Job Description
Department Information
This position is only open to Colorado state residents.
Note: This posting may fill more than one vacancy.
Thank you for your interest in working for the State of Colorado. Join us and find meaningful work in public service to our state and its residents, helping to make Colorado a great place to live and work in. Please watch the short video below for tips on applying.
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What Happens After You Apply
Colorado for All Philosophy: Colorado for All means working toward a Colorado where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. It means we support the basic human rights of our neighbors regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, citizenship status, education level, disability, socio-economic status, or any other visible or invisible identity.
The Department of Personnel & Administration (DPA) is the foundation for dependable state government, leading with responsiveness, integrity, and teamwork. We provide services to other government agencies and all Coloradans by taking bold initiative toward a government with engaged employees, innovative solutions, and constructive partnerships.
DPA provides a wide range of programs and services, from custodial & maintenance to financial and human resources support, which assist other state agencies in fulfilling their missions. At DPA, there are countless opportunities to contribute to meaningful work that supports and serves the people of Colorado. The wide variety of positions in DPA allow individuals to learn about state operations and provide for long-term career growth.
If your goal is to build a career that makes a difference and build greater public confidence in good government, consider joining the dedicated people of the State of Colorado; it's a chance to combine your expertise with public service. Our professionals strive to support state government and the residents of Colorado. Customer service is a key component for every position in state government as is the focus on ideas and ways to redesign the delivery of services in making state government more.
Good Government Starts Here!
Why We Want You:
We want your expertise, positive energy, drive to succeed, and love of this great state as we work to elevate the expectations Coloradans have of their government.
What You'll Get From Us:
In return for the skilled work you do, DPA provides a competitive compensation and benefits package to accompany employment opportunities. Please see the Benefits Overview video for details on the benefits offered to employees.
Description of Job
Responsible for administering the Department of Personnel & Administration (DPA) payroll and personnel data systems and operations. This classification is distinguished from other classifications in payroll due to serving in a supervisory capacity over a specialized unit, the concentration on Department wide payroll and personnel information tracking and management, and administration of the Department’s leave and time reporting system: UKG Workforce Management and Colorado Payroll and Personnel System (CPPS). It is distinguished from the Payroll Analyst position due to a greater degree of judgment and discretion, procedure and policy development and implementation, and serving in a supervisory capacity.
A summary of the duties and responsibilities will include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Conduct payroll audits and assist Payroll Accountant II with administering the UKG timekeeping system for the department; review, respond to, and approve requests for user access or user changes to the system.
- Enters and maintains master data; analyzes and reconciles accounting data between UKG, LDC, CPPS, and CORE; investigates and resolves system issues; analyzes needs for web profiles and tabor levels and determines accuracy coding when updating employee profiles.
- Work closely with the budget team for correction to appropriations, creating journal entries for corrections, taking payroll entries and keeping a detailed audit.
- Designs, develops, and creates nonstandard reports as requested; collaborates with OIT and other staff to recommend, test and implement system upgrades and develop interfaces to OPS and CORE.
- Creates training materials, instructs, guides, and advises end-users of the system.
- Recommend policies and procedures for timekeeping to the Controller; Serve as a member of the statewide UKG User Group.
- Analyzes and troubleshoots payroll related problems and issues including over and under payments in regards to Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI), and resolves them in collaboration with Payroll Accountant II.
- Plan, direct, and coordinate activities and duties for direct reports; duties include scheduling and assigning of work, training in all facets of work, quality control.
- Work with Benefits Accountant in assisting in benefits reconciliations, maintaining/auditing the benefits accounting inbox.
The Payroll Accountant III will overs ee the day to day processing of payroll. - Responsible for auditing and managing the entire cycle of the Department's payroll. Audits calculations that are compiled monthly, bi-weekly and special payrolls for the Department.
- Audits and enters data in the Colorado Personnel Payroll System (CPPS).
- Audits batch for accuracy in the data for payroll processing.
- Confirms and reconciles input data to output reports from CPPS processed through Central Payroll, and updates with corrections as needed.
- Audits and reconciles payroll data across CPPS, CLAS and the State financial system, Colorado Operations Resource Engine (CORE), to ensure all systems are in balance and accurate.
- Researches and interprets guidance to recommend and implement appropriate processes to ensure payroll accuracy. Verifies, audits, and reviews various data sources to modify and update employee information into the Colorado Personnel and Payroll system (CPPS).
- Certifies employees' W-2 reports at calendar year-end.
- Reconciles gross earnings, federal and state withholding, Medicare and occupational privilege tax; verifies name, social security number, address; reconciles W-2 confirmation to internet W-2.
- Oversees the day to day processing of payroll.
- Reviews work of Payroll Accountant II with regard to documentation and requests forms.
Accountable for auditing the reconciled departmental gross payroll from CPPS to internal gross payroll calculations worksheet completed by Payroll Accountant II by comparing input data (Positive Exception Reports) to output reports (Financial Controls Reports, CORE reports), and UKG timekeeping system for each pay period, and at month-end, to CORE expenditure reports.
- Maintain documentation of changes and reconciliations.
- Responsible for advising and assisting Departmental management and other personnel concerning payroll matters; notifies districts and other agencies about changes in procedures, forms, or policies relating to payroll matters.
- Attends meetings and training as required.
Monitor and assist Payroll Accountant II with employees on all payroll issues.
- Assist in answering all payroll questions of employees in a timely manner.
- Oversees the creation and maintaining of individual employee payroll files for audit reference purposes.
