Controller I

State of Colorado; Denver (CO); Hybrid; USD 97,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PERA retirement benefits

Health insurance

Paid time off

Holiday pay

Disability coverage

Wellness program

Job summary

State of Colorado seeks a Controller I for the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment. This role focuses on GAAP/GASB compliance, financial analysis, and reporting for state programs.

Remote/hybrid options are available, with in-office reporting two days per week as required by business needs. Minimum seven years in accounting/auditing, with a combination of education and experience serving as a SME for complex accounting systems.

Qualifications

• Seven (7) years of relevant experience in accounting, auditing or financial leadership within state/federal contexts.
• Combination of related education (24 accounting credits) and/or experience equivalent to seven years; CPA licensure counts toward years.
• Understanding of GAAP, GASB, GAAS, Uniform Guidance and statewide fiscal rules is essential.

Responsibilities

• Advise the Controller and Deputy Controller on financial matters and fiscal reporting.
• Review and approve accounting transactions, journal entries, cash receipts, interagency transactions and yearly allotments.
• Oversee preparation of monthly, quarterly and annual federal and state financial reports.
• Provide coaching, mentoring, and staff development in finance and accounting practices.
• Lead training and onboarding for CDLE employees in financial processes and systems.

Skills

Project leadership

Government accounting/auditing

Controller

CPA

Education

Accounting or finance degree

CPA certification

Job description

THIS POSITION IS OPEN TO CURRENT RESIDENTS OF COLORADO ONLY

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT WILL REMAIN OPEN UNTIL 5:00 PM ON THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2026

This position will have remote and hybrid workplace options available but will still be required to report to the listed address two days per week and based on business need.

The Department of Labor and Employment keeps Colorado strong and competitive. We connect workers with great jobs and assist those who have been injured on the job. We help people who are unemployed through no fault of their own by providing temporary wage replacement and we ensure fair labor practices. We provide an up-to-date and accurate picture of the economy that helps in decision making. And we protect the workplace – and Colorado communities – with a variety of consumer protection and safety programs.

This is a values-driven organization, committed to accountability, agility, collaboration, and respect.

We believe in outstanding customer service, an inclusive culture, continued process improvement and in our role as a trusted and strategic partner. Recognizing that knowledgeable employees drive our success, we are seeking dedicated individuals who exhibit our shared values and our passion for quality and excellence in all we do.

In addition to rewarding and meaningful work, we offer excellent benefits:

• Strong, secure, yet flexible retirement benefits including a PERDefined 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

• BenefitHub state employee discount program

• MotivateMe employee wellness program

• Excellent work-life programs, such as flexible schedules, training and more

• Access to participate in employer-supported employee affinity spaces

• RTD EcoPass Commuter Program

• Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more information go to https://dhr.colorado.gov/dhr-resources/student-loan-forgiveness-programs

Our agency website: Colorado Department of Labor and Employment

CDLE has implemented a pilot program on March 1st, 2022 which will award Disability Hiring Preference Points similar to the Veterans’ Preference Points program. During your application process you will be asked if you would like to be considered for either of these programs for additional points in the hiring process. To learn more about Disability Hiring Preference and what will be required to participate, please visit our website: https://sites.google.com/state.co.us/disability-hiring-preference/home

Salary range:

• HOURLY $46.56 - $64.95
• BIWEEKLY $3,725.08 - $5,196.28
• MONTHLY $8,071.00 - $11,258.61

The Controller I is a professional accounting position that will have experience or will be a subject matter expert (SME) for the design, structure, and maintenance/update of the accounting system used by CDLE to include CORE. In addition, Controller Is may be involved with public agency and program accounting stand-alone systems and subsystems maintenance and interface, as well as any necessary development, implementation and modification of agency systems or subsystems. This position understands or is a subject matter expert of complex accounting theories, generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), and standards (Financial Accounting Standards Board) usually acquired through an accounting or finance degree or higher.

The Controller I may manage accountants and/or staff who have basic to advanced level accounting skills. The Controller I has significant experience and knowledge with higher level rules and guidance within the constraints of statewide fiscal rules and will apply this knowledge, analysis and interpretation to the review of fiscal condition reports, review and approval of accounting transactions, and accounting reports to assure accurate and timely reporting of fiscal conditions of the agency and/or program.

