Public Sector Accountant — GAAP, Budgets & Audits

Iowa; Johnston (IA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Time Off

Health Insurance

IPERS Retirement plan

Flexible Spending Accounts

Life Insurance

Employee Assistance Programs

Employee Discount Programs

Job summary

The Iowa Department of Public Defense is seeking an Accountant to perform professional accounting work supporting the fiscal operations of the Iowa Air National Guard’s 132nd Wing in Des Moines. The role ensures accurate records, budget compliance, and timely reporting across state and federal channels.

The position emphasizes GAAP adherence, government financial management, and coordination with federal offices, state finance, and audit readiness.

Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in accounting, business administration, or finance.
• Four years of full-time work experience in accounting, accounts examination or verification, budgeting, or closely-related fiscal work.
• A total of four years of education and/or full-time experience (as described in number two), where thirty semester hours of accredited college or university coursework in accounting, business administration, or finance field equals one year of full-time experience.
• Possession of a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) certificate.
• Employees with current continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes thirty months of full-time experience as an Accounting Support Technician 1 or six months of full-time experience as an Accounting Support Technician 2.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and reconcile general ledger accounts to ensure the accuracy and integrity of all financial records.
• Prepare financial statements, reports, and budget analyses for internal leadership and external oversight agencies.
• Process and audit expenditures, invoices, and payroll transactions in compliance with applicable regulations and policies.
• Ensure adherence to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Iowa state statutes, and applicable federal regulations.
• Coordinate financial activities with federal offices including the National Guard Bureau (NGB) and United States Property and Fiscal Office (USPFO), as well as state finance offices.
• Prepare and submit required financial reports to state and federal oversight agencies on a timely basis.
• Assist with annual budget preparation and fiscal year-end close processes, including accruals and carryforward reconciliations.
• Monitor appropriations balances and identify budget variances, providing recommendations for corrective action as needed.
• Support internal and external audits by preparing documentation, responding to inquiries, and ensuring audit readiness.
• Maintain comprehensive documentation and audit trails for all financial transactions in accordance with records retention requirements.

Job description

The Iowa Department of Public Defense is seeking an Accountant to perform professional accounting work supporting the fiscal operations of the Iowa Air National Guard’s 132nd Wing in Des Moines. The role ensures accurate records, budget compliance, and timely reporting across state and federal channels.

The position emphasizes GAAP adherence, government financial management, and coordination with federal offices, state finance, and audit readiness.