Accountant 2

About the role

The Iowa Department of Public Defense is seeking an Accountant 2 position capable of performing professional accounting work in direct support of the fiscal and financial operations of the Iowa Air National Guard’s 132nd Wing, located at the Des Moines installation. This position operates within the State of Iowa Department of Public Defense and is responsible for ensuring accurate financial record-keeping, budget compliance, and timely reporting in accordance with applicable state and federal regulations. The Accountant 2 plays a key role in coordinating financial activities across state and federal fiscal channels to maintain the financial readiness and accountability of the unit. This position serves as an integral member of the Wing’s administrative and support staff, contributing directly to the operational effectiveness of Iowa’s Air National Guard mission.

Our Agency directly supports the Iowa National Guard sustainment, readiness and modernization, providing support so they can fulfill their missions in Iowa’s communities or their work for the State during emergencies or times of need. We are made strong by a highly qualified, diverse and talented staff. Working at the Iowa Department of Public Defense will provide you with the opportunity for a robust career!

Responsibilities

• Maintain and reconcile general ledger accounts to ensure the accuracy and integrity of all financial records.
• Prepare financial statements, reports, and budget analyses for internal leadership and external oversight agencies.
• Process and audit expenditures, invoices, and payroll transactions in compliance with applicable regulations and policies.
• Ensure adherence to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Iowa state statutes, and applicable federal regulations.
• Coordinate financial activities with federal offices including the National Guard Bureau (NGB) and United States Property and Fiscal Office (USPFO), as well as state finance offices.
• Prepare and submit required financial reports to state and federal oversight agencies on a timely basis.
• Assist with annual budget preparation and fiscal year-end close processes, including accruals and carryforward reconciliations.
• Monitor appropriations balances and identify budget variances, providing recommendations for corrective action as needed.
• Support internal and external audits by preparing documentation, responding to inquiries, and ensuring audit readiness.
• Maintain comprehensive documentation and audit trails for all financial transactions in accordance with records retention requirements.

Qualifications

• Current Certified Public Accountant (CPA) licensure or active CPA exam candidate status.
• Experience with government or military financial management systems such as GFEBS, STANFINS, or comparable platforms.
• Prior work experience with the Iowa National Guard, a military branch, or a government agency at the state or federal level.
• Familiarity with Iowa state financial regulations, appropriations processes, and statutory requirements.
• Experience with federal grant accounting, cost allocation methodologies, or fund accounting principles.

Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited four year college or university with a minimum of twelve semester hours (or its equivalent) in accounting, business administration or finance; course work and eighteen months of responsible experience in accounting, accounts examination or verification, budgeting or closely related fiscal experience with a governmental agency, public accounting firm, or private industry.
• Substitution of work experience in the public or private sector which entailed accounting, auditing, budgeting, assessment or computation of taxes, or closely related financial functions (e.g., treasurer, comptroller, accountant, auditor, budget analyst, etc.) on a year-for-year