Accountant I, II, or Senior Accountant

ABOUT THE POSITION

Are you an accounting professional who is curious, analytical, and motivated to understand how a municipality operates at a comprehensive level?The City of Thornton is a growing and dynamic organization offering the opportunity to engage in a diverse range of accounting and financial reporting functions. We are seeking a professional who brings strong technical aptitude, sound judgment, and a collaborative approach to supporting operations across the organization. This role provides exposure to key areas of governmental accounting, including capital assets, financial statement preparation, debt-related activities, and grant reporting and compliance, with responsibility for applying and supporting adherence to applicable GASB standards and other regulatory requirements. The position contributes to the City’s financial reporting processes, supporting the accuracy, transparency, and integrity of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) and other required disclosures.

Depending on experience, the role offers the opportunity to take ownership of complex accounting areas, interpret and apply technical guidance, and identify enhancements to processes and internal controls. For candidates earlier in their progression, the position provides a strong foundation to build advanced technical expertise within a structured and supportive environment. Thornton’s continued growth and operational complexity create a meaningful opportunity for professionals at varying stages of their careers to expand their impact, deepen their knowledge of governmental accounting, and contribute to high-quality financial stewardship.

The level the successful candidate will be hired at depends on their experience, education, and qualifications. The target hiring range and full salary ranges are:

• Accountant I target hiring range: $73,480 - $85,237
  • Accountant I full salary range: $73,480 - $96,994
• Accountant II target hiring range: $78,629 - $91,209
  • Accountant II full salary range: $78,629 - $103,790

• Senior Accountant target hiring range: $90,033 - $104,438
  • Senior Accountant full salary range: $90,033 - $118,843

The City of Thornton offers an excellent benefits package, generous time off accruals, and a comprehensive wellness program.

ABOUT THE TEAM

Join a collaborative accounting team of nine professionals within the Finance Department. The team supports the City’s financial transactions and reporting across a complex fund structure, including 15 governmental, 4 enterprise, and 1 internal service fund. The team plays a key role in ensuring accurate and transparent financial reporting, contributing to the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) and supporting informed decision-making across the organization.

GENERAL SUMMARYUnder specified supervision, performs professional level accounting functions for the City of Thornton, which may include recording and reporting complex financial transactions, reviewing accounting records, and preparing financial statements and reports.

Positions in this class are flexibly staffed and are normally filled by advancement from level I or, when filled from the outside, require previous and directly related experience.
Accountant I:
Under general supervision, this is the entry-level class in the professional accounting series. Incumbents entering the class have limited related work experience. The Accountant I class is distinguished from level II by the performance of less than the full range of duties assigned to the II level. Incumbents are expected to exercise more independence and initiative as procedures and processes of assigned area of responsibility are learned.

Accountant II:
Under direction, this is the journey-level class in the professional accounting series and is distinguished from level I by the ability to perform the full range of duties with considerable independence and initiative and only occasional instruction or assistance.

Senior Accountant:
Under general direction, performs professional-level accounting functions for the city of Thornton, which may include recording and reporting complex financial transactions, and preparing financial statements and reports. (Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following tasks, knowledge, skills and other characteristics. The list of tasks is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY, and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by positions in this class.)

Performs a wide variety of complex and routine accounting duties.

Maintains detailed financial records of enterprise, capital projects and other funds. Approves encumbrances and payments of capital funds ensuring compliance with contracts and budget authorizations.

Assist with annual audit of capital assets, materials inventory, and cash audits.

Prepares grant billings and reports to other agencies.

Posts, balances, and reconciles transactions in general ledger; prepares or reviews monthly financial statements.

Prepares journal entries for land sales, land and asset dispositions, bond refunding, contributed capital, auctions, and other non-routine transactions.

Prepares property tax entries, accruals, and the annual mill levy certification.

Preparation of city debt service payments, applicable debt service schedules, Continuing Disclosure Statement and other financing transactions.

Assists with a variety of banking functions.

Assists with annual budget process and annual audit of City financial records, preparing account reconciliations, year-end accounting entries, various schedules, and year-end close.

Assists with the preparation of the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report.

Performs account research and analyses for other departments.

May train or assign and review the work of other employees as directed. May perform back-up functions for supervisor as needed.

Performs other duties as assigned.Education/Experience:
Accountant I:
Bachelor's degree in Accounting or related field from an accredited college or university; one year of related experience. Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.

Accountant II:
Bachelor's degree in Accounting or related field from an accredited college or university; two years of professional accounting experience, preferably in municipal government. Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.

Senior Accountant
Bachelor's degree in Accounting or related field from an accredited college or university; five years of professional accounting experience, preferably in public accounting and/or governmental accounting/finance. Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered. Certified Public Accountant license preferred but not required.

Licensing/Certification Requirements:
A CPA designation is desired.

May need the ability to travel to various locations in a timely manner as the job requires.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Accountant I:
Knowledge of the policies, procedures and goals of the city of Thornton and the department.
Knowledge of the principles and practices of fund accounting.
Knowledge of the general principles, methods, techniques, and practices of automated accounting.
Skill in posting, balancing, and reconciling transactions in a general ledger.
Skill in accurately performing complex mathematical computations.
Ability to use standard office equipment, computer equipment and software including word processing, data base management, spreadsheet applications and electronic mail.
Ability to listen well and communicate effectively orally and in writing with various audiences.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with city employees, other agencies and the general public.

Accountant II:
In addition to previous requirements:
Knowledge of city of Thornton accounting, budgeting and bookkeeping policies, goals and procedures.
Knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Procedures and Governmental Accounting Standards Board statements and pronouncements.
Skill in maintaining detailed financial records of enterprise, capital projects and other funds.
Skill in reviewing and approving encumbrances and payments of capital funds ensuring compliance with contracts and budget authorizations.
Skill in the use and operation of the City's automated financial systems.
Ability to coordinate and supervise annual audits of fixed assets and materials inventories.
Ability to prepare accounting entries for water rights, land, and other enterprise and general fixed assets.
Ability to accurately prepare or review monthly financial statements.
Ability to perform account research and analysis.
Ability to perform internal financial audits.
Ability to interpret, understand, and comply with ordinances, regulations, standards, and laws.

Senior Accountant
In addition to previous requirements:
Knowledge of advanced accounting and auditing principles and practices.
Ability to research and implement new accounting pronouncements, procedures, rules and regulations.
Ability to handle complex projects with little to no supervision.
Ability to prepare a variety of complex audits, financial statements, reports, and analysis.
Ability to demonstrate consistent exercise of discretion and independent judgment.
Ability to research, develop and lead formal and informal presentations and discussions with diverse groups.

Physical and Mental Requirements:

While performing the essential duties of this job, the employee is required to reach, finger, grasp, talk, hear, and make repetitive motions. This position is mostly light work; exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. The employee is required to have close visual acuity.

Examinations may include but are not limited to application screening beyond minimum qualifications; written, oral, practical exercise or any combination thereof or other job related assessment deemed appropriate by Human Resources.

Your application will be used as a screening tool. Completeness and accuracy are important! Any false or untrue statements or material omissions in the application and related paperwork or during the selection process could disqualify you from consideration.

As a condition of employment, the city of Thornton conducts background investigations for all positions which may also include a review of credit report and/or driving record. A drug screen, physical, and/or psychological examination administered by a city-designated provider will be required for pre-determined positions.