The Controller I will ensure compliance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), the Governmental and Financial Reporting Standards (GASB), Generally Accepted Auditing Standards (GAAS), Uniform Guidance, and State fiscal rules as it relates to the Agency’s procurement, budgeting, finance, accounting, payroll, and internal and external auditing protocols. This position will be the approval authority for journal entries, cash receipts, interagency transactions, appropriation and appropriation transfer transactions, and yearly allotments; and facilitating the annual Financial and Single Audit.

This position is an Independent Contributor. This position ensures that financial activity performed is recorded accurately and timely to most effectively manage the financial needs of the Finance Division and other Divisions as assigned by the Controller and/or the Deputy Controller.

This position’s duties in the Accountant series include but are not limited to:

• Fiscal oversight for all general accounting and grant program expenditure, revenue, asset, and liability accounts.
• Advises the Controller and Deputy Controller on financial matters pertaining to general accounting and grant program administration.
• May communicate and interact verbally and in writing with Department program managers, auditors, Federal, State and County agencies, and program stakeholders regarding program fiscal rules and regulations.
• Reviews and manages the schedule for timely accurate financial reports, and timely accurate monthly, quarterly and annual Federal reports.
• This position could determine training for staff to help develop and continue to develop technical skills for continuity of operations and productivity.
• The Controller I could provide coaching, mentoring, and training to any staff.
• This position may continually review internal operations business practices for checks and balances, succession planning, training, and cross training purposes.
• This position may lead training for all onboarding CDLE employees in a "financial academy"

Other duties as assigned by the Controller and/or the Deputy Controller.

Residency Requirement:

This posting is only open to residents of the State of Colorado at the time of submitting your application.

Class Code & Classification Description:

H8C1XX Controller I

Minimum Qualifications:

Experience Only: Seven (7) years of relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned to this position to include: accounting and auditing and/or management of financial aspects of a state or federal grants EXCLUDING Medicare/Medicaid.

Or Education and Experience: A combination of related education (coursework requires 24 semester hours completed in accounting or auditing) and/or relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned equal to seven (7) years. Current, valid licensure as a CPA by the Colorado Board of Accountancy will count for six (6) years of the requirement.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Project leadership
• Government accounting/auditing
• Controller, deputy controller.
• CPA (Certified Public Accountant)
• Previous financial statement or single audit manager/lead.
• Experience performing similar duties as a State of Colorado classified employee.

Conditions of Employment:

• Must be a Colorado resident at time of application.
• You must pass a thorough background check prior to employment which will include the E-Verify process.

Appeal Rights:

As an applicant who has been removed from consideration during the selection or comparative analysis process, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board and/or request a review by the State Personnel Director. A standard appeal form is available on the State Personnel Board website, https://spb.colorado.gov/forms-and-filing. If you appeal, your appeal must be submitted in writing on the official appeal form, signed by you or your representative, and received at the following address within ten (10) days of your receipt of this notice: Colorado State Personnel Board/State Personnel Director, Attn: Appeals Processing, 1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver, CO 80203. Fax: [phone]. Phone: [phone]. Email address: [e-mail]. The ten-day deadline and these appeal procedures also apply to all charges of discrimination. Refer to Chapters 4 and 8 of the State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, 4 CCR 801, for information about the appeals process. The State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures are available at spb.colorado.gov.

For questions regarding this recruitment, please contact: [e-mail]

The State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive 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 strives to create a Colorado for All by building and maintaining workplaces that value and respect all Coloradans through a commitment to equal opportunity and hiring based on merit and fitness.

The State is resolute in non-discriminatory practices in everything we do, including hiring, employment, and advancement opportunities.

The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment is committed to the full inclusion of 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, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform 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 our ADAAA Coordinators at [e-mail]. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. For all other inquiries about this recruitment effort, please call 303-318-8200.

While a salary range is posted for this position, an eventual salary offer is determined by a comprehensive salary analysis, which considers multiple factors including but not limited to education and experience compared to others in the organization doing substantially similar work.