Accounting Unit Manager

Salary: $173,513.60 - $221,603.20 Annually Location : CA, CA Job Type: Full-Time Job Number: 01815-E Division: Financial Planning and Management Services Unit: General Accounting Opening Date: 08/29/2024 Closing Date: Continuous Description Valley Water is searching for top-tier candidates to fill this exciting opportunity. Internal candidates will get first consideration. For priority consideration, apply as soon as possible. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and interviews will be conducted with qualified candidates throughout the recruitment period. The position will remain open until filled. Overview: Valley Water is seeking a highly experienced public sector Accounting Manager to oversee its General Accounting Unit. The General Accounting Manager will prepare the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) and is responsible for managing the General Accounting Unit which includes general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, bank deposits, financial reporting, employee expense reimbursements, payroll, and payroll and financial systems maintenance. The Accounting Manager oversees the work of 17 employees, including three senior accountants. Our Commitment: Racial equity, diversity and inclusion are integral to Valley Water. We are committed to building and sustaining an inclusive and equitable working environment for all. We believe every member of our team enriches our diversity, contributes to inclusion, and strengthens belonging by broadening our perspective and collective understanding of the world around us to accomplish our mission to equitably provide safe, clean water, natural flood protections, and environmental stewardship. About Valley Water: Valley Water is a public agency with an operating and capital budget of $964 million, and over 900 employees. With headquarters in San José, Valley Water provides water supply, enhances streams and watersheds through creek restoration and habitat protection, provides flood protection for homes, schools, businesses and roadways, and partners with other agencies to provide trails and open space for the community. Valley Water manages 10 dams and surface water reservoirs, three water treatment plants, an advanced recycled water purification center, a state of-the-art water quality laboratory, nearly 400 acres of groundwater recharge ponds, and more than 275 miles of streams. Valley Water provides wholesale water and groundwater management services to local municipalities and private water retailers who deliver drinking water directly to nearly 2 million people in Santa Clara County that stretches 1,300 square miles and encompasses 15 cities and unincorporated areas. Key Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Management of daily Accounting Unit activities including accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, financial reporting, and general ledger. Management of the development and preparation of Valley Water's Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and standards of the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting program. Manages general accounting services responsible for performing general accounting, financial systems maintenance and control, and financial reporting functions to ensure compliance with laws, regulations, Valley Water and Board policies, and professional standards, as well as to ensure financial internal controls are in place. Manages accounts payable services including processing authorized payments for goods and services accurately and timely to vendors, contractors, and consultants. Manages accounts receivable, bank deposits, and the accounting of all revenue income. Manages payroll services including processing biweekly payroll, benefit, and payroll tax disbursements in accordance with provisions of employment agreements, Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) agreements, labor laws, tax regulations, policies, and professional standards. Management of special projects as required including financial systems maintenance, CFO requests and support work of other Finance Division units. Supervision of the work of 17 employees in the Accounting Unit including three senior accountants. Verifies and approves financial records; directs the preparation of mandatory reports and tax returns for federal, state, and local agencies as required. Directs the preparation of complete audit schedules and manages successful completion of the interim and final annual financial audits. Recommends, establishes, and administers internal accounting controls in accordance with standard audit requirements; ensures compliance with Government Accounting Standards Board (GASB) financial reporting requirements and updates. Reviews and signs off on processing of agreements valued less than $500,000 for financial propriety and impact, funding source verification, and proper account coding. Represents Valley Water to auditors, vendors, contractors, consultants, third party benefits administrators, and financial institution management and staff. Ideal Candidate's Background Includes: Applicants whose experience and background best match the ideal experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, and education are considered ideal candidates for the position. To determine the top candidates, each applicant will be assessed based on the ideal candidate criteria as listed below. Ideal Experience: Five (5) or more years of public agency accounting management experience. Two (2) or more years of direct supervisory experience of accounting functions in a public agency setting (preferably managing at least ten or more staff). Five or more years of experience managing government accounting, payroll, accounts payable, and general ledger. Experience implementing GASB requirements. Experience overseeing and preparing financial statements for audits, ACFR, State Controllers Report. Ideal Skills and Abilities: Administers complex, technical, and sensitive accounting services and projects in an independent and cooperative manner. Analyzes complex accounting transactions and applies to development of financial statements. Prepares various financial reports, including the ACFR. Develops, revises, utilizes, and maintains manual and automated accounting systems. Establishes internal accounting controls in accordance with accounting operations. Evaluates and develops improvements to accounting operations, procedures, policies, or methods. Conducts accounting research, evaluates alternatives, makes sound recommendations, and prepares effective staff reports. Excellent communication, presentation, and