ASSISTANT CITY CONTROLLER IV

City of Houston, TX

• $78K — $99K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Business Administration, or related field
  • 5-7 years of professional accounting or auditing experience
  • CPA or CIA certification preferred
  • Advanced knowledge of governmental accounting principles including GAAP and GASB standards
  • Experience with SAP Finance and financial reporting systems

Responsibilities

  • Prepare and analyze the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR)
  • Draft notes to financial statements and collaborate with auditors
  • Compile data for the Monthly Financial Report and perform variance analysis
  • Support the financial year-end close process, including reconciliations
  • Prepare detailed operational performance reports for management
  • Review and approve financial statements and departmental requests

Benefits

  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • Defined contribution pension plan
  • Professional development opportunities
  • Hybrid-telemwork options for eligible positions
  • 10 days of vacation and 13 city holidays annually
Full Job Description
Salary : $78,000.00 - $99,360.30 Annually
Location : 901 Bagby
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 39496
Department: Controller's Office
Opening Date: 09/01/2026
Closing Date: 9/8/2026 11:59 PM Central

POSITION OVERVIEW
APPLICATIONS ACCEPTED FROM: ALL PERSON INTERESTED

DIVISION: FINANCIAL REPORTING
REPORTING LOCATION: 901 BAGBY ST., 5TH FL.
WORKDAYS & HOURS: MONDAY - FRIDAY 8AM - 5PM*
*Subject to change

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES/ ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Under the guidance of the City Controller or designee, the Assistant City Controller IV performs specialized accounting procedures in the preparation, review, analysis and reconciliation of standard periodic financial reports and statements. In addition, the Assistant City Controller IV serves as the primary liaison to assigned departments, agencies and organizations to effectively coordinate financial operating and management policies, procedures and systems. The Assistant City Controller IV will support the Controller's office in implementing process improvements, monitoring operational effectiveness, and ensuring compliance with financial regulations and policies.
The Assistant City Controller IV duties and key responsibilities will include but are not limited to:

Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR):
  1. Contributes to the preparation of the ACFR by compiling financial data, preparing supporting schedules, and ensuring the accuracy of fund-level and government-wide statements.
  2. Assists with drafting notes to the financial statements, management discussion and analysis (MD&A), and required supplementary information (RSI).
  3. Collaborates with accounting staff and auditors to provide documentation and resolve audit inquiries.
  4. Ensures compliance with GASB standards and internal policies, and participates in internal reviews to ensure consistency and data integrity across all sections of the report

Monthly Financial Report:
  1. Prepares and analyzes the Monthly Financial Report by compiling revenue and expenditure data, performing budget-to-actual variance analysis, and monitoring fund performance.
  2. Coordinates with departments to gather updates and explanations for material variances. Develops financial summaries, charts, and narratives to communicate fiscal trends and insights.
  3. Ensures data accuracy through account reconciliations and supports timely internal review.

Financial Year-end:
  1. Supports the financial year-end close process by preparing journal entries, reconciling accounts, and analyzing budget-to-actual performance.
  2. Coordinates with departments to ensure timely accruals and accurate reporting of financial activity.
  3. Provides documentation and responses to external auditors and contributes to audit preparedness by generating required schedules and addressing inquiries.
  4. Ensures compliance with applicable accounting standards and supports internal reporting and fund balance analysis during the year-end process.

Other:
  1. Gather, analyze, and interpret data related to operational performance, resource usage, and financial performance.
  2. Prepare detailed reports and dashboards to present findings, trends, and actionable insights to senior management, stakeholders, and decision-makers.
  3. Reviews and/or approves specific transfers, financial statements and departments'/agencies' requests and actions.
  4. Assists with implementation of revised management and financial operating procedures and systems.
  5. Conducts surveys and research related to various management and financial policies and procedures.
  6. Assists with special projects and production of related management reports as assigned by the City Controller or designee.

WORKING CONDITIONS
The position is physically comfortable; the individual has discretion about walking, standing, etc.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
Requires a Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Business Administration or a closely related field. Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) is preferred.

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
Six years of professional accounting and/or auditing experience are required.

LICENSE REQUIREMENTS
None.
PREFERENCES
Preference will be given to candidates with experience in government accounting, Certified Public Accountant (CPA) credentials, and familiarity with SAP Finance trial balance systems.

KEY SKILLS AND ABILITIES
  • Advanced knowledge of governmental accounting principles and compliance with GAAP and GASB standards
  • Collaborative mindset and ability to work across departments, including coordination with Finance, Budget, Legal, and external auditors
  • Proficiency in SAP Finance, including trial balance review, journal entries, and account reconciliation
  • Commitment to transparency, fiscal responsibility, and continuous improvement in public financial management
  • Effective written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present financial information to non-financial stakeholders
  • Experience and proficiency with Microsoft Office (e.g., Excel, Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint) and Adobe Acrobat.

**Preference shall be given to eligible veteran applicants provided such persons possess the qualifications necessary for competent discharge of the duties involved in the position applied for, such persons are among the most qualified candidates for the position, and all other factors in accordance with Executive Order 1-6.**
GENERAL INFORMATION

SELECTION / SKILLS TESTS REQUIRED
Department may administer skills assessment test.

SAFETY IMPACT POSITION No
If yes, this position is subject to random drug testing and if a promotional position, candidate must pass an assignment drug test.

