Program Accountant - Accountant III
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Salary
$81,204.00 - $108,000.00 Annually
Location
Denver Metro, CO
Job Type
Full Time
Job Number
IHA 03403 05/20/2026
Department
Colorado Department of Human Services
Division
Financial Services
Opening Date
05/22/2026
Closing Date
6/5/2026 7:00 PM Mountain
FLSA
Determined by Position
Type of Announcement
This position is open only to Colorado state residents.
FLSA Status
Exempt; position is not eligible for overtime compensation.
Department Contact Information
Gerald.Barajas@state.co.us
Salary Note
Although the full salary range for this position is provided, appointments are typically made at or near the range minimum.
Primary Physical Work Address
Department of Human Services Division of Accounting 1575 Sherman St. Denver, CO 80203
How To Apply
Please submit an online application for this position at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/colorado. Reach out to the Department Contact to apply using a paper application, including any supplemental questions. Failure to submit a complete and timely application may result in the rejection of your application. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that application materials are received by the appropriate Human Resources office before the closing date and time listed.
Description
Benefits
Questions
Department Information
This position is open to current Colorado residents only.
Please note: This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies.
Hybrid working arrangements
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CDHSCareers
Description of Job
About this Unit:Program Accounting exists to provide accountable financial information about the Human Services Programs, both State and Federal, to the Management of the Department of Human Services, the State Controller's Office, the federal government, the county departments of social/human services and others in need of information in an efficient and timely manner.The Program Accountant generates, compiles, analyzes, and interprets all the accounting and reporting functions for all State and Federal programs assigned. The position will be responsible for understanding and maintaining the accounts and records in CORE.About this Position:This is a professional accounting position that generates, compiles, analyzes, and interprets all the accounting and reporting functions for pandemic related funding. The position will be responsible for understanding and maintaining the accounts and records in CORE. The reporting requirements for the pandemic related funding the CDHS received is above and beyond normal federal reporting requirements. This position will be responsible for understanding and reporting on all the additional metrix required for pandemic related funds and ensuring the department is complying with Treasury's Compliance and Reporting Guidance and meeting compliance and reporting responsibilities defined in the Final Rule, which includes submitting mandatory periodic reports to Treasury.
Summary of Duties:Daily Accounting Activities: Accesses fiscal systems to produce, correct, audit, approve, and input financial and budget transactions that pertain to the Federal and State Programs. Also analyzes information on an as-needed basis for all assigned programs. This includes accessing all systems for the financial, budget, and payment information as needed by supervisors, peers, program staff, auditors, and county staff producing accurate auditable data using established procedures and manuals.Reconciliation of program Expenditures and Revenues: Reconciles all general and grant ledger accounts relative to all expenditures, revenue, obligations for all assigned programs, both federal and state, by analyzing and investigating various @types of errors and interpreting the account expenditures and balances of funds available and using the data received from all financial systems to produce accurate and complete information for federal and management reporting.Program Financial Reporting: Prepare program financial reports on a monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, and annual basis by analyzing and interpreting CORE data to determine if they are allowable or unallowable costs for the programs for which the financial reports are being produced. Financial Analysis: Prepares and interprets system reports for all assigned programs, and Budget by utilizing a variety of excel spreadsheets to manipulate, enhance, combine the elements and different levels of detail present in CORE and the reports they produce. Said spreadsheets to be used in the budgeting and reporting process pertaining to all assigned programs.Monitoring: Monitors budget balances and resolves any problems with the budget division by preparing budgetary documents for allocations, transfers, increases, decreases, and corrections for the appropriations belonging to the programs assigned.Year End Close: Executes year end closing of all accounts related to programs assigned by utilizing and analyzing CORE and other financial information. Make adjusting JV entries, clean up general ledger accounts, and produce required financial exhibits using the information available in CORE.
Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights
Option 1 (Minimum Qualifications)
Eight (8) years of professional experience in Accounting
Please note: This experience must be clearly documented on your application and the supplemental questions must be answered.
