Director – Financial Accounting Department

About the Auditor's Office

Harris County, the third most populous county in the nation, provides an array of essential services to its community, including public health initiatives, disaster recovery efforts, toll road management, flood mitigation, and justice administration. The Harris County Auditor's Office plays an vital role in supporting these services by overseeing the financial operations of over 90 departments. Under the leadership of the County Auditor, the office includes the Accounting and Internal Audit divisions, ensuring integrity and efficiency in the county's fiscal management.

The work we do is impactful, serving the residents of Harris County by ensuring county resources are managed with integrity, accountability, and transparency. We are a team of dedicated professionals who value objectivity, innovation, and collaboration. If you are an experienced financial accounting leader with deep governmental accounting expertise, strong leadership skills, and a passion for delivering accurate, timely, and transparent financial reporting, we invite you to consider joining us as the Director of Financial Accounting.

Why Join Us?

• High‑impact leadership role in the nation's third‑largest county.
• Opportunity to modernize financial operations amid a major ERP transition.
• Supportive leadership and a highly seasoned team of managers and professionals.
• Mission‑driven environment that values integrity, transparency, and public service.
• Competitive Pay: Up to $195,000 annually, depending on experience.
• Comprehensive Benefits: Including a zero-premium medical plan for employees, with affordable coverage options for spouses and dependents.
• Outstanding Retirement Plan
• Paid Parental Leave: Up to 12 weeks.
• Generous Paid Time Off: Vacation, sick leave, 11 paid holidays, and 1 floating holiday.
• Subsidized Transit/Commute Assistance
• Professional Development: Opportunities for growth and skill-building.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Qualifying Employer
• Corporate Discounts and Memberships

About the Role

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 PeopleSoft, 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 (PeopleSoft 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

The successful candidate will be:

• 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.