Chief Financial Accountant-Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (DFA/FCD #80397)

Posting Details

THIS POSTING WILL BE USED FOR ONGOING RECRUITMENT AND MAY CLOSE AT ANY TIME. APPLICANT LISTS MAY BE SCREENED MORE THAN ONCE.

THIS POSITION REQUIRES FULL-TIME, ON-SITE PRESENCE IN SANTA FE.

The Financial Control Division (FCD) within the New Mexico Department of Finance and Administration serves as the State's central financial oversight agency, establishing statewide accounting policy, ensuring fiscal accountability, and promoting sound financial management across more than 130 state agencies and component units.

The Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) Bureau plays a critical role in maintaining New Mexico's financial integrity and transparency. The bureau is responsible for preparing the State's Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR), developing the Statewide Cost Allocation Plan (SWCAP), establishing statewide accounting policies through the Model Accounting Practices (MAPs), evaluating agency internal controls, and providing technical guidance and training to state agencies.

This is a unique opportunity for an experienced governmental accounting professional to make a statewide impact by shaping accounting policy, implementing new financial reporting initiatives, collaborating with executive leadership, auditors, and agency financial officers, and helping maintain New Mexico's reputation for strong financial stewardship and transparent reporting.

Why does the job exist?

This position exists to help with the preparation of New Mexico's Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR), ensuring the State maintains accurate, transparent, and nationally recognized financial reporting in accordance with Governmental Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) pronouncements, and applicable state and federal requirements.

The position serves as a statewide subject matter expert in governmental accounting and financial reporting, providing technical guidance to more than 130 state agencies and component units. In addition to leading the State's annual financial reporting process, this position helps develop statewide accounting policies, evaluates internal controls, supports implementation of new accounting standards and financial reporting technologies, and collaborates with executive leadership, external auditors, agency Chief Financial Officers, and other stakeholders to strengthen New Mexico's financial accountability and transparency.

How does it get done?

The Chief Financial Accountant performs advanced governmental accounting and financial reporting work in support of New Mexico's Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR). The position collaborates with state agencies, component units, external auditors, and executive leadership to collect, analyze, and validate financial information, resolve complex accounting issues, and ensure compliance with Governmental Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) standards, state statutes, and federal requirements.

The position conducts detailed financial analyses, reviews complex accounting transactions and journal entries, assists with statewide financial reporting, and participates in evaluating agency internal controls to promote strong financial management practices. The incumbent also assists with the development and maintenance of the State's Model Accounting Practices (MAPs), researches and interprets new accounting standards, and provides technical guidance to agency accounting staff regarding financial reporting requirements.

Success in this position requires strong analytical and problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and the ability to communicate complex accounting concepts effectively. The Chief Financial Accountant works collaboratively with accounting professionals across state government to improve financial reporting processes, support implementation of new accounting standards and technologies, develop training materials, and contribute to the State's continued commitment to financial transparency, accountability, and excellence in governmental financial reporting.

Who are the customers?

This position is responsible for interfacing and monitoring of State agencies and component units of the State. The published ACFR is reviewed by various interested parties that rely on the data to make financial decisions,including executive staff, bonding agents, taxpayers, the Governors office, and other entities impacting the State of New Mexico.

Ideal Candidate

This position is responsible for interfacing and monitoring of State agencies and component units of the State. The published ACFR is reviewed by various interested parties that rely on the data to make financial decisions,including executive staff, bonding agents, taxpayers, the Governors office, and other entities impacting the State of New Mexico.

Minimum Qualification

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Auditing, or Business Administration and three (3) years of experience in accounting, auditing, finance, budgeting, public accounting, and conducting financial audits to include a minimum of two (2) years preparing Comprehensive Annual Financial Reports or equivalent experience. Any combination of education from an accredited college or university in a related field and/or direct experience in this occupation totaling seven (7) years may substitute for the required education and experience.

Employment Requirements

State issued ID or Driver¿s License.

Pre-employment criminal background check is required, and employment offer will not be extended prior to results.

Working Conditions

Working conditions include, but not limited to: Work is performed in an office setting. Frequent late hours, weekends, on-call and callback work may be required related to end-of-year financial reporting cycles. Travel may be required. Incumbent will frequently work under time constraints and is expected to maintain the highest level of professional conduct, ethics and confidentiality. Exposure to VDT's, CRT's or UV rays.

Supplemental Information

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Agency Contact Information: Lisa Jennings (505) 394-1289 Email

For information on Statutory Requirements for this position, click the Classification Description link on the job advertisement.

Bargaining Unit Position

This position is not covered by a collective bargaining agreement.