Deputy Controller - Controller II - Hybrid

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

Job summary

State of Colorado's Department of Personnel & Administration (DPA) is seeking a Controller II to lead and direct the financial services function. The role ensures GAAP compliance, state fiscal rules, and accurate reporting across divisions.

The position requires 8+ years in accounting or auditing with at least 2 years in supervision, and may count CPA licensure toward qualification. Experience with CORE or similar financial systems is highly valued.

Qualifications

• Eight years of accounting or auditing experience with at least 2 years in supervision.
• A combination of related education and/or experience totaling at least eight years.
• Current CPA licensure counts toward six years of qualification.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day accounting operations for all divisions within the department.
• Prepare, review and post journal entries; ensure timely monthly, quarterly and year-end closes.
• Audit and analyze financial data for accuracy and compliance with GAAP and state rules.
• Maintain accounting records for general fixed assets and reconcile balance sheet accounts.
• Close books and prepare reports for the State Controller’s Office; provide analysis to management.

Skills

MS Excel

Written communication

CORE InfoAdvantage

Accounting knowledge

Education

24 semester hours in accounting/auditing

CPA licensure counts toward requirement

Tools

CORE or large financial system

Job description

This position is only open to Colorado state residents.

Note: This posting may fill more than one vacancy.

Colorado for All Philosophy: Colorado for All means working toward a Colorado where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. It means we support the basic human rights of our neighbors regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, citizenship status, education level, disability, socio-economic status, or any other visible or invisible identity.

Department of Personnel & Administration (DPA) is the foundation for dependable state government, leading with responsiveness, integrity, and teamwork. We provide services to other government agencies and all Coloradans by taking bold initiative toward a government with engaged employees, innovative solutions, and constructive partnerships.

DPA provides a wide range of programs and services, from custodial & maintenance to financial and human resources support, which assist other state agencies in fulfilling their missions. At DPA, there are countless opportunities to contribute to meaningful work that supports and serves the people of Colorado. The wide variety of positions in DPA allow individuals to learn about state operations and provide for long‑term career growth.

If your goal is to build a career that makes a difference and build greater public confidence in good government, consider joining the dedicated people of the State of Colorado; it's a chance to combine your expertise with public service. Our professionals strive to support state government and the residents of Colorado. Customer service is a key component for every position in state government as is the focus on ideas and ways to redesign the delivery of services in making state government more.

Good Government Starts Here!

Why We Want You

We want your expertise, positive energy, drive to succeed, and love of this great state as we work to elevate the expectations Coloradans have of their government.

What You'll Get From Us

In return for the skilled work you do, DPA provides a competitive compensation and benefits package to accompany employment opportunities. Please see the Benefits Overview video for details on the benefits offered to employees.

The position exists to assist the Department Controller in leading and directing the financial services function within the Department. Ensures that department financial activities consistently follow GAAP, State Statutes and State Fiscal Rules, and must be able to perform the major duties of the Department Controller in the case of absence.

