Finance Manager

Salary : $137,637.00 - $192,692.00 Annually
Location : Agency Headquarters - Apple Valley, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 202600007
Department: Finance
Opening Date: 06/16/2026
Closing Date: 7/7/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
FLSA: Exempt


Overview of Role
The Finance Manager is the Agency's senior accounting leader and the primary point of accountability for the integrity, compliance and timeliness of MWA's financial operations. Reporting to the Director of Finance, this role directly manages a team of four accounting professionals and serves as the operational financial lead, supporting the Director of Finance on strategic financial matters and functioning as the day-to-day financial decision-maker when the Director of Finance is unavailable.

This is a hands-on management role that balances technical oversight of accounting operations with people leadership, process improvement and cross-departmental partnership.

Qualifications
Core Responsibilities & Functional Competencies
Competency

Typical Proficiency Expected at this Job Level

General Ledger & Asset Management

• Establishes and maintains GL structure, chart of accounts and transaction policies.
• Reviews journal entries and financial transactions for compliance and consistency.
• Trains staff on transaction standards and best practices.
• Reviews and signs off on the ACFR; accountable for its accuracy and timely submission.
• Monitors capital asset accounting activities, including asset capitalization, depreciation, inventory tracking, and financial reporting in compliance with accounting standards.

Reporting & Analysis

• Reviews and approves complex reconciliations prepared by the team; holds staff accountable for accuracy and timeliness.
• Oversees the financial reporting calendar and ensures adherence to deadlines.
• Reviews and validates financial data across departments before it reaches the Director of Finance or leadership.
• Analyzes key metrics and synthesizes trends and anomalies into concise findings for leadership decision-making.
• Prepares and presents routine and complex financial reports and presentations to committee and Board, ensuring accurate and timely communication.

Budgeting & Forecasting

• Leads the agency-wide budgeting process.
• Reviews and approves forecasts and variance analyses prepared by team.
• Aligns budget cycles with strategic initiatives.
• Presents budget materials and recommendations to the Director of Finance.
• Monitors reserve accounting, ensuring accurate tracking, reporting and compliance with applicable policies and requirements.
• Supports rate studies by providing cost-of-service data and analysis, in coordination with consultants and legal counsel.

Treasury, Cash Management & Debt Administration

• Manages investment and cash management operations, including cash flow monitoring, banking activities and compliance with governmental financial policies and procedures.
• Oversees day-to-day debt administration, including debt servicing, compliance monitoring, reporting and coordination with lenders and regulatory agencies.

Contracting & Procurement

• Oversees agency procurement activities and vendor relationships.
• Develops and maintains contract templates and administrative procurement guidelines.
• Trains staff on contract and procurement compliance.
• Serves as the management escalation point for procurement exceptions, disputes and policy interpretation.

Compliance, Controls & Grant Management

• Designs, documents, implements and maintains the agency's internal control systems; accountable for control environment integrity.
• Serves as the primary day-to-day liaison with external auditors; leads audit coordination and ensures findings are addressed and closed.
• Reviews audit-ready materials prepared by the team; ensures management letter findings are addressed.
• Ensures team-wide training on and compliance with GAAP, GASB, and applicable regulations.
• Co-signs the management representation letter with the Director of Finance as part of the annual audit.
• Manages grant accounting activities, including budget monitoring, financial reporting, reimbursement processing and compliance with grant and regulatory requirements for state and federal grants.

Systems & Process Improvement

• Leads process improvement and system enhancement initiatives across the accounting function.
• Oversees system testing, adoption and troubleshooting.
• Partners with IT and vendors to ensure system reliability.
• Makes the business case to the Director of Finance for system investments and improvements.

Team & People Leadership

• Supervises a team of accounting professionals; sets clear performance expectations, provides regular coaching and feedback, and conducts performance evaluations.
• Builds team capability by identifying development needs and supporting growth opportunities for each team member, including cross-training and succession readiness.
• Assigns work and adjusts workload distribution during high-demand periods.
• Participates in recruiting and onboarding of new staff.
• Fosters a team culture of accountability, accuracy and continuous improvement.

Behavioral Competencies
All Agency employees are expected to demonstrate the following behaviors. As a people manager, the Finance Manager is expected to model these behaviors and reinforce them within the accounting team.

Competency

Expectations of All Staff

Additional Expectations of People Managers

Communication

Listens actively and asks clarifying questions. Communicates clearly, concisely and respectfully to coworkers and customers. Manages emotions constructively in routine and stressful situations.

Demonstrates empathy when listening and responding to staff. Facilitates productive conversations, including feedback and difficult discussions.

