Accountant 2

State of Iowa • Des Moines - 50319 - Polk County, IA

5d • Onsite

About The Position

The Iowa Department of Public Defense is seeking an Accountant 2 position capable of performing professional accounting work in direct support of the fiscal and financial operations of the Iowa Air National Guard’s 132nd Wing, located at the Des Moines installation. This position operates within the State of Iowa Department of Public Defense and is responsible for ensuring accurate financial record-keeping, budget compliance, and timely reporting in accordance with applicable state and federal regulations. The Accountant 2 plays a key role in coordinating financial activities across state and federal fiscal channels to maintain the financial readiness and accountability of the unit. This position serves as an integral member of the Wing’s administrative and support staff, contributing directly to the operational effectiveness of Iowa’s Air National Guard mission.

Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited four year college or university with a minimum of twelve semester hours (or its equivalent) in accounting, business administration or finance; course work and eighteen months of responsible experience in accounting, accounts examination or verification, budgeting or closely related fiscal experience with a governmental agency, public accounting firm, or private industry; OR substitution of work experience in the public or private sector which entailed accounting, auditing, budgeting, assessment or computation of taxes, or closely related financial functions (e.g., treasurer, comptroller, accountant, auditor, budget analyst, etc.) on a year-for-year basis for the required education (thirty semester or equivalent hours equal one year); OR substitution of successful completion of a post-high school vocational/technical, business college, or area community college curriculum in accounting which included concentrated course work equivalent to twenty semester hours (or more) in accounting for the required education; OR any combination of qualifying post high school level education and experience which totals five and one-half years; OR employees with current continuous experience in the state service that includes the equivalent of six months of full-time experience as an Accounting Technician 2 shall be considered as qualifying; OR substituting graduate level course work in accounting, business administration, or finance for each year of the required experience on the basis that satisfactory completion of 30 semester or equivalent hours of graduate level course work is equivalent to one year of experience; OR employees with current continuous experience in the state service that includes the equivalent of eighteen months of full-time experience as an Accounting Technician 1 shall be considered as qualifying; OR Certified Public Accountants may qualify with six months of the required experience; OR employees with current continuous experience in the state classified service that includes the equivalent of twelve months of full-time experience as an Accountant/Auditor 1, six months of full-time experience as an Accounting Technician 3, or twenty-four months of full-time experience as an Accounting Technician 2 shall be considered as qualifying.

Nice To Haves

• Current Certified Public Accountant (CPA) licensure or active CPA exam candidate status.
• Experience with government or military financial management systems such as GFEBS, STANFINS, or comparable platforms.
• Prior work experience with the Iowa National Guard, a military branch, or a government agency at the state or federal level.
• Familiarity with Iowa state financial regulations, appropriations processes, and statutory requirements.
• Experience with federal grant accounting, cost allocation methodologies, or fund accounting principles.

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.

Benefits

• Paid Time Off: Enjoy vacation with accruals that roll over on a yearly basis, sick leave with no limits on accrual and 9 paid holidays per year.
• Great Benefits: Excellent Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance Options.
• Retirement Plan: IPERS Retirement package and an option for a deferred compensation plan.
• Flexibility: Flexible Spending Accounts (medical and dependent care).
• Life Insurance: Free Life Insurance.
• Support: Employee Assistance Programs and Employee Discount Programs.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level