Accounting Team Lead.

Department Information

This position is open only to current Colorado state residents.

A n eligible list established with this recruitment may be used to fill other similar positions within the Colorado Department of Public Safety in the next 12 months.

Due to the State’s current hiring freeze, this position will not be filled until January 1, 2026 or after.

Our Mission - Engaged employees working together to safeguard lives and to provide diverse public safety services to local communities

Our Vision - Creating safer and more resilient communities across Colorado

Our Core Values - Unity, Honor, Service

The State of Colorado strives to create a Colorado for All by building and maintaining workplaces that value and respect all Coloradans through a commitment to equal opportunity and hiring based on merit and fitness.

The State is dedicated to non-discriminatory practices in everything we do, including hiring, employment, and advancement opportunities.

At CDPS, our culture is driven by our commitment to creating a safer Colorado and guided by a public service focus. We strive to provide effective solutions and services to our fellow Coloradans. We model a culture of collaboration, innovation, and growth for our employees. We maintain a professional and inclusive workplace.

Careers With a Purpose

If you are passionate about public safety and public service, and are eager to dedicate your career to serving Coloradans, consider joining CDPS. Our team at CDPS consists of exceptional individuals and is an environment where you can challenge yourself and acquire new capabilities to build a rewarding and fulfilling career.

We are committed to providing public safety services to our communities including safety on our roads, preparing for and mitigating environmental disasters such as floods and wildland fires, disaster recovery, combating crime, promoting school safety, and victim services.

Benefits

We provide a wide range of benefits to our employees.

• Medical and dental options are available for permanent employees and their dependents. We also offer short and long-term disability coverage, and life insurance that includes legal resources and discounts.
• State contribution into a Health Savings Account when enrolled in a High Deductible Health Plan.
• Job protected medical leave under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and the State of Colorado Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program (FAMLI) .
• Paid medical leave benefits provided by the State of Colorado.
• Eligibility for hybrid or other flexible work arrangements based on the nature of the role.
• We offer excellent retirement benefits including mandatory PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan, plus optional 401K and 457 plans. For information on mandatory employee salary deferral (in lieu of contribution to Social Security), visit Colorado PERA for details.
• We provide generous time off including 11 paid holidays annually and accrued annual and sick leave and four annual wellness days.
• The Employee Assistance Program (C-SEAP) is available in every region of the state. It is our effort to support the well-being of employees and the workplace. EAPs provide short-term counseling, referrals and resources, as well as training and organizational development services.
• Tuition reimbursement and reduced college tuition at CSU Global and DeVry University.
• We offer Credit Union of Colorado membership eligibility.
  
  

To learn more about State of Colorado benefits, please visit State of Colorado benefits .

Description Of Job

About the Work Unit

The Executive Director's Office (EDO) Is The Backbone Of The Colorado Department Of Public Safety, Providing Effective Administrative And Management Services To The Department's Operating Divisions. The EDO Includes The Following

• The Executive Director and Deputy Executive Director – Oversees strategic direction and operations for the department.
• Administrative Services Office - Provides division and department-level administrative and support functions encompassing accounting, purchasing and contracts, budget, logistics services (fleet, warehousing, material management and fabrication) and property services (property management, leasing, facilities maintenance, construction project management and insurance programs) to support the operations and programs of CDPS divisions.
• Human Resources Office - Supports recruitment, hiring, evaluation, benefits management, personnel actions, payroll and all other human resources functions.
• Compliance Office – Manages Departmental Policy, Risk Management, Workers Compensation Program, Workplace Investigations, Internal Auditing, Rulemaking, and ensures compliance with state and federal requirements and the State’s LESO 1033/1122 programs.
• Colorado Integrated Criminal Justice Information Systems – develops cost-effective information sharing services to provide access for criminal justice agencies while maintaining information security. CICJIS is a collaborative program designed to facilitate information sharing at key decision points in the criminal justice process. There are five participating CICJIS agencies: the Department of Corrections, Judicial, the Colorado District Attorney’s Council, the Division of Youth Corrections, and the Colorado Bureau of Investigation.
• Office of School Safety – assists local schools and communities to create safe and positive school climates for pre-k through higher education schools in Colorado.
  