- Consults with employees who are terminating or retiring from state regarding final leave payouts.
- Audit completed and submitted certified final salary data to PERA as requested.
- Analyzes and interprets personnel rules, policies and laws as they relate to the management of payroll for the department, and determines the appropriate process for payroll data entry and documentation.
- Ensure compliance for all employee comp time and overtime is entered accurately and timely in UKG, and timecards are approved by managers and employees in a timely fashion.
- Ensures that comp time paid is adequately entered and approved in UKG and by supervisor process.
- Assist and verify closing entries for benefits accounting and complete compensated absences (GASB 101) for fiscal year closing entries.
Coordinate with the Human Resources Unit (HRU) regarding employees on leave without pay (LWOP), short-term disability (STD), and/or worker's compensation (WC) leave, and FAMLI to ensure that pay, holiday and leave accruals are properly prorated.
- Work with HR to create leave cases within UKG, maintain, monitor, audit, and report issues to HR with discrepancies.
- Ensures that employees' taxable income is properly adjusted for worker's compensation pay.
- Coordinate with Budget on payroll and adjustments needed within CORE.
- Create and update Accounting Cert Codes within CORE, and updating employee information within CORE and CPPS.
- Closing entries for fiscal year end.
Responsible for supervising assigned staff which includes: - Conducts performance appraisals and provides input into and participates in discipline, dismissal, and hiring processes
- Approving work hours and leave requests in UKG at least monthly.
- Submit employee performance plans annually.
- Perform annual mid-year and final performance evaluation and submit to HRU.
- Monitor performance and recommend disciplinary action as needed.
- Reviews work performed by assigned staff to ensure accuracy and compliance with rules and regulations.
- Assign job duties.
- Determine the best method or technique for carrying out assigned duties.
- Evaluate and recommend changes in staffing patterns, processes, and procedure.
Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights
- A Human Resources Analyst will only review the work experience/job duties sections of the online job application to determine whether you meet the minimum qualifications for the position for which you are applying. Cover letters and resumes WILL NOT be accepted in lieu of the official State of Colorado online application, but may be attached. Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications to continue in the selection process for this position. Work experience and qualifications must be specifically documented on your online application. Do not use "see resume" or "see attached" statements on your application. Resumes will not be reviewed for minimum qualification screening. If it is determined that you meet the minimum qualifications, your application will also be used as part of the comparative analysis process to identify a top group for further consideration.
This position is advertised in line with the Governor’s Executive Order (Executive Order 2022 015) (Download PDF reader) focused on skills-based hiring practices that emphasize the knowledge, skills, and abilities specific to the job and align the hiring process accordingly. Skills-based hiring reduces potential barriers for applicants and allows for reduced bias in the hiring process by providing a direct description of skills unique to the assigned duties, recognizing that the applicant may have developed these skills through education, training or past experiences
Residency Requirement:
This posting is only open to residents of the State of Colorado at the time of submitting your application.
Class Code & Classification Description:
H8A3XX
Accountant III
Minimum Qualifications:
Experience Only:
At least eight (8) years of accounting, auditing & payroll experience which included at least two (2) years of supervisory experience.
OR
Education and Experience:
A combination of related education (coursework requires 27 semester hours completed in accounting or auditing) and/or accounting, auditing & payroll experience which included at least two (2) years of supervisory experience.
Current, valid licensure as a CPA by the Colorado Board of Accountancy will count for six (6) years of the requirement
The exceptional candidate will possess the proven ability or accomplishment in the following preferred qualifications:
- Previous State Service related to the work assigned to the position
Strong technical skills
Leadership abilities; confidentiality a must
Commitment to accuracy and compliance
Attention to detail
Strong problem solving skills
- Experience with an ERP financial system or CORE
- At least 1 year of supervisor experience
- At least two years of recent and relevant accounting experience within the last 8 years
- At least two years of prior state governmental accounting experience
- Working knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)
- Strong understanding of accounting concepts including, but not limited to, debits and credits, accounts payable, accounts receivable, prepaid expenses, deferred revenues, fixed assets, depreciation, and reconciliation
- Ability to communicate effectively and excellent customer service skills
- Moderate to advanced knowledge of Excel
Conditions of Employment: - A pre-employment criminal background check will be conducted as part of the selection process.
Appeal Rights:
An applicant who has been removed from an employment list or removed from consideration during the selection process may request a review by the State Personnel Director.
As an applicant directly affected by the results of the selection or comparative analysis process, you may file a written appeal with the State Personnel Director. Review of the completed, signed and submitted appeal will be timely on the basis of written material submitted by you, using the official appeal form signed by you or your representative. This form must be completed and delivered to the State Personnel Board by email at dpa_state.personnelboard@state.co.us within ten (10) calendar days from your receipt of notice or acknowledgement of the Department’s action.
For further information on the Board Rules, you can refer to 4 Colorado Code of Regulations (CCR) 801-1, State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, Chapter 8, Resolution of Appeals and Disputes, at spb.colorado.gov/board-rules.
Supplemental Information
Employment Philosophy: The State of Colorado strives to build and maintain workplaces that value and respect all Coloradans. We are building a Colorado for All through a commitment to equal opportunity and hiring based on merit and fitness. The State is committed to non-discriminatory practices in hiring, employment, and advancement opportunities.
Accommodations : The Department of Personnel & Administration 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. 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 our ADAAA Coordinator, Heather Siegal heather.siegal@state.co.us
Job Tags
Temporary work, Work experience placement