ACCOUNTANT SENIOR in Dumont, Colorado at Clear Creek County, Colorado

JOB SUMMARY

A Senior level accountant requires a broad knowledge of accounting principles and procedures. Under limited supervision of the Finance Director, this position performs professional accounting, financial reporting, grant accounting, and payroll functions for the County, including oversight of the General Ledger, account reconciliations, and preparation of internal and external financial reports.

The position supports the annual audit and single audit and serves as a technical resource on governmental accounting, grant compliance, and payroll regulations. Assist department directors, staff, vendors, and the general public as requested.

BENEFITS

Clear Creek County offers a comprehensive benefits package for eligible employees, which may include retirement benefits, medical, dental, and vision coverage; wellness programs; county-paid life and disability insurance; flexible spending and health savings account options; paid time off, sick leave, and holidays; Employee Assistance Program (EAP) resources; telehealth services; and voluntary supplemental benefit offerings.

Benefit eligibility is based on position and scheduled hours; not all positions qualify for the full benefits package.

Sworn Sheriff's Office Positions Only: Enhanced retirement benefits through FPPA (Fire & Police Pension Association) are available.

PRINCIPAL JOB DUTIES

Duties are assigned among Senior Accountant positions based on the County's operational needs. Not every position performs every duty listed.

General Accounting and Financial Reporting
- Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports and statements that reflect the County's financial condition.
- Provide primary oversight of the County's General Ledger, including journal entries, account analysis, and month-end close.
- Perform monthly reconciliations of assigned funds, including bank, cash, and Treasurer reconciliations.
- Transition revenue information from the Treasurer into the Finance ledger and provide analysis of expenditures against revenue and budget.
- Prepare reports for federal, state, and other outside agencies, as well as internal reports for management.
- Participate in the annual audit and single audit and assist in preparing the ACFR (Annual Comprehensive Financial Report) in accordance with GAAP.
- Audit and process payments for contracts and miscellaneous expenses as assigned.
- Manage and maintain the accounting system set up for expenses.
- Provide analysis of available funds at management's request.
- Act as a technical resource for staff on governmental accounting, grant, and payroll questions.
- Help develop and update accounting, grant, and payroll policies and procedures.
- Proactively identify issues and work with the Finance Director and Assistant County Manager to resolve them.
- Adhere to all County policies and procedures and all laws and regulations governing County finances.

Grant Accounting and Reporting
- Manage the financial side of County grants from award through closeout, including setting up grant budgets and accounts in the General Ledger.
- Track grant expenditures, match requirements, and allowable costs in accordance with federal Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200) and state and grantor requirements.
- Prepare and submit periodic financial reports and reimbursement requests (drawdowns) to federal, state, and other funding agencies.
- Work with the Grants Administrator and departments to support Countywide grant compliance and reporting.
- Compile the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) and support the single audit.
- Monitor fixed assets purchased with grant and other assigned funds.

Payroll
- Process, review, and reconcile the County's regular and off-cycle payrolls, ensuring accuracy and timeliness.
- Maintain payroll records, deductions, garnishments, and benefit withholdings, and keep payroll information confidential.
- Prepare and file federal and state payroll tax returns and deposits, year-end W-2s, and related reports, including retirement plan, Colorado FAMLI, and unemployment reporting.
- Support Affordable Care Act (ACA) reporting in coordination with Human Resources.
- Reconcile payroll and payroll liability accounts to the General Ledger each pay period and month end.
- Stay current on federal and state payroll and wage-and-hour regulations and recommend process changes as needed.

Schedule
This position is a 40-hour per week opportunity offering a hybrid work environment. County offices are open Monday through Thursday, 32 hours a week. While not a public facing office, Finance operations are 40-hours a week, 10 hour days over the Monday through Thursday work week. Some flexibility is available to the successful candidate in the traditional work week so long as primary operations of the County are supported successfully Monday through Thursday.

