DOLA Deputy Controller II (Accounting Operations & Reporting)

State of Colorado•Denver, CO

6d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Accounting Operations & Reporting office is a work unit within the Accounting and Financial Services (AFS) organization in the Executive Director’s Office (EDO). This work unit reports to the DOLA Controller and is the Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) central accounting, payroll and finance office. The Accounting Office manages and executes a diversified funding comprised of general, cash, reappropriated and federal funds with an annual budget totaling about $1.2 billion across 6 divisions and more than 320 appropriations. The accounting office provides quality, informed decision making in the form of technical guidance, recommendations of a fiscal nature based upon financial expertise, and development of a unified system of accounts and its ongoing maintenance. This includes: payroll & benefits administration, grant reporting, financial reporting, accounts payable, accounts receivable, contract encumbrances, cost allocation, indirect cost proposal development and collection, asset management, implementation of audit recommendations, development and administration of fiscal policy and procedures, development, administration and on-going analysis of internal controls, reporting that reflects accurate financial position and results of operations to management, federal agencies and other stakeholders. In addition, the office is responsible for the preparation and submission of monthly, quarterly, and annual reporting to the Office of the State Controller and facilitating the annual Financial and Single Audit. The Deputy Controller for Accounting Operations and Reporting is responsible for directing the Department's centralized accounting operations, financial reporting, accounting policy, internal control, payroll, and financial systems functions. The position independently determines accounting methodologies, operational accounting policies, financial reporting practices, internal controls, and accounting system requirements necessary to ensure Department-wide compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) standards, State fiscal rules, federal requirements, and applicable law.

Requirements

Eight (8) years of professional experience in all of the following: accounting operations financial reporting internal or external auditing federal grants and/or contracts in either an auditing or accounting capacity.
A combination of related education in auditing, accounting, finance or business management that includes 24 semester hours completed in accounting or auditing or a closely related field (as determined by the agency) AND experience as described above equal to eight (8) years.
Subject matter expert in Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
Ability to lead a team while providing technical assistance as needed
Ability to work collaboratively with stakeholders
Excellent interpersonal skills
Strong attention to detail
Effective analytical and problem-solving skills
Effective verbal and written communication skills
Ability to prioritize and organize work to accommodate and meet the changing needs of the Department and meet deadlines
Proficiency with MS Office suite, specifically MS Excel
Ability to work independently
Excellent mathematical skills
Ability to create accessible documents and technical content that follows plain language guidelines with accessibility in mind.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree related to the work assignment
Active CPA License
At least 2 years of Financial Reporting in State or Federal Government and or Single Audit experience
Experience with CORE or other large financial system, including reporting
Fixed Asset and Capital Asset Management Experience
Experience with Exhibits and State fiscal year end close
Federal grant management and compliance
Internal and External Audit Experience
Diagnostic Reporting
Indirect Cost Proposal and Allocation
Cash Fund, General Fund and Interagency Transfers Experience
Experience interpreting and implementing GASB and State Fiscal Rules
Experience with Payroll functions
Experience with internal control evaluations and monitoring.

Responsibilities

Designs and implements DOLA operations, functions and systems for centralized accounting.
Provides the DOLA management response to the Contract Auditor, Office of the State Auditor and the Office of the State Controller.
Plans and executes improvements to internal general accounting processes, ensures that appropriate accounting policies incorporating internal control and practices are followed and are in compliance with State and Federal regulations.
Leads the preparation of critical DOLA financial reporting and exhibits which summarizes fiscal activity and financial position, produces accurate and timely financial reports for internal and external use, in accordance with GAAP, GASB, Federal, and State regulations.
Develops Department Accounting systems (CORE, other subsystems), formulates accounting practices for General Ledger, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, and other assets.
Oversees the process and data flow between accounting systems and sub-systems, and provides functional, technical and process leadership and consultation to management and staff as needed.
Interprets authoritative accounting guidance and independently determines appropriate accounting treatment, policies, procedures, and financial system requirements within the delegated Accounting Operations & Reporting portfolio.
Resolves audit issues based on the research and analysis of accounting theories-GAAP, GASB, OMB, federal and state fiscal policy and regulations.
Advises and formulates central accounting policy and procedures within the guidelines of the state and federal fiscal policy and regulations.
Interprets State and Federal rules, regulations and laws to maintain compliance with DOLA daily accounting operations.
Advises the agency controller, budget director, and program personnel regarding accounting for cash management, revenue, and general accounting issues.
Provides timely information to the department management on the effectiveness of management controls for proposed and current processes (automated and manual) with recommendation for improvement for concerns identified.
Responsible for training and implementing the CORE Accounting System implementations and the training of DOLA staff for all aspects of accounting functions.
This position is backup to the Department Controller and as such holds delegation authority from the State Controller.
Communicates and interacts verbally and in writing with Department program managers, auditors, Federal, State and County agencies, and program stakeholders as to fiscal rules and regulations.
Provides fiscal stakeholders with interpretations of financial reports.
Formulates accounting fiscal requirements, plans, develops and implements the appropriate account code structures in the financial/accounting subsystem and written procedures to achieve the departments’ fiscal objectives.
Supervises Accounting and Payroll unit functions and staff to include performance management, mentoring, training, workload productivity, approving timecards and schedules and recommending hiring decisions.

Benefits

Medical and Dental Plans
Strong, secure, yet flexible Retirement Plans including PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan plus pre-tax and ROTH 401K, and 457 plans
Employee Wellness Programs
Paid Life Insurance
11 paid Holidays per year plus Vacation and Sick Leave
Short and Long-Term Disability Coverage
RTD Eco Pass to all eligible State Employees
Flexible work schedule options and hybrid work options
Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
Training opportunities
Variety of Free discounts on services and products available through the State of Colorado's Work-Life Employment Discount Program