Finance Manager

Salary: $125,652.80 - $194,771.20 Annually
Location : 1011 Union Street, San Diego
Job Type: Full-Time
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Department: Accounting and Finance
Division: Accounting
Opening Date: 08/07/2026
Closing Date: 8/21/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
FLSA: Exempt


Description
Overview of Accounting and Finance Department
SANDAG has great pride in being a fiscally responsible public agency and has implemented rigorous accounting processes and financial reporting procedures to monitor expenses, encumbrances, grant funds, and project budgets, and accurately document various types of financial transactions. The department, consisting of a team of 27, provides a wide range of financial services including general and specialized accounting functions; payroll; accounts payable; investment, treasury, and debt management; cash flow monitoring; and revenue billing.
Role/Responsibilities

SANDAG has two, Regular At-Will,Finance Manager openings that will collaborate to manage a large and complex range of accounting and finance functions that support the delivery of SANDAG strategic financial objectives. This opportunity is for a 'hands-on' working manager; someone who has both the skill to perform many of the technical requirements of the position as well as provide leadership and oversight for the entire team.

Job Responsibilities

• Oversee and coordinate financial operations such as accounts payable, investment management, cash flows, treasury and banking relationships, payroll, capital assets, and general ledger reconciliations; review and evaluate work products, methods, and procedures.
• Manage and support accounting services and activities including financial reporting; develop finance objectives, policies, and priorities; recommend, within SANDAG policy, appropriate service, resources, and staffing levels.
• Evaluate and enhance current accounting processes to improve efficiency and adherence to protocols.
• Manage and coordinate investment activities and matters including working with external investment managers to make investment decisions, monitor investment performance, monitor cash flows, and deposit funds to investment accounts, or withdraw funds to cover operational needs based on the Board of Directors' Investment Policy and California Government Code regulations, and the objectives of safety, liquidity and return.
• Monitor and evaluate internal controls and reconciliation procedures used for accounting and financial record-keeping and reporting; recommend and implement enhancements to ensure effective systems are in place and are in accordance with federal and state regulations, GAAP, and agency procedures.
• Maintain financial management systems and records; ensure that financial records are accurate and comply with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and regulations, codes, policies, rules, and procedures.
• Conduct a variety of operational studies, investigations, audits, and reviews; recommend modifications to Finance and Accounting programs, policies, and procedures, as appropriate.
• Meet with staff to identify and resolve problems; assign projects and programmatic areas of responsibility; review and evaluate work methods and procedures; review staff work when issues or challenges arise.
• Reconcile multiple accounts; analyze complex financial data; coordinate year-end closing procedures; prepare multiple financial reports and required disclosures.
• Coordinate, plan, manage, and review accounting, audit, and financial responsibilities for various SANDAG units, such as the San Diego County Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) and SR 125 Toll Road and TransNet and Transportation Development Act compliance audits.
• Develop Requests for Proposals, scopes of work, project deliverables, budgets, and schedules for finance and accounting services such as banking services and investment advisors; participate in the selection of consultants and vendors; administer contracts and ensure projects progress on schedule, within the approved budget, and at a consistently high level of quality; ensure projects are completed in adherence to funding agency requirements.
• Supervise, mentor, coach, and train employees; provide career development opportunities for employees.
• Prepare and present written, oral, and visual reports to the Board of Directors, policy and stakeholder committees, member agencies, private organizations, and members of the public.

Typical Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with major course work in accounting, finance, or a related field and seven years of increasingly responsible, professional finance and accounting experience, including two years of supervisory experience. CPA license is preferred.
• In-depth knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, extensive experience in governmental financial reporting, and good understanding of federal, state, and local laws and regulations pertaining to Finance and Accounting.
• Experience providing administrative, management, and professional leadership for accounting and finance programs.
• Knowledge of organizational and management practices as applied to the analysis and evaluation of Finance and Accounting programs, policies, and procedures.
• Demonstrated experience preparing complex financial reports that conform to accepted auditing standards and accounting principles.
• Experience coordinating internal and external financial, compliance, and performance audits, and researching and responding to audit requests and questions.
• Experience directly supervising and evaluating the work of professionals; experience selecting, scheduling, training, evaluating, and motivating employees; experience building strong teams and supporting employee development.
• Excellent organizational skills, and the ability to manage several concurrent projects at various stages of completion; ability to establish and maintain priorities and work independently.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work including agency staff, member/ subrecipient agencies, government officials, auditors, and members of the public.

The final candidates selected for this position must successfully pass a pre-employment criminal background check and credit check.
We offer a complete benefits package to full-time employees including:

• Hybrid work options
• 9/80 flexible work schedule
• Pay-for-performance merit increases
• Retirement - Defined Benefit Plan with the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS)
• Retirement - 457 Defined Contribution Plan with Voya
• Excellent health insurance options for employees and their eligible dependents
• Free dental and vision insurance for employees and their eligible dependents
• Education Assistance of up to $5,250 a year for regular employees
• Free transit pass for use throughout the San Diego region, bus, Rapid Express, Trolley, and COASTER
• Paid time off including 12 paid holidays, 2 floating holiday days, generous paid time off (PTO) per year, depending on length of service
• Manager and Principal level positions are offered a three-year At-Will employment contract, which provides an annual $5,000 contribution to their defined contribution plan.

01


Do you have a bachelor's degree with major course work in accounting, finance, or a related field?

• Yes
• No

02


Do you have a minimum of seven years of increasingly responsible, professional finance and accounting experience, including two years of supervisory experience?

• Yes
• No

03


Please summarize your experience in governmental financial reporting and understanding of federal, state, and local laws and regulations pertaining to Finance and Accounting.
04


Please describe your experience overseeing accounting operations for a government agency, such as accounts payable, payroll, and treasury.
Required Question