assigned subordinate Payroll/Timekeeping staff, (b) ensure accurate and timely payroll and timekeeping functions are performed effectively, efficiently, timely and in a professional manner to provide accurate payroll payments to employees and to ensure accurate deductions for all applicable taxes, insurance, and other payroll deductions; proper payments are made to third parties; accurate reporting for management, W-2s, and other reporting purposes, (c) review and approve and reconciliations applicable to assigned processing oversight duties(d) advise and train subordinates on duties as assigned to ensure correct pay issuance and avoid creating audit deficiencies,(e) ensure critical procedures are performed to maintain the operation of the automated timekeeping and payroll systems for the agencies as assigned, (f) function as back up for the Payroll Manager overseeing this position in their absence.

This position is fully accountable for the work product of three full time Accounting Technician III positions and assigns tasks, monitors progress and work flow, verifies, schedules work, and establishes work standards. The duties of this position are of a fully operational accountant. Decisions made by this position are at the process level. The complexity of duties involve the nature of, and need for, analysis and judgement to be patterned. The purpose of regular work contacts outside of the supervisory chain are often for the purpose of finding information or solving problems where the issues or results are not already known.

Summary of Duties:

Review and Analysis:

Provides feedback on needed process changes within payroll/timekeeping, based on attendance at meetings requiring the payroll/timekeeping unit’s input, view point, participation, or concerning topics that may impact payroll/timekeeping functions and staff. Designs and implements appropriate plans of action for assigned subordinates and agencies

Acts as the review and approval level for issuing of all manual checks (CHOPS) created by the payroll staff including reviewing for accuracy of calculations and appropriateness of generating the CHOP. Evaluates all overpayments and approves. Determines if collection letters are necessary. Oversees all collection correspondence to employees for uncollectible accounts prior to being sent to Central Collections. Reviews, analyzes, and certifies each payroll reconciliation prior to warrant release.

Supervision:

Supervises payroll/timekeeping staff which could include interviewing, training, planning work schedules, leave approval and performance evaluations for assigned payroll staff. Provides payroll and timekeeping guidance for subordinates and supplies input for job performance evaluation. Approves written communications generated by the payroll/timekeeping staff for accuracy and compliance with templates. Monitors staff proficiency in the processing of payroll and timekeeping duties in order to assess the need for intervention or growth. Provides guidance to all subordinates regarding policies and procedures.

Experience Only:

• Six (6) years of relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned to this position, specifically accounting, finance, payroll

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 six (6) years
• Current, valid licensure as a CPA by the Colorado Board of Accountancy will count for six (6) years of the requirement

Preferred Qualifications:

The ideal candidate will have strong analytical skills and advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including functions such as VLOOKUP, XLOOKUP, Pivot Tables, and data analysis. Candidates must complete and pass an Excel skills test as part of the hiring process to demonstrate these abilities.

• Great attention to detail
• Understanding of details and system interactions
• Excellent communications skills
• Experience dealing with difficult situations and customers
• Great data analytic skills
• 2 years of supervisory experience
• Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office software, specifically Excel and Access and/or google products
• 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
• Preference will be given to candidates who demonstrate having greater depth of experience and knowledge related to accounting principles and practices.

What job-related competencies / preferred qualifications are essential to the position and may be assessed during the comparative analysis process?

Note:

• COWINS Partnership Agreement: Relevant years of State service should be considered as a preferred qualification and given weight under the process. Part-time relevant years of State service will be prorated.
• TRANSFERS ONLY: Relevant years of State service will be considered as a preferred qualification and given the weight of at least 15% of the overall score under the process.
• Relevant years of State service contribute to a candidate's position-related knowledge, skill, ability, behavior, or other posted competency

Conditions of Employment:

• Standard background check
• 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
• 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.

CDHS Selection Process Explanation:

Employment history is calculated on a full-time basis (40/hours per week). Part-time employment is calculated on a prorated basis to determine qualifications. Be sure your application specifically addresses your qualifications, experience, work products, and accomplishments as they relate to the position and minimum requirements.

• Preferred Qualifications & Competencies:
  • Relevant years of state service experience.

Minimum Qualification Screening Process:

A Human Resources Analyst will review the work experience/job duties sections of the online job application to determine whether your experience meets the minimum qualifications for the position. You must complete the official State of Colorado online application. Cover letters and resumes WILL NOT be reviewed during the minimum qualifications screening process. You must specifically document your work experience and qualifications in the application form. Do not use "see resume" or "see attached."

You must meet the minimum qualifications to continue in the selection process. Part-time work experience will be prorated.

Comparative Analysis Process – Structured Application Review:

After minimum qualification screening, the comparative analysis process will involve reviewing and rating of all the information you submit. The comparative analysis step may also include your results from standardized testing.

Your Work Experience/Job Duties:

Document your work experience/ job duties to the extent to which you possess the skills, education, experience, minimum qualifications, and preferred qualifications. Ensure this information is documented in the Work Experience section of the application.

If listed, answer all supplemental questions as your answers to these questions will be evaluated during this phase. Provide at least 4-8 sentences for each supplemental question.

Supplemental Questions:

Answer the supplemental questions completely and thoughtfully. We will rate your answers based on the content of your response and your writing skills (spelling, grammar, and clarity of your writing).

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.

• You or your representative must sign and submit the official appeal form for review.
• You can find the official appeal form here.
• You must be deliver the official appeal form to the State Personnel Board:
• By email ([e-mail]), or
• Postmarked in US Mail to(1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver CO 80203, or
• Hand delivered (1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver CO 80203), or
• Faxed (303.866.5038) within ten (10) calendar days from your receipt of notice or acknowledgement of the department’s action.

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 & Benefits

If your goal is to build a career that makes a difference, join 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.

Each of us is committed to contributing to a safe and accessible CDHS

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 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
• State of Colorado Employee BenefitHub Resource Center
• Employee Wellness program
• 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.

Our Values:

• We believe in a people-first approach: We prioritize the needs, well-being, and dignity of the individuals, families and communities we serve. We commit to respect, fairness and access in every decision, policy and interaction. We engage client voices and experiences in the development and implementation of the services we provide.
• 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.

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.

Additional Support For Your Application:

Toll Free Applicant Technical Support

If you experience technical difficulty with the NEOGOV system (e.g. uploading or attaching documents to your online application) call NEOGOV technical support at 855-524-5627 Mon-Fri between 6 am and 6 pm (Pacific Time). Helpful hints: if you are having difficulty uploading or attaching documents to your application 1) ensure your documents are PDF or Microsoft Word files and 2) close the document before you attempt to upload (attach) it.

The State Of Colorado Is an Equal Opportunity Employer