Senior Accountant (Capital Improvement Program)

City of Pasadena; Pasadena (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

CalPERS retirement

Health insurance

Paid leave (holidays, sick, vacation)

Life & LTDI insurance

Vision, life, accident, critical Ill.

Professional Development Allowance

Job summary

The City of Pasadena is seeking an advanced level Senior Accountant to maintain and control assigned accounting systems within the Finance Department. The role emphasizes advanced accounting tasks, financial analysis, and cross-training opportunities for staff.

The ideal candidate will perform analyses, prepare financial reports for audits, and contribute to budget processes under CalPERS retirement benefits. A bachelor's degree and relevant experience are required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance or related field.
• Two years of advanced accounting experience.
• Experience with general accounting, financial statements, grants, and audits.

Responsibilities

• Perform advanced accounting tasks to support policies and procedures.
• Record, reconcile, and analyze financial data including interfund transfers, billings, bank reconciliations, A/P and A/R, and contracts.
• Conduct fluctuation analyses such as 6-, 9-, and 12-month fund analyses.
• Prepare reports on fund availability, obligations, and recommendations.
• Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports and year-end schedules for audits.
• Develop and maintain ledgers and schedules; monitor revenues and expenses.

Skills

Learning Agility

Attention to Detail

Professional & Technical Expertise

Self-Management

Analyzing & Interpreting Data

Relationship Building

Customer Focus

Excel Proficiency

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance

Job description

Please note: This recruitment is open continuous with first consideration given to those who apply by August 6, 2026. This recruitment may close at any time.

The City of Pasadena is seeking an advanced level senior accountant with strong accounting and financial analysis skills to maintain and control assigned accounting systems. The Finance Department has one vacancy for a Senior Accountant position that will bolster existing staff and provide more cross-training opportunities.

The Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate for this position will perform advanced level accounting tasks, supporting the activities of the General Accounting group in the Department of Finance. To learn more about the Department of Finance click here: Finance

Essential Functions

• Perform a wide range of advanced accounting administrative tasks to support, streamline, and uphold effective accounting practices and policies.
• Records, reviews, reconciles and analyzes financial data including interfund transfers, billings, bank reconciliations, accounts receivable and payable, bank notes and loans, leases and other financial contracts and/or agreements.
• Conducts fluctuation analysis, such as 6-month, 9-month and annual fund analysis.
• Performs analyses; develops and recommends improved accounting methods and procedures; Prepares reports on fund availability and obligations.
• Prepares various statements and evaluations, formulating recommendations based on findings.
• Develops and maintains schedules to include subsidiary accounts and general ledgers; monitors and evaluates revenues and expenses.
• Reviews, verifies, audits and processes contract and disbursements.
• Validates and prepares monthly, quarterly and annual financial reports and various year-end schedules for audits.
• Designs and implements accounting systems to meet changing financial information and reporting requirements; Reviews and communicates the fiscal outlook for assigned departments, projects, programs or funds.
• Participates in the preparation of budget and financial reporting required by Federal, State and local statutes and regulations.
• Acts as an information source to private and public audiences, agencies and City personnel to provide relevant information on accounting and fiscal related matters and issues.
• Represents the Department of Finance in meetings with financial institutions, investment agencies, external auditors, and City staff.
• Performs or directs the staff work and collection of data necessary to perform assigned or required accounting functions and other fiscal tasks for effective accounting operations; may supervise and evaluate the work performance of professionals and/or other staff.
• Provides staff training and development programs.
• Provides guidance to subordinate staff and administers disciplinary actions when necessary.
• May act in the absence of the Principal Accountant.

Qualification Guidelines

Competencies

• Learning Agility – understands the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making; is skilled at soliciting feedback and using it to improve performance.
• Attention to Detail – has an eye for detail; spots mistakes, incomplete, or faulty work early-on; carefully reviews documents before giving approval and submitting.
• Professional & Technical Expertise – demonstrates detailed understanding of function's procedures, methods, and terminology; has comprehensive knowledge of the organization's operations.
• Self-Management – is comfortable working on their own; is action-oriented and self-motivated.
• Analyzing & Interpreting Data – effectively organizes a mass of data for analysis; interprets trends and reports; resolves findings; prepares excellent summaries with sound recommendations.
• Relationship Building – treats confrontation as clarification rather than confronting the person, seeks to clarify the issue; sees the value in maintaining relationships for long‑term potential.
• Customer Focus – recognizes customer needs; encourages and listens to customer feedback; treats internal customers with the same care and respect as external.
• Using Technology – advanced Excel skills in VLOOKUP, sumifs, and pivot tables are preferred.

Education And Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration or a closely related field and
• Two years of increasingly responsible advanced accounting experience.
• Experience in the following functions is highly preferred: general accounting, financial statements preparation including statement of cash flows, fund analysis, State Controller's report preparation, capital assets including capital improvement projects (CIP), capitalizing projects and infrastructure, accounts receivable, government audits, grants, and Single Audit.

SELECTION PROCESS

Those applicants who appear best qualified based on their application submitted will be invited to any combination of written, performance, or oral appraisal to further evaluate their job‑related experience, education, knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Candidates selected for this position are subject to a one‑year probationary work period.

VACANCY INFORMATION

There is one Senior Accountant vacancy in the Finance Department, which may be filled as a result of this selection process. The resulting eligibility list from this recruitment may be used to fill this vacancy and similar vacancies in the future.

Retirement

The City of Pasadena contracts with the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) to offer a defined benefits program for eligible employees.

“New” CalPERS members are subject to the provisions of the Public Employees’ Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA) and receive the following benefit formula: 2% at 62

“Classic” members of CalPERS receive the following benefit formula: 2.5% at 55

Deferred Compensation

The City offers a 457(b) deferred compensation plan to help employees save for their retirement and supplement their CalPERS pension. Employees can defer salary with pre‑tax or Roth after‑tax deductions.

Health Insurance

The City contracts with CalPERS to offer several comprehensive health plans that include Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) plans and Preferred Provider Organization (PPO).

Other Benefits include

• Dental Insurance (HMO and PPO plans offered)
• Paid leave (holidays, sick leave, vacation leave)
• City‑paid Life and Long‑Term Disability insurance
• Voluntary vision, life, accident, and critical illness insurance
• Medical & Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• Professional Development Allowance
• Free Employee Assistance Program
• These benefits may vary for employees whose FTE is less than .75 or work less than 30 hours per week.