SALARY INFORMATION
Factors used in determining the salary offered include the candidate's qualifications as well as the pay rates of other employees in this classification.

PAY GRADE: 27

APPLICATION PROCEDURES
Only online applications will be accepted for this City of Houston job and must be received by the Human Resources Department during active posting period. Applications must be submitted online at: www.houstontx.gov

To view your detailed application status, please log-in to your online profile by visiting: or call (832-393-0453).

If you need special services or accommodations, call (832-393-0453). (TTY 7-1-1)

If you need login assistance or technical support call 855-524-5627.

Due to the high volume of applications received, the Hiring Department will contact you directly, should you be selected to advance in our recruitment process.

All new and rehires must pass a pre-employment drug test and are subject to a physical examination and verification of information provided.

The city offers a competitive benefits program, including competitively priced health coverage and a defined contribution pension plan. Benefits include:
  • Medical
  • Dental
  • Vision
  • Wellness
  • Supplemental Insurance
  • Life insurance
  • Long-term disability
  • Retirement pension
  • 457 deferred compensation plan
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • 10 days of vacation each year
  • 13 city holidays, plus one floating holiday
  • Compensable Sick Leave
  • Personal Leave
  • Flexible schedules
  • Hybrid-Telework for eligible positions
  • Professional development opportunities
  • Transportation/parking plan
  • Section 125 pretax deductions
  • Dependent Care Reimbursement Plan
  • Paid Prenatal, Parental and Infant Wellness Leaves
  • Healthcare Flexible Spending Account
For plan details, visit http://www.houstontx.gov/hr/benefits.html
01

Are you a veteran who served on active duty in the Armed Forces (United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard) for more than 90 consecutive days and received either an honorable discharge or a general discharge under honorable conditions?
  • Yes
  • No

02

Are you a current employee of the City of Houston's Office of City Controller?
  • Yes
  • No

03

Which best describes your highest level of education?
  • High School Diploma / GED
  • Associate's Degree
  • Bachelor's Degree
  • Master's Degree or higher
  • None of the Above

04

What is your degree concentration?
  • Business Administration
  • Economics
  • Public Administration
  • Finance
  • Political Science
  • Other closely related field
  • I do not have a degree

05

If you selected a degree in "a closely related field", please list your completed degree and field of study. ("See resume" is not an acceptable answer. If you do not have a degree, please type "N/A.)
06

How many years of verifiable professional experience in accounting, audit, budget analysis, finance, public administration or a field directly related to the job do you have?
  • None
  • Less than 4 years
  • 4 - 5 years
  • 6 - 7 years
  • 8 - 9 years
  • 10 years or more

07

How many years of experience do you have in financial reporting and analysis?
  • Less than 3 years
  • 3 - 4 years
  • 5 - 6 years
  • 7 years or more

08

How many years of experience do you have performing comprehensive analyses of city operations across multiple departments to identify operational inefficiencies, process bottlenecks, and opportunities for improvement?
  • Less than 1 year
  • 1 - 2 years
  • 3 - 4 years
  • 5 years or more

09

Briefly share your experience conducting in-depth analyses of operations to identify inefficiencies, bottlenecks, and areas for improvement. If you have no verifiable experience, use N/A. (See resume is not an acceptable answer.)
10

Which of the following certifications do you possess? Please check all that apply and upload a copy of that certification to this application to verify your answer.
  • CPA
  • CFA
  • CIA
  • Other not listed
  • None

11

If you selected "other" for the above question, please list all certifications you have and years certified. Upload a copy of that certification to this application to verify your answer. If you selected "None", please type NA.
12

Please indicate your level of proficiency in Microsoft Office products (Word, Access, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
  • BEGINNER: Perform daily word processing tasks in Word, enter correct data, create a database, import data from Excel in Access, format cells, rows and columns in Excel, create a PowerPoint presentation file with a title slide, bullet points and place in slide loop mode; creates a new e-mail message, checking e-mail in Outlook.
  • INTERMEDIATE: Basic formatting and create a variety of templates, mail merges in Word; create primary key to associate data between multiple tables, create a select query in Access; create, modify, and format charts, use graphic objects to enhance worksheets & charts in Excel; add special affects to presentation (design and animation) in PowerPoint; reply, forward, print and delete an e-mail message in Outlook.
  • ADVANCED: Manage table data, sort and filter merges in Word, create a split form and report and back up your databases in Access; use the filter and formula functions to manipulate data in Excel; transition presentation slides, link Excel charts to presentation and add voice in PowerPoint; delete e-mails from the Inbox, Sent Items and Deleted Items folders, Add, edit, move and delete appointments on your calendar.
  • EXPERT: Produce table of contents, footnotes, endnotes, bookmarks in Word, manage Macro commands, and manage database objects in Access, use advance formula functions (VLOOKUP, IF, IS) manage macro commands, group rows in Excel; publish presentation online, embed objects into presentation in PowerPoint; managing multiple calendars, set rules for incoming mail, create subfolders for mail to be placed in Outlook.
  • I have no experience working with Microsoft Office Products

13

How many years of SAP reporting experience do you have?
  • Less than 1 year
  • 1 - 2 years
  • 3 - 4 years
  • 5 years or more

Required Question

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