Accounting Manager

City of Corona, CA; Corona (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Corona, CA is seeking an Accounting Manager to lead fiscal operations, strengthen internal controls, and support strategic initiatives with integrity and transparency.

The ideal candidate brings expertise in governmental accounting, strong leadership, and the ability to translate complex data into clear insights for departments, leadership, and the public.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Economics, Finance, Business Administration, or related field.
• Five years of progressively responsible municipal/public-sector fiscal management experience.
• Four years of supervisory or management experience overseeing professional accounting staff.
• CPA certification required; GFOA certification desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead fiscal operations and ensure accurate financial reporting for the City.
• Strengthen internal controls and support long-range financial planning.
• Provide strategic guidance, supervise accounting staff, and collaborate with departments.
• Present clear financial data and insights to leadership and stakeholders.

Skills

GAAP knowledge

government accounting

internal controls

financial reporting

leadership

communication

budgets & forecasting

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting or related field

CPA certification

Tools

ERP systems

accounting software

spreadsheets & databases

Job description

Step into a leadership role that shapes the financial future of the City of Corona. As our next Accounting Manager, you'll guide critical fiscal operations, strengthen internal controls, support strategic initiatives, and ensure the City continues to thrive with integrity, transparency, and innovation!

The ideal candidate is a strategic, forward-thinking financial professional who brings a strong command of governmental accounting and a commitment to excellence in public service. They are an effective leader who empowers their team, fosters collaboration, and drives high-quality work through clear communication and sound decision-making. This candidate thrives in a fast-paced environment, anticipates challenges, and proactively develops solutions that strengthen internal controls, enhance financial reporting, and support long-range fiscal planning. They demonstrate integrity, adaptability, and a high level of professionalism while confidently navigating complex financial operations, regulatory requirements, and Citywide partnerships.

position is FLSA Exempt - ineligible for overtime compensation.

Key Characteristics

• Strategic thinker with a strong command of municipal finance.
• Collaborative leader who motivates, develops, and empowers professional accounting staff.
• Detail-oriented and analytical, with the ability to see beyond the numbers to identify trends, risks, and solutions.
• Adaptable professional who can manage multiple high-impact projects and deadlines in a dynamic environment.
• Clear and confident communicator who can translate complex financial data into meaningful insight for departments, leadership, and stakeholders.

Education & Experience

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Economics, Finance, Business Administration, or a closely related field.
• Five years of progressively responsible experience in municipal or public-sector fiscal management, including accounting, budgeting, purchasing, financial reporting, public debt, and investment portfolio administration.
• Four years of supervisory or management experience overseeing professional accounting staff.
• CPA certification required; GFOA certification highly desirable.

Skills & Abilities

• Strong knowledge of GAAP, governmental accounting, internal controls, auditing, financial reporting, debt issuance, and budget administration.
• Proficiency in ERP systems, accounting software, spreadsheets, databases, and related financial applications.
• Ability to analyze financial data, forecast trends, and prepare clear, comprehensive financial statements and reports.
• Skilled in developing and implementing financial policies, procedures, and internal control systems.
• Effective leadership and interpersonal skills, including coaching, training, team building, and performance evaluation.
• Ability to prioritize and coordinate multiple projects, meet strict deadlines, and maintain accuracy under pressure.
• Exceptional communication skills with the ability to present financial concepts clearly to staff, management, elected officials, and the public.
• Commitment to confidentiality, professionalism, and ethical financial stewardship.

Community

A City whose heritage spans more than a century, the City of Corona, located in Riverside County, California, encompasses around 40 square miles and has a vibrant, culturally diverse population of approximately 168,100 residents. Residents of Corona enjoy a variety of cultural, recreational, and educational opportunities that provide a first-rate quality of life for its residents and visitors. Within an hour's travel time, outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy such winter activities as snowboarding and skiing and such summer activities as surfing, boating, or simply relaxing on a beach. Corona's economy is strong and getting stronger; more than 84,000 people work here. Our retail, commercial, and housing areas are expanding, and office development continues to be strong.

The Organization

The City of Corona is a General Law city operating under a Council-Manager form of government. Policymaking and legislative authority is vested in the City Council, consisting of a Mayor and four Council Members. Members of the City Council are elected by District to a four-year term. The Mayor is selected by the Council and serves as the presiding officer for one year.

The City is organized into the following departments/organizational units: Community Services, City Manager's Office, Economic Development, Finance, Fire, Human Resources, Information Technology, Legal and Risk Management, Police, Planning & Development, Public Works and Utilities. Oversight of these departments is divided between the City Manager and two Assistant City Managers.

The City's total operating budget for Fiscal Year 2026 is $422.7 million with a General Fund operating budget of $231.3 million. Corona enjoys a workforce of 935 dedicated employees who provide high-quality services to its residents and visitors each day.