Accountant - Senior

Modesto Irrigation District•Modesto, CA

13d

About The Position

The Modesto Irrigation District is recruiting for one full-time regular Senior Accountant position in the Accounting Department, Finance Division. This advanced journey-level role plans, organizes, directs, supervises, and participates in professional accounting work, including financial statement preparation, fiscal-record review, and monitoring accounting transactions in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. The position also provides technical assistance to an assigned manager and directly supervises assigned professional, technical, and clerical personnel. The role receives direction from a higher-level manager and is classified as exempt in the Professional and Supervisory Bargaining Unit. The Senior Accountant oversees accounting activities and staff, maintains the integrity of the general ledger, supports audits and debt-related reporting, monitors budget compliance, and administers integrated financial and management information systems. The position analyzes financial and budgetary information, supports District decision-making, responds to information requests, and contributes to accounting-system changes and special projects. Employees are expected to be fully trained in procedures for their assigned areas and to perform the most difficult and responsible duties in the Accountant series. Applicants must submit a completed District application. Screening begins on or after November 13, 2026, and applications received after that date are not guaranteed consideration. Selection includes an oral interview and reference checks, including current and former supervisors. The successful applicant must provide verification of a high school diploma or GED and applicable higher-education degree, and complete a background check before beginning work. A California Class C driver license is required.

Requirements

Three years of progressively responsible experience similar to Accountant II with the District.
Education equivalent to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college, with major coursework in Accounting, Finance, Business, or a related field.
Possession of a California Class C driver license.
Knowledge of supervision, training, and performance-evaluation principles.
Knowledge of municipal accounting, budgeting, and auditing principles and practices.
Knowledge of governmental cost accounting, accounts receivable, and accounts payable principles, practices, and standards.
Knowledge of budget preparation and analysis and financial planning.
Knowledge of the FERC uniform system of accounts and related requirements.
Knowledge of State Controller accounting, internal-audit procedures, and internal-control principles.
Knowledge of utility accounting and rate-design theory and practices.
Knowledge of complex accounting research and analysis techniques and applicable local, State, and Federal laws, rules, and regulations.
Knowledge of safety management, financial and technical report preparation, modern office equipment and applicable software, and effective customer service.
Ability to independently apply accounting principles to financial transaction maintenance and reporting and to audit financial records.
Ability to organize, implement, and oversee professional accounting and financial activities.
Ability to analyze work papers, reports, and projects; interpret technical and numerical information; and identify and solve operational or technical policy and procedure issues.
Ability to perform computerized modeling and forecasting and complex financial monitoring, analysis, and reporting.
Ability to prepare, examine, and verify financial documents and reports and monitor accounting activities for compliance with applicable requirements and professional standards.
Ability to provide technical support to District divisions and staff.
Ability to research, compile, analyze, interpret, and prepare fiscal, statistical, and administrative reports.
Ability to present technical financial information clearly and transform data from various applications into meaningful information for business decision-making.
Ability to operate modern office equipment, including a computer and applicable software.
Ability to establish effective working relationships and communicate clearly and concisely, orally and in writing.
Successful completion of each recruitment phase, including an oral interview and reference checks.
Before beginning work, provide verification of a high school diploma or GED and applicable higher-education degree, and complete a background check.

Responsibilities

Participate in staff selection; coordinate staff training; conduct performance evaluations; recommend discipline; and implement discipline procedures as directed.
Recommend and assist with implementing goals and objectives, accounting-system schedules and methods, and policies and procedures.
Identify and implement accounting procedures to address the operational needs of the division.
Plan, prioritize, assign, supervise, and review staff work preparing monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements and reports for management, government agencies, financial institutions, and the Board of Directors.
Evaluate assigned operations and activities, recommend improvements or modifications, and prepare related reports.
Maintain general-ledger integrity by reviewing, initiating, and performing journal entries, adjusting entries, and account reconciliations.
Prepare audit work papers, assist independent auditors with the annual audit, develop internal-control procedures, and perform internal audits.
Prepare official statements for debt issues and maintain debt-service records.
Provide accounting support for decision-making by responding to information requests, producing and distributing reports, and participating on project teams.
Direct and oversee implementation of changes to accounting and auditing systems and procedures.
Monitor compliance with the annual budget.
Serve as administrator for integrated financial and management information systems.
Prepare, analyze, and review estimated revenues, reimbursements, expenditures, fund balances, and other proprietary and budgetary accounts.
Answer questions and provide information to the public and District divisions; research requests and recommend responses to inquiries or complaints.
Complete special projects, including accounting-system and procedure design and implementation, and development and documentation of Finance Division policies and procedures.
Attend and participate in professional groups and committees and stay informed about accounting trends and innovations.
Build and maintain positive working relationships with coworkers, District employees, outside agencies, and the public using good customer-service principles.
Perform related duties as assigned.