Accountant - I, II, or Senior

About the Department

ACCOUNTANT I $28.28- $42.41 / Hourly :
Entry-level professional position responsible for performing routine accounting tasks, supporting daily financial operations, and ensuring compliance with Pueblo County policies, Colorado statutes, and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). This role focuses on transactional accuracy, account reconciliation, and assisting higher-level accountants with financial reporting and audit preparation. 

ACCOUNTANT II $5,391.00- $8,086.00 / Monthly:
Mid-level professional responsible for performing complex accounting functions, financial analysis, and departmental support. This role conducts advanced reconciliations, assists with budget development, prepares financial reports, and contributes to the County’s Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR). The position requires independent judgment and a strong understanding of governmental accounting standards.

SENIOR ACCOUNTANT $6,523.00- $9,786.00 / Monthly:
High-level professional responsible for complex financial analysis, oversight of major accounting functions, and leadership in preparing Pueblo County’s financial statements. This position ensures compliance with Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB), oversees specialized accounting areas, and provides technical guidance to accounting staff. The Senior Accountant plays a key role in audits, budgeting, and financial policy development. The role collaborates extensively with County departments and elected officials’ staff to support strategic financial planning, compliance, and operational decision-making.  

***THIS POSTING MAY BE USED TO FILL MULTIPLE OPENINGS***

Position Duties

ACCOUNTANT I:

• Reconcile assigned general ledger accounts such as cash, receivables, payables, deposits, and other routine accounts; identify discrepancies and escalate issues as needed. Ensure compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB), and County financial policies, escalating potential compliance issues to senior staff.
• Assist with month-end and year-end closing processes, including preparing schedules, running system reports, and validating balances.
• Work directly with County departments and elected officials’ offices to answer financial questions, provide guidance on procedures, and ensure accurate transaction processing.
• Process routine financial transactions, including journal entries, budget adjustments, interfund transfers, and corrections in accordance with County financial policies and state requirements.
• Support payroll accounting and costing, including validating payroll account coding, and assisting with payroll-related reconciliations.
• Prepare basic financial reports for internal use, including expenditure summaries, revenue tracking, and grant activity updates.
• Assist with audit preparation, including gathering supporting documentation, preparing reconciliations, and responding to auditor requests.
• Support grant accounting activities by tracking expenditures, verifying allowability, and maintaining documentation for federal and state audits.
• Assist with accounts payable and receivable functions, verifying supporting documentation, ensuring compliance with procurement rules, and preparing payment batches for approval.
• Participate in process improvement efforts, identifying opportunities to streamline workflows or strengthen internal controls.

ACCOUNTANT II:

• Perform complex reconciliations for high-volume or sensitive accounts such as grants, capital projects, payroll liabilities, or intergovernmental revenues.
• Prepare advanced journal entries, including accruals, deferrals, cost allocations, and corrections requiring analytical judgment.
• Monitor departmental budgets, analyze variances, and provide guidance to department managers and elected officials’ staff on allowable expenditures, fund restrictions, and financial procedures.
• Coordinate month-end and year-end procedures for assigned areas. Prepare financial reports for internal and external stakeholders. May include grant requests, state compliance reports, and specialized program reports.
• Assist with development of the County’s annual budget, including revenue projections, expenditure analysis, and preparation of supporting documentation.
• Support preparation of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) by preparing schedules, footnotes, and supporting documentation. Assist with audit coordination, including preparing complex schedules, responding to auditor questions, and implementing audit recommendations.
• Serve as a subject-matter resource for assigned program areas such as grants, capital assets, enterprise funds, or special revenue funds.
• Support payroll accounting and costing, including reconciling payroll liability accounts, validating payroll allocations, and assisting with payroll system reporting.
• Participate in policy and procedure development, recommending updates to strengthen internal controls or improve financial accuracy.
• Provide guidance and informal leadership to Accountant I staff, reviewing work for accuracy and offering training on County financial systems.
• Assist with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system maintenance, including testing updates, validating data, and supporting system improvements.
• Conduct financial analysis to support management decisions, including cost-benefit reviews, trend analysis, and forecasting. Review financial transactions for compliance with County policies, state and federal regulations, grant requirements, and internal control standards.
• Collaborate with County departments and elected officials’ offices to resolve financial issues, interpret financial data, and support operational decision-making.

