Senior Accountant

Job Title

Definition of Position

Summary description: Under direction of assigned supervisory or management staff, performs a variety of advanced level professional duties related to the application of Governmental Accounting, Auditing, and Financial Reporting Standards as developed by GFOA, and the application of GAAP as they relate to municipal finance; performs a variety of accounting duties including account reconciliation, worksheet preparation, and computer use and report preparation; supervises the work of lower level financial staff in related financial activities; assists with annual programs and special reports; and performs related work as required.

Review of applications begins May 7th, 2026, and the position will remain open until filled.

Example of Duties

Representative duties: The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

1. Participates in the posting, balancing, and reconciliation of the general and subsidiary accounts; controls the budget for the various funds and projects determining if funds are available and expenditures properly classified; researches and analyzes transactions to resolve budget problems; provides analysis of available funds at management's request; analyzes budget transactions.
2. Participates in the preparation of financial statements, schedules, and financial reports; prepares worksheets in preparation of audit examinations; prepares adjusting entries, fiscal year closing adjustments; assists auditors with compliance questions.
3. Updates utility billing rates; reconciles utility billing receivables; interprets financial reports involving the utility billing system.
4. Assists Finance Director with preparation and development of City's budget; prepares salary projections for budget; receives department budget requests; prepares proposed budget for City Council review; oversees implementation of approved budget into the accounting system.
5. Plans and oversees the work assignments of assigned financial staff; establishes work methods and standards; conducts staff training and development; responds to questions/problems with their job duties and procedures; reviews and evaluates employee performance.
6. Provides daily assistance to city department directors and supervisors in regards to City account numbers and City budget; acts as Accounting Manager in his/her absence.
7. Prepares oral and written reports for City Council and others as required.
8. Monitors revenues and expenditures; approves check requests and prepares bank reconciliation for all accounts.
9. Audits and approves bi-weekly payroll; provides back-up to payroll function as necessary.
10. Monitors and reports on the status of federal grants; reviews and audits grant contracts, amendment, and other documents to ensure grant compliance; tracks revenue/expenses; prepares claims to County for reimbursement that requires meeting precise deadlines with County of Ventura; analyzes transactions to resolve budget expenditure problems.
11. Provides contract administration for Community Development Block Grants (CDBG), Home Loan Program Grants, COPS Grants, LLEBG Grants, Channel Islands Beach Community Services District Sewer Contract, Naval Base Ventura County Sewer Maintenance Contract, and Public Works/Utility Services Capital Projects.
12. Prepares budget entries for all the City's funds; monitors expenditures/revenues for proper budget classification; provides analysis of available funds to all departments.
13. Oversees all Housing Authority and Section 8 accounting; participates in the maintenance and analysis of all Housing Authority accounts and other programs; reviews and approves check requests, procurement requirements, and journal entries.
14. Oversees all Port Hueneme Water Agency (PHWA) accounting, administration, and reconciliation functions.
15. Prepares annual City of Port Hueneme State Controller's report.
16. Prepares financial statements for assigned projects; prepares schedules and financial worksheets to assess financial status of the programs; makes recommendations or corrections.
17. Participates in central accounting functions such as preparing adjusting entries, fiscal year closing adjustments, and documents for auditors.
18. Monitors and reports on the status of federal grants; reviews and audits grant contracts, amendments, and other documents to ensure grant compliance.
19. Recommends or implements changes in accounting systems and procedures; identifies and resolves problems and inconsistencies involved in maintaining accounting controls; prepares recommendations and invests surplus funds.
20. Prepares daily bank deposits; examines, reconciles, balances, and adjusts accounting records; reconciles and prepares complex bank reconciliation for multiple accounts on an all fund basis.
21. Interprets data and generates related statistical and fiscal reports; prepares and submits accounting information for data, accounting records, and other source documents.
22. Monitors and controls revenues, expenditures, vouchers, and the allocation of costs; prepares cash flow projections for managerial use.
23. Controls and monitors posting to the General Ledger of all revenues received citywide; establishes new General Ledger accounts as needed.
24. Enters distribution of interest earned on City's investment portfolio.
25. Provides backup for all accounting functions as necessary.
26. Performs related duties as assigned.

Typical Qualifications

Qualifications: The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties. Knowledge of: Advanced principles and practices of public agency financial management including general and governmental accounting, fund accounting, general ledger accounting, budgeting, auditing and reporting functions as well as General Accepted Principles and Procedures (GAAP) and General Accepted Auditing Standards (GAAS). Rules and regulations governing federal, state, and local programs, Code of Federal Regulations, Housing and Urban Development Guidelines, low rent Housing accounting, comprehensive Grant program guidelines. Principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluation. Principles and practices of automated financial system. Principles and practices of revenues and expenditures of the City for cash flow projections. Principles and practices of debt financing and accounting. Principles and practices of automated financial systems. Principles and procedures of record keeping. Principles of business letter writing and report preparation. Office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases Ability to: Assist and/or develop routine and non-routine comprehensive fiscal reports. Assist and/or appraise market trends and terms in relation to municipal debt. Present findings effectively in complex, oral and written reports. Provide guidance, assistance, and/or interpretation to others on how to apply procedures and standards to specific situations. Utilize a variety of advisory and design data/ information, such as General Accepted Accounting Principles, CAFR, budget manuals, monthly financial reports, and City policies. Operate office equipment including computers and supporting word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications. Evaluate, audit, deduce, and/or assess data and/or information using established criteria. Exercise discretion in determining actual or probable consequences, and in referencing such evaluation to identify and select alternative. Apply principles of rational systems. Interpret instructions furnished in written, oral, diagrammatic, or schedule form. Exercise independent judgment to adopt or modify methods and standards to meet variations in assigned objectives. Exercise the judgment, decisiveness, and creativity in situations involving a variety of generally pre-defined duties, which are often characterized by, frequent change. Perform mathematical calculations quickly and accurately including to add and subtract, multiply and divide, and calculate percentages, fractions, and decimals. Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Supplemental Information

Education and Experience Guidelines Education/Training: A Bachelor's degree in from an accredited college or university with major course work in accounting, finance, public administration, business administration or a related field. Experience: Five years of experience that includes fund accounting, audits, and reconciliation.