Senior Accountant

Senior Accountant

Join our team at the Colorado Department of Higher Education. This announcement is not governed by the selection processes of the classified personnel system. This posting is open to both current and non-current residents of the State of Colorado at the time of application. However, please note that upon hire, you will be required to establish residence within the State of Colorado.

The Senior Accountant serves as a strategic financial partner for adverse portfolio of programs, ensuring fiscal integrity through the precise management of payroll, revenue recognition, and complex reconciliations. This position also provides technical guidance to other accountants.

This position does not supervise any employees.

Scope of Responsibilities: This intermediate level position is responsible for independently performing accounting duties for the Department of Higher Education. Positions at this level exercise judgment and initiative in their assigned tasks, receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise and are fully aware of the operating procedures, practices and policies of the work unit.

Job Duties:

• Manage full-cycle financial operations within the state's accounting system (CORE), overseeing the accuracy of accounts payable, receivable, and complex procurement documents.
• Assist Controller and Director of Accounting with preparation of periodical reports by generating, analyzing, and interpreting CORE data
• Process cash receipts on a weekly basis utilizing Wells Fargo, prepare related CR entries in CORE, and generate DD Sheet for submittal for Treasury
• Process disbursements for a variety of grants, contracts and purchase orders
• Aid the Procurement Card Administrator in monthly reconciliation of procurement cards and process PRC1 transactions for Director of Accounting approval
• Collaborate with Department Human Resource team to reconcile monthly employee benefits, submit for payment and collaborate with central payroll
• Enter bi-weekly and monthly payroll changes to state payroll system for Department employees, ensure that all timecards are approved by supervisors both bi-weekly and monthly, run payroll reports and submit payroll.
• Update active employee schedules within UKG, and all other request updates needed for timecards (except leave)
• Reconcile general and grant ledger accounts, using the data received from all financial systems to produce accurate and complete information for grant management
• Determine the correct coding of transactions for programs assigned, ensure proper supporting documentation, chart of account coding, authorization, accuracy, and assure the transactions follow state fiscal rules, state procurement rules and department policies
• Execute year end closing of assigned accounts by utilizing and analyzing CORE and other financial information
• Assist Controller and Director of Accounting with fiscal year-end close and open accounting responsibilities
• Create and process financial transaction documents in CORE, including budget documents, payroll documents, CORE, UDOCs, Internal Exchange Transactions (IET), Internal Transaction Initiator (ITI), Internal Transaction Agreement (ITA), and Journal Variance (JV) entries, and account receivables.

Qualifications:

Education and Experience: Any combination of experience and education that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Education: Bachelor's degree from an accredited university or college in a field of study or occupational field related to accounting, audit, business administration, finance, or a related field, which includes 24 semester hours in accounting.

Substitution: Four (4) years of experience in a related field can replace the education requirement of a bachelor's degree.

Experience: Three (3) plus years of experience in accounting, auditing, or business administration

• Two (2) years' experience in state payroll.
• Experience working in state or local government finance or accounting
• Experience with higher-level rules within statewide fiscal rules and accounting systems preferred
• Experience in CORE and UKG

Knowledge of:

• Standard office practices, procedures, software, and equipment, including the use of personal computers, telephones, Zoom, and Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Power Point, Outlook, and Teams)
• State statutes, rules and regulations, policies, procedures, and guidelines
• General accounting practices, general ledger, reconciliation and standards including GAAP, GASB
• Colorado state fiscal rules, state financial reporting and state Auditor requirements
• Complex accounting systems, such as CORE

Ability to:

• Work effectively in both independent and team situations
• Derive facts quickly, methodically and accurately
• Manage sensitive issues and confidential information
• Think critically and apply reasoning and analysis
• Take the initiative to solve problems in an innovative manner
• Communicate effectively, both written and verbally
• Employ attention to technical detail and accuracy
• Apply time management skills to prioritize work
• Establish and maintain relationships with internal/external stakeholders

Physical and Mental Standards (Hybrid Setting): The physical and mental standards described here are representative of those that must typically be met by employees to perform the essential functions of this class successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Frequently sit/stand at a desk for extended periods of time
• Frequently move from one area/building to another and sit/stand during the course of a day/week/month for meetings
• Occasionally may push or pull an object
• Frequently use finger dexterity and operate a keyboard
• Regularly lift 10 pounds and occasionally lift 25 pounds
• Frequently use vision to read documents, view computer screens, and see close and distant objects
• Frequently use speech and hearing to engage in conversation, in person, and over the telephone

Typical Working Conditions: The employee typically works in a standard office environment where the noise level is moderate, and the office has controlled temperatures. Works a 40-hour work week, either remotely, hybrid, or in-office, depending on the arrangement met during employment with the supervisor during normal office hours of Monday– Friday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm. Job duties may occasionally require working extended hours or hours outside of the regular schedule.

Notice: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this position. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed. The duties, expectations, and actions listed for this role may change at any time with or without notice.

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.