MINIMUM JOB REQUIREMENTS

Required Experience / Education
- Current, valid licensure as a CPA by the Colorado Board of Accountancy; or
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a closely related field and three (3) years of professional accounting experience; or
- Associate's degree in Accounting and five (5) years of professional accounting experience; or
- Any equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
- Substitution: A graduate degree in Accounting, Finance, or Public Administration may substitute for one year of the required experience.

Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in state or local government finance or accounting.
- Experience with federal grant compliance, including Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200) and single audit requirements.
- Experience processing public-sector payroll, including retirement plan reporting.
- Professional certification such as Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM), Certified Payroll Professional (CPP), or Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC).
- Experience with Springbrook or a similar governmental ERP system.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

- Knowledge of financial system applications and processing.
- Must have strong financial analytical ability to prioritize and handle multiple competing tasks and demands and to prepare and interpret various financial statements, reports, and analyses.
- Thorough knowledge of applying Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) pronouncements. Government Fund Accounting knowledge.
- Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking, and the analysis and reporting of financial data.
- Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
- Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
- Skilled in identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
- Using logic and reasoning, identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
- Ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (including finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
- Ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
- Knowledge of and proficiency in financial accounting software and a variety of other computer software applications such as Microsoft products (Word, Excel, etc.).
- Skilled in organization and time management.
- Ability to maintain a high level of professionalism.
- Ability to accurately and effectively transmit and receive information necessary to accomplish goals and objectives, including effective written and oral communication; ability to keep customers, subordinates, peers, and supervisors informed; and the ability to listen.
- Able to maintain courteous and effective working relationships with the public, County departments, co-workers, and other agencies.
- Perform duties independently without close supervision.
- Ability to utilize standard office procedures, practices, and equipment.
- Comprehend and make inferences from legal and administrative written materials.
- Make mathematical calculations and draw logical conclusions.
- Handle multiple projects simultaneously and use good judgment in prioritizing work assignments.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with other county employees, supervisory personnel, outside agencies, and the public.
- Ability to effectively work in remote and in-person environments.
- Operate a personal computer and related software and demonstrate proficiency to prepare documents, spreadsheets, email, and timesheets.
- Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear.
- Position may be required to: stand, walk, bend, twist, stoop, kneel, or crouch.
- Routine use of standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, and scanners.
- Knowledge of federal and state grant regulations, including Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200), allowable costs, and single audit requirements.
- Knowledge of federal and Colorado payroll laws and regulations, including payroll taxes, the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), wage garnishments, and benefit and retirement withholdings.
- Ability to meet recurring payroll and grant reporting deadlines.
- Ability to maintain strict confidentiality of payroll, personnel, and financial records.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

- Must have a valid Colorado Motor Vehicle Drivers' License.
- Must pass a background check: Financial, Criminal & Traffic.
- Conviction of a crime will not be an absolute bar to employment.
- Required legal authorization to work - United States citizenship or legal authorization to work in the United States.

SUPERVISORY

May instruct, delegate, and review the work of lower classified employees in a lead capacity.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical requirements described here are representative of those that an employee must meet to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. The employee is frequently required to sit and stand for long periods, use hands and fingers to handle or feel, and reach with hands or arms. The employee must stand, walk, bend, twist, stoop, kneel, or crouch. Must be able to respond to the customers' needs and perform tasks requiring extensive hand and eye coordination. Hand and finger dexterity is needed to operate a computer keyboard, mouse, and other devices and objects. The employee must frequently lift and move objects up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Physical ability and mobility to drive a motor vehicle to and from other work sites and meetings as required. Ability to work extended shifts and attend training and meetings outside of regularly scheduled hours and the ability to work in stressful situations.

The work environment characteristics described here represent those an employee encounters while performing essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Work is performed in an office environment with remote capacity. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, and scanners. Ability to tolerate and be productive in a quiet to moderate noise level in the workplace. Employees will have periodic exposure to hazards in the field, such as driving and inclement weather.