Accountability

Follows through on commitments and updates others when plans change. Adheres to policies, safety standards, and procedures. Owns mistakes and takes corrective action.

Sets clear expectations, responsibilities, and standards. Holds self and others accountable, addressing performance and safety issues promptly.

Collaboration

Shares information and resources proactively. Recognizes and values others' expertise and responsibilities; seeks input when needed. Offers and requests help during high-demand or cross-team tasks.

Leverages team strengths and resolves conflicts constructively. Builds trust across the Agency and models cooperative behavior with other managers.

Continuous Improvement

Adapts to new processes, technologies, and priorities. Identifies, suggests and helps implement improvement opportunities.

Champions change by communicating the "why" and preparing staff. Encourages and supports employee-driven improvement ideas.

Education

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in accounting, finance, business, or business administration is required.

Experience

• 5 years of governmental accounting or auditing experience is required, including 3 years of supervisory experience of accounting staff.

Licenses and Certifications

• CPA, CPFO or CGFM is preferred, but not required.

Working Conditions
Typical working conditions and physical demands required to perform the essential functions of the job:

• Work in an office setting, primarily sitting, occasionally standing and walking
• Operate standard office equipment, including computer, keyboard, mouse, monitor
• Occasionally lift materials up to 15 pounds
• Occasionally travel between Agency office locations or to conferences

Work Locations
This is a hybrid position, typically requiring 3 days per week in the Mojave Water Agency Office located at 13846 Conference Center Drive, Apple Valley, CA. Eligibility for remote work is determined consistent with the Mojave Water Agency Remote Work Policy and is subject to change.

• PERS Retirement: 2% at age 62 calculated as average of highest 3 consecutive years of pay, 5-year vesting
• (Prior Public Service before 2013 is 2% at age 55 calculated on highest annual salary - without a 6-month gap in service)
• Flexible Benefits Package $36,705.76 annually to go towards:
  • Medical Insurance: Choice of PPO or HMO Plan
  • Deferred Compensation 457(b) plan (pre-tax and post-tax options)
  • Employee cost share of CalPERS
  • Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) Plan available
• Additional amounts beyond what is provided in the Flexible Benefits Package may be contributed by employee to Deferred Compensation 457(b) plan (pre-tax and post-tax options)
• 5% of base pay rate placed into 401 (a) account by Agency
• Vacation: 10 days per year, maxing out at 20 days per year, based on years of service
• Vacation pay out option available
• 40 hours of flex time leave per fiscal year
• Paid Holidays: 14 days per year
• Sick leave: 12 days per year
• Life, Dental and Vision Insurance: 100% paid by Agency for employee and dependent(s)
• Tuition Reimbursement up to IRS non-taxable amount per IRC Section 127, after 12 months of employment
• Employee Assistance Program
• Long-Term Disability: 100% premium paid by Agency with coverage of up to 66 2/3% of salary allowable income in coordination with State Plans
• Interest Free Computer Loan Program up to $3,000 after 12 months of employment
• Professional development, seminars and conferences
• 9/80 Work Schedule

The Agency does not participate in the Social Security program, except for the mandatory 1.45% Medicare contribution.
01


Which statement below best describes the highest level of education you have completed?

• High school graduate, diploma or the equivalent (GED)
• Associate degree
• Bachelor's degree
• Master's degree
• Professional degree
• Doctorate degree

02


How many years of professional-level governmental accounting or auditing experience do you have?

• Less than 5 years
• 5 or more years

03


How many years of experience do you have directly supervising professional-level accounting staff?

• Less than 3 years
• 3 or more years

04


Do you currently hold an active CPA, CPFO or CGFM certification?

• Yes
• No

05


Functional Competency - GL & Financial Reporting: Describe your experience leading or overseeing a year-end close process, an external audit and the preparation of a governmental Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) or equivalent. What was your role, how did you ensure accuracy and compliance with GAAP and GASB standards, and what challenges did you encounter?
06


Functional Competency - Budget Development & Reporting to Leadership:Describe your experience leading a budget development process. What was your role in coordinating with department heads, managing the timeline, and resolving issues that arose? How did you communicate budget results or financial findings to senior leadership?
07


Behavioral Competency - Accountability:Describe a time when you discovered a significant error or problem in your organization's financial records or processes. What did you do, how did you communicate it to the appropriate parties, and what steps did you take to resolve it and prevent recurrence?
08


Behavioral Competency - Communication:Describe a situation in which you had to communicate an unpopular or difficult financial issue, decision or recommendation - such as a budget or financial constraint, an audit finding, or a significant control change - to department heads or senior leadership. How did you prepare, how did you handle the conversation, and what was the outcome?
Required Question