Accounting Director (Director IV)

MISSION: The Texas Education Agency (TEA) will improve outcomes for all public-school students in the state by providing leadership, guidance, and support to school systems.

Core Values

• We are Determined: We are committed and intentional in the pursuit of our main purpose, to improve outcomes for students.
• We are People-Centered: We strive to attract, develop, and retain the most committed talent, representing the diversity of Texas, each contributing to our common vision for students.
• We are Learners: We seek evidence, reflect on success and failure, and try new approaches in the pursuit of excellence for our students.
• We are Servant Leaders: Above all else, we are public servants working to improve opportunities for students and provide support to those who serve them.
  
  

New hires, re-hires, and internal hires will typically receive a starting salary between the posted minimum and the average pay of employees in their same classification. Offers will be commensurate with the candidate’s experience and qualifications and will thoughtfully consider internal pay equity for agency staff who perform similar duties and have similar qualifications. The top half of the posted salary range is generally reserved for candidates who exceed the requirements and qualifications for the role. The maximum of the salary range is reserved for candidates that far exceed the required and preferred qualifications for the role.

Position Overview

The Accounting Director plays an integral part in overseeing a complex annual budget in excess of $35 billion in state and federal funds. This position establishes; The position is responsible for highly advanced managerial work providing oversight, direction, guidance, innovation, planning, control, and quality assurance for all accounting operations. The position will plan, assign, and lead the work of a leadership team that supervises over 25 Accounting professionals on the accounts payable, payroll and travel, reporting, cash management, and systems operation teams. In addition, the Accounting Director establishes priorities, standards, and measurement tools for determining progress in meeting goals, coordinates, and evaluates program activities and/or business functions, establishes the strategic plan and goals for the division each year, and develops, reviews, and improves policies and procedures. This individual supervises the work of others and works under minimal supervision with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. The Accounting Director reports to the Chief Financial Officer, who also oversees the Accounting and Contracts and Purchasing Divisions.

The Accounting Director may work a hybrid schedule.

Please note that a resume, tailored cover letter, and short answer responses are required attachments for applying to this position. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Additionally, applicants who are strongly being considered for employment must submit to a national criminal history background check.

Essential Functions

Job duties are not limited to the essential functions mentioned below. You may perform other functions as assigned.

• Guidance and Direction: carry out Accounting Division functions efficiently, effectively, and compliantly to maximize contributions and impact; oversee advanced accounting activities, develop and implement policies, procedures, and processes, and identify improvement opportunities; provide guidance and direction to accounting staff through development plans and feedback; ensure timely and accurate processing of payments to vendors, subgrantees, employee payroll, travel claims, state and federal cash and revenues; maintain strict internal controls over financial resources and automated accounting systems, adhering to state and federal rules and regulations
• Customer Service: employ practices that ensure all internal and external customers/stakeholders receive service in a timely, friendly, and professional manner; plan and oversee the preparation of the agency Annual Financial Report (AFR) in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP); ensure other financial reports, financial research, and surveys to support business activities are completed with fidelity
• Team Management and Supervision: oversee the work performed by the division’s three-unit managers and directors (Accounts Payable, Payroll & Travel, and Financial Reporting and Cash Management); promote a positive and cohesive organizational culture that supports and empowers all employees within the Accounting Division; provide oversight, direction, and day-to-day management to division employees; provide career growth opportunities for staff through training and cross-training
  
  

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Education: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university
• Degree fields: Accounting, Finance, Business, Public Administration, or a related field.
• Experience: At least eight [8] years of experience in project and staff management in financial operations at a Texas state agency, with director-level accounting experience and at least [8] years of USAS knowledge accompanied with at least [5] years of experience functioning in an accounting environment with PeopleSoft products (CAPPS), including writing queries and developing reports.
• Substitutions: An advanced degree may substitute for two years of required experience.
  
  

Other Qualifications

• Share the belief that all Texas students can achieve at high levels and are able to succeed in college, career, or the military.
• A proven record of successfully leading an accounting division for an agency that has a multitude of state and federal funding sources.
• Ability to direct and organize fiscal activities and establish division goals and objectives that support the strategic plan.
• Identify problems, evaluate alternatives, and implement effective solutions.
• Evaluate fiscal data for accuracy and reasonableness.
• Expertise in continual process improvement and innovation and developing and evaluating policies and procedures.
• Proficiency in providing clear and concise technical accounting guidance.
• Acumen in providing excellent customer service to a wide variety of internal and external customers.
• Competence in planning, assigning, and supervising the work of others, using resources efficiently.
• Knowledge of governmental accounting, state and federal laws and regulations pertaining to financial operations, automated financial systems, financial reporting in accordance with GAAP; and public administration and management principles and practices.
• Knowledge of State of Texas fiscal policies and procedures, including State of Texas Agency’s Annual Financial Report requirements and the necessary fluctuation analysis.
• Outstanding personnel management skills.
• A desire to self-reflect, give/receive feedback and continuously improve.
• Ability to engage in a collaborative, results-oriented team environment.
• Current accreditation as a Certified Public Accountant is preferred.
  
  

As an equal opportunity employer, we hire without consideration to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, disability, age or veteran status, unless an applicant is entitled to the military employment preference.

To review the Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) codes from each branch of the U.S. Armed Forces to each job classification series in the State’s Position Classification Plan (provided by the State Auditor's Office), please access the Military Crosswalk (occupational specialty code) Guide and click on the military “occupational category” that corresponds with the state classification in this job posting title.

This position requires the applicant to meet Agency standards and criteria which may include passing a pre-employment criminal background check, prior to being offered employment by the Agency.

No phone calls or emails, please. Due to the high volume of applications, we do not accept telephone calls and cannot reply to all email inquiries. Only candidates selected for interview will be contacted. Please add "capps.recruiting@cpa.texas.gov" and "@tea.texas.gov" to your safe senders list to ensure you receive email notifications from our talent acquisition team and/or hiring division regarding your candidacy.