Accountant / Senior Accountant

Job Type: Finance & Accounting Pay Range $64,272 to $106,870 Location Colorado Springs, CO Date First Posted 4/5/24 Applications are being accepted until: 4/15/24
If no date is displayed, applications are being accepted on an ongoing basis; however, this job posting may close at any time after a minimum of 5 days of being posted. Accountant / Senior Accountant ***A hybrid telework schedule will be considered for this position; hybrid is defined as a pre-determined blend of working from home and in the office, after completing probation.
***We are looking to hire multiple Senior Accountants and one Accountant position, a total of three positions. Placement will be based on the qualifications, knowledge, and demonstrated experience level of the successful candidate.
Are you ready to join an accounting team that thrives on change and embraces challenges head-on? Our team is just a few months away from launching our new accounting system, complete with a revamped general ledger. This means we need candidates who are comfortable with change, thrive in dynamic environments, and can seamlessly adapt to new processes.
As a municipal utility, our industry is in a state of rapid evolution, and accounting sits at the heart of every transformation. Timeliness, accuracy, and completeness are non-negotiables in our line of work, but so are flexibility and adaptability to the shifting pace of our monthly operations. Recently, we've implemented new leasing standards for property, plant, and equipment, as well as embraced cloud-based software. Candidates with experience in reading contracts and implementing leasing standards will find themselves right at home here.
Joining our team means stepping up to the challenge of leading the annual production of financial statements under tight deadlines with minimal supervision. Our monthly close is demanding, but it's all part of the journey towards excellence. But it's not all about the hustle—our team values employee development and teamwork above all else. We're committed to nurturing talent through internal promotions or exposure to different facets of our organization, such as "getting to know your utility" site visits. Joining us means becoming part of a community and shaping the future legacy of our accounting system.
We're also venturing into grants management, offering exciting growth opportunities within our team. We encourage cross-functional collaboration and a customer-focused mindset. If you're passionate about sharing your accounting expertise and building relationships, this is the perfect role for you. Come be a part of our journey and make a lasting impact on our municipal utility.
How you'll enjoy spending your day as an Accountant: Compiling, preparing, and recording ledger transactions; including preparing and providing support for journals
Performing daily and monthly bank and investment account reconciliations
Researching, analyzing, and summarizing financial and accounting information; troubleshooting problems by gathering, researching, and analyzing data; recording and reconciling significant financial transactions
Assisting in monthly and year-end accounting close and reporting process
Supporting annual external audits including participating in the preparation of published financial statements and accompanying notes
Participating in special projects as assigned by management, which may involve data analysis, process improvement initiatives, or other tasks to support the goals and initiatives of the organization
Supporting the accounting for capital projects, including tracking project costs, preparing capitalization entries, and reconciling project accounts; assisting in the preparation of financial reports related to capital expenditures
Knowledge of financial statement preparation and analysis. Demonstrated ability to trace transactions through various accounting processes to financial statements. Ability to analyze, interpret, and reconcile financial data to ensure accuracy and completeness
Skills and Experience for Accountant: Attention to detail and accuracy in financial data entry and reconciliation
Ability to work well in a team environment
Familiarity with regulatory compliance and general accounting practices
Strong organizational and time management skills
Clear communication skills, both verbal and written
Ability to prioritize tasks and manage workload effectively
Bachelor's degree in accounting, Finance, or related field (preferred)
1-3 years of relevant accounting experience (preferred)
Senior Accountants will assume more advanced roles within the accounting department. You will play a pivotal role in leading the implementation of Governmental Accounting Standards (GASB), requiring strong research and technical writing skills, as well as the ability to collaborate across multi-disciplinary teams. Understanding the impact of GASB on financial reporting is paramount. Their responsibilities and key areas of focus include the following:
Reviewing financial statements for discrepancies and offering insights to improve financial health
Recommending process improvements and changes through a formal change approval process. Utilizing detailed experience to drive improvements in accounting workflows and procedures. Managing change requests and requests for process modifications, including assessing impact, obtaining approvals, and implementing changes. Documenting change control procedures and maintaining a change log to track modifications to accounting processes over time
Leading collaboratively as a senior team between general accounting and fixed assets the preparation of documentation for external auditors
Overseeing or reviewing the work of staff accountants, ensuring accuracy and completeness of the work completed. Reviewing journal entries, ledger balances, and financial reports prepared by accountants
Leading the research and implementation of required governmental accounting standards with minimal management oversight. Proficient skills in task execution and project delivery
Assisting and leading certain aspects of monthly accounting close and annual external audits