Option 2 (Substitutions)
A combination of related education (coursework requires 27 semester hours completed in accounting or auditing) and/or relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned equal to eight (8) years
Current, valid licensure as a CPS by the Colorado Board of Accountancy will count for six (6) years of the requirement.
Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in A ccounting.
Definition of Professional Experience: While not fully encompassing, professional accounting experience is defined by the Colorado Department of Human Services as work that typically involves the following components:
Analysis of financial transactions to determine accuracy, completeness, and conformance to established policies and procedures and generally accepted accounting standards
Preparing, analyzing, and interpreting financial reports, statements and records, (e.g. balance sheets, profit and loss statements, amortization and depreciation schedules)
Assembling data and creating financial projections
Developing, implementing, modifying and documenting accounting systems
Reconciliation of accounts
Calculating and estimating effects of proposed changes in operating programs or accounting operations;
Auditing processes
Revenue recognition & contract completion recognition
Account troubleshooting and problem solving
Implementing and/or designing of financial controls
GL system maintenance
Making account recommendations
Preferred qualifications:
Strong preference will be given to candidates who possess a bachelor's degree in accounting, or have 27 credit hours of accounting or auditing coursework from an accredited college or university
Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office software, specifically Excel
Demonstrated experience working with CORE (Advantage)
Preference will be given to candidates with public-sector and/or government accounting experience
Demonstrated knowledge and experience with program accounting principles and practices with human-services related programs
Preference will be given to candidates who demonstrate having greater depth of experience and knowledge related to accounting principles and practices
Conditions of Employment:
ALL CDHS employees (non-direct contact):CBI name check, ICON Colorado court database, Medicare fraud database, Reference checks, Professional License verification (licensure requirements), and drug screen (commercial Driver's license)
The position will be required to attend various meetings in various locations throughout the state
Former State employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must disclose the information on the application and provide an explanation as to why the prior termination or resignation should not disqualify the applicant from the current position. Absent extraordinary circumstances, prior disciplinary termination, or resignation in lieu of termination will disqualify the applicant from future State employment with CDHS.
CDHS Selection Process Explanation
Employment history is calculated on a full-time basis (40/hours per week). Part-time employment is calculated on a prorated basis to determine qualifications. Be sure your application specifically addresses your qualifications, experience, work products, and accomplishments as they relate to the position and minimum requirements.
Preferred Qualifications & Competencies:
Relevant years of state service experience.
Minimum Qualification Screening Process
A Human Resources Analyst will review the work experience/job duties sections of the online job application to determine whether your experience meets the minimum qualifications for the position. You must complete the official State of Colorado online application. Cover letters and resumes WILL NOT be reviewed during the minimum qualifications screening process. You must specifically document your work experience and qualifications in the application form . Do not use "see resume" or "see attached."
You must meet the minimum qualifications to continue in the selection process. Part-time work experience will be prorated.
Comparative Analysis Process - Structured Application Review
After minimum qualification screening, the comparative analysis process will involve reviewing and rating of all the information you submit. The comparative analysis step may also include your results from standardized testing.
Your Work Experience/Job Duties
Document your work experience/job duties to the extent to which you possess the skills, education, experience, minimum qualifications, and preferred qualifications.
If listed, answer all supplemental questions as your answers to these questions will be evaluated during this phase. Provide at least 4-8 sentences for each supplemental question.
Supplemental Questions
Answer the supplemental questions completely and thoughtfully. We will rate your answers based on the content of your response and your writing skills (spelling, grammar, and clarity of your writing).
Appeal Rights
You may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board or request a review by the State Personnel Director if your application is eliminated. You will find the appeals process, the official appeal form, and how to deliver it on the State Personnel Board (https://spb.colorado.gov/) website.
You or your representative must sign and submit the official appeal form for review.
You can find the official appeal form here (https://spb.colorado.gov/sites/spb/files/documents/Consolidated%20Appeal%20-%20Form%20-%202025.pdf) (Download PDF reader) .
