Accountant III (Hybrid Work Schedule)

Arapahoe County•Littleton, CO

11d•$76,877 - $122,804•Hybrid

About The Position

This position performs professional accounting and complex technical duties related to classifying, recording, and reporting Arapahoe County financial activities. Its work spans governmental and grant accounting, financial reporting and analysis, internal auditing, and the review, design, and monitoring of internal controls and financial business processes. The Accountant III provides technical accounting and financial-reporting support to staff, management, County departments, and offices. The role reviews financial activity and source documents, analyzes contracts and grants, prepares reports, supports departments with accounting questions, and contributes to the County’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR). It also supports business process improvement by analyzing financial processes, recommending procedures, and helping ensure appropriate internal controls. The position researches accounting issues, assists with staff development, and works with SAP administrators to identify and test system updates and fixes.

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 elected officials, department directors, supervisors, contracted auditors, consultants, financial institutions, professional peers, other employees, and the public.
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 areas such as governmental funds, debt service, capital assets, internal controls, and risk management.
Working knowledge of Generally Accepted Auditing Standards (GAAS).
Ability to work accurately, independently, and in an organized manner.
Must pass pre-employment testing, including an acceptable motor vehicle record check, background check, and drug screen.
Must possess a valid Class R Colorado Driver’s License or be able to obtain one within two weeks of appointment.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Serve as a technical accounting and financial-reporting resource to staff, management, and County departments and offices.
Analyze, review, and interpret funds to support proper governmental accounting and compliance with applicable laws, bond covenants, codes, orders, and regulations.
Perform financial analysis and prepare financial reports, identifying and communicating areas needing attention.
Work with assigned department personnel to ensure funds are properly accounted for and financial activity is understood.
Analyze intergovernmental agreements, bond documents, and other contracts to determine appropriate accounting and ensure regulatory compliance.
Account for and report financial activity for County grants, applying knowledge of County and grant financial policies and procedures.
Analyze proposed County grants and work with the Grants Accountant II to advise Finance on the County’s ability to ensure financial compliance.
Review fiscal source documents for completeness, mathematical accuracy, authorization, fund and account combinations, and proper application of fees, refunds, collections, taxes, and discounts.
Communicate with elected officials, department heads, and other internal and external personnel to offer solutions to system and accounting inquiries.
Provide accounting support to departments and offices and serve as an accounting liaison to assigned departments and offices.
Review peers’ work and share knowledge with team members.
Contribute assigned areas of responsibility to the preparation of the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR).
Assist in developing policies, procedures, and guidelines that include appropriate internal controls.
Recommend new procedures in response to policy changes.
Analyze financial processes to ensure appropriate internal controls and assist with streamlining and automation.
Research accounting issues, including GASB pronouncements and the Governmental Accounting and Auditing and Financial Reporting book (Blue Book), and provide recommendations with instruction.
Notify SAP administrators of financial account system issues and help test updates and fixes.