Senior Finance Analyst

The Position

Analyze. Optimize. Deliver.

The City of Encinitas is seeking a Senior Finance Analyst to join the Finance Department. This position reports to the Financial Operations Manager. You will be the lead staff in the Financial Operations workgroup, which includes payroll, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and cashiering. Your main responsibilities will be personnel budgeting, labor costing, payroll, and implementation of new and improved ERP modules. Other duties include preparing payroll reports and reconciliations, entering complex journal entries and history transfers, leading ad-hoc operations projects, and providing operations support to accountants and technicians in the department. This is an exciting growth opportunity in the Finance Department in one of California's most vibrant coastal cities.

Your Role in Finance

The Senior Finance Analyst of Operations performs a broad range of technical, financial analysis related to personnel costing and budgeting and other administrative tasks. The role requires in-depth knowledge of federal and state regulations, City of Encinitas policies, personnel memorandum of agreements, strong analytical skills, the ability to shift priorities quickly, and the ability to work efficiently in a variety of software platforms. You will work independently and collaboratively with other departments in the City.

The Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is a self-starter, who is analytical, detail oriented, organized, and an effective communicator with a passion for public service. They possess the ability to research complex payroll and tax issues, implement new policies and standards with little supervision, perform complex data analysis, and have advanced software skills. Senior Finance Analyst trains and mentors lower-level staff and performs high level projects. Successful candidates thrive in a dynamic environment, demonstrate initiative, sound judgement, and strong problem-solving skills.

Why You'll Love Working Here

Encinitas is a scenic coastal city known for its six miles of shoreline, engaged community, and strong commitment to sustainability, recreation, and the arts. Employees enjoy a supportive, collaborative culture grounded in public service and continuous improvement. Encinitas city hall is located just blocks from the beach and near historic downtown.

The City also offers excellent benefits, contributing to a positive work-life balance and long-term career satisfaction.

Examples of Important & Essential Duties (included but not limited to)

• Work closely with Payroll staff to prepare and review payrolls
• Reconcile payroll accruals and ledgers
• Prepare and reconcile quarterly taxes and W-2s
• Prepare compensation reports and compensated absences
• Resolve complex payroll issues
• Work collaboratively with departments to prepare personnel budget
• Prepare supporting reports and documents for the fiscal year end audit
• Assist with ad-hoc assignments such as labor costing, pension and actuarial valuations, CalPERS audits
• Review, test, and implement new ERP modules

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance, Public Administration, or a related field, plus 4 years of progressively responsible experience in government budget, finance, and accounting activities or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above. A minimum of three years of ACFR or governmental Budget experience is required. A CPA or Master's degree in a related field is highly desirable.

Application Process and Deadline

The deadline to submit an application is 5pm on Thursday, October 1, 2026. A completed application with an attached cover letter AND resume is required. *** Incomplete application packets are not accepted and will not be reviewed***

For any inquiries regarding this recruitment process, please contact us at View email address on click.appcast.io.

The City of Encinitas and the San Dieguito Water District provide equal opportunity employment for all persons without regard to race, color, religion/religious creed, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, gender, gender identity, gender expression, physical disability, mental disability, marital status, age, physical disability, ancestry, genetic information, medical condition, political affiliations, veteran status, Family Leave Act status, AB60 CA Driver's License status or status with pregnancy, child birth or breastfeeding. The City and Water District encourage minorities, disabled persons and women to apply. Qualified applicants who move to the next level of the selection process must notify the Human Resources Office if accommodation is needed. A thorough background check will be conducted for the candidate(s) seriously considered for the position including fingerprinting and reference checking. A contingent job offer may be given pending the results of medical evaluation, which includes a physical, TB test and drug and alcohol screening. Applicants will be required to submit verification of the legal right to work in the United States. The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice.

Benefits

2026 Benefits Summary Unrepresented General, Management and Professional Employees Cafeteria Health Plan The employer's "Flexible Benefit Plan" contribution will make available for each employee a monthly amount equal to the high median of the monthly premiums of all CalPERS health plans available in San Diego County. Under the City's Section 125 Cafeteria Benefits Plan qualified benefits include: health, dental, vision, dependent care flexible spending account (FSA) and healthcare FSA. The remaining balance is available as additional taxable income capped at one-half of the monthly cafeteria contribution Retirement The City contracts with the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS): Retirement Tier Retirement Formula Classic2.0% @ 60 New Member2.0% @ 62 457 and 401a Deferred Compensation The City offers a 457 and/or 401(a) deferred compensation. These accounts are voluntary and employee funded. Basic Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance The City provides Basic Group Term Life Insurance equal to 1x your basic annual earnings up to a maximum of $150,000. AD&D is up to the amount of your Group Term Life Insurance. Employees may choose to purchase additional life insurance through the City's Voluntary Optional Life Insurance program. Short-Term Disability Insurance (STD) STD benefits are 70% of your weekly earnings up to a maximum of $3,500 per week. Long-Term Disability Insurance (LTD) LTD benefits are 66% of monthly earnings up to a maximum of $8,000 per month. San Dieguito Water District employees pay for their LTD premium. Sick Leave Unrepresented full-time employees accrue nine (9) hours of sick leave for each calendar month of paid status (4.153 hours per pay period). New employees are granted a beginning balance of (9) hours. Less than full time employees accrue sick leave in an amount prorated by FTE status. Accrued sick leave carries over from year to year. Parental Leave (Baby Bonding) Employees who qualify for California Family Rights Act (CFRA) baby bonding will be eligible for twelve (12) weeks of employer paid leave. Available leave is prorated based on FTE status. Vacation Leave Employees earn vacation hours based on the following years of service: Years of Service Annual Accrual Hire - 5 Years 104 hours 6 - 10 Years 128 hours 11 - 15 Years 152 hours 16+ Years 184 hours Credit is given to new employees for related continuous prior public service employment at the rate of one year for every two years worked. In addition to Vacation Leave, all Management employees shall be provided fifty-five (55) annual hours of Administrative Leave. General Election Leave Employees shall be provided a half day of paid leave to vote at the employee's polling location or a full day of paid leave to volunteer for the County Registrar of Voters for a General Election. Holiday Closure Each year, City Hall is closed from Christmas Eve through New Year's Day. Holidays Employees receive thirteen (13) fixed holidays and five (5) floating holidays (45 hours) per fiscal year. Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Confidential services are available to employees and household members to assist with personal and professional issues. Five sessions per issue are available each calendar year. Computer Purchase Program The City will loan employees who successfully complete the probationary period of employment an interest free loan of up to $3,000. Tuition Assistance Eligible employees may receive up to $1,200 in reimbursement per fiscal year for approved coursework tuition, required textbooks and registration. Social Security and Medicare The City does not participate in the Social Security program. The City and employees each pay 1.45% to Medicare Insurance.