Accountant

West Bay Sanitary District; Menlo Park (CA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

West Bay Sanitary District in Menlo Park, CA is seeking an Accountant to support financial operations, including general ledger maintenance, reporting, budget tracking, and grant accounting. The role emphasizes GASB compliance and accurate sewer service charge accounting.

The position reports to Finance Manager, offers opportunities to work with auditors, and may involve technical guidance to staff. Requires a bachelor's in accounting and 2-5 years public sector or utility accounting experience;

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business, or related field.
• 2–5 years progressive accounting experience; public agency or utility accounting desirable.
• CPA/CPFO certification is desirable but not required.

Responsibilities

• Maintains and reconciles the general ledger; prepares journal entries and analyses.
• Prepares monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements per GAAP and GASB.
• Supports annual budget process; tracks expenditures; performs variance analysis.
• Maintains fixed asset records and depreciation schedules for capital projects.
• Assists with grant accounting, audits, and reporting; ensures internal controls.

Skills

GAAP & GASB knowledge

General ledger management

Budgeting & forecasting

Internal controls

Financial reporting & analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting/finance

Tools

Excel

General ledger software

Job description

The start date would be no sooner than February 1, 2027

First Round Interviews will be scheduled for November 17, 2026

Second Round Interviews are tentatively being scheduled for week of December 7 or 14, 2026

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.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

General direction is provided by the Finance Manager or designee.

Responsibilities do not typically include direct supervision of staff; however, the position may provide technical guidance, training, and assistance to administrative or accounting support staff, as assigned.

EXAMPLES OF IMPORTANT AND ESSENTIAL DUTIES – Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• 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.

OTHER JOB RELATED DUTIES

• 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.

JOB RELATED AND ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of governmental, fund, and enterprise accounting, including generally accepted accounting principles and GASB standards.
• General ledger systems, financial reporting tools, account reconciliation methods, and journal entry preparation.
• Budgeting practices, expenditure tracking, variance analysis, and financial forecasting techniques.
• Internal control principles, audit processes, accounting documentation standards, and financial record retention practices.
• Capital asset accounting, infrastructure asset tracking, depreciation schedules, and capital project cost accounting.
• Revenue accounting practices, including sewer service charges, property tax revenues, connection fees, ADU fees, and other non-operating revenues.
• Applicable federal, state, local, and District laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures governing public agency financial administration.
• Principles and practices of accounts payable, accounts receivable, cash management, payroll-related accounting, grant accounting, and financial reporting.
• 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.
• Analyze financial data, identify discrepancies, research accounting issues, and prepare appropriate corrections or recommendations.
• Communicate clearly and concisely in English, both orally and in writing, with District staff, management, auditors, consultants, and outside agencies.
• Interpret, explain, and apply accounting standards, financial regulations, District policies, and internal control procedures.
• Maintain complex accounting records and financial data with a high degree of accuracy and confidentiality.
• Use financial management systems, spreadsheets, databases, and other software to prepare reports and analyze financial information.
• Support audits by preparing documentation, responding to requests, and assisting with implementation of audit recommendations.
• Organize work, manage multiple priorities, meet established deadlines, and exercise sound judgment within established guidelines.
• Prepare financial information for budgets, capital projects, sewer service charges, grants, required filings, and management reporting.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Identify opportunities to improve accounting processes, internal controls, documentation, and reporting practices.
• Exercise tact, discretion, and professionalism when handling sensitive financial information.
• Follow all District policies and procedures.
• Work well independently and in a team environment.
• Provide technical assistance and guidance to staff regarding accounting procedures and financial documentation, as assigned.

Experience:

• Minimum Two (2) to five (5) years of progressively responsible professional accounting experience.
• Public sector, special district, enterprise fund, capital project accounting, grant accounting, or utility accounting experience is desirable.

Education:

Requires graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or a closely related field; and a minimum two (2) to five (5) years of progressively responsible professional accounting experience. Experience in a public agency, enterprise fund, wastewater utility, capital project accounting, or governmental accounting environment is highly desirable.

License:

Required Certifications:

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. Certification as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Public Finance Officer (CPFO), or similar professional certification is desirable, but not required.

Special Requirements:

Essential duties require the following physical abilities and work environment:

Ability to work in a standard office environment; sit for prolonged periods of time; operate a computer, calculator, and standard office equipment; read, interpret, and prepare detailed financial documents; and communicate in person, by telephone, and in writing.

Employees of West Bay Sanitary District are by State and Federal law, Disaster Service Workers. In

the event of a declaration of emergency, any employee may be assigned activities which promote the

protection of public health and safety or the preservation of lives and property either at the District or

within the locale, or your own community.