You must be deliver the official appeal form to the State Personnel Board:
By email (dpa_state.personnelboard@state.co.us), or
Postmarked in US Mail to(1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver CO 80203, or
Hand delivered (1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver CO 80203), or
Faxed (303.866.5038) within ten (10) calendar days from your receipt of notice or acknowledgement of the department's action.
Contact the State Personnel Board for assistance:
At (303) 866-3300, or
Refer to the Colorado Code of Regulations (CCR) 801-1, State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, Chapter 8, Resolution of Appeals and Disputes, within the Rules (https://spb.colorado.gov/board-rules) webpage.
Supplemental Information
How to Apply (https://cdhs.colorado.gov/information-for-job-applicants#how-to-apply)
The Assessment Process
For additional recruiting questions, please contact Gerald. Barajas @state.co.us.
About Us & Benefits
If your goal is to build a career that makes a difference, join the dedicated people of the Colorado Department of Human Services (https://www.colorado.gov/cdhs) (CDHS). Our professionals strive to design and deliver high quality human and health services that improve the safety, independence, and well-being of the people of Colorado. Each of us is committed to contributing to a safe and accessible CDHS . In addition to a great location and rewarding and meaningful work, we offer:
Strong, secure, yet flexible retirement benefits including a PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan plus 401(k) and 457 plans
Medical (https://dhr.colorado.gov/state-employees/state-employee-benefits/medical-benefits) and dental (https://dhr.colorado.gov/state-employees/state-employee-benefits/dental-insurance) health plans
Employer supplemented Health Savings Account
Paid life insurance
Short- and long-term disability coverage (https://dhr.colorado.gov/state-employees/state-employee-benefits/disability-insurance)
11 paid holidays per year plus vacation and sick leave
State of Colorado Employee BenefitHub Resource Center (https://stateofcolorado.benefithub.com/app/home)
Employee Wellness program
Excellent work-life programs, such as flexible schedules, training and more
Remote work arrangements for eligible positions
*Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (https://dhr.colorado.gov/dhr-resources/student-loan-forgiveness-programs) .
Our Values
We believe in a people-first approach: We prioritize the needs, well-being, and dignity of the individuals, families and communities we serve. We commit to respect, fairness and access in every decision, policy and interaction. We engage client voices and experiences in the development and implementation of the services we provide.
Balance creates quality of life: We want our team to be resilient through a supportive workplace that values flexibility, health and wellness, and employee engagement.
We hold ourselves accountable: We take responsibility through our actions, programs, and results for the state of health and human services in Colorado.
Transparency matters: We are open and honest with employees, our partners, the Coloradans we serve, and the public.
We are ethical: We abide by what is best for those we serve by doing what is right, not what is easy.
Collaboration helps us rise together: We work together with all partners, employees, and clients to achieve the best outcomes for Coloradans.
ADA Accommodations
CDHS is committed to a Colorado for 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.
This includes completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or performing 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 cdhs_ada@state.co.us .
EEO Statement
The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer
We are committed to increasing a "Colorado for ALL" of our staff and providing culturally responsive programs and services. Therefore, we encourage responses from people of all backgrounds and abilities. The State of Colorado believes that a "Colorado for ALL" drives 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.
Additional Support For Your Application
Toll Free Applicant Technical Support
If you experience technical difficulty with the NEOGOV system (e.g. uploading or attaching documents to your online application) call NEOGOV technical support at 855-524-5627 Mon-Fri between 6 am and 6 pm (Pacific Time). Helpful hints: if you are having difficulty uploading or attaching documents to your application 1) ensure your documents are PDF or Microsoft Word files and 2) close the document before you attempt to upload (attach) it.
~THE STATE OF COLORADO IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER~ (https://cdhs.colorado.gov/information-for-job-applicants#eoe)
Toll Free Applicant Technical Support
~THE STATE OF COLORADO IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER~
Toll Free Applicant Technical Support (https://cdhs.colorado.gov/information-for-job-applicants#technical-support)
Employer
State of Colorado
Address
See the full announcement by clickingthe "Printer" icon located above the job titleLocation varies by announcement, Colorado, --
Website
https://careers.colorado.gov/
