Financial Compliance and Reporting Consultant

Job Description

Job Description

Job Description:

Working in a consultative capacity under direction from the DES Deputy Accounting Administrator, this position provides high-level financial and governmental accounting expertise to the Department and programmatic management, the General Accounting Office (GAO), and the Auditor General's Office (AGO). The primary focus of this consultant-type role is to review multiple bank accounts, advise on proper reconciliation procedures and oversight, and establish robust checks and balances for Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) reporting. The role requires deep knowledge of Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) pronouncements, State of Arizona Accounting Manual (SAAM) policies, risk mitigation, and continuous process improvement.

• Local Only Candidates - Resumes must specify the current location of the candidate, all those who do not state current location will not be considered.

· Candidates must be local at time of submission, and available for in person interviews within 1 week of the posting close date. Candidates must also be able to start within 2 weeks of an offer being made.

• Tentative start date will be dependent upon interviews conducted, onboarding completed, and the state agency issuing a PO.

• HireRight must be used for Background Checks and Drug Screenings

Major Responsibilities/Essential Functions

Consultation & Bank Reconciliation Oversight Evaluates and reviews multiple bank accounts to ensure accuracy and procedural compliance.

Advises management on designing and implementing proper reconciliation procedures, establishing oversight mechanisms, and mitigating financial risks.

ACFR Checks & Balances Establishes and monitors critical checks and balances for the compilation of the ACFR.

Works closely with program partners to ensure financial schedules are completed timely and in strict alignment with the ACFR, Schedule of Expenditure of Federal Award (SEFA), and Single Audit guidelines.

GASB & Governmental Accounting Expertise

Serves as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) to research, interpret, and implement new GASB pronouncements to ensure the organization remains in full compliance.

Ensures all complex financial statements and reports are in strict accordance with both Generally

Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and GASB standards.

Internal Controls & Process Improvement

Provides comprehensive financial and accounting expertise to DES management and external partners.

Participates in the establishment of guidelines and policies, specifically advising on internal accounting controls, reconciliation oversight, and ACFR reporting procedures.

Knowledge

Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and Governmental

Accounting Standards Board (GASB) standards.

Extensive knowledge of Federal, State, and local laws regarding the ACFR, SEFA, and the Single Audit.

Best practices in accounting trends, bank reconciliation oversight, and internal controls.

Skills

• Advanced techniques are required to evaluate and maintain accounting records through automated systems.
• Internal consulting, identifying problems, and recommending solutions in a clear, concise, and proactive manner.
• Developing and recommending revisions to governing policies and procedures.
• Abilities
• Work independently as an internal consultant and make mature business
• decisions.
• Demonstrate excellence in managing ACFR deliverables, establishing checks and balances, and evaluating financial reports.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with managers and all stakeholders in an advisory capacity.

Required Education, Licensure, Certification

• A Bachelor's Degree in accounting, finance, or a closely related field.
• A minimum of five years of accounting experience.
• Preferred Education, Licensure, Certification
• Strongly Preferred: Active Certified
• Public Accountant (CPA) license.
• Expert-level knowledge and hands-on application of GASB standards, fund accounting, and governmental financial reporting.
• Demonstrable experience with the preparation and review of an ACFR.
• A minimum of 5 years of progressive accounting experience, with at least 3 years spent directly within a government agency, municipality, school district, or public accounting firm specializing in governmental audits

Required Skills

• Expert-level knowledge and hands-on application of GASB standards, fund accounting, and governmental financial reporting.
• evaluate and maintain accounting records through automated systems ERP OR SAL
• Bachelor's degree in accounting or related field and minimum five years of experience

Preferred Skills

• Accounts payable or auditing
• Annual Comprehensive report experience