Accounting Manager

As the Accounting Manager, you'll lead a team responsible for the City's core accounting operations, financial reporting, internal controls, and regulatory compliance. You'll combine leadership, technical accounting expertise, and strategic problem-solving to oversee essential accounting functions, improve financial processes, and collaborate with departments across the organization. Your work will help maintain accurate financial records, support sound financial stewardship, and strengthen the services the City provides every day. 

The starting pay for this position is between $88,423 and $97,265 per year, with opportunities for growth up to $123,792 per year based on long-term growth and performance within the role.

City of Durango’s Trail to Excellence 
The City of Durango is a purpose-driven organization with more than 400 full-time and 300 part-time and seasonal employees across 15 departments, all working together to provide a wide range of services that keep our community running every day. From public safety and utilities to parks and recreation, our team is dedicated to delivering high-quality services that enhance the lives of all who live, work, and visit here. 

At the city, we focus on continually improving how we work and serve the community. This effort is called the Trail to Excellence (T2E), and every employee plays a part in it. Whether you work outdoors, in an office, or lead a team, your daily efforts connect to the city’s mission of providing excellent service and reaching the city’s vision of being a multigenerational community that is authentic, diverse, engaged, thriving, and environmentally responsible. The full details of this vision are outlined in the city’s strategic plan. 

As a member of our team, your work will be meaningful because: 

• Your ideas help shape citywide improvements. 
• The work you do ties directly into measurable goals. 
• You'll be part of a system that values collaboration, innovation, and results. 

We're looking for team members who share our core values of teamwork, dependability, professionalism, service, respect, innovation, and wellbeing — and who are excited to make a difference in the community we serve.What You’ll Do in This Role: 

• Lead the day-to-day operations of the Accounting Division by planning, organizing, assigning, and reviewing the work of Accounting staff.  
• Recruit, hire, train, coach, and evaluate team members while fostering a collaborative and high-performing work environment.  
• Oversee core accounting functions, including cashiering, accounts payable, accounts receivable, sales tax, and the protection of the City's financial assets.  
• Recommend and implement improvements to policies, procedures, internal controls, and accounting processes to support accuracy, efficiency, and financial transparency.
• Monitor compliance with applicable accounting standards and federal, state, and local laws and regulations.  
• Analyze complex accounting and financial issues, develop practical solutions, and prepare clear, accurate financial reports.  
• Assist with preparation of the City's Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR), coordinate with external auditors, and provide documentation and explanations during the annual audit.  
• Evaluate financial systems and software, lead system improvements, and work with vendors to streamline accounting processes.  
• Represent the Finance Department by providing excellent customer service and building positive working relationships across the organization and with members of the community.  
• Support the City's Trail to Excellence by contributing ideas that improve services, processes, and organizational performance. 

You Have:  

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a closely related field. 
• Four (4) years of progressively responsible experience in accounting, financial reporting, compliance, technical writing, or a related field. 
• Three (3) years of supervisory experience. 
• An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the essential functions of the position may be considered. 
  

You Will Succeed in This Role If You: 

• Build trust by leading with integrity, supporting your team, and fostering collaboration across departments. 
  
• Analyze complex financial information and develop practical, accurate solutions to accounting and reporting challenges. 
  
• Communicate financial information clearly through reports, presentations, and conversations with employees, leadership, auditors, and the community. 
  
• Look for opportunities to improve processes, strengthen internal controls, and make financial operations more efficient. 
  
• Stay organized while managing multiple priorities, meeting deadlines, and maintaining a high level of accuracy and confidentiality.  
  

What We Can Offer You: 

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance. 
• Ample personal time off (PTO) and 11 paid holidays.  
• 401(a) retirement plan and optional deferred compensation plan.  
• Basic life insurance and accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D) coverage.  
• Long-term disability coverage. 
• Paid Family and Medical Leave (FMLA). 
• Access to Employee Assistance Program (EAP).  
• Free access to the Durango Community Recreation Center and Chapman Hill Ice Rink & Ski Area. 
• Holistic Employee Wellness Program, addressing physical, mental, financial, and professional well-being. 
• Free transit pass and family member discounts.  
• Reimbursement for job-related classes to foster continuous learning.  
• Sixteen hours of volunteer time off per year to support local non-profit organizations. 
  
  

View the full Accounting Manager job description here.