Senior Accountant

Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles seeks an experienced accounting professional to manage complex financial reporting for public programs and supervise accounting staff. The role emphasizes accuracy, compliance with HUD/CHFA standards, and timely financial statements.

Responsibilities include preparing financial statements, payroll summaries, and audits, while supervising accountants and clerical staff.

Qualifications

• Graduation from a recognized four-year college or university with at least 24 semester or 36 quarter units in Accounting; AND two years of professional level experience in government, public, or commercial accounting or auditing.

Responsibilities

• Prepares and supervises the preparation of finance statements for Authority programs on a monthly, semi-annual and annual basis.
• Prepares project cost development reports.
• Summarizes payroll and prepares monthly, quarterly, and annual reports of taxes and Workers' Compensation.
• Conducts internal audits, analyzes and updates general ledger accounts and balances.
• Checks bank reconciliation statements.
• Establishes and maintains accounting systems in accordance with HUD, CHFA and Trust Indenture requirements.
• Supervises Accountants and clerical staff in the performance of required duties.
• May establish new and/or modify existing accounting systems.
• Participates in a wide variety of assignments including the annual set up and maintenance of accounting books, the classification of transactions, trial balance, closing and end of period adjustments.
• May prepare and assist in the preparation of required local and federal financial statements and reports.
• Closes general ledgers and takes trial balances.
• Performs other related duties as assigned for training purposes or to meet technological changes or emergencies.

Skills

Accounting analysis

Financial record keeping

HUD/CHFA rules knowledge

Public accounting familiarity

Auditing

Internal controls

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting

Two years professional accounting experience in government/public/commercial sector

Tools

Ten-key calculator

Adding machines

Job description

The exam will be IN-PERSON on December 3, 2026.

Special Note: The posted salary is an estimate of the potential annual pay. Final offer will be dependent on qualifications and experience.

Definition

Performs the more technical and complex accounting assignments, including the preparation and/or supervision of financial reports and statements, general ledger and subsidiary maintenance of various Authority programs and other related financial duties. Supervises a group of accountants and clerical staff.

Characteristics of the Class

Positions allocable to this classification report to an Accounting Manager. This classification is distinguished from Accounting Manager, which is above, and from Accountant, which is below, by the size, scope, and complexity of accounting responsibilities.

• Prepares and supervises the preparation of finance statements for Authority programs on a monthly, semi-annual and annual basis.
• Prepares project cost development reports.
• Summarizes payroll and prepares monthly, quarterly, and annual reports of taxes and Workers' Compensation.
• Conducts internal audits, analyzes and updates general ledger accounts and balances.
• Checks bank reconciliation statements.
• Establishes and maintains accounting systems in accordance with Housing and Urban Development (HUD), California Housing Finance Agency (CHFA) and Trust Indenture requirements.
• Supervises Accountants and clerical staff in the performance of required duties.
• May establish new and/or modify existing accounting systems.
• Participates in a wide variety of assignments including the annual set up and maintenance of accounting books, the classification of transactions, trail balance, closing and end of period adjustments.
• May prepare and assist in the preparation of required local and federal financial statements and reports.
• Closes general ledgers and takes trial balances.
• Performs other related duties as assigned for training purposes or to meet technological changes or emergencies.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge Of

• Principles, methods, and techniques of financial and accounting analysis and administration.
• Principles and practices of financial record keeping.
• Laws and ordinance relating to the financial administration of a public agency.
• Principles and practices and procedures.
• Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requirements relative to accounting systems, reports, and procedures.
• Theory and practice of governmental and commercial accounting; cost accounting methods, and procedures and electronic data processing principles.
• Housing Authority policies, practices, procedures, and principles related to this classification.
• Trust fund accounting in relation to trust indenture; payroll taxes and reporting.

Skills In

• The application of good public and human relations techniques.
• Reading, writing, arithmetic, and analytical accounting techniques.
• The use and operation of required office machines and equipment used in accounting duties such as ten-key calculators, adding machines, and related equipment.
• Preparing mathematical computations and interpreting statistical information, graphs, charts, and diagrams.
• Effective written and verbal communication.