  

The Administrative Services Office provides internal administrative support to the Divisions within CDPS and include the following sections:

• Chief Administrative Officer’s office
• Accounting Services and Commercial Cards led by the Controller
• Budget and Policy led by the Budget Director
• Purchasing and Contracts by the Purchasing Director
• Logistics Services Section led by the Logistics Director
• Property Services Section led by the Property Services Director
  
  

Work Environment

Hybrid (two days in the Lakewood office minimum, depending on location in the state)

Work unit core business hours Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. (Flexible schedules available with supervisor approval.)

About The Job

There are currently two positions available supporting the Department of Public Safety.

• DFPC Accounting Team - 700 Kipling Street, Lakewood, CO 80215
• CBI Accounting Team - 700 Kipling Street, Lakewood, CO 80215
  
  

Are you a forward-thinking accounting professional ready to take on a comprehensive leadership role in a dynamic environment? We are seeking a highly skilled Accountant II to oversee daily operations, provide essential system administration and technical guidance, and champion excellence in financial reporting and compliance. In this pivotal position, you'll serve as the primary accounting lead for our team, supporting the team supervisor, while offering invaluable support to both internal and external stakeholders. Integrity, transparency, accountability, honesty and trust are fundamental expectations for this role.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES (May Vary By Position)

Accounting Leadership

• Lead and empower our accounting staff in daily operations and workflow coordination, fostering a collaborative and efficient team.
• Serve as a critical backup for other division accountants, ensuring seamless operations.
• Exercise meticulous review and approval of accounting transactions within our financial system.
• Strategically plan and schedule work for subordinate accounting staff, ensuring the achievement of division goals and deadlines.
• Ensure all reporting deadlines are met, provide comprehensive staff training, and offer insightful input to supervisors regarding team performance and evaluations.
• Contribute to the development and delivery of impactful in-service training, training materials, and job aids for accounting-related matters, serving as a go-to technical expert for division staff.
  
  

Division Accounting and Analysis

• Prepare, analyze, report, and summarize crucial accounting data for the CDPS Controller's office, Accounting Supervisor, grant administrators, and division managers.
• Proactively manage various aspects of the assigned division's financial close process, collaborating closely with the CDPS Controller's office.
• Conduct in-depth research on accounting issues, ensuring strict compliance with GAAP, State fiscal rules, and fiscal procedures.
• Perform scheduled reconciliations of balance sheet accounts with precision, monitoring, researching, analyzing, and reconciling transactions by auditing supporting documentation for accuracy and completeness.
• Implement appropriate accounting actions to ensure compliance with GAAP and fiscal policies
• Review assigned division requisitions, accurately record and allocate revenue and interest for various cash funds, and appropriately record indirect costs for applicable programs.
• Act as the primary point of contact for payroll coding corrections and monthly payroll reallocations.
• Contribute to the preparation of required year-end accounting schedules.
  
  

Online Payment Portal Technical Expert (CBI position only)

• Serve as the primary administrator for the division’s online billing and payment portal, monitoring performance and first level troubleshooting
• Maintain open and clear communication with accounting leadership, internal and external representatives of AR systems, relevant banks, the State Treasury Office, approved vendors, customers, and other accounting and program staff regarding system changes, enhancements, or issues.
• Provide expert oversight and final approval for the maintenance of all non-standard invoice templates for division’s billable programs.
• Direct timely changes to templates as requested or needed, ensuring an optimal and seamless customer experience.
  
  

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions Of Employment & Appeal Rights

NOTE: To be considered for this position, you must meet one of the following options for consideration.

Experience Only

Six (6) years of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) accounting experience to include journal entries and balance account reconciliations.

OR

Education And Experience

A combination of related education (coursework requires 27 semester hours completed in accounting or auditing) and/or business accounting experience equal to six (6) years.

OR

Licensure

Current, valid licensure as a CPA by the Colorado Board of Accountancy.

