Controllers Division Manager - Disbursement and General Accounting (Open and Promotional)

Controllers Division Manager – Disbursement and General Accounting The San Mateo County Controller’s Office is seeking highly qualified candidates for this position. Controller’s Office Overview The Controller’s Office maintains the County’s financial accounting system, processes disbursements and journal entries, produces independently audited and award-winning annual financial reports, and performs internal audits of departments’ operations. The Office is staffed with accountants, auditors, fiscal and other professional personnel. General Accounting Division Overview The General Accounting Division is committed to performing all duties with integrity, effectiveness, and efficiency. It provides accounting and financial services to County departments and agencies and is responsible for the preparation of the County Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR), the Annual Financial Report for the San Mateo County Joint Powers Financing Authority (JPFA), and other required financial reports. Division Manager Responsibilities The person hired will manage the General Accounting Division, supervise and coordinate financial support functions, and oversee day‑to‑day accounting support operations. Key responsibilities include: Assist in the development, implementation, and interpretation of accounting policies and procedures. Provide complex financial support to senior‑level management. Oversee the preparation of financial analysis, schedules, and reports, including the ACFR, PAFR, JPFA reports, and County Appropriation reports. Develop and maintain a cohesive, collaborative team with emphasis on communication and mutual support. Plan, organize, manage, coordinate, and evaluate the functions and staff for operation and special projects. Interpret complex laws and regulations and assess the implications of changes on the County’s general accounting operations. Review and update current accounting practices and procedures. Train professional personnel and provide timely feedback and performance evaluations. Coordinate year‑end closing activities with controller’s staff, county departments, and agencies. Consult departments on complex accounting issues and coordinate annual audit activities with external auditors. Participate in accounting system upgrades with the Controller’s Information Systems Division or county department/system as needed. Develop the Division’s procedures handbook for implementation of county policies. Conduct special financial analysis and provide excellent customer service to internal and external stakeholders. Perform related duties as assigned. Ideal Candidate Be proficient in government and/or public accounting. Advanced knowledge of Governmental Financial Accounting Standards and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. Have demonstrated success in preparing comprehensive and highly complex financial reports and written communications. Communicate effectively both orally and in writing. Possess critical thinking skills and be a problem solver. Possess experience in managing and supervising professional staff. Identify existing or potential problems, determine causes, and provide solutions to prevent future occurrences. Research and analyze business and/or system processes to recommend improvements. Develop and maintain a cohesive, collaborative team with emphasis on communication and mutual support. Plan, organize, manage, coordinate, and evaluate operations and special projects. Analyze, interpret, implement, and explain related laws, accounting rules, and regulations. Develop and implement division goals, objectives, and priorities. Review and update current accounting practices. Train professional personnel to keep current with governmental accounting principles, providing timely feedback and performance evaluations. Review and assess changes in governmental accounting standards and generally accepted accounting principles, developing procedures for implementation. Education & Experience Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to qualify is: Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Public Administration, or a related field. Experience: Three years of increasingly responsible experience performing a wide variety of administrative, financial, or managerial duties in a large, complex public agency, including at least one year of direct experience managing and/or supervising an accounting or auditing function related to the assigned division. Knowledge Advanced principles and practices of accounting, research methods, and financial planning. Basic principles and practices of County‑wide operations and their administration and organization. Advanced principles and practices of management and organizational effectiveness. Principles of personnel training, supervision, and evaluation. Relevant automated fiscal/financial information systems, applications, and terminologies. Federal, State, and local laws and regulations applicable to assigned areas of responsibility and governing the financial operations of public agencies. Skills & Abilities Analyze and evaluate complex accounting, auditing, and/or financial problems, records, and reports. Prepare clear and concise reports. Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing. Direct and participate in the analysis of a wide variety of highly complex accounting and operational problems and make effective operational and/or procedural recommendations. Develop, administer, and interpret policies, guidelines, and procedures related to the assigned program area. Perform complex mathematical and statistical calculations accurately. Establish and maintain effective work relationships with those contacted in the performance of required duties. Licensure/Certification If assigned to Internal Audit, must obtain a Certified Public Accountant license issued by the State of California within six months of appointment. Equal Opportunity Statement San Mateo County is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion at all levels. #J-18808-Ljbffr County of San Mateo