Accounting Manager

The City of Fountain Valley is seeking an accomplished and forward-thinking municipal finance professional to serve as its next Accounting Manager a key leadership role for someone who is passionate about fiscal integrity, operational excellence, and developing high-performing teams.

Working under the general direction of the Finance Director, the Accounting Manager provides leadership and oversight of the City's core accounting and financial reporting functions, helping ensure the accuracy, integrity, and transparency of the City's financial operations. This position plays a vital role in safeguarding public resources, strengthening internal controls, ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations, and promoting sound financial management practices throughout the organization.

Beyond overseeing day-to-day accounting operations, the Accounting Manager will lead and develop staff, foster a culture of accountability and continuous improvement, and identify opportunities to streamline processes, enhance efficiency, and strengthen financial systems and procedures. The position also contributes to the City's long-term financial sustainability through budget development support, financial analysis, forecasting, and strategic planning. A key responsibility is overseeing the preparation of the City's Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR), ensuring timely, accurate, and transparent financial reporting in accordance with applicable standards and requirements.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced finance professional to bring both technical expertise and a collaborative leadership approach to a high-impact role. With a balance of operational independence, direct partnership with executive leadership, and the opportunity to shape financial practices and processes, the Accounting Manager will help support the City's long-term fiscal health and its commitment to delivering effective, responsible public services.

• 4/10 Work Schedule 
• An incredible retirement / pension: CalPERS (2%@60 for Classic or 2%@62 for PEPRA)
• Flex dollars for CalPERS medical HMO/PPO plans
• Matching deferred compensation contribution (up to $75 per month)
• City-paid long-term disability insurance
• Generous leave accruals, including 80 hours of Administrative Leave 
• 11 paid holidays, including one floating holiday

• Assist in the development and implementation of the Department’s goals, policies and priorities relating to accounting and revenue. 
• Coordinate and assist with preparation of the City's Tax Measure Oversight Committee, City Council reports and presentations. 
• Supervises the City’s accounting, accounts payable and receivable functions. 
• Develops, maintains, and evaluates accounting systems and internal control procedures and recommend improvements. 
• Coordinate and conduct the fiscal year end closing, including reviewing general ledgers, revenues, expenditures, grant funds, capital asset additions and deductions, accruals in proprietary funds and long-term debt additions and reductions, prepare the Governmental Accounting Standards Board adjustments and close general ledgers. 
• Research, analyze and prepare reports with recommendations on a variety of matters pertaining to the Finance Department. 
• Prepare the City’s monthly, quarterly, and annual County, State, and Federal financial reports. 
• Project cash flow; forecast revenues; anticipates debt service payment; estimates fund balances; maintain pooled investment and long-term debt records.
• Coordinate the preparation of the City’s Annual Comprehensive Financial Report. 
• Assist with the preparation of the City’s annual operating budget, mid-year budget, and 20-year fiscal forecast; transfer of funds; review budget expenditures and revenues. 
• Coordinate annual audits with external auditors. 
• Oversee and approve journal entries recorded in the accounting system. 
• Plan, direct, coordinate and review the work plan for staff; meet with staff to identify and resolve problems; assign work activities, projects and programs; monitor workflow; review and evaluate employee performance evaluation and work product, methods and procedures.  
• Attends leadership, management, supervisory and financial training to stay abreast of industry best practices
• Respond to inquiries from other City staff, other agencies and the public concerning regulations, procedures, records, fees, rules, rates, vendors and accounts.

An equivalent combination of experience and education sufficient to perform the essential job functions and provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical combination includes the following:

EDUCATION:  Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in accounting, business or a related field is required. A Master's degree in Business or Public Finance is desirable. 

EXPERIENCE: Five years of progressively responsible professional accounting and finance experience in a governmental or non-profit environment, which includes three years with primary, responsibility for budgeting, cost analysis and audit functions and at least two years at a supervisory level.  

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT:  The incumbent will be required to prepare for and attend meetings after normal work hours as required. 

To be considered for this excellent opportunity, please complete and submit the online employment application and supplemental questionnaire. Please ensure that all required documents are attached to the application. After documents are scanned and saved as a file on your computer, click on the "Add Attachments" link in the Job Application step of the employment application in order to upload the files. Documents must be entirely legible. Faxes, postmarks and hand delivery will not be accepted. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of the application and/or supplemental questionnaire. Incomplete applications will be disqualified.

To ensure timely and successful submission of your online application, please allow ample time to complete your application and consider having your profile created and/or updated before applying for the position. Once your application has been successfully submitted, you will receive an onscreen confirmation and an email. If you require technical assistance, please review the Government Jobs Online Employment Application Guide or contact their toll-free Applicant Support line at (855) 524-5627. Please note that Human Resources is not responsible for any issues or delays caused by the internet connection, computer, or browser used to submit the application. 

NOTE:  The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by persons assigned to this job.  They are not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties, responsibilities and skills required.