Answering complex inquiries from various stakeholders with clarity and accuracy
In addition to the Accountant Skills and Experience above, a Senior Accounting should have the following additional Skills and Experience: Advanced analytical skills and a comprehensive understanding of accounting principles, including an ability to interpret financial data, and apply governmental accounting
Leadership abilities and experience guiding staff, including motivation
Proven ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously and pivot between tasks effectively
Familiarity with derivatives and related accounting practices (preferred)
Continuous education and commitment to staying updated on accounting standards and industry trends
Strong problem-solving abilities, interpersonal communication skills, and attention to detail
Bachelor's degree in accounting, Finance, or related field
A Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license is preferred
We are also interested in accounting experience in the utilities or energy industry, as well as fixed assets, grants, derivatives/hedging, so please be sure to highlight this experience on your resume/application. The military job codes/duty codes most closely related to this role are: 42A, 42B, 36B, 65FX, 65F4, 65F3, 65F2, 65F2,6410, 6413, 6415, 6417, DK, PS, 3401, 3402, 3404, 3406, 3408, 3432, 3451, 9644
Who We Are... One of the largest four-service public utilities in the nation (over 500,000 customers)
A national leader in reliability (power on an average of 99.991% of the time)
Diamond Designation recipient from the American Public Power Association – a utility sector leader in reliability, safety, workforce development, and system improvements
Located at the base of the Rocky Mountains in one of the most desired city to live in the United States (U.S. News & World Report)
Our Commitment to Our Employees… Our people are the heart and soul of Colorado Springs Utilities. They keep the lights on, gas flowing, water coming in, and wastewater leaving. We do not just say people are important – we prove it! That's why we are honored to invest in protecting the health and financial security of our employees and their families through our rich benefits program.
Time Off – Because everybody needs time off to recharge
Vacation – New employees accrue 13 days of paid time off to start, while our more tenured employees accrue 24 days per year
Personal Leave –3 days per year of personal leave
Paid Holidays –12 paid holidays per year
Sick Leave – Accrue 12 days of sick leave annually for those days when you or a family member is feeling under the weather
Vacation Buy – Purchase up to 40 hours of additional vacation time
Pension Plan – Looking forward to a comfortable lifestyle once you're done working? The Colorado Public Employees' Retirement Association (PERA) provides you with retirement benefits and peace of mind when you retire
Medical – Select from three comprehensive medical plans, starting at $0 per month. Employees also enjoy access to a Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA). (effective the 1st of the month following your start date)
Wellness Program – Voluntary wellness program that allows you and your spouse to each earn up to $500 to use towards healthcare expenses, $100 in Visa gift cards, and up to $400 in gym membership reimbursements
Dental – Select from two dental plans, with in-network PPO preventive care covered at 100% and access to orthodontia coverage (effective the 1st of the month following your start date)
Vision – Voluntary plan that covers full vision care services and discounts on LASIK eye surgery (effective the 1st of the month following your start date)
Retirement Saving Programs – Supplement your pension plan with voluntary retirement programs such as the PERAPlus 401(k) and MissionSquare's Roth IRA and 457 plans
Disability Coverage – Short-Term (STD) and Long-Term Disability (LTD) insurance available for purchase (effective the 1st of the month following your start date)
Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – Makes the going a little easier by aiding with mental health, stress management, work-life balance, financial and legal matters, and much more
Long-Term Care Insurance (LTC) – Whether it's due to an accident or a serious illness, LTC insurance is available for purchase to help you and your loved ones (effective the 1st of the month following your start date)
Life Insurance – Company-paid life insurance and supplemental coverage available (effective the 1st of the month following your start date)
Tuition Reimbursement – Employees are eligible to receive up to $5,250 annually for Tuition Reimbursement
Qualifying Public Service Employer – Payments made towards student loans may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
ATTENTION : All positions will be posted for a minimum of 5 calendar days.
Starting pay will be determined within the posted pay range based on the experience, education, and training of the successful candidate; if there is a single pay rate posted, the job starts at that rate.
Colorado Springs Utilities does not sponsor work visas of any kind (including but not limited to F-1, H-1B, or TN visas to include those with a STEM OPT extension ). Eligible applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. Colorado Springs Utilities is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. Our differences make us richer. Learning and growing from one another makes us more than what we were. We want our workforce to be as diverse as our business and recognize the limitless benefits of this commitment. Our desire is to have the organization reflect the diversity of the Pikes Peak Region. As an Equal Employment Opportunity employer, it is our commitment that no person shall be unlawfully discriminated against because of race, color, national origin or ancestry, sex, age, religious convictions, veteran status, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Affirmative Action is Colorado Springs Utilities' effort to ensure positive steps are taken to have a representative workforce reflective of the relevant available labor force.
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Job Type: Finance & Accounting