SENIOR ACCOUNTANT:

• Oversee specialized accounting areas such as capital assets, debt service, grants management, enterprise funds, or pension accounting, ensuring accuracy and compliance.
• Prepare presentations and reports for County leadership, elected officials, and external agencies, translating complex financial information into clear, actionable insights.
• Lead preparation of major components of the County’s Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR), including complex schedules, footnotes, statistical data, and narrative sections in compliance with Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) standards. Serve as liaison to external auditors, coordinating audit schedules, responding to technical inquiries, and ensuring timely resolution of findings.
• Oversee grant compliance, including allowability reviews, indirect cost calculations, reporting requirements, and monitoring of subrecipients when applicable.
• Conduct advanced financial analysis, including long-term forecasting, trend evaluation, and scenario modeling to support strategic decision-making.
• Lead process improvement initiatives, including automation projects, workflow redesign, and enhancements to financial reporting.
• Develop, implement, and monitor accounting policies and internal controls, ensuring alignment with County objectives, state statutes, and federal requirements.
• Review and approve complex journal entries, reconciliations, and financial reports prepared by Accountant I and II staff.
• Provide leadership, training, and mentorship to accounting staff, supporting professional development and ensuring consistent application of accounting standards.
• Support development of the County’s annual budget, including revenue forecasting, fund balance analysis, and preparation of high-level financial summaries.
• Analyze financial impacts of policy changes, legislation, and operational decisions, providing recommendations to management. Ensure compliance with GASB pronouncements, including evaluating new standards, implementing required changes, and updating County procedures.

Minimum Qualifications

ACCOUNTANT I:
Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited four-year college or university in Accounting, Finance or related field required.

Experience: 

• Minimum of one (1) year or more Internship or professional accounting required.
• Minimum of one (1) year or more enterprise accounting systems (Workday/Tyler/Munis) preferred.
• Minimum of one (1) year or more of Governmental or public sector finance preferred.

ACCOUNTANT II:
Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited four-year college or university in Accounting, Finance, or related field required.

Experience:

• Minimum of three (3) years or more professional accounting experience required.
• Minimum of three (3) years or more enterprise accounting systems (Workday/Tyler/Munis) preferred.
• Minimum of three (3) years or more Governmental fund accounting, including preparing financial statements or Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) components preferred.

SENIOR ACCOUNTANT:
Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited four-year college or university in Accounting, Finance, or related field required.

Experience:

• Minimum of four (4) years or more progressively responsible accounting experience, including governmental accounting required.
• Minimum of four (4) years or more Governmental fund accounting, including preparing Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR)/Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) documents preferred.
• Minimum of four (4) years or more supervisory or lead worker experience preferred.
• Minimum of four (4) years or more enterprise accounting systems (Workday/Tyler/Munis) and advanced financial modeling preferred.

License and Certification:

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Public Finance Officer (CPFO), Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM), or similar certification obtained by a Professional recognized organization preferred.

Please NOTE: The substitution of any combination of relevant and related education, training, and/or experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and ability may be considered.

Special Requirements:
Must successfully pass a background check. 

Other Qualifications

• Comprehensive Benefits package (medical, dental, vision, etc.) for full-time employees
• Generous Vacation and Sick Leave Accrual
• Remote & Hybrid working opportunities
• County Retirement Program
• Autonomy to grow and find your career path with supportive leadership
• Truly inclusive and diverse environment
• Fitness Center (Historic Pueblo Courthouse Building)
• May be eligible for up to 12-weeks Paid Parental Leave Benefits (full-time employees)

Local government providing public services to Pueblo County residents.