Principal Accountant

City of South Gate • South Gate, CA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

Applications will be accepted on a continuous basis until a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received. The deadline for the first review of applications is on Thursday, May 28, 2026. Applicants are encouraged to apply early. Applicants that apply after the first review are not guaranteed to be considered for this recruitment. This recruitment may close at any time without notice after the first review date. Under general direction of the Accounting & Finance Manager, leads day-to-day Citywide accounting operations, and financial reporting; supervises professional and technical accounting staff (e.g., general ledger/financial reporting, accounts payable/receivable, payroll interface/reconciliation, fixed assets, grants, project/cost accounting); manages the month-end and year-end close; coordinates external audit fieldwork and produces the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) and related regulatory reports; ensures compliance with GAAP/GASB and internal controls; performs related duties as required. The Principal Accountant is an advanced, professional classification responsible for the operations and production of City accounting and reporting and may provide direction to professional and technical accounting staff.

Requirements

• A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college/university in accounting, finance, business administration (with substantial accounting coursework), or a closely related field is required.
• Four (4) years of progressively responsible governmental accounting experience, including at least two (2) years supervising professional accounting staff and demonstrated leadership of the year-end close and external audit/ACFR workstreams is required.
• Knowledge of: GAAP and GASB for governments; fund accounting; ACFR preparation; Single Audit and audit standards; internal controls and risk assessment; debt and grant compliance; cost allocation; ERP/report-writer tools.
• Skill/Ability to: Plan, organize, and direct section-level accounting operations; lead close, audit prep, and ACFR production; interpret/apply GASB; design/monitor internal controls; analyze complex transactions; communicate clearly with finance and non-finance audiences; supervise and coach professional staff; manage competing deadlines; collaborate effectively with auditors, fiscal agents, vendors, and departments.

Nice To Haves

• A Master’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration, and public administration is highly desirable.
• Possession of any of the following licenses/certifications is highly desirable: CPA, CGFM, and/or CPFO.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for the monthly, quarterly, and annual close calendar; prepares/reviews/approves complex closing entries; reconciles the general ledger and all subledgers (AP, AR, payroll, inventory, fixed assets, grants, projects); issues fund, cash, and variance reports; ensures accurate fund accounting.
• Performs advanced professional accounting and budgetary work in establishing, analyzing, auditing, reconciling, and maintaining financial records (e.g., bank reconciliations, CIP/project accounting, fixed asset capitalization and depreciation, and grants), and monitors transactions for compliance with GAAP, GASB, and where applicable GAGAS, state/federal regulations, grant and debt covenants, and City policies/internal controls.
• Leads audit preparation and fieldwork (annual financial audit, Single Audit, grant audits, Successor Agency audit); develops PBCs and timelines, coordinates schedules, ensures high-quality workpapers and timely responses; tracks and clears findings; drafts MD&A/notes as assigned; partners with the Accounting & Finance Manager as the City’s lead auditor liaison.
• Produces the ACFR and statutory reports (e.g., State Controller’s Reports, Streets Report, Successor Agency ROPS), including statements, notes, RSI, and statistical-section inputs; prepares monthly/quarterly operating statements and reconciliation schedules; implements new GASB pronouncements and related disclosures in coordination with the Accounting & Finance Manager.
• Maintains City debt records; coordinates payments with fiscal agents; reconciles trustee statements; prepares continuing disclosure information; ensures compliance with covenants; performs and/or assists with accounting for complex financing projects and agreements, including allocations.
• Oversees capitalization/depreciation, project/grant accounting, and cost allocations; reviews allowability, supporting documentation, drawdowns, and reports; coordinates with Grants and Budget on compliance and reporting.
• Provides administrative and analytical support in planning, developing, reviewing, and implementing designated budgets and accounts; monitors and evaluates budget performance; prepares revenue/expenditure projections; analyzes program/project costs and recommends allocations; collaborates with Budget on year-end estimates and forecast alignment; assists with the City’s annual budget.
• Administers the chart of accounts; performs GL setup/close; serves as ERP business owner for GL/projects/fixed assets/AP-AR interfaces; builds and validates interfaces; establishes and maintains automated records/files; designs queries and reconciliation/closing/audit reports; partners with IT on upgrades, user access, and internal controls.
• Develops and maintains internal controls over financial reporting; documents SOPs; conducts risk assessments; leads cross-training; implements workflow/process improvements to strengthen accuracy, timeliness, segregation of duties, and audit readiness; recommends policy updates to the Accounting & Finance Manager.
• Provides coaching, training, and technical direction.
• Assigns and reviews the work of professional and technical accounting staff; sets service levels and quality standards.
• Provides consultation to departments on accounting and budgetary activities; responds to inquiries; resolves escalated reconciliation and transaction issues; provides technical assistance/backup as needed.
• Communicates and coordinates with City personnel, governmental agencies, auditors, fiscal agents, vendors, and other stakeholders to exchange information, align activities, and resolve issues; represents the Administrative Services Department in meetings and presentations on accounting/reporting matters; may brief the City Council and committees on technical content at the direction of the Accounting & Finance Manager/Director of Administrative Services.
• Manages the City’s investment portfolio and related treasury functions in coordination with the Accounting & Finance Manager and Treasurer.
• May act for the Accounting & Finance Manager on accounting matters as assigned; performs related duties as required.

Benefits

• The City supports a Drug-Free Workplace.
• New employees must complete a verification form designated by the United States Department of Homeland Security, Citizenship and Immigration Services, that certifies eligibility for employment in the United States of America.
• The City of South Gate is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Principal