<p>The accountant position will plan and direct the accounting activities of the department, and help manage the financial reporting, billing, collections, payroll, and budget preparation. This position will coordinate training programs for new staff and identify training needs for current staff.</p> <p>Supervision Exercised</p> <p>This position does not supervise any employees.</p> <p>Scope of Responsibilities</p> <p>This intermediate level position is responsible for independently performing accounting duties for the Department of Higher Education. Positions at this level exercise judgement and initiative in their assigned tasks, receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise and are fully aware of the operating procedures, practices and policies of the work unit. </p> <p>The duties listed below reflect the different types of work that may be performed. The omission of any specific duty will not prevent the assignment of work that is appropriately related to this position.</p> <p>Financial Management and Accuracy:</p> <ul> <li> <p>Ensure accurate and timely recording of financial transactions through account reconciliation, journal entries, and closing activities.</p> </li><li> <p>Manage asset inventories, capital project accounting, and compliance with internal controls and financial guidelines.</p> </li><li> <p>Maintain integrity of the general ledger by analyzing reports, resolving discrepancies, and ensuring data quality.</p> </li><li> <p>Audits expenditures, ensuring compliance with the accounting procedures of CDHE.</p> </li><li> <p>Balances and reconciles accounts; adjusts and corrects daily journal entries</p> </li><li> <p>Monitors expenditures and prepares monthly financial statements and administrative reports.</p> </li><li> <p>Prepare quarterly and annual statements</p> </li><li> <p>Analyze financial reports in relations to current budget and prior year information</p> </li></ul> <p>Strategic Financial Leadership:</p> <ul> <li> <p>Develop and implement strategic plans that align accounting functions with institutional priorities.</p> </li><li> <p>Lead improvements that increase efficiency, transparency, and compliance with GAAP, GASB, and state regulations.</p> </li><li> <p>Standardizing processes, implementing strategic automation, and mastering financial storytelling</p> </li><li> <p>Blend financial expertise with strong leadership skills, team dynamics, and an unwavering ethical compass</p> </li></ul> <p>Collaborative Financial Support</p> <ul> <li> <p>Partners with departments to strengthen financial practices, deliver training, and support shared understanding of fiscal responsibilities.</p> </li><li> <p>Coordinate surplus property processes, support records retention, and contribute to banking operations.</p> </li><li> <p>Collaborate with Facilities planning to track capital project expenditures and ensure accurate reporting.</p> </li><li> <p>Records numerical and financial data to produce financial records</p> </li><li> <p>Ensures financial data is entered correctly and accurately</p> </li><li> <p>Enters journal entries to debit and credit the states accounts</p> </li><li> <p>Reconciles and reports differences or issues found in financial records</p> </li></ul> <p>Institutional Engagement</p> <ul> <li>Participate in college committees and working groups, contributing financial expertise in support of CDHE's values of equity, excellence, and student success </li></ul> <p>Qualifications</p> <p>Education and Experience</p> <p>Any combination of experience and education that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain knowledge and abilities would be:</p> <p>Education:</p> <p>Bachelor's degree from an accredited university or college accounting or closely related field and three years of professional accounting experience.</p> <p>OR</p> <ul> <li>Valid related licensure or certification and five years of professional accounting experience. </li></ul> <p>AND</p> <ul> <li> <p>Experience working collaboratively with a team</p> </li><li> <p>Experience using accounting software spreadsheets and word processing tools to support accurate financial reporting and analysis.</p> </li></ul> <p>Experience:</p> <ul> <li> <p>Four (4) years of accounting experience with demonstrated experience with CORE (accounting system) and InfoAdvantage (reporting system)</p> </li><li> <p>Experience working in state or local government finance or accounting.</p> </li><li> <p>Experience with higher level rules and guidance within statewide fiscal rules and accounting systems.</p> </li></ul> <p>Licenses and Certifications:</p> <ul> <li>NA </li></ul> <p>Preferred Qualifications</p> <p>Education:</p> <p>Bachelor's degree from an accredited university or college in {name related field(s)}</p> <p>Experience:</p> <ul> <li> <p>GAAP skills</p> </li><li> <p>Knowledge of regulatory standards</p> </li><li> <p>General Business knowledge</p> </li><li> <p>Software Proficiency</p> </li><li> <p>Data Analysis</p> </li><li> <p>Attention to detail</p> </li><li> <p>Effective Communication</p> </li><li> <p>Critical Thinking</p> </li><li> <p>Problem Solving</p> </li><li> <p>Prioritizing</p> </li><li> <p>Service orientation</p> </li></ul> <p>Licenses and Certifications:</p> <ul> <li>Certified Public Accountant designation preferred </li></ul> <p>Knowledge of:</p> <ul> <li> <p>State statutes, rules and regulations, policies, procedures, and guidelines</p> </li><li> <p>Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, etc.)</p> </li></ul> <p>Ability to:</p> <ul> <li> <p>Prioritize tasks and delegate them when appropriate</p> </li><li> <p>Function well in a high-paced and at times stressful environment</p> </li><li> <p>Work in an environment with a degree of ambiguity</p> </li><li> <p>Manage sensitive issues and confidential information</p> </li><li> <p>Analyze and interpret financial data</p> </li><li> <p>Think critically and apply reasoning and analysis</p> </li><li> <p>Take the initiative to solve problems in an innovative manner</p> </li><li> <p>Communicate effectively, both written and verbally</p> </li><li> <p>Employ attention to technical detail and accuracy</p> </li><li> <p>Apply time management skills to prioritize work</p> </li><li> <p>Establish and maintain relationships with {internal/external} stakeholders</p> </li></ul> <p>Physical and Mental Standards (Hybrid Setting)</p> <p>The physical and mental standards described here are representative of those that must typically be met by employees to perform the essential functions of this class successfully. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.</p> <ul> <li> <p>Frequently sit/stand at a desk for extended periods of time</p> </li><li> <p>Frequently move from one area/building to another and sit/stand during the course of a day/week/month for meetings</p> </li><li> <p>Occasionally you may push or pull an object</p> </li><li> <p>Frequently use finger dexterity and operate a keyboard</p> </li><li> <p>Regularly lift 10 pounds and occasionally lift 25 pounds</p> </li><li> <p>Frequently use vision to read documents, view computer screens, and see close and distant objects</p> </li><li> <p>Frequently use speech and hearing to engage in conversation, in person, and over the telephone</p> </li></ul> <p>If you have a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquires to HR@dhe.state.co.us</p> <p>Typical Working Conditions</p> <ul> <li> <p>The employee typically works in a standard office environment where the noise level is moderate, and the office has controlled temperatures. Works a 40-hour work week, either remotely, hybrid, or in-office, depending on the arrangement met during employment with the supervisor during normal office hours of Monday- Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm.</p> </li><li> <p>Job duties may occasionally require working extended hours or hours outside of the regular schedule.</p> </li></ul> <p>Notice</p> <p>The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this position. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed. The duties, expectations, and actions listed for this role may change at any time with or without notice.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>The Colorado Department of Higher Education is committed to the full inclusion of 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 at HR@dhe.state.co.us or call 720.264.8575.</p>