relationship-building skills. Impeccable judgment and responsible decision-making in situations with minimal oversight. Drives toward solutions even as priorities change, and challenges arise on a moment-to-moment basis. Flexibility to adapt to ever-changing and fast-paced environment. Ability to navigate the political field without violating policy or ethics. Ability to lead staff, build cohesive teams and create a culture of service excellence. Energetic and motivating team leadership style. Strong work ethic. Ideal Knowledge: Generally accepted accounting principles. Principles, practices, and applications of governmental accounting, auditing, and accounting standard board statements applicable to Valley Water. Organization and quality management practices as applied to the development, analysis, and evaluation of programs, policies, and operational needs of accounting services. Principles and practices of budget development and administration, contract negotiation and management, and sound financial management policies and procedures. Practices of researching accounting issues, evaluating alternatives, making sound recommendations, and preparing and presenting effective staff reports. Ideal Training and Education: Equivalent to graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in accounting, finance, economics, business or public administration, or a related field. Required License or Certificate CPA and/or MBA/CPFO preferred Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid California driver's license. Individuals who do not meet the driver's license requirement due to a disability will be considered for a reasonable accommodation on a case-by-case basis. To review the Classification Specification, please click General Accounting Unit (Position Code 386) Valley Water Telework Program: Eligibility for telework will depend on the type of work performed, operational needs, and the ability for the employee to perform the essential functions of their job duties while teleworking. Employment with Valley Water requires employees to live within 150 miles of their primary physical work location located in San Jose, California by their start date. This position is eligible for a hybrid telework schedule, typically working 40% remote and 60% onsite. Selection Process (1) The selection process may include one or more of the following: application review, application assessment, performance exercise, written exercise and/or interview. (2) The Employment Application, Qualifying Information Questions and/or Supplemental Questions will be evaluated based on the ideal candidate criteria listed above. Resumes are highly recommended. NOTE: Position and start date is subject to availability of funds. Valley Water retains the right to repost this position as deemed necessary. Consideration may be given to existing applicant pools within the same classification. Valley Water's Equal Opportunity Non-Discrimination Policy is available for review upon request. Valley Water will make reasonable efforts in the examination process to accommodate persons with disabilities. Please advise Human Resources in advance of any special needs by calling . Please be aware that once submitted all application materials become the property of Valley Water and will not be returned. Human Resources staff are not authorized to make copies of application materials for applicants. The Santa Clara Valley Water District, now known as Valley Water, offers a comprehensive benefit package including, vacation, holidays, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, EAP, life and disability insurance. In addition, Valley Water participates in the California Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). To view a summary of benefits, click 01 I acknowledge that I have entered my Work Experience and Education on the employment application and I am aware these are required fields. If they are not completed, the application is considered incomplete and I will be disqualified as an applicant for the position. Yes No 02 Please answer the supplemental questions thoroughly, clearly and concisely as the responses provided (along with the application) will be carefully reviewed to determine which candidates will move forward in the recruitment process. I have read this information and am aware of the importance of responses to the supplemental questions. Yes No 03 Please list all college- and graduate school-level degrees that you've obtained including the educational institution and the field of study. (i.e. Bachelor's degree in Accounting from San Jose State University). 04 How many years of experience do you have in public agency accounting management? None Less than 5 years 5-7years 7-10 years More than a decade 05 Please indicate the number of years of experience you have supervising staff (regular, temporary, contract, and/or interns). This would include responsibility for employee evaluations, salary decisions, hiring, disciplinary actions, and work schedules. None Less than 2 years 2-4 years 4-6 years 6+ years or more 06 What is the greatest number of accounting staff you have managed for at least one year? None Less than 5 6-10 11-20 More than 20+ 07 How would you rate your experience implementing GASB (Governmental Accounting Standards Board) requirements? No GASB experience Beginner Intermediate Advanced Expert 08 Please check all that apply. Which accounting functions have you managed in a public agency environment? Accounts Payable Accounts Receivable General Ledger Payroll 09 Do you have experience overseeing and preparing financial statements for audits, ACFR (Annual Comprehensive Financial Report), State Controllers Report? Yes No 10 Describe your experience that qualifies you for the Accounting Manager position. Please identify the accounting areas you've managed and highlight your public agency/government experience. 11 Employment with Valley Water requires employees to take an Oath as a Disaster Service Worker within California and to live within 150 miles of Valley Water Headquarters in San Jose, California by the start date. Valley Water does not cover relocation costs. If you live further than 150 miles from Valley Water Headquarters, please discuss your willingness to relocate if offered the position. If this does not apply to you, write "N/A". 12 Please list the full name of the regular/permanent Valley Water employee who referred you to this position (only one name will be accepted, so if multiple are listed, the first name provided will be documented as the referring employee). If this does not apply to you, write "N/A". Required Question

Created: 2024-10-29