Senior Accountant

Job Description Join our team as a Senior Accountant! Santa Margarita Water District is seeking an experienced and analytical Senior Accountant - Revenue & Investment to support the District's revenue operations, investment portfolio monitoring, cash flow analysis, financial reporting, and revenue forecasting. This advanced journey-level position plays a key role in analyzing billing and collection trends, monitoring investment activity, preparing investment reports, and improving financial processes that strengthen the District's long-term financial health. If you enjoy analyzing data, solving complex revenue and investment questions, improving processes, and working collaboratively across departments, this is an excellent opportunity to contribute to the financial health of a public agency. About The Role Under general direction, the Senior Accountant - Revenue & Investment performs complex financial, revenue, investment, billing, cash management, and operational analysis in support of the District's financial operations. This role reviews and analyzes customer billing activity, revenue trends, collections, adjustments, cash flow, investment activity, interest earnings, and related financial data to ensure accuracy, compliance, transparency, and strong internal controls. As an advanced journey-level and lead position, the Senior Accountant - Revenue & Investment provides day-to-day guidance to staff, coordinates revenue and investment-related assignments, and collaborates with Finance, Customer Service, IT, and other departments to support accurate billing, effective collections, investment reporting, cash management, and sound financial decision-making. Meet Santa Margarita Water District Santa Margarita Water District is a dynamic, forward-thinking agency dedicated to delivering high-quality potable water, recycled water, and wastewater services to its 200,000 customers across Southern Orange County. As one of the region’s largest and most impactful utilities, we are committed to the highest standards of transparency, innovation, and environmental stewardship. Our people drive our progress, innovation, and results. Our collaborative, human-first culture fosters the sense of fun, comradery, and a rewarding sense of purpose as we do work that matters. Dynamic teams of intelligent individuals work collaboratively to achieve SMWD’s goals and solve challenges with a common aim that fosters a unique bond that is not often found in governmental agencies. Santa Margarita Water District’s Values Include Exemplary service excellence Intelligent innovation that is forward-thinking and adaptive Ethical fiscal responsibility and transparency Environmental and resource stewardship Employee development and leadership training Building relationships that strengthen communities Essential Functions What You Will Do Revenue Management & Analysis Perform complex revenue analyses, billing review, reconciliations, and reporting for District revenue programs. Analyze customer billing activity, revenue trends, collections, adjustments, refunds, write-offs, and related financial data. Reconcile billing system activity to financial reports, revenue accounts, and general ledger records. Monitor potable water, recycled water, wastewater, fees, penalties, and other District revenue sources. Prepare revenue reports, variance explanations, trend analysis, and financial summaries for District leadership. