Accountant

West Bay Sanitary District•Menlo Park, CA

13d•Onsite

About The Position

Under general direction, performs professional accounting work in support of the District’s financial operations, including general ledger maintenance, financial reporting, budget support, revenue accounting, audit support, and compliance with governmental accounting standards. The Accountant ensures the accuracy, transparency, and timeliness of financial information related to wastewater utility operations, sewer service charges, capital programs, and other District financial activities.

Requirements

Knowledge of principles and practices of governmental, fund, and enterprise accounting, including generally accepted accounting principles and GASB standards.
Knowledge of general ledger systems, financial reporting tools, account reconciliation methods, and journal entry preparation.
Knowledge of budgeting practices, expenditure tracking, variance analysis, and financial forecasting techniques.
Knowledge of internal control principles, audit processes, accounting documentation standards, and financial record retention practices.
Knowledge of capital asset accounting, infrastructure asset tracking, depreciation schedules, and capital project cost accounting.
Knowledge of revenue accounting practices, including sewer service charges, property tax revenues, connection fees, ADU fees, and other non-operating revenues.
Knowledge of applicable federal, state, local, and District laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures governing public agency financial administration.
Knowledge of principles and practices of accounts payable, accounts receivable, cash management, payroll-related accounting, grant accounting, and financial reporting.
Knowledge of modern office practices, financial software applications, spreadsheet tools, and data analysis techniques used in governmental accounting.
Ability to prepare accurate, complete, and timely financial statements, accounting reports, reconciliations, schedules, and analyses.
Ability to analyze financial data, identify discrepancies, research accounting issues, and prepare appropriate corrections or recommendations.
Ability to communicate clearly and concisely in English, both orally and in writing, with District staff, management, auditors, consultants, and outside agencies.
Ability to interpret, explain, and apply accounting standards, financial regulations, District policies, and internal control procedures.
Ability to maintain complex accounting records and financial data with a high degree of accuracy and confidentiality.
Ability to use financial management systems, spreadsheets, databases, and other software to prepare reports and analyze financial information.
Ability to support audits by preparing documentation, responding to requests, and assisting with implementation of audit recommendations.
Ability to organize work, manage multiple priorities, meet established deadlines, and exercise sound judgment within established guidelines.
Ability to prepare financial information for budgets, capital projects, sewer service charges, grants, required filings, and management reporting.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
Ability to identify opportunities to improve accounting processes, internal controls, documentation, and reporting practices.
Ability to exercise tact, discretion, and professionalism when handling sensitive financial information.
Ability to follow all District policies and procedures.
Ability to work well independently and in a team environment.
Ability to provide technical assistance and guidance to staff regarding accounting procedures and financial documentation, as assigned.
Minimum Two (2) to five (5) years of progressively responsible professional accounting experience.
Requires graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or a closely related field.

Nice To Haves

Public sector, special district, enterprise fund, capital project accounting, grant accounting, or utility accounting experience is desirable.
Experience in a public agency, enterprise fund, wastewater utility, capital project accounting, or governmental accounting environment is highly desirable.
Certification as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Public Finance Officer (CPFO), or similar professional certification is desirable, but not required.
Possession of, or ability to obtain prior to appointment, a valid California driver’s license with the ability to maintain insurability under the District’s Vehicle Insurance Policy may be required.

Responsibilities

Provides quality control review of annual Sewer Service Charge calculations to support accurate billing, reporting, and revenue collection.
Accounts for tax and non-operating revenues, including Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) fees, Multi-Family Residence (MFR) fees, infrastructure compacity fees, recycled water billing, and other District revenue sources.
Maintains and reconciles the general ledger, including preparation and review of journal entries, account analyses, and supporting schedules.
Prepares monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements, reports, and schedules in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) requirements.
Supports the annual budget process by preparing financial data, tracking expenditures, reviewing budget activity, and performing variance analysis.
Tracks and accounts for capital assets and infrastructure projects; maintains fixed asset records, depreciation schedules, and related documentation.
Monitors and reconciles cash, investments, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll-related accounts, and other assigned financial accounts.
Provides support for the annual independent audit and Single Audit, including preparation of schedules, research of accounting issues, and timely response to auditor requests.
Ensures compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations, District policies, accounting standards, and internal control requirements.
Prepares and files required financial, statistical, regulatory, and governmental reports.
Assists with grant accounting, cost tracking, reimbursement requests, and related financial documentation, as applicable.
Identifies and recommends process improvements to enhance accounting efficiency, reporting accuracy, documentation, and internal controls.
Performs related duties as assigned.
Assists with payroll, special financial studies, cost analyses, rate-related data, and other financial projects as assigned.
May provide staff support to District committees, consultants, auditors, or outside agencies regarding financial matters.
Supports the development, maintenance, and documentation of accounting policies, procedures, and internal controls.