Ability To

• Prepare, analyze, verify, evaluate, interpret, and assemble data, including financial documents, statements, and reports and make sound recommendations.
• Perform independent research and analysis on assigned studies.
• Relate to and effectively work with Authority management and development staff, subordinate, co-workers, and others in the performance of assigned duties.
• Make sound accounting decisions within established guidelines and know limits of discretion.
• Prepare clear, accurate, and comprehensive reports.
• Meet deadlines, goals, and objectives.
• Effectively communicate orally and in writing.
• Adapt to various work assignments.
• Maintain records and reports as required.
• Plan and conduct internal audits of accounting records.
• Prepare complex financial statements and reports.
• Plan and supervise the work of accountants and clerical accounting personnel.

Minimum Qualifications

Graduation from a recognized four-year college or university with at least twenty-four (24) semester or thirty-six (36) quarter units in Accounting -AND- two (2) years of professional level experience in government, public, or commercial accounting or auditing.

Desirable Qualifications

Graduate level course work in Business Administration or preferably Finance Administration with specialization in accounting and four (4) years of professional level accounting experience working in a large public agency. Good with numbers, excellent analytical and written skills and some supervisory experience is highly desirable.

License

May be required to possess a current California Class "C" Driver's License.

Special Requirements

May be required to possess and drive an automobile.

EXAMINATION

Applications will be reviewed for relevant experience, education and training. Applications must be detailed and complete for proper evaluation. Resumes may be included but may not be submitted in lieu of application content. Only the MOST QUALIFIED APPLICANTS will be invited to the testing process, which may include any combination of oral, written and/or performance examination. Applicants must pass each phase of the testing process with a rate of 80% or higher to be placed on the "Certified List". Generation of a Certified List does not mean that there are any vacant and available positions at this time. The Certified List will be available for not less than 6 consecutive calendar months.

The EXAMINATION FOR THIS POSITION WILL OCCUR IN-PERSON ON December 3, 2026.

If you are invited to the examination process, you will receive an email from [e-mail] no later than November 24, 2026. This will be your only notice. There will be no changes to the date(s) of the examination.

REFERRAL PROCESS

Only applicants who have been placed on the certified eligibility list will be considered for job openings. Placement on the eligibility list is neither a guarantee of employment, nor is it an implied promise of work. All applicants referred from an eligibility list for selection interview(s) will be considered for the position; however, only the best-qualified applicant(s) may be selected.

SELECTION PROCEDURE

Applications will be reviewed for relevant experience, education and training. The application must be detailed and complete for proper evaluation.

HIRING INFORMATION

All job offers are contingent upon successful completion of a pre-employment evaluation, which includes: a post-offer medical examination (includes drug and alcohol screening), criminal records check, employment history and education verification, and documentation of the right to work in the United States.

Candidates will start at STEP 1 of an eight step salary range unless there are special exceptions in accordance with the Personnel Rules.

DISABILITY ACCOMMODATION

Testing Accommodations: If you require an accommodation due to a physical, mental or learning disability, please call [phone] for special assistance. Special testing accommodations may be arranged if verification of the disability is provided by a physician, rehabilitation counselor, or other authority.

Candidates who require a reasonable accommodation in any portion of the selection process should state their need in writing when submitting an application.

NOTE: The provisions of this announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract and any provisions contained in this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice.

We are an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.

As a condition of new and continued employment, employees in this classification must participate in mandatory direct deposit of payroll.

Pursuant to the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles' Conflict of Interest Policy, new and existing employees are required to refrain from participating in activities, employment or enterprises, which are in conflict with public interest and/or with his or her duties as an employee of the Authority. A copy of the Conflict of Interest Policy may be obtained by visiting our website at: http://www.hacla.org/Portals/0/Attachments/Others/ConflictofInterestPolicy.pdf

Please call NeoGov Toll-Free Applicant Support telephone line [phone] if you forget your password, have application login problems or get an error message during the application process.