Director – Financial Accounting Department

Director – Financial Accounting Department

The Harris County Auditor's Office is seeking an experienced, forward-thinking Director of Financial Accounting to lead a critical division responsible for the integrity, accuracy, and timeliness of the County's financial reporting. This position oversees the County's monthly and annual financial reporting-including the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) and Popular Annual Financial Report (PAFR)
-and provides leadership over a team of approximately 22 financial professionals, including managers, senior accountants, and CPAs.

This role requires a leader with deep governmental accounting expertise, strong managerial experience, exceptional judgment, and the ability to operate effectively in a complex, high-visibility environment.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Management

• Lead, coach, and develop a diverse financial accounting team of approximately 22 staff, including managers and CPAs.
• Oversee preparation of annual, quarterly, and monthly financial reporting for Harris County and related entities (Flood Control, Toll Road, Community Supervision, Juvenile Board).
• Maintain a cohesive, collaborative, and high-performing team culture.

Financial Reporting & Compliance

• Direct the preparation of the County's ACFR, PAFR, and related statutory reports.
• Ensure compliance with GAAP, GASB, legislative, and other financial reporting mandates.
• Serve as the Auditor's Office subject matter expert on GAAP, governmental accounting, and financial reporting.
• Provide critical oversight for capital assets, general ledger, financial reporting structures, chart of accounts, and financial subsystem interfaces.

Audit, Systems & Technical Oversight

• Ensure proper approval, preparation, and accuracy of audit schedules; collaborate with external auditors.
• Lead implementation of new GASB pronouncements.
• Provide direction and oversight for ERP-related processes; experience with People Soft, Workday, SAP, or Oracle required.

Cross-Department Collaboration

• Serve as a liaison to County departments, senior officials, and external stakeholders.
• Provide consultation and solutions to County departments regarding accounting issues.
• Represent the Auditor's Office in presentations to internal and external parties.

Essential Requirements

Education and Credentials

• Bachelor's degree with at least 24 accounting credit hours.
• Current CPA licensure required.

Experience

• Minimum 10 years of leadership experience in a large municipality, county, or state agency comparable in size and complexity to Harris County.
• Minimum 5 years managing other managers.
• At least 10 years of progressive experience preparing governmental financial reports and delivering solutions-focused consultation.
• Minimum 5 years of experience with a major ERP system (People Soft preferred but not required).

Technical Skills

• Extensive practical experience with GAAP, GASB, governmental accounting, and financial reporting.
• Experience researching and interpreting GASB pronouncements and developing internal controls.

Leadership & Interpersonal Skills

• Excellent relationship-building, communication, and presentation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to build consensus, lead change, and collaborate across diverse teams.
• Dependability, trustworthiness, sound professional judgment, and strong analytical skills.

Ideal Candidate Profile

• A seasoned governmental accounting professional with broad and deep expertise.
• Skilled at seeing both the "big picture" and the operational details.
• Confident, diplomatic, and able to operate effectively in high-pressure, fast-moving environments.
• Comfortable managing complex personalities and navigating sensitive audit-related matters.
• Forward-thinking, solution-oriented, and committed to continuous improvement.
• Public accounting experience preparing CAFRs or overseeing large governmental audits is highly valuable.

Applicants must submit a resume and cover letter to be considered.

Work Environment & Schedule

• Location:
  
  Harris County Auditor's Office, 1010 Lamar St., 7th Floor
• Schedule:
  
  7:30 AM – 4:30 PM, Monday–Friday

Equal Opportunity Employer

Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Learn more about our equal employment opportunity plan here:
Harris County EEO Plan.