Financial Services Unit Manager / Controller III - Hybrid

State of Colorado; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The State of Colorado is seeking a Controller III within the Department of Personnel & Administration. This leadership role oversees accounting functions, financial reporting, internal controls, and compliance with GASB and state rules.

The position requires extensive supervisory experience and strong collaboration with executive management and external auditors. Residency in Colorado is required by the posting, and the Department emphasizes public service, accountability, and transparent

Qualifications

• At least nine years of accounting and auditing experience with at least 2 years of supervisory experience.
• Experience with governmental accounting and reporting is preferred.
• Strong MS Excel knowledge is required.
• CPA or similar credential is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide professional direction to the accounting function by formulating policies and procedures within GAAP, statutes, and rules.
• Design and direct ongoing maintenance of the State’s financial structures to satisfy reporting needs.
• Direct and supervise staff including controllers, accountants, and accounting technicians.
• Review and approve accounting documents, ensuring compliance with fiscal rules and GASB pronouncements.
• Prepare and defend financial data to management and external auditors.

Skills

Supervisory experience

MS Excel

Financial reporting

Accounting policies

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting or related field

CPA or progress toward CPA

Tools

CORE financial system

GAAP knowledge

Job description

Items to note

This posting may fill more than one position.

This position is only open to Colorado state residents.

Thank you for your interest in working for the State of Colorado. Join us and find meaningful work in public service to our state and its residents, helping to make Colorado a great place to live and work in. Please watch the short video below for tips on applying.

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.

The 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 the 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 Department Controller leads and directs the accounting functions within the Department and is responsible for producing a comprehensive, systematic, and unified approach to financial reporting. This includes approving the design and method of implementation of the system of accounts that will track the financial activities of the Department’s operating divisions; directing the preparation of financial statements and reports that are useful to executive management and the public; assisting in the preparation of annual budget requests; directing internal audits; presenting and defending financial information to cognizant agencies within the Executive and Legislative branches of government, as well as the federal government.

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

Provide professional direction

• To the accounting function of the department by formulating and directing implementation of policies and procedures of a financial nature within generally accepted accounting principles and standards, state statutes, state fiscal rules, and federal guidelines.
• Position must interact with management to determine and meet needs to manage the finances of the department.
• Lead and direct the accounting function of the department by supervising controllers, accountants, and accounting technicians that report into this unit.
• Ensure that the departmental financial transactions, including expenditures and revenues, are accurate, reliable, and are recorded properly. Provides training as appropriate to accounting staff and other stakeholders within the department.
• Ensures an inclusive, positive, and professional work environment exists within the department.

Designs and directs

• The implementation of, modifies, and continually evaluates account structures for the department and the divisions to satisfy management needs and financial reporting requirements.
• Review proposed and enacted legislation to assess and account for financial impact.
• Direct any and all ongoing maintenance within the State’s financial system and arrange reporting hierarchy to unify and consolidate financial information to executive management and others.
• Apply final approval of accounting documents in the State’s financial system for the department that are input at the agency level by reviewing and verifying that the fiscal and purchasing rules, department policies and procedures, and GASB pronouncements are followed.
• Audit and sign purchase orders after processing.

Directs and participates

• in the preparation and development of numerous periodic reports, including the annual and interim financial statements, quarterly reports required by oversight entities, monthly reports required by the department, etc.
• Reports generated by this unit are required by, or delivered to, the legislature (e.g. Joint Budget Committee (JBC), Capital Development Committee (CDC), Office of the State Auditor (OSA), etc.), the Office of State Planning and Budgeting (OSPB), and the Office of the State Controller (OSC).
• Presents and defends financial data and information, internal accounting policies, procedures and controls to department management, state auditors, the legislative audit committees, and the federal government.
• After identifying any problems, this position must meet with executive management and division management to discuss and present solutions to the issues, and implement any solutions required by management.
• Position must be able to defend all information presented in financial statements or reports produced by the accounting unit.

Direct review

• By the internal auditor based upon analysis of the operation of divisions within the department.
• Design and direct the implementation of the internal audit function within the department. Responsible for the development, planning, overseeing, and performing of internal audits both of the financial and performance nature.
• Determines internal audit reviews to be performed based upon analysis of the operation of divisions within the department using a risk-based approach.
• Develops internal financial audit programs to be implemented on a periodic basis.
• Develop and perform internal audit programs of a more complex nature as appropriate.
• Position is the audit liaison for the department and represents the department at meetings with all audit staff, coordinates requests for information from audit staff, monitors implementation status of audit recommendations, and drafts correspondence between department and audit staff.
• Documents and evaluates internal controls and identifies appropriate accounting processes for accounting staff in the department.

Position is responsible

• For training and compliance for all staff in the department with respect to accounting entries and reports.
• Position must be ready to present and defend all financial data and information regarding internal accounting policies, procedures, and controls.
• Position is expected to keep abreast of, and actively participate in, statewide issues or working groups that further the knowledge of this position and other department staff.
• Position will be expected to conduct a number of ad hoc financial or non-financial assignments that are not specifically outlined or delineated for the position.

*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.

Residency Requirement

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

Class Code & Classfication Description

H8C3XX – Controller III

Minimum Qualifications

Experience Only:

• At least nine (9) years of relevant experience in accounting and 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 and auditing which must include at least 2 years of supervisory experience equal to at least nine (9) 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:

• Governmental accounting and/or reporting
• Experience with CORE or other large financial system, including entering or approving transactions and running reports.
• Previous experience in State or Federal government accounting or auditing
• Strong MS Excel knowledge
• Excellent written communication skills
• Experience in Financial Planning & Analysis.
• Certified Public Accountant or similar credential.
• Post-graduate degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration or similar.
• Five or more years of supervisory experience.
• Previous State Service related to the work assigned to the position

Conditions of Employment

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

Comparative Analysis Process

The comparative analysis process for this position may consist of a structured application review, an online assessment or other structured assessment step.

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]