Director Of Accounting

The mission of the Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE) is to improve the quality of, ensure the affordability of, and promote access to, postsecondary education for the people of Colorado. In pursuing its mission, the Colorado Department of Higher Education will act as an advocated for the students and institutions of postsecondary education and will coordinate and as needed, regulate the activities of the state's postsecondary education institutions.

The Colorado Department of Higher Education is looking for a Director of Accounting Services to join our industrious Budget and Finance team. The Budget and Finance team provides budget and financial support for the Department administration and includes the Budget Services team, Accounting team, and Colorado Opportunity Fund team. The Director of Accounting Services oversees, manages, and supports the Accounting Team to maintain the mission of the Controller and Chief Financial Officer. The position's primary responsibilities include reviewing and approving all transactions within the CORE (state accounting environment) data system; analyzing and investigating various reports concerning account expenditures and fund balances; implementing departmentwide accounting policies and procedures-including compliance with state fiscal and procurement rules; and assisting the Controller in completing quarterly diagnostic reports and annual exhibits.
The ideal candidate for this role will have a high attention to detail; ability to ask and investigate second and third order questions; and translate accounting rules and regulations to non-accounting personnel. The Director of Accounting leads accountants with basic to intermediate skills and, therefore, has significant experience and knowledge of higher-level rules and guidance within statewide fiscal rules and accounting systems. This position requires effective communication with department staff, other department personnel-including the Office of the State Controller and Office of the State Auditor, and vendors to resolve accounting issues as they arise. This position reports to the Controller.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities
Duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Manage the workflow of the Accounting Team to ensure that deadlines and schedules are consistently met.
• Assign tasks, monitor work progress and workflow, review accountant work products, and review and revise work standards as needed.
• Interpret and understand Colorado State Government financial language.
• Maintain the integrity of the Department's accounting system in accordance with state and federal regulations and Department policies.
• Create and process financial transaction documents in the State's accounting system (CORE), including budget documents, payroll documents, UDOCs, Internal Exchange Transactions (IET), Internal Transaction Initiator (ITI); Internal Transaction Agreement (ITA), and JV entries.
• Oversee and approve accounts receivable for cash fund divisions, including the Office of Private Postsecondary Education (OPPE), the Division of Private Occupational Schools (DPOS) and other entities with the Department.
• Reconcile all general and grant ledger expenditure accounts and fund allocations to ensure that Program Directors and staff have the most current information for informed decision making.
• Review and approve employee travel reimbursements to verify expenses in accordance with state fiscal rules and per diem rates.
• Ensure proper documentation support, chart of account coding, authorization, mathematical accuracy, and assure that documents are complying with state fiscal rules, state procurement rules and department policies.
• Support the development, mentoring, retention, and organization of the Accounting Staff in partnership with the Controller and Chief Financial Officer.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Professional knowledge of general accounting practices and standards, including GAAP, GASB, State fiscal rules, State financial reporting, and State Auditor requirements.
• General ledger & reconciliation accounting experience.
• Knowledge of and proficiency in Microsoft Office suite, specifically Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Ability to locate and identify discrepancies utilizing spreadsheets and other written communication.
• Excellent organizational skills: the ability to set, track, and accomplish priorities, goals, and timetables to achieve maximum productivity, always knowing the status of activities.
• Experience working in state or local government.
• Ability to interpret and understand the financial language of legislation and state fiscal rules.

Education & Experience
Experience
Four years of professional accounting experience, with demonstrated experience with CORE (accounting system) and InfoAdvantage (reporting system).
Education
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in a field of study/occupational field related to the work assignment, which included 24 semester hours in accounting.
Substitutions
Additional appropriate education will substitute for experience on a year-for-year basis. Professional experience in accounting and budgeting at a senior/management level will substitute on a year-for-year basis with the bachelor's degree.
SPECIAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES (KSAs):

• Act and speak professionally with the ability to translate accounting processes and principles to non-accounting staff.
• Collaborate with peers, colleagues, and staff.
• Ability to prioritize work and ensure projects are completed on time.
• Superior written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to prioritize conflicting demands.

WORKING CONDITIONS:
Works in a normal office environment. Does not require physical activity other than that typically utilized in such a setting, working with standard office equipment such as phone, fax, and personal computers. Works a minimum 40-hour work week, either remotely, hybrid or in-office, depending on the arrangement met during employment with the supervisor during normal office hours. Periodic in-state and out-of-state travel requiring occasional overnight stays. Insured functioning vehicle and the ability to complete any travel requirement independently. Position currently operates in a hybrid environment. However, as an employee of the State of Colorado, a successful candidate must be a Colorado resident.
APPLICATION PROCEDURES:
To be considered for this position, candidates must possess the minimum qualifications listed above and submit the following in addition to the application: Cover letter and resume.
Application Deadline:
Position will remain open until filled. Application review begins immediately, and position start is immediate.
Employment is contingent on successful completion of a criminal background check.
This position is not governed by the selection process of the classified personnel system and is not part of the classified state personnel system. Consistent with the State's Universal Policy on Flexible Work Arrangements, CDHE permits Flexible Work Arrangements (FWA) and this role qualifies for FWA participation. However, FWA is evaluated and granted by the appointing authority at their discretion based on business need, the nature and function of the work performed, and employee performance.
Employees of the State of Colorado must be authorized to work in the United States and be residents of Colorado. The Department of Higher Education does not assist with relocation expenses.
Employees of the Department must advise the Department in writing of any potential conflict of interest upon commencing employment and while employed. A conflict of interest includes supplemental employment which interferes with normal business hours or productivity levels, or alternative employment with entities or agencies with which the Department may contract for services or products. It also includes any outside employment or activity that is directly incompatible with the duties and responsibilities of the employee's state position. Conflict of interest also includes any direct or indirect ownership of an interest in, or ability to influence (including acting as a board member or other agent for), any business or organization which has any potential, ongoing or previous interaction or business relationship with the Department.
The Colorado Department of Higher Education offers benefits for this position which include medical, dental, vision, and life insurance available to the employee and eligible dependents on a cost share basis between employee and the Department. Disability insurance is provided at no cost to the employee. Paid leave time is accrued at 14 hours per month for vacation leave and 10 hours per month for sick leave. There are 11 paid holidays in a calendar year. Employees of the State of Colorado do not contribute to Social Security, but contribute to Colorado Public Employee Retirement Association (PERA)

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.
The Colorado Department of Higher Education is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to our Human Resource Director, Cindy Langan, at HR@dhe.state.co.us or call 720.264.8575.Employment Type: Full Time