Financial Manager II

State of Utah; Salt Lake City (UT); On-site; USD 46,000 - 73,000; Full time

Job summary

State of Utah’s Division of Water Rights seeks a Financial Manager II to lead the division’s fiscal team, overseeing budgeting, expenditures, and financial reporting within a state government setting.

The role requires high-level execution, staff mentoring, policy compliance, and accurate accounting with strong internal controls. In-office / on-site work in Salt Lake City, UT.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of accounting, budgeting, financial reporting, and internal controls.
• Ability to develop budgets, forecast costs, and analyze financial data.
• Ability to interpret and apply financial policies and requirements.
• Proficiency with spreadsheets and financial management systems.
• Ability to direct staff, prioritize work, and meet deadlines accurately.
• Ability to communicate clearly and maintain effective working relationships.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Division’s fiscal operations, ensuring accurate accounting, responsible use of public funds, and timely financial reporting.
• Develop and monitor budgets; forecast revenues, expenditures, and personnel costs; and recommend adjustments to meet operational needs and funding constraints.
• Advise Division leadership and program managers on funding availability, financial risks, resource allocation, and the fiscal implications of proposed activities.
• Oversee purchasing, procurement, contracts, cooperative agreements, vendor payments, revenue collection, payroll coordination, travel, and purchasing-card activities.
• Monitor appropriations, restricted funds, and project budgets to ensure expenditures align with authorized purposes and applicable requirements.
• Establish and maintain internal controls; review and reconcile financial records; resolve discrepancies; and improve fiscal procedures.
• Work with Department finance staff and other partners to resolve financial issues and meet reporting deadlines.

Skills

Accounting

Budgeting

Financial reporting

Internal controls

Staff management

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s or graduate degree in accounting, finance, business, or a related field

Tools

Vantage Financial

Vantage Payroll

Procurement systems

Job description

FINANCIAL MANAGER

FT / PT Status – Full-Time

Benefits Eligibility – This position is eligible for a full benefits package. Salary – $33.63 - $53.34 Hourly Wage Remote Work / In-Office – In-Office / On-Site Recruiter – Karen Weir | [e-mail] | Application Deadline – 9/23/2026*

Job Description

Are you an exceptional, self-motivated financial professional looking for an exciting opportunity to elevate your managerial and accounting skills within state government? The Division of Water Rights is seeking a dedicated Financial Manager II to lead our fiscal team and handle all financial and administrative activities within the division. Working with minimal supervision, this role requires high-level execution in budget building and monitoring, statewide fiscal policy compliance, and employee mentoring and evaluation. Join our team to make a direct impact on state water rights management!

Key Responsibilities

Day-to-day Responsibilities Of This Position

• Lead the Division’s fiscal operations, ensuring accurate accounting, responsible use of public funds, and timely financial reporting.
• Develop and monitor budgets; forecast revenues, expenditures, and personnel costs; and recommend adjustments to meet operational needs and funding constraints.
• Advise Division leadership and program managers on funding availability, financial risks, resource allocation, and the fiscal implications of proposed activities.
• Oversee purchasing, procurement, contracts, cooperative agreements, vendor payments, revenue collection, payroll coordination, travel, and purchasing-card activities.
• Monitor appropriations, restricted funds, and project budgets to ensure expenditures align with authorized purposes and applicable requirements.
• Establish and maintain internal controls; review and reconcile financial records; resolve discrepancies; and improve fiscal procedures.
• Work with Department finance staff and other partners to resolve financial issues and meet reporting deadlines.

Qualifications

Minimum or "day-one" qualifications:

• Knowledge of accounting, budgeting, financial reporting, and internal controls.
• Ability to develop budgets, forecast costs, and analyze financial data.
• Ability to interpret and apply financial policies and requirements.
• Proficiency with spreadsheets and financial management systems.
• Ability to direct staff, prioritize work, and meet deadlines accurately.
• Ability to communicate clearly and maintain effective working relationships.

Preferred Or Trainable/on-the-job Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or graduate degree in accounting, finance, business, or a related field.
• Experience managing public-sector budgets and financial operations.
• Experience supervising and developing fiscal staff.
• Experience with Utah’s Vantage Financial and Vantage Payroll systems.
• Familiarity with state procurement, contracts, and restricted funds.
• Experience coordinating audits and improving financial controls.

About The Role

Location – 1594 West North Temple, Salt Lake City, Utah, 84116, United States

Background Check Required – No

Drug Test Required – No

Schedule Code – AX - Employees in supervisory positions

Work Schedule – Monday - Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm

Work Environment, Working Conditions, Physical Requirements

• Risks found in the typical office setting, which is adequately lighted, heated and ventilated, e.g., safe use of office equipment, avoiding trips and falls, observing fire regulations, etc.
• Typically, the employee may sit comfortably to perform the work; however, there may be some walking; standing; bending; carrying light items; driving an automobile, etc. Special physical demands are not required to perform the work.

Supplemental Information

Candidates must reside within the state of Utah.

Why You Should Join Our Team

Benefits

In Utah, we believe hard work is important, but balance is essential. Finding work/life balance is a vital element to our culture. Other benefits may include:

• Job Stability: Enjoy the security and reliability of employment within a well-established organization.
• Career Growth: Develop valuable skills and gain opportunities for leadership within a large organization.
• Meaningful Work: Contribute to an important service that benefits the community and supports organizational goals.
• Supportive Work Environment: Be part of a team that values cooperation, strong work ethics, and mutual support.

The Agency

As one of the oldest agencies in the State of Utah, Division of Water Rights for the Department of Natural Resources has a long history of playing a critical role in the management of the state's water resources. Consequently, water users rely on the expertise of the Division of Water Rights to provide order and certainty in the distribution of Utah's water. As a member of our team you will have the opportunity to help people from all over the state understand water rights, work in a challenging profession that has a meaningful impact on every aspect of life in the arid West, and shape the future of the state's most valuable resource.

Utah Department of Natural Resources

Division of Water Rights

EEO Statement

The State of Utah is committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, or Veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. For accommodations, please contact [phone].