Comptroller

General Statement of Duties

Provides administrative oversight to the accounting division and expertise in financial reporting and controls; performs directly related work as required.

The principal function of an employee in this class is to ensure accurate accounting activities. The work is performed under the supervision of Finance Director, or designee, but extensive leeway is granted for the exercise of independent judgement and initiative. Supervision is exercised over the work of employees in the Accounting division of the Finance Department. The nature of the work performed requires that an employee in this class establish and maintain effective working relationships with other City employees, outside auditors, business organizations, state and federal officials and the public. The principal duties of this class are performed in a general office environment.

The City of Des Moines promotes a healthy work life balance and offers a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Residency Incentive
• Alternative Work Schedule Options
• Paid Volunteer Time-Off
• Parental Leave
• Vacation and Sick Leave Accruals
• 12 Paid Holidays
• Health/Dental/Life/LTD Insurance
• Wellness Programs and Activities
• Tuition Reimbursement and Continuing Education Programs
• Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Benefit
• Defined Benefit Pension Plan through IPERS
• Deferred Compensation Plan matching up to 2.5%
• Voluntary Insurance Benefit Options
• Employee Discount Program

This position is open until filled, with the next review of applications on June 30, 2026. Acceptable Experience and Training

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance or a related field, and
• Extensive directly related experience in local government finance operations; and
• Considerable experience with government enterprise accounting software; or
• Any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to perform the work.
• CPA certification (preferred)

Required Special Qualifications

• Candidates for positions in this class must pass a post-employment offer physical examination and drug screen.

Examples of Essential Work (Illustrative Only)

• Plans, organizes and directs the organization, structure, activities and operations of the Accounting division;
• Manages Department work, project and personnel activities within the Finance Department;
• Assists in the strategic planning, policy development and data collection and reporting activities related to financial activities;
• Oversees, trains and evaluates staff involved in accounting processes City-wide;
• Assists in the coordinating of the City’s annual audit;
• Support the preparation of the City’s Annual Comprehensive Financial Report;
• Revises current auditing and accounting procedures and related systems;
• Contributes to development of the enterprise financial software applications through which the City’s accounting and financial transactions are managed;
• Coordinates the input of financial information from all City Departments;
• Serves as an in-house consultant City-wide on financial applications and procedures;
• Supervises year-end adjustments and closing of accounting systems;
• Performs regular reconciliation for tracking activities within the accounting system;
• Provides needed information and demonstrations concerning how to perform certain work tasks to new employees in the same or similar class of positions;
• Keeps immediate supervisor and designated others fully and accurately informed concerning work progress, including present and potential work problems and suggestions for new or improved ways of addressing such problems;
• Attends meetings, conferences, workshops and training sessions and reviews publications and audio-visual materials to become and remain current on the principles, practices and new developments in assigned work areas;
• Responds to citizens’ questions and comments in a courteous and timely manner;
• Communicates and coordinates regularly with appropriate others to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of interdepartmental operations and activities;
• Performs other directly related duties consistent with the role and function of the classification.

Click here for Benefit Summary

01

Do you have college education in Business or Public Administration, Accounting, Finance or related field? If Yes, submittal of college transcripts is required by application deadline. Please submit to the City of Des Moines Human Resources Department; electronically to [email protected], by fax to 515-237-1680, or by mail to 1200 Locust Street, Des Moines, IA 50309 by the application deadline date.

• I earned a college degree. My college transcripts are attached to my application.
• I earned a college degree. I understand that college transcripts are required by the application deadline to receive credit and I have requested my transcripts. I further understand that it is my responsibility to make sure the transcripts are received by the application deadline.
• I completed some college coursework. My college transcripts are attached to my application.
• I completed some college coursework. I understand that college transcripts are required by the application deadline to receive credit and I have requested my transcripts. I further understand that it is my responsibility to make sure the transcripts are received by the application deadline.
• I have not completed college course work and do not have college transcripts to provide.

02

Do you currently hold a valid CPA certification? If yes, a copy of your certification is required by the application deadline to receive credit. Please attach a copy of your CPA certification to your online application or submit it separately to the City of Des Moines Human Resources Department by email to [email protected], by fax to 515-237-1680, or by mail or hand delivery to 1200 Locust Street, Des Moines, IA 50309.

• Yes
• No

03

Describe your experience in local government finance operations including where this experience was obtained and duration of experience. If no experience, indicate "none".

04

Describe your experience directing the operations of accounting functions. Include where this experience was obtained and duration of experience. If no experience, indicate "none".

05

Describe your experience supervising or leading staff, including where this experience was obtained and duration of experience. If no experience, indicate "none".

06

Describe your experience with auditing process including your role in this process, where this experience was obtained and duration of experience. If no experience, indicate "none".

07

Describe your experience with creating financial statements including your role in this process, where this experience was obtained and duration of experience. If no experience, indicate "none".

08

Describe your work experience with an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) System including your role in the system, where this experience was obtained and duration of experience. If no work experience, indicate "none".

• Required Question