Accounting Manager

The City of Morro Bay is seeking an experienced and financially astute individual to serve as our next Accounting Manager. Working title of Accounting Manager, budgeted title of Finance Manager. Under the supervision of the Finance Director, the Accounting Manager will plan, organize, and monitor programs and activities related to the City's finances, leading the City’s daily accounting and annual financial reporting functions and overseeing payroll and utility billing as well. They will play a major role in the success of the division, and use precision and detail to audit internal controls, prepare financial reports, and perform other duties as needed. The right candidate will be experienced in municipal accounting management, analytical, communicative, and will be able to successfully supervise and collaborate with office support staff.

The Administrative Services department is team-focused. Our employees work collaboratively and communicate with each other to foster a productive and congenial work environment. We recognize that maintaining work-life balance in a fast-paced, customer-focused atmosphere is a real challenge, one that we're committed to addressing. Team building is a critical skill for department leadership. The Accounting Manager will be expected to contribute to the thoughtful development of staff, creating a workplace environment where all team members feel supported and safe.

Key Traits for Success:

• Experienced: The Accounting Manager’s success will be enhanced by having prior experience with municipal multi-fund accounting, annual financial reporting and audits, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, utility billing, and supervision of staff in those areas.
• Responsible: The incumbent will prepare and present important financial data, accounting entries, and financial reports to City leadership and the public. They will take that responsibility seriously and place a high value on the accuracy of their work and on delivering that work in a timely, clear, and accessible way.
• Efficient: The ideal candidate will be dedicated to efficiency related to City spending, internal processes, and time management to juggle multiple concurrent deadline-driven tasks.
• Analytical: The Accounting Manager will be a skilled problem solver and critical thinker. A major part of the role will be monitoring, overseeing, and improving existing policies, procedures, and programs. The incumbent will be critical when required, but also come armed with solutions to help standardize processes and improve efficiency and effectiveness. Additionally, they will thrive when diving into the nitty gritty details of the City’s finances and finding solutions that may not have been obvious before.
• Collaborative: The chosen candidate will directly supervise office support staff, and the role will require frequent collaboration with other professional, technical, and accounting staff, as well as the public on occasion. The right candidate will have experience managing others effectively and be adept at reviewing and offering feedback on work in a kind and constructive manner.
• Kind: Morro Bay prides itself on facilitating a culture of kindness. The candidate will treat all others, whether fellow staff, council, the community, outside organizations, or an unknown person on the street, with respect and kindness.

Job Summary:

This role operates under the general administrative direction of the Finance Director. The Accounting Manager will be responsible for planning, organizing, leading, and monitoring programs and activities related to the City's financial accounting, accounts payable and receivable, financial reporting, payroll, and utility billing functions. They will manage the City's financial reporting needs, conduct internal and external audits, and manage internal controls and cost accounting programs. They will also maintain and improve the City’s fiscal policies and procedures and contribute to the formulation, monitoring, and reporting of annual operating and capital improvement budgets, which are led by other staff members. The incumbent will be responsible for preparing complex and difficult fiscal analyses and performing various customer service activities. The position will supervise four full-time and two part-time staff members on the Finance team, who will assist in completing all the tasks outlined. The Finance team also includes a Budget and Procurement Manager who reports to the Finance Director and collaborates closely with the Accounting Manager and staff, whose duties are primarily budget development and monitoring, contracts/procurement, and systems management.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Participates in all activities related to the City’s finance and accounting functions, including the accounting system, payroll, cash receipts, journal entries, accounts payable, accounts receivable, business licensing, transient occupancy tax, utility billing, and customer service.
• Reviews financial records and other related documentation for accuracy.
• Assists in developing and standardizing procedures and methods to improve and continuously monitor the efficiency and effectiveness of assigned programs, service delivery methods, and procedures.
• Assesses and monitors workload, administrative and support systems, and internal reporting relationships; identifies opportunities for improvement and makes recommendations to the Finance Director.
• Provides direct supervision to assigned staff, including utility billing staff, and exercises technical and functional supervision over other support staff on a project or day-to-day basis.
• Performs internal audits of assigned accounts and balances; reconciles differences.
• Prepares and reconciles journals, ledgers, and other accounting records.
• Prepares reports for submission to various regulatory and government agencies.
• Completes the majority of year-end work and coordinates audits and annual financial reporting; meets with outside auditors to provide information and resolve problems.
• Provides training to departmental and operating staff regarding the City's financial reporting policies, procedures, and reporting capabilities.
• Performs responsible accounting, payroll, financial and/or budgetary document preparation, monitoring and reporting, document review, and program support in coordination with other staff within the Finance Department and all other City departments.
• Contributes to the development of the City’s operating and capital budgets, particularly in areas that intersect with payroll operations.

Preferred Education and Experience:

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a degree in accounting, finance, business, or a closely related field.
• Five (5) years of experience in municipal finance and/or municipal accounting, including two (2) years of supervisory experience.
• A licensed Certified Public Accountant is strongly preferred.
• Possession of a valid and appropriate California driver’s license.
• Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.

For a full description of the position and workplace requirements and conditions, please visit: https://www.morrobayca.gov/832/Employment-Opportunities.

Compensation & Benefits:

The competitive salary for this management position is dependent upon the selected candidate’s qualifications, with an annual salary range between $99,994 and $121,543.

Additionally, the selected candidate will enjoy an excellent benefits package, including CalPERS retirement (2% at 60 for “Classic” members and 2% at 62 for PEPRA). The City does not participate in Social Security.

Paid time off includes 10-20 days of vacation leave annually depending on years of services (credit may be given for comparable service elsewhere subject to City Manager approval), 72 hours of Administrative Leave annually, 13 paid City Holiday annually, including 2 floating holidays, and 12 days of paid sick leave annually.

Employees are covered 100% for PERS Gold Anthem PPO and family Principal dental, life, and vision.

The City provides a match contribution of up to $1,500 per calendar year to a deferred compensation account for managers, and a monthly cell phone stipend of $50 if an employee must use a personal cell phone for work duties.

Application Process:

Complete City employment application available at https://www.morro-bay.ca.us/832/Employment-Opportunities. Interested candidates should apply immediately as the first review of applications for this position will be for applications received by June 2, 2024; the position will be open until filled. Electronic submittals should include a compelling cover letter and comprehensive resume.

This recruitment will be handled with strict confidentiality. References will not be contacted until mutual interest has been established. Confidential inquiries are welcomed and should be directed to Skyler Onaga, Human Resources Analyst, City of Morro Bay Human Resources, at (805) 772-6207. Interested candidates are encouraged to submit materials early for maximum consideration.

Selection Guidelines:

Formal application, rating of education and experience, oral interview, and reference check; job-related tests may be required.

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. It is the City's policy to ensure equal employment opportunity for all persons seeking employment or promotion to assure equal employment opportunity based upon ability and fitness to all persons regardless of race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, childbirth, breast-feeding, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, sexual orientation, marital status, gender identity, gender expression, genetic characteristics or information, military or veteran's status, and/or any other category protected by federal and/or state law.