Accountant III (Hybrid Work Schedule)

Arapahoe County•Littleton, CO

8d•Hybrid

About The Position

This position performs professional accounting and complex technical duties related to classifying, recording, and reporting County financial activities. Its scope covers governmental and grant accounting, financial reporting and analysis, internal auditing, and reviewing, designing, and monitoring internal controls and financial business processes. The Accountant III provides technical accounting and financial reporting support to County staff, management, departments, and offices. The role reviews funds and financial documents for accurate accounting and regulatory compliance, supports grant accounting, contributes to the County’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR), and serves as a resource for business process improvement and staff development. The position also researches accounting issues, supports financial-system updates, and assists with policies and procedures that promote effective internal controls.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
At least 5 years of general accounting experience, including a minimum of 6 months in a governmental environment; a combination of education and experience may be considered.
Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing and establish and maintain working relationships with a wide range of internal and external contacts.
Ability to exercise good judgment in interactions and decision-making.
Experience recognizing, investigating, and analyzing financial, operational, and administrative problems within an ERP system, with some ability to develop alternatives and appropriate solutions.
Working knowledge of GAAP, GASB, AICPA, and specialized accounting topics including governmental funds, debt service, capital assets, internal controls, and risk management.
Working knowledge of GAAS.
Ability to work accurately, independently, and in an organized manner.
Demonstrated behavioral competencies: accountability, accessibility, inclusivity, and integrity.
Successfully pass pre-employment testing, including an acceptable motor vehicle record check, background check, and drug screen.
Possess a valid Class R Colorado Driver’s License or obtain one within two weeks of appointment.

Nice To Haves

Associate or bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, or a related field, with coursework in governmental accounting.

Responsibilities

Provide technical accounting and financial reporting resources to staff, management, and County departments and offices.
Analyze, review, and interpret funds to ensure proper governmental accounting and compliance with applicable statutes, bond covenants, administrative codes, orders, and regulations.
Perform financial analysis and prepare reports, identifying and communicating areas that need attention.
Work with assigned department personnel to ensure funds are properly accounted for and that departments understand their financial activity.
Analyze intergovernmental agreements, bond documents, and other contracts to determine proper accounting treatment and ensure regulatory compliance.
Account for and report financial activity for County grants, and analyze proposed grants with the Grants Accountant II to advise whether financial compliance can be ensured.
Review fiscal source documents for completeness, mathematical accuracy, authorization, correct fund and account combinations, and appropriate fees, refunds, collections, taxes, or discounts.
Communicate with elected officials, department heads, and other County and external personnel to address system and accounting inquiries and offer solutions.
Provide accounting support to departments and offices and act as an accounting liaison to assigned departments and offices.
Review peer team members’ work and share knowledge to improve the division’s ability to answer questions.
Contribute to the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR), including assigned areas of responsibility.
Serve as a Business Process Improvement resource; assist with policies, procedures, and guidelines that include appropriate internal controls.
Recommend procedures in response to policy changes, analyze financial processes and internal controls, and assist with process streamlining and automation.
Support ongoing department and staff development.
Research accounting issues using GASB pronouncements and the Governmental Accounting and Auditing and Financial Reporting book (Blue Book), and provide recommendations with instruction.
Notify SAP Administrators about financial-account-system issues, errors, and problems, and help test updates and fixes.