Preferred Qualifications And Competencies

• Must possess a high level of accuracy and attention to detail and have a strong knowledge in how personnel and/or payroll systems (software) work.
• Must be able to accurately interpret and coach others on simple to complex rules and regulations
• Must have excellent customer service skills and sensitivity and discretion with respect to confidential matters.
• Experience in CORE or other similar financial system.
• Experience in creating, maintaining, and producing financial reports.
• Experience creating training materials.
• Ability to multi-task and maintain a tracked workflow in order to put aside projects that do not have a ready solution for items that require immediate attention
• Excellent interpersonal skills and intercultural competence.
• Exceptional verbal, writing, and presentation skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google Suite.
  
  

Conditions of Employment

• Requires successful completion of a background investigation that includes a polygraph exam, a fingerprint based criminal history search, reference checking.
• Must be Colorado resident at the time of application
  
  

Appeal Rights

If you receive notice that you have been eliminated from consideration for the position, you may protest the action by filing an appeal with the State Personnel Board/State Personnel Director within 10 days from the date you receive notice of the elimination. Also, if you wish to challenge the selection and comparative analysis process, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board/State Personnel Director within 10 days from the receipt of notice or knowledge of the action you are challenging. Refer to Chapters 4 and 8 of the State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, 4 CCR 801, for more information about the appeals process. The State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures are available at www.colorado.gov/spb . A standard appeal form is available at: www.colorado.gov/spb . If you appeal, your appeal must be submitted in writing on the official appeal form, signed by you or your representative, and received at the following address within 10 days of your receipt of notice or knowledge of the action: Colorado State Personnel Board/State Personnel Director, Attn: Appeals Processing, 1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver, CO 80203. Fax: 303-866-5038. Phone: 303-866-3300. The ten-day deadline and these appeal procedures also apply to all charges of discrimination.

Supplemental Information

Disability Accommodation

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 Human Resources at: cdps_hr@state.co.us

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.

Colorado Department of Public Safety 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.

Recruitment Timeline Information and Important Notices

• Applications are considered complete and accurate at the time of submission. Therefore, additional information may not be solicited or accepted after your application has been received.
• Closing Date: All applications that are received by the closing of this announcement will be reviewed against the Minimum Qualifications in this announcement. Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications may proceed to the next step. Colorado Revised Statutes require that state employees are hired and promoted based on merit and fitness through a comparative analysis process.
• Transcripts: An unofficial copy of transcripts must be submitted at the time of application should education be used as qualification. Transcripts from colleges or universities outside the United States must be assessed for U.S. equivalency by a NACES educational credential evaluation service. This documentation is the responsibility of the applicant and must be included as part of your application materials. Failure to provide a transcript or credential evaluation report may prevent your application from moving forward in the selection process.
• Military Veterans: If you are a military veteran you must submit a copy of your DD-214, Member 4 Copy, and VA disability letter if available/applicable at the time of application so we can determine if you are eligible for veteran's preference points. Military personnel who are stationed outside of Colorado may be eligible for this position by submitting the completed DD-2058 "State of Legal Residence" form.
• Application Tips: For an overview of State of Colorado application process and application tips, please view this video .
• Resumes, Cover Letters, or other documents submitted will not be reviewed, assessed, or used in the initial stages of the comparative analysis (transcripts submitted to verify that the applicant meets either the education requirement or minimum qualification substitution are exempt from this).
• Notifications: All correspondence regarding your status in the selection/examination process will be sent via email to the email address listed on your application. Include your current working email addresson your application and check the email provided on your application frequently as you could receive time sensitive correspondence regarding this position. We highly recommend that you set up your email to accept messages from " state.co.us " and " info@governmentjobs.com " addresses. It is your responsibility to ensure that your email will accept these notices and/or review your junk mail and spam filtered email.
• Comparative Analysis Steps will include (dates are tentative) :
• An online skills assessment December 18th - December 22nd
• Structured application review by a panel of SMEs - Week of December 22nd
• Interviews the w eek of January 5th