Assistant City Controller IV

City of Houston; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Houston is seeking an experienced Assistant City Controller IV to oversee accounting procedures, prepare financial reports, and coordinate with departments to ensure compliance with GASB standards.

You will lead the ACFR and monthly reporting, implement process improvements, and act as liaison to auditors, emphasizing accuracy, transparency, and robust public financial management.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Business Administration or related field.
• Six years of professional accounting and/or auditing experience required.
• CPA or CIA credentials preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the preparation, review, analysis and reconciliation of standard financial reports and statements.
• Serve as liaison to departments to coordinate financial policies and systems.
• Support implementation of process improvements and ensure regulatory compliance.
• Prepare ACFR notes, MD&A, RSI and related schedules with auditors.
• Coordinate monthly financial reporting, including variances and trend analysis.
• Support year-end close with journal entries and reconciliations.

Skills

GAAP & GASB expertise

Cross-department collaboration

SAP Finance

Communication skills

MS Office & Acrobat

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting or related field

CPA or CIA preferred

Tools

SAP Finance system

Microsoft Excel

Job description

DEPARTMENT: CITY OF HOUSTON, CONTROLLER'S OFFICE

DIVISION: FINANCIAL REPORTING

REPORTING LOCATION: 901 BAGBY ST., 5TH FL.

WORKDAYS & HOURS: MONDAY - FRIDAY 8AM - 5PM*

*Subject to change

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES/ ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Under the guidance of the City Controller or designee, the Assistant City Controller IV performs specialized accounting procedures in the preparation, review, analysis and reconciliation of standard periodic financial reports and statements. In addition, the Assistant City Controller IV serves as the primary liaison to assigned departments, agencies and organizations to effectively coordinate financial operating and management policies, procedures and systems. The Assistant City Controller IV will support the Controller's office in implementing process improvements, monitoring operational effectiveness, and ensuring compliance with financial regulations and policies.

The Assistant City Controller IV duties and key responsibilities will include but are not limited to:

Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR):

• Contributes to the preparation of the ACFR by compiling financial data, preparing supporting schedules, and ensuring the accuracy of fund-level and government-wide statements.
• Assists with drafting notes to the financial statements, management discussion and analysis (MD&A), and required supplementary information (RSI).
• Collaborates with accounting staff and auditors to provide documentation and resolve audit inquiries.
• Ensures compliance with GASB standards and internal policies, and participates in internal reviews to ensure consistency and data integrity across all sections of the report

Monthly Financial Report:

• Prepares and analyzes the Monthly Financial Report by compiling revenue and expenditure data, performing budget-to-actual variance analysis, and monitoring fund performance.
• Coordinates with departments to gather updates and explanations for material variances. Develops financial summaries, charts, and narratives to communicate fiscal trends and insights.
• Ensures data accuracy through account reconciliations and supports timely internal review.
• Supports the financial year-end close process by preparing journal entries, reconciling accounts, and analyzing budget-to-actual performance.
• Coordinates with departments to ensure timely accruals and accurate reporting of financial activity.
• Provides documentation and responses to external auditors and contributes to audit preparedness by generating required schedules and addressing inquiries.
• Ensures compliance with applicable accounting standards and supports internal reporting and fund balance analysis during the year-end process.

Other:

• Gather, analyze, and interpret data related to operational performance, resource usage, and financial performance.
• Prepare detailed reports and dashboards to present findings, trends, and actionable insights to senior management, stakeholders, and decision-makers.
• Reviews and/or approves specific transfers, financial statements and departments'/agencies' requests and actions.
• Assists with implementation of revised management and financial operating procedures and systems.
• Conducts surveys and research related to various management and financial policies and procedures.
• Assists with special projects and production of related management reports as assigned by the City Controller or designee.

WORKING CONDITIONS

The position is physically comfortable; the individual has discretion about walking, standing, etc.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

Requires a Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Business Administration or a closely related field. Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) is preferred.

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

Six years of professional accounting and/or auditing experience are required.

LICENSE REQUIREMENTS

None.

PREFERENCES

Preference will be given to candidates with experience in government accounting, Certified Public Accountant (CPA) credentials, and familiarity with SAP Finance trial balance systems.

KEY SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Advanced knowledge of governmental accounting principles and compliance with GAAP and GASB standards
• Collaborative mindset and ability to work across departments, including coordination with Finance, Budget, Legal, and external auditors
• Proficiency in SAP Finance, including trial balance review, journal entries, and account reconciliation
• Commitment to transparency, fiscal responsibility, and continuous improvement in public financial management
• Effective written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present financial information to non-financial stakeholders
• Experience and proficiency with Microsoft Office (e.g., Excel, Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint) and Adobe Acrobat.

Preference shall be given to eligible veteran applicants provided such persons possess the qualifications necessary for competent discharge of the duties involved in the position applied for, such persons are among the most qualified candidates for the position, and all other factors in accordance with Executive Order 1-6.

GENERAL INFORMATION

SELECTION / SKILLS TESTS REQUIRED

SAFETY IMPACT POSITION

No

If yes, this position is subject to random drug testing and if a promotional position, candidate must pass an assignment drug test.

SALARY INFORMATION

Factors used in determining the salary offered include the candidate's qualifications as well as the pay rates of other employees in this classification.

PAY GRADE:

27

EOE Equal Opportunity Employer

The City of Houston is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.