If you’re looking for employment opportunities, our guide to accounting jobs in Colorado Springs, CO, can help you land the job.

What educational background do you need to land a job in Colorado Springs?

Very few accounting positions in Colorado Springs require only a high school diploma. Most employers require an associate degree in accounting, finance or a related field for entry-level positions like bookkeeper or data entry. Entry-level positions generally require at least a bachelor's degree. This includes positions like staff accountant, accounting clerk or accounts payable clerk.

Some employers require a master’s degree in accounting or a related field for these positions. Entry-level jobs also typically require the individual to be a certified public accountant (CPAs) or to prove that they are completing the coursework to become a CPA.

Senior positions, like senior tax accountant, tax senior/managing accountant and financial/control account manager, require a bachelor's degree in accounting or finance and CPA status, but many employers give preference to those with a master's degree in accounting. C-level positions, like business development manager for futures, comptroller and chief financial officer, require a master’s degree and CPA status.

Nationally, CPAs must pass a uniform exam. Each state determines if the CPA must undergo continuing education, also called CPE, and sets the requirements for it. In Colorado, you must complete 80 hours of CPE credit biennially, ending in odd years, according to National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA). You renew your CPA license on November 30th of odd numbered years. The CPE reporting period runs from 1/1 to 12/31 biennially, ending on odd years.

The only required coursework includes four hours of ethics. There are credit limitations, including a limit of two hours in Colorado Rules & Regulations. Only 20% of the CPE hours may be personal development, and only fifty% may be published materials and instructional hours. Publishing accounting related articles for CPE credit has a 10-hour limit. The City of Colorado Springs does not add additional requirements.

Many online courses offered through NASBA apply to the Colorado CPE requirements. The site notes which classes are applicable plus the number of credits earned. Other options include CPE 4U Colorado, various CPE seminars in Denver and Colorado Springs and The Colorado Society of CPAs, which offers specialty courses in sales tax legislation and the marijuana business.

How can I land an accounting job in Colorado Springs?

You can meet people related to the field by visiting The Colorado Society of CPAs networking events, like chapter meetings, special events and CPE trainings. You can also attend events sponsored by Colorado’s Department of Regulatory Agencies Board of Accountancy. Networking events like these help you build the contacts you need to get your accounting resume and cover letter into the right hands in Colorado Springs.

Most organizations in Colorado Springs conduct in-person interviews, and some organizations require two interviews. Common questions include those regarding your finance, bookkeeping and accounting experience, computer ledgers you have used, examples of when your actions resulted in reduced company costs and basic accounting knowledge questions. Interviewing for C-level positions carries situational-based questions that require knowledge of the company and on-the-spot analysis.

What are common jobs in this area?

The most common entry-level positions in Colorado Springs in accounting include tax and accounting intern and account and payroll assistant positions. Most of the open positions fall in the mid-level job range, such as staff accountant, accounting and budget technician and staff accountant/business manager. In Colorado Springs, senior-level positions include senior HRIS analyst and operations manager.

What are the biggest industries for this field in Colorado Springs?

Like many major cities, Robert Half employs many of the people in the Colorado Springs accounting industry. Deloitte and University of Colorado round out the list.

What kind of shifts can I work in this field in Colorado Springs?

Most accounting jobs in Colorado Springs are conducted during regular business hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. These are many full-time and part-time positions available. You will find a few night shift positions at area hotels as night auditors. Data-entry clerks also do some night shifts. Tax season provides temporary/seasonal work opportunities in Colorado Springs for CPAs.

External resources

No guide to accounting jobs in Colorado Springs, CO, is complete without including the following resources for you to use. You'll find the accounting industry offers a number of journals and publications, including the Journal of Accountancy, Journal of Forensic Accounting, International Journal of Accounting, Accounting Today, The CPA Journal and Accountancy.

Professional accounting organizations include the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies, Board of Accountancy and the local chapter of The Colorado Society of CPAs.

If you want to earn a degree in accounting or continue your education, Colorado Springs has some excellent schools. Three accounting or finance schools in Colorado Springs are the local campuses of University of Colorado, National American University and Pike’s Peak Community College.