Accounting Manager

City of Fountain Valley; Fountain Valley (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

4/10 Work Schedule

CalPERS retirement

Flex dollars for CalPERS medical

Matching deferred compensation (up to

City-paid long-term disability

Administrative Leave (80 hours)

11 paid holidays

Job summary

The City of Fountain Valley is seeking an Accounting Manager to lead and oversee the city’s accounting, accounts payable and receivable, and financial reporting functions. The ideal candidate will strengthen internal controls, guide staff development, and ensure the integrity and transparency of fiscal operations in support of the city’s services.

Responsibilities include coordinating year-end closings, ACFR preparation, budget development support, and liaising with auditors, departments, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in accounting, business, or related field.
• Master’s degree in Business or Public Finance desirable.
• Five years of professional accounting/finance experience in governmental or non-profit environments; three years in budgeting, cost analysis, and audit functions; at least two years in a supervisory role.

Responsibilities

• Oversee accounting, accounts payable and receivable functions.
• Develop, maintain, and evaluate accounting systems and internal controls; recommend improvements.
• Coordinate fiscal year-end closing, including ledgers, revenues, expenditures, accruals, and debt; prepare GASB adjustments.
• Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports for county, state, and federal agencies.

Skills

Leadership

Financial reporting

Budgeting & forecasting

Internal controls

Education

Bachelor's Degree in accounting, business or related field

Master’s in Business or Public Finance desirable

Job description

MORE THAN A JOB - AN OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE, GROW, AND MAKE AN IMPACT

ABOUT THE ROLE

The City of Fountain Valley is seeking an accomplished and forward-thinking municipal finance professional to serve as its next Accounting Manager a key leadership role for someone who is passionate about fiscal integrity, operational excellence, and developing high-performing teams.

Working under the general direction of the Finance Director, the Accounting Manager provides leadership and oversight of the City's core accounting and financial reporting functions, helping ensure the accuracy, integrity, and transparency of the City's financial operations. This position plays a vital role in safeguarding public resources, strengthening internal controls, ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations, and promoting sound financial management practices throughout the organization.

Beyond overseeing day-to-day accounting operations, the Accounting Manager will lead and develop staff, foster a culture of accountability and continuous improvement, and identify opportunities to streamline processes, enhance efficiency, and strengthen financial systems and procedures. The position also contributes to the City's long-term financial sustainability through budget development support, financial analysis, forecasting, and strategic planning. A key responsibility is overseeing the preparation of the City's Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR), ensuring timely, accurate, and transparent financial reporting in accordance with applicable standards and requirements.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced finance professional to bring both technical expertise and a collaborative leadership approach to a high-impact role. With a balance of operational independence, direct partnership with executive leadership, and the opportunity to shape financial practices and processes, the Accounting Manager will help support the City's long-term fiscal health and its commitment to delivering effective, responsible public services.

EXCELLENT BENEFITS INCLUDE

• 4/10 Work Schedule
• An incredible retirement / pension: CalPERS (2%@60 for Classic or 2%@62 for PEPRA)
• Flex dollars for CalPERS medical HMO/PPO plans
• Matching deferred compensation contribution (up to $75 per month)
• City-paid long-term disability insurance
• Generous leave accruals, including 80 hours of Administrative Leave
• 11 paid holidays, including one floating holiday

• Assist in the development and implementation of the Department's goals, policies and priorities relating to accounting and revenue.
• Coordinate and assist with preparation of the City's Tax Measure Oversight Committee, City Council reports and presentations.
• Supervises the City's accounting, accounts payable and receivable functions.
• Develops, maintains, and evaluates accounting systems and internal control procedures and recommend improvements.
• Coordinate and conduct the fiscal year end closing, including reviewing general ledgers, revenues, expenditures, grant funds, capital asset additions and deductions, accruals in proprietary funds and long-term debt additions and reductions, prepare the Governmental Accounting Standards Board adjustments and close general ledgers.
• Research, analyze and prepare reports with recommendations on a variety of matters pertaining to the Finance Department.
• Prepare the City's monthly, quarterly, and annual County, State, and Federal financial reports.
• Project cash flow; forecast revenues; anticipate debt service payment; estimates fund balances; maintain pooled investment and long-term debt records.
• Coordinate the preparation of the City's Annual Comprehensive Financial Report.
• Assist with the preparation of the City's annual operating budget, mid-year budget, and 20-year fiscal forecast; transfer of funds; review budget expenditures and revenues.
• Coordinate annual audits with external auditors.
• Oversee and approve journal entries recorded in the accounting system.
• Plan, direct, coordinate and review the work plan for staff; meet with staff to identify and resolve problems; assign work activities, projects and programs; monitor workflow; review and evaluate employee performance evaluation and work product, methods and procedures.
• Attends leadership, management, supervisory and financial training to stay abreast of industry best practices.
• Respond to inquiries from other City staff, other agencies and the public concerning regulations, procedures, records, fees, rules, rates, vendors and accounts.

An equivalent combination of experience and education sufficient to perform the essential job functions and provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical combination includes the following:

EDUCATION

Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in accounting, business or a related field is required. A Master's degree in Business or Public Finance is desirable.

EXPERIENCE

Five years of progressively responsible professional accounting and finance experience in a governmental or non-profit environment, which includes three years with primary, responsibility for budgeting, cost analysis and audit functions and at least two years at a supervisory level.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT

The incumbent will be required to prepare for and attend meetings after normal work hours as required.

To access the full class specification, including a comprehensive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required, please click on the following link: Accounting Manager

QUESTIONS REGARDING THIS RECRUITMENT

[e-mail]

SELECTION PROCESS

The selection process may include one or more of the following: application review, written test, performance exam, and/or oral interview examination. The employment application and supplemental questions will be evaluated based on the employment standards and minimum qualifications listed above.

IMPORTANT RECRUITMENT INFORMATION

All employment offers made by the City are contingent upon establishing proof of a prospective candidate's legal authorization to work in the United States and successfully completing all components of the pre-employment process which may include but is not limited to: reference checks, background investigation, credit check, California Department of Justice (DOJ) criminal history check (Live Scan fingerprinting), and pre-employment medical examination.

The City of Fountain Valley is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer. Candidates with a disability who may need accommodations during the selection process must notify the Human Resources Department at least 72 hours in advance of the test date.

NOTE

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by persons assigned to this job. They are not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties, responsibilities and skills required.