Finance Manager, Accounting and Payroll

City of Milpitas•Milpitas, CA

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The City of Milpitas is seeking an experienced governmental accounting leader to manage its Accounting and Payroll group, which includes General Ledger, Payroll, and Grant Management. This is a hands-on working manager role during the City's Tyler ERP Phase 2 payroll migration. The position leads payroll-system stabilization, business-process redesign, and the development of written procedures while maintaining the group’s day-to-day work and meeting fixed annual audit and Single Audit schedules. The Finance Manager plans, organizes, and directs the Accounting and Payroll group and is one of two Finance Managers in the Finance Department. The position reports to the Finance Director, supervises professional, technical, and clerical staff, and acts for the Finance Director when needed. The manager leads year-end close, preparation of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report, annual audit and Single Audit coordination, grant reimbursement reporting, and biweekly payroll, including federal and state payroll tax filings and CalPERS reporting. The role also develops and maintains accounting procedures and internal controls in accordance with GAAP, GASB pronouncements, the Government Code, and City policy. The Finance Department manages budgeting, accounting, payroll, procurement, risk management, debt management, investment management, and utility billing. Its financial responsibilities exceed one billion dollars across the combined operating budget, investment portfolio, and debt portfolio. The department has 31 funded positions and a record of receiving GFOA awards for budget presentation and financial reporting. The ideal candidate is a governmental accounting professional with experience closing the books, overseeing public agency payroll, and participating in an ERP conversion. They bring experience supporting staff through change, working knowledge of CalPERS reporting and negotiated MOU provisions, and sound judgment in developing practical, accurate procedures. An active CPA license, Single Audit experience, and experience with a Tyler, Workday, Oracle, or comparable system implementation are highly desirable. California local government experience is strongly preferred. Work is performed indoors in a standard office environment. The role requires travel to locations within and outside Milpitas. A valid California driver's license and satisfactory driving record are required when driving on City business. The successful candidate must file a Conflict of Interest Statement and may be required to perform assigned duties during an emergency or disaster as a Disaster Service Worker. Target start date is January 2027. Relocation expenses will not be reimbursed. Appointment is contingent on background, fingerprinting, credit, and reference checks.

Requirements

Five years of increasingly responsible experience in governmental accounting and financial reporting, including at least two years of supervisory experience.
Public accounting experience auditing local governments may substitute for up to two years of the required governmental accounting and financial reporting experience.
Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Business, with major coursework in accounting and finance.
An advanced degree, such as an MBA emphasizing finance or accounting, or a CPA certificate, may substitute for two years of required experience.
When driving on City business, a valid California Driver's License and satisfactory driving record are required.
Applicants must attach a professional resume and cover letter; applications without both will not be reviewed.
Applicants who hold a CPA license must attach proof of licensure.
Appointment is contingent on a satisfactory background check, including Department of Justice fingerprinting and a credit check, and on reference checks.

Nice To Haves

Active CPA license.
Hands-on role in a financial or payroll system implementation or conversion, such as Tyler ERP, Workday, Oracle, or a comparable system.
Public agency payroll oversight, including experience with negotiated MOU provisions, CalPERS reporting, and payroll tax compliance.
Year-end close, annual audit, Single Audit, and grant reimbursement reporting experience in a California local government.
Public sector experience in California local government is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Plan, organize, direct, supervise, and evaluate the Accounting and Payroll group and its staff.
Lead General Ledger, Payroll, and Grant Management functions, including year-end close, the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report, annual audit and Single Audit, grant reimbursement reporting, and the biweekly payroll cycle.
Oversee federal and state payroll tax filings and CalPERS reporting.
Lead the Finance-side work for the Tyler ERP Phase 2 payroll migration, including stabilization, business-process redesign, and written procedures.
Develop, implement, and maintain accounting procedures and internal controls in accordance with GAAP, GASB pronouncements, the Government Code, and City policy.
Coordinate with internal and external auditors and oversee implementation of recommended changes to systems and controls.
Supervise, train, and evaluate professional, technical, and clerical staff; assign, schedule, prioritize, coordinate, and review work.
Keep day-to-day accounting and payroll work current during the system change.
Train staff across City departments on financial transactions and serve as the City's resident expert on accounting and payroll operations.
Provide technical expertise in financial data preparation, administration, analysis, and automated financial information systems.
Analyze accounting systems, recommend revisions, and implement changes, including coordinating the design, testing, and implementation of financial application enhancements and corrections.
Coordinate financial services operations with other City sections, divisions, and departments.
Prepare or direct interim and annual financial reports in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and prepare analytical and management reports as required.
Represent the Finance Department on citywide special project teams and attend meetings and seminars related to financial services.
Act for the Finance Director in the Director's absence.
Perform related duties as assigned.