Director of Accounting

San Mateo County Transit District; Millbrae (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

San Mateo County Transit District (SamTrans) seeks a Director of Accounting to lead Financial Reporting and General Ledger for SamTrans, Caltrain, TA, and SMCELJPA. This senior role oversees grants, capital projects, payroll, capital asset management, and accounts payable.

You will direct audits, ACFR production, internal controls, and partner with Treasury and Budgets to ensure accurate financial data and timely external reporting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, economics, finance or related field.
• Seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in accounting, auditing, or finance.
• Three (3) years of full-time management experience in governmental accounting.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all general ledger and accounts payable transactions and reporting.
• Direct audit process and the production and publication of the ACFR and other financial reporting for SamTrans, Caltrain, TA, and SMCELJPA.
• Direct grants accounting, capital assets accounting, investment and debt accounting.
• Lead development and implementation of accounting processes across AP, operating/capital expense recording, and external reporting.
• Coordinate with Treasury on investments, debt, and grants financing.
• Lead budgeting collaboration to ensure consistency in reported financial data.
• Supervise staff, hire and develop personnel, enforce policies, and ensure safety.

Skills

General Ledger

Accounts Payable

Financial Reporting

GASB Standards

Governance & Compliance

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting

Job description

The Director of Accounting is responsible for organizing, directing, and supervising the Financial Reporting and General Ledger, accounting for grants and capital projects, Payroll, Capital Asset Management, and Accounts Payable functions for the San Mateo County Transit District (SamTrans), Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board (Caltrain), San Mateo County Transportation Authority (TA), and San Mateo County Express Lane JPA (SMCELJPA).

Essential Functions & Duties:

• Oversee all general ledger and accounts payable (A/P) transactions and reporting.
• Direct audit process and the production and publication of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Reports (ACFR) and any other special financial reporting for all four agencies.
• Direct grants accounting, capital assets accounting, investment and debt accounting.
• Lead the development and implementation of processes for accounts payable, operating and capital expense recording, internal and external financial reporting, and the distribution of financial information.
• Work with the Treasury department in the development and implementation of financing mechanisms, investment of funds, bonds, and notes proceeds.
• Work with the Budgets department in the development and implementation of the annual budgets to achieve reasonable consistency in the reporting of financial data
• Lead process of procurement of accounting & auditing related contract services in partnership with contracts & procurement.
• Work with Financial Planning & Analysis, Risk Management, Fare/Program Operations, and other Departments in the development of operating forecasts and financial analysis.
• Supervise staff. Hire, mentor and take appropriate corrective and/or disciplinary action. Ensure EEO policies and procedures are followed. Participate in selection of staff. Coordinate staff training and professional development. Establish performance objectives. Monitor and evaluate employee performance.

Examples of Essential Duties:

• Oversee the month-end and year-end closes of financial transactions.
• Directproductionoffinancialstatementsandotherinformationforinternalandexternalpurposes, including: the audit documents, the Annual Comprehensive Financial Reports (ACFRs), monthly and quarterly financial statements, and external reporting of the National Transit Database (NTD) and the state required Financial Transaction Reports for SamTrans, Caltrain, TA, and SMCELJPA.
• Direct all Payroll transactions.
• Oversee disbursements for Payroll and Accounts Payable.
• Oversee the accounting for the agencies’ capital assets.
• In coordination with Treasury, direct accounting for investments, debt, and grants.
• Develop and manage administrative and accounting policies, services, structures, controls, and reporting systems.
• Evaluate staff job performance, which also includes the professional development of staff through the identification of on-the-job and other professional development opportunities.
• Perform all job duties and responsibilities in a safe manner to protect one’s self, fellow employees, and the public from injury or harm. Promote safety awareness and follow safety procedures in an effort to reduce or eliminate accidents.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

Sufficient experience, training and/or education to demonstrate the knowledge and ability to successfully perform the essential functions of the position. In lieu of a degree, work-related experience that demonstrates the skills and experience necessary to perform this role will be accepted. Development of the required knowledge and abilities is typically obtained through but not limited to:

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, economics, finance or related field.
• Seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in accounting, auditing, or finance.
• Three (3) years of full-time management experience in governmental accounting or enterprise accounting.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Strong governmental accounting experience is desirable.
• Experience utilizing Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and implementing complicated GASB Standards.