Accountant II Payroll & Timekeeping

State of Colorado; Denver (CO); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PERA Defined Benefit/Contribution

Medical & Dental

Health Savings Account

Life Insurance

Disability

Paid holidays & leave

Remote work arrangements

Job summary

Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS) seeks an Accountant II to oversee payroll and timekeeping operations across statewide facilities, following COMPAS system changes. You will manage manual data entry, calculations, deductions, and benefit interactions while ensuring strict adherence to FLSA, FMLA, and state rules.

The role includes supervising four staff members, establishing workflow standards, and acting as full back-up to the Payroll Manager.

Qualifications

• Six (6) years of relevant experience in accounting including timekeeping or payroll processing.
• CPA licensure by Colorado Board of Accountancy counts towards requirements.
• Preferred proficiency in Excel with data analysis and testing requirements.
• Experience working in public-sector or government accounting is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Oversee payroll/timekeeping processing for assigned facilities.
• Ensure compliance with FLSA, FMLA, and Colorado State Personnel Rules.
• Supervise accounting staff and ensure accuracy of data entry and approvals.
• Serve as back-up to Payroll Manager during absences and handle complex data requests.

Skills

Excel proficiency

Analytical skills

Strong communication

Supervisory experience

Public-sector accounting

Payroll/timekeeping knowledge

CORE (Advantage) familiarity

UKG/Kronos experience

Education

CPA licensure (Colorado Board of Accountancy)

Tools

Excel

Access

CORE (Advantage)

UKG/Kronos

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

3814 W. Princeton Circle

Denver, CO 80236

Please note: These working arrangements are subject to change.

NOTE: POSITIONS HAVE A TARGET START DATE OF DECEMBER OF 2026

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CDHSCareers

Office of Administrative Solutions/Division of Financial Services

About this Unit:

This unit is established to manage manual timekeeping and payroll processing operations resulting from the COMPAS system transition. Operating in full compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), and State Personnel Rules, the unit delivers centralized payroll and timekeeping support to over 5,500 employees across all Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS) agencies, regional centers, mental health institutes, youth services, and Veterans’ Community Living Centers statewide

About the Position/s:

This position ensures accurate and timely payroll and timekeeping processing for assigned CDHS facilities following the elimination of automated data processing with our new COMPAS system. With the loss of automation, the position performs and oversees critical manual data entry, timekeeping calculations, and payroll adjustments—including processing and approving deductions, direct deposits, W-4s, pay/hour reconciliations, and state benefit interactions (health, dental, life)—while ensuring strict compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), and Colorado State Personnel Rules across statewide department facilities. Operating as a fully operational accountant, this position is fully accountable for the work product and supervision of three Accounting Technician IIIs and one Accountant I. The role establishes work standards, manages unit workflow, reviews and approves complex data entries, and maintains operational integrity for assigned facility timekeeping systems. Additionally, the position exercises independent judgment to analyze and resolve cross-agency payroll issues and functions as full back-up to the Payroll Manager in their absence.

The Accountant II (ID: IHA-07561) oversees and ensures accurate, timely, and compliant payroll and timekeeping operations across assigned CDHS facilities statewide. Following the elimination of automated data processing under the new COMPAS system, this position plays a mission-critical role in conducting high-precision manual data entry and approval, complex timekeeping calculations, and discrepancy resolution to ensure all strict payroll deadlines are met.

Operating as both a fully functional operational accountant and a direct supervisor, this role exercises complete supervisory authority over four staff members—specifically one Accountant I (IHA-07560) and three Accounting Technician IIIs (IHA-07556, IHA-07557, IHA-07558 and IHA-07559)—and acts as the official full backup to the Payroll Manager to guarantee uninterrupted business continuity.

Summary of Duties

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.

Compliance and Customer Service:

• Applies generally accepted accounting principles, federal, state and department rules and regulations to resolve non-routine issues, disputes and questions concerning hours worked, leave and overtime calculations, and payroll calculations and adjustments for employees within the assigned agencies. Reviews points in contention, negotiates and mediates a reasonable resolution. Provides guidance and expertise to staff and customers in the areas of payroll, timekeeping, benefits, FMLA, STD, timekeeping, workers compensation, PERA forms, and other related issues. Meets with employees and/or supervisors as necessary to explain generally accepted accounting principles, timekeeping rules, regulations, policies, and procedures that apply to payroll and timekeeping functions.
• Supports Payroll Supervisors: This position serves as a backup to the other CDHS Payroll Supervisors (Accountant II's)
• Subordinate Support: This position supports CDHS staff processing timekeeping and payroll for the assigned agencies.
• COMPAS Project/Data Entry & Approval: This unit is being added due to the COMPAS project as all the data processing automation is being lost and all actions at CDHS must now be entered manually. This position will be responsible for reviewing and approving all pertinent data.
• Filing and Other Duties as Assigned: This position assumes other duties as assigned.

Option 1 (Minimum Qualifications)

• Six (6) years of relevant experience in accounting which included timekeeping administration, payroll processing experience or closely related to accounting, finance, or business administration.

• Please note: This experience must be clearly documented on your application and the supplemental questions must be answered.

Option 2 (Substitutions)

• 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 in accounting which include timekeeping administration, payroll processing or closely related.
• 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.
• UKG/Kronos Experience
• Payroll Administration experience

Conditions of Employment:

• [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:

1. Disclose that information on the application.

2. Explain why the prior termination or resignation should not disqualify you from the current position.

3. 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.

• 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, and 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