Comptroller

City of Des Moines; Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Residency Incentive

Alternative Work Schedule Options

Paid Volunteer Time-Off

Parental Leave

Vacation and Sick Leave Accruals

12 Paid Holidays

Health/Dental/Life/LTD Insurance

Wellness Programs and Activities

Tuition Reimbursement and Continuing E

Job summary

City of Des Moines is seeking a senior accounting leader to oversee the Accounting division. You will supervise staff, coordinate audits, and guide financial reporting and controls for the City’s finances.

The role requires a Bachelor’s degree in accounting/finance, extensive local government experience, and strong knowledge of government enterprise software. CPA is preferred and you will report to the Finance Director.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance or related field.
• Extensive direct experience in local government finance operations.
• Significant experience with government enterprise accounting software.
• Equivalent combination of experience and training acceptable.
• CPA certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Plan, organize and direct the Accounting division’s structure, activities, and operations.
• Manage departmental work, projects and personnel within the Finance Department.
• Assist with strategic planning, policy development and data reporting for financial activities.
• Oversee, train and evaluate staff involved in accounting processes City-wide.
• Coordinate the City’s annual audit and support the preparation of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report.
• Revise auditing and accounting procedures and related systems as needed.
• Contribute to development of enterprise financial software applications for city transactions.
• Coordinate input of financial information from all City Departments and serve as a city-wide consultant for financial procedures.
• Supervise year-end adjustments and closing of accounting systems; perform reconciliations.

Skills

Accounting leadership

Financial reporting

Staff supervision

Strategic planning

Data analysis & reporting

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting/Finance

Tools

Government enterprise accounting software

Job description

Provides administrative oversight to the accounting division and expertise in financial reporting and controls; performs directly related work as required.

The principal function of an employee in this class is to ensure accurate accounting activities. The work is performed under the supervision of Finance Director, or designee, but extensive leeway is granted for the exercise of independent judgement and initiative. Supervision is exercised over the work of employees in the Accounting division of the Finance Department. The nature of the work performed requires that an employee in this class establish and maintain effective working relationships with other City employees, outside auditors, business organizations, state and federal officials and the public. The principal duties of this class are performed in a general office environment.

The City of Des Moines promotes a healthy work life balance and offers a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Residency Incentive
• Alternative Work Schedule Options
• Paid Volunteer Time-Off
• Parental Leave
• Vacation and Sick Leave Accruals
• 12 Paid Holidays
• Health/Dental/Life/LTD Insurance
• Wellness Programs and Activities
• Tuition Reimbursement and Continuing Education Programs
• Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Benefit
• Defined Benefit Pension Plan through IPERS
• Deferred Compensation Plan matching up to 2.5%
• Voluntary Insurance Benefit Options
• Employee Discount Program

This position is open until filled, with the next review of applications on June 30, 2026.

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance or a related field, and
• Extensive directly related experience in local government finance operations; and
• Considerable experience with government enterprise accounting software; or
• Any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to perform the work.
• CPA certification (preferred)

• Candidates for positions in this class must pass a post-employment offer physical examination and drug screen.

• Plans, organizes and directs the organization, structure, activities and operations of the Accounting division;
• Manages Department work, project and personnel activities within the Finance Department;
• Assists in the strategic planning, policy development and data collection and reporting activities related to financial activities;
• Oversees, trains and evaluates staff involved in accounting processes City-wide;
• Assists in the coordinating of the City’s annual audit;
• Support the preparation of the City’s Annual Comprehensive Financial Report;
• Revises current auditing and accounting procedures and related systems;
• Contributes to development of the enterprise financial software applications through which the City’s accounting and financial transactions are managed;
• Coordinates the input of financial information from all City Departments;
• Serves as an in-house consultant City-wide on financial applications and procedures;
• Supervises year-end adjustments and closing of accounting systems;
• Performs regular reconciliation for tracking activities within the accounting system;
• Provides needed information and demonstrations concerning how to perform certain work tasks to new employees in the same or similar class of positions;
• Keeps immediate supervisor and designated others fully and accurately informed concerning work progress, including present and potential work problems and suggestions for new or improved ways of addressing such problems;
• Attends meetings, conferences, workshops and training sessions and reviews publications and audio-visual materials to become and remain current on the principles, practices and new developments in assigned work areas;
• Responds to citizens’ questions and comments in a courteous and timely manner;
• Communicates and coordinates regularly with appropriate others to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of interdepartmental operations and activities;
• Performs other directly related duties consistent with the role and function of the classification.