Senior Accountant

Vallecitos Water District•San Diego, CA

8d•Onsite

About The Position

Under general supervision, performs advanced professional accounting and budget-related work; prepares, reconciles, analyzes, and reports on District financial records, audits, and budgets; coordinates specialized accounting functions and projects; provides technical expertise regarding accounting procedures and internal controls; and performs related duties as assigned. This single-incumbent classification is fully responsible for performing and ensuring compliance in daily professional accounting, budget, and fiscal activities; exercises independent judgment within accepted accounting standards, regulations, and internal policies. This position is supervised by the Finance Supervisor and does not supervise any staff. This position may perform some advanced functions in the absence of department supervisor, and may train lower-level Finance staff as directed.

Requirements

Graduation from a four-year college or university with a degree in Accounting or a related field, plus two years of professional accounting experience.
Principles and practices of accounting and auditing, including general and governmental accounting and budgeting.
Business data processing applications related to accounting and budgeting, such as Microsoft Excel.
Office procedures, methods, and equipment, including computers.
Applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and policies related to assigned work, including bond and investment regulations.
Methods and techniques of preparing financial reports and statements.
Advanced mathematical principles related to the work.
Principles and practices of financial record keeping and reporting.
Principles and practices of financial/statistical/comparative analysis.
Principles of payroll processing.
Ability to perform a variety of professional accounting and financial analysis functions.
Ability to develop and implement efficient accounting procedures and internal controls.
Ability to plan and organize work to meet changing priorities and deadlines.
Ability to communicate effectively with other departments, the public, and government agencies.
Ability to train lower-level Finance staff.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with all those contacted in the course of work.
Ability to participate in budget development.
Ability to perform cash flow analysis.
Ability to prepare and maintain accurate financial statements, records, and reports.
Ability to perform applicable mathematical calculations quickly and accurately.
Ability to interpret, apply, and explain applicable laws, regulations, and policies.
Ability to operate standard office equipment, including computers and supporting software applications.

Nice To Haves

Prior experience working in government accounting
Demonstrated dedication to GASB best practices and internal controls
Ability to accurately review detailed information and identify areas of concern
Prior experience in preparing financial reports and statements
Analytical and problem-solving skills
Prioritization and ability to regularly meet deadlines
Public agency accounting experience is desirable

Responsibilities

Analyzes and reconciles general ledger, subsidiary ledger, bank, asset, liability, and net asset accounts; prepares advanced adjusting and closing journal entries; performs month-end and year-end closing activities; and prepares related financial reports, schedules, worksheets, and supporting documentation.
Administers capital asset accounting and capital project-related financial activities, including maintaining capital asset records and depreciation schedules, preparing related journal entries and audit schedules, coordinating property damage recoveries and insurance claims, reconciling developer deposits and project billings, and processing project closeouts, invoices, and refunds.
Assists in the preparation, administration, and analysis of the District’s annual operating and capital budgets; prepares financial analyses, projections, expenditure forecasts, and budget monitoring reports.
Conducts and coordinates internal and external audits; prepares audit schedules and supporting documentation; reviews financial transactions and records for compliance with governmental accounting standards, internal controls, and professional accounting practices; reviews payroll and accounts payable transactions and performs related finance functions as needed.
Recommends, develops, and implements accounting systems, procedures, reports, queries, and automated tools to improve financial reporting, analysis, efficiency, and compliance; provides technical guidance and direction to lower-level staff; may perform Accounting Technician duties based on staffing needs.
Operates copiers, office equipment, and computer software & programs required for the work.
Performs duties in a timely and professional manner and works well with others or in a team setting; establishes and maintains cooperative working relationships.
Regular attendance and adherence to prescribed work schedule to conduct job responsibilities; may be called upon to respond to emergency operations as a disaster service worker and support Emergency Operations Center activities.
Observes safe work practices and safety methods; performs other duties as assigned.