Duties and Responsibilities

A summary of the duties and responsibilities will include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Responsible for oversight of the day to day accounting operations for all DPA divisions.
• This includes: managing work flow to ensure that, for assigned divisions, all accounting transactions are processed accurately and in a timely manner, maintaining files that include supporting documentation for all accounting transactions, ensuring appropriate segregation of duties, ensuring internal fiscal policies are followed by program units, ensuring fiscal deadlines are met, ensuring accurate and timely monthly, quarterly and year‑end closes, monitoring and maintenance of accounting controls, resolving accounting discrepancies on a timely basis.
• Analyze/reconcile financial data to ensure accuracy, identify errors and help ensure compliance with applicable rules and regulations.
• This includes account balances for assets, liabilities, fund balance, revenues, and expenditures.
• Review all accounting documents (i.e. payment vouchers, journals, purchase orders, purchase requisitions and services contracts) for accuracy and appropriateness.
• Ensure transactions are accurate and in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and all applicable State fiscal rules and regulations.
• Create, audit and approve accounting transactions reported in the Colorado Operations Resource System (CORE). Ensure all billing and payments are recorded in the proper accounting period, reconcile accounts to CORE, guarantee the accuracy of reporting, including auditing and analyzing all default accounts.
• Prepare journal entries for assigned transactions and ensure timely posting before monthly closing.
• Review and approve CORE transactions prepared by other accounting staff (e.g., GAX, PRC, JV, CR, etc.)
• Maintain the accounting records of and record all appropriate transactions for the general fixed assets of assigned divisions.
• Prepare Journal Vouchers and Interagency Transactions to correct or allocate costs and revenue as necessary.
• Work with the Department Controller to review quarterly and annual diagnostic reports and resolve any problems.
• Account for and reconcile balance sheet accounts, including but not limited to accounts receivable, deferred revenue, and accounts payable.
• Review applicable journal entries to record the pay date shift.
• Confirm interagency payables and record any necessary journal entries at fiscal year end.
• Work with the Controller to successfully close and open the books for the fiscal year and complete any necessary reports and exhibits for the State Controller’s Office.
• Maintain interaction with the State’s Financial System and any stand‑alone sub‑systems, including resolving and analyzing problems associated with this work.
• Ensure year‑end and year‑open tasks, such as roll‑forwards, and estimated revenue and expense accruals are completed within deadlines.
• These reports are distributed to senior level management as well as division fiscal managers.
• Meet with division staff and budget staff to discuss division financial results.
• Prepare, monitor and analyze monthly financial reports including projections of yearly expenditure patterns to provide management with the information necessary to control the budget by providing comparison of actual expenditures to budgetary projections and making adjustments where necessary.
• Project expenses and recommend options available to unit managers to perform at a more successful level.
• Responsible for overseeing accurate financial reporting for divisions/programs and for providing reports used in state‑wide reporting.
• Maintain various sub‑systems, which includes making recommendations to management in regards to the implementation of new systems or to alter procedures and processes for existing sub‑systems.
• Provide quarterly reporting to the Department Controller to explain variances and abnormal balances in accounts.
• Review for accuracy and completeness the fiscal year‑end financial exhibits as required by State Fiscal Procedures and other supporting schedules as requested.
• Compile and submit information for use in the State Controller’s Office statewide indirect cost plan.
• Compile monthly, quarterly and fiscal year‑end financial statements in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.
• Responsible for managing financial system reporting by creating and maintaining as needed and ad hoc departmental reports in CORE InfoAdvantage.
• Explain reporting processes and train others financial users in the department on using and as applicable developing system reports.
• Participates in developing fiscal closing training for division personnel and as needed, is one of the presenters.
• In consultation with unit managers and the budget unit, determines the need for decision items, supplemental requests, budget amendments.
• Work with division fiscal staff in finding creative and ethical approaches to resolving budget and accounting compliance issues.
• Assists with division rate setting.
• Monitors budgets, profit/loss, cash balance, general and state fund balance, etc. to ensure all financial responsibilities of the division are met.
• This position provides technical assistance, advises on accounting matters, interprets State Fiscal Rules, and implements State and Federal administrative policies.
• In addition, the position assists the Controller with design, recommendation, and implementation of coding structures for assigned programs, and develops processes and reports to meet the needs of division management and staff.
• Interacts with management to determine and meet needs to manage the finances of the department.
• Works with the department controller on integrating the department’s strategic plan into the ongoing financial operations.
• Assists the Department controller with presenting and defending financial data and information, internal accounting policies, procedures and controls to department management, state controller, state auditors, legislative committees and federal government.
• Provides leadership, direction, and review of work assignments, approves work hours and approves leave requests, sets priorities, provides regular and on‑going feedback to staff regarding their performance.
• Reviews work performed by assigned staff and assigns job duties.
• Create an inclusive, positive, and professional work environment.
• Develops and implements employee performance plans and evaluations.
• Assists with recruiting and hiring staff as needed.
• Evaluate and recommend changes in staffing patterns, processes, and procedures.
• Work lead over other accounting staff by providing guidance and direction on accounting issues.

*A Human Resources Analyst will only review the work experience/job duties sections of the online job application to determine whether you meet the minimum qualifications for the position for which you are applying. Cover letters and resumes WILL NOT be accepted in lieu of the official State of Colorado online application, but may be attached. Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications to continue in the selection process for this position. Work experience and qualifications must be specifically documented on your online application. Do not use "see resume" or "see attached" statements on your application. Resumes will not be reviewed for minimum qualification screening. If it is determined that you meet the minimum qualifications, your application will also be used as part of the comparative analysis process to identify a top group for further consideration.

This position is advertised in line with the Governor’s executive order (Executive Order 2022 015) focused on skills‑based hiring practices that focuses on the knowledge, skills, and abilities specific to the job and aligns the hiring process accordingly. Skills‑based hiring reduces potential barriers for applicants and allows for reduced bias in the hiring process by providing a direct description of skills that are unique to the duties assigned to the position with a recognition that the applicant may have developed these skills through education, training or past experiences.

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

H8C2XX Controller II

Minimum Qualifications

Experience Only:

At least eight (8) years of relevant experience in accounting or auditing which must include at least 2 years of supervisory experience

OR

Education & Experience:

A combination of related education (coursework requires 24 semester hours completed in accounting or auditing) and/or relevant experience in accounting or auditing which must include at least 2 years of supervisory experience equal to at least eight (8) years

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

The exceptional candidate will possess the proven ability or accomplishment in the following preferred qualifications:

• Previous State Service related to the work assigned to the position.
• Governmental accounting and/or reporting
• Experience with CORE or other large financial system, including reporting
• Strong MS Excel knowledge
• Excellent written communication skills

Conditions of Employment

• A pre‑employment criminal background check will be conducted as part of the selection process.

Appeal Rights

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.

Employment Philosophy

The State of Colorado strives to build and maintain workplaces that value and respect all Coloradans. We are building a Colorado for All through a commitment to equal opportunity and hiring based on merit and fitness. The State is committed to non‑discriminatory practices in hiring, employment, and advancement opportunities.

Accommodations

The Department of Personnel & Administration 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 Coordinator, Heather Siegal [e-mail]