Finance Manager - Accounting (20786227)

Menlo Park; Menlo Park (CA); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical plans

Educational reimbursement

Caltrain GoPass

Job summary

The City of Menlo Park is seeking a Finance Manager to lead the Administrative Services accounting team. You will plan, organize, and oversee general accounting functions, including the general ledger, reconciliations, and financial close, while coordinating annual financial statements and external audits in compliance with GAAP and GASB standards.

Ideal candidates bring five years of progressive accounting experience with leadership experience, preferably in a public agency, and a CPA is

Qualifications

• Equivalent to graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in accounting, finance, or a closely related field and five (5) years of progressively responsible professional accounting experience.
• This must include two (2) years of lead or supervisory experience. Public agency experience is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Plans, organizes, manages, and oversees the City’s general accounting functions, including general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, reconciliations, financial close, and related accounting operations.
• Oversees accounting systems and financial data integrity and ensures the timely and accurate completion of accounting activities and financial reporting requirements.
• Directs the preparation of, and participates in developing, financial statements and fiscal reports, including monthly, quarterly, and annual reports, as well as the City’s annual financial reporting documents.
• Coordinates the City’s annual financial statement preparation and external audit activities and ensures adherence to applicable governmental accounting principles, financial reporting requirements, and professional standards.
• Evaluates accounting processes and internal controls and implements improvements as needed.
• Provides complex financial analysis and recommendations to management and prepares clear, comprehensive, and concise accounting, financial, and statistical reports.
• Plans, organizes, assigns, reviews, and evaluates the work of assigned staff and provides or coordinates staff training.
• Develops and standardizes procedures and methods to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of accounting operations, financial reporting, and internal controls.

Skills

GAAP knowledge

GASB standards

Public sector accounting

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting/finance

Job description

Menlo Park is a city of beautiful, tree-lined neighborhoods and active commercial districts. Located conveniently between the major metropolitan areas of San Francisco and San Jose, Menlo Park is home to just approximately 32,000 residents in its 19 square miles. The stunning natural surroundings of the city afford views of the San Francisco Bay to the east and the Pacific Coastal Range to the west. Menlo Park’s climate is moderate to warm, with an average of 265 sunny days a year.

Menlo Park’s residents reflect a range of backgrounds and interests who tend to be well educated and actively engaged in community life. Excellent public and private schools serve its many young families, while residents of all ages enjoy the City’s numerous parks and recreational facilities. The City’s close proximity to Stanford University and Menlo College provide a multitude of academic, cultural and athletic event opportunities. The arts and leisure activities of the major urban areas of San Francisco and San Jose are close by. These and many other amenities contribute to Menlo Park’s outstanding quality of life.

Located in the heart of Menlo Park is a downtown featuring unique and upscale shops, restaurants and entertainment, including the Guild Theatre. Set in a pleasant, pedestrian-oriented atmosphere, Menlo Park’s downtown area attracts locals and visitors alike. Known worldwide as the “Capital of Venture Capital,” Menlo Park hosts many venture capital firms and is well situated to benefit from and help shape new technologies and markets originating from the Silicon Valley. Additionally, the city is host to numerous technology and healthcare related companies, including such major employers as Meta (formerly Facebook), SRI International, Pacific Biosciences, Exponent, Grail and Personalis.

Menlo Park is a General Law city operatingunder the Council-Manager form of government. The City Council appoints the City Manager and City Attorney, as well as members of a variety of advisory commissions and committees. The municipal government is organized into six operating departments, including Administrative Services, City Manager's Office, Community Development, Library and Community Services, Police, and Public Works. The City is comprised ofapproximately 300 employees.

In addition to its many attributes, Menlo Park has one of the most beautiful civic center campuses in the Bay Area. Heritage trees, a running fountain, and a duck pond surround City Hall. The campus also includes a nine-acre park, recreation facilities, and the Menlo Park Library. These civic amenities make the campus a noted destination for residents, local employees, and visitors. Conveniently located, the campus is a short walk to our downtownarea with food and shopping destinations, as well as theMenlo Park Caltrain Station.

The City of Menlo Park is recruiting for the exciting and challenging position of Finance Manager. As a member of theAdministrative Services team, the incumbent will plan, organize, manage, and oversee the City’s general accounting functions, including general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, reconciliations, financial close, and related accounting operations. This position will oversee accounting systems and financial data integrity and direct the preparation of financial statements and fiscal reports, ensuring adherence to applicable governmental accounting principles, professional standards, and financial reporting requirements.

The Finance Manager is responsible forcoordinatingthe City’s annual financial statement preparation and external audit activitiesand providingcomplex financial analysis and recommendations to management. This position works collaboratively with City departments and staff, including payroll and accounts payable, to support the reliability and integrity of the City’s financial standing.

Examples of essential job functions:

• Plans, organizes, manages, and oversees the City’s general accounting functions, including general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, reconciliations, financial close, and related accounting operations.
• Oversees accounting systems and financial data integrity and ensures the timely and accurate completion of accounting activities and financial reporting requirements.
• Directs the preparation of, and participates in developing, financial statements and fiscal reports, including monthly, quarterly, and annual reports, as well as the City’s annual financial reporting documents.
• Coordinates the City’s annual financial statement preparation and external audit activities and ensures adherence to applicable governmental accounting principles, financial reporting requirements, and professional standards.
• Evaluates accounting processes and internal controls and implements improvements as needed.
• Provides complex financial analysis and recommendations to management and prepares clear, comprehensive, and concise accounting, financial, and statistical reports.
• Plans, organizes, assigns, reviews, and evaluates the work of assigned staff and provides or coordinates staff training.
• Develops and standardizes procedures and methods to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of accounting operations, financial reporting, and internal controls.

Requires knowledge of:

• Governmental accounting, fund accounting, and municipal financial reporting.
• GAAP and GASB standards applicable to municipal governments.
• General ledger, reconciliation, year-end closing, and financial statement preparation.
• Internal controls, auditing, and financial compliance.
• Administrative principles and practices, including goal setting, program development, implementation, and evaluation.
• Principles and practices of employee supervision, including work planning, assignment, review and evaluation, and the training of staff in work procedures.
• Organization and management practices as applied to the development, analysis, and evaluation of financial services programs, policies, and operational needs.
• Principles and practices of researching issues, evaluating alternatives, making sound recommendations, and preparing and presenting effective staff reports.
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulatory codes, ordinances, and procedures relevant to the assigned area of responsibility.

As part of the Administrative Services Department,we believe that it is our people and the power of teamwork that enable us to succeed. We believe that how we get our work done is as important as getting the job done. Our values guide how we behave as a team each day, acting with:

• Humility – Sharing credit and defining success collectively rather than individually, jumping in to help where we are needed, and putting the needs of the team ahead of our own self-interest.
• Emotional Intelligence – Understanding the impact that our words and actions have on one another, knowing when to listen and when to share our perspective, and striving to include everyone by respecting, listening to, helping, and appreciating one another.
• Passion – Showing initiative and enthusiasm in our work, delivering outstanding, data-based results, and having a can‑do, find‑a‑way attitude.
• Integrity – Doing what we say we are going to do, communicating clearly and openly, and holding ourselves accountable for the work we do in our respective roles.

The City offers hybrid and flexible schedule options. This positionis eligible for a 9/80 schedule (every other Friday off) and working from home 1-2 days per week.

We are seeking a highly skilled governmental accounting professional who pairs deep technical expertise with practical management skill. They bring extensive experience in general ledger maintenance, account reconciliation, financial forecast, and public-sector financial reporting, along with a strong command of GAAP, GASB standards, internal controls, and audit requirements. Municipal or public agency experience is highly desirable.

They lead by example, setting clear expectations, training staff in sound procedures, and overseeing accounting operations to ensure the timely and accurate completion of the close, financial statements, and the annual audit. Analytical and detail-oriented, they are skilled at resolving complex accounting issues and identifying opportunities to improve accounting processes and internal controls.

The ideal candidate communicates complex financial information clearly through comprehensive and concise reports and well-reasoned recommendations that hold up to scrutiny from auditors, legal counsel, and the public. A collaborative partner, they establish effective working relationships with City departments, help colleagues meet their goals within policy, and bring tact and composure to sensitive situations. Above all, they are committed to the reliability and integrity of the City’s financial standing and the responsible stewardship of public funds.

Minimum Qualifications

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:

• Equivalent to graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in accounting, finance, or a closely related field and five (5) years of progressively responsible professional accounting experience, including general ledger maintenance, account reconciliation, governmental fund accounting, and preparation of annual financial statements in accordance with GAAP and GASB standards. This must include two (2) years of lead or supervisory experience. Public agency experience is highly desirable.
• Possession of a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) certificate is highly desirable.

The City provides a generous benefits package for unrepresented management positions designed to achieve total compensation above the market median among comparable agencies and promote employee health, wellness, and work-life balance, including:

• CalPERS Retirement – Classic members 2% at 60 and 2% at 62 for PEPRA members. Employees pay the full member contribution. The City does not participate in Social Security, except for the 1.45% Medicare contribution by both the City and employee.
• Medical Plans – City pays 100% medical, dental, and vision insurance for employee and eligible dependents.
• Educational Reimbursement – City reimburses up to $3,600 per year for tuition expenses.
• Life Insurance – City provided policy equal to 1.5 times the employee’s annual salary up to $350,000.
• Deferred Compensation – City matches employee contribution up to 4% of salary or to the IRS maximum, whichever is less.
• Paid Time Off – Includes 338 hours of General Leave, 80 hours of Management Leave, and 11 official paid holidays per year. Up to 120 hours may be cashed out annually. Accrued General Leave is fully paid out upon separation from the City.
• Health Reimbursement – City contribution of $2,500 per year for health reimbursement arrangement.
• Auto Allowance – Employees who are not assigned a City vehicle receive an auto allowance of $285 per pay period.
• City is also enrolled in Caltrain GoPass and BayPass pilot program for free access to all bus, rail, and ferry services in the nine-county Bay Area. The Menlo Park Caltrain station is a five-minute walk from City Hall.
• Annual Bonus – City Manager may award a bonus of up to $20,000 per fiscal year.
• Additional Benefits – City paid long-term disability and AD&D insurance. Counseling and referral services provided through the Employee Assistance Program. Access to on-site gym.
• We offer hybrid and flexible work arrangements, including a 9/80 schedule with the option to work remotely up to one day per week.

For more detailedbenefit information, visit www.menlopark.gov and review the City of Menlo Park Management Compensation Plan for Unrepresented Appointees.

Interviews

Interviews

• Oral Board/Department Interviewsare tentativelyscheduled for Wednesday, November 18, 2026.
• Final Interviewsare tentativelyscheduled for Thursday,November 19, 2026.

The City of Menlo Park is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of the City of Menlo Park not to discriminate against all qualified applicants or employees. We will make reasonable efforts in the selection process to accommodate persons with disabilities. Please contact Human Resources at [phone] or [e-mail] prior to the closing date for accommodation requests.

Before receiving an offer of employment, the candidate will be required to successfully complete a criminal conviction history questionnaire, DOJ fingerprinting, and an Occuscreen background check.

In accordance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act, all potential employees are required to verify identity and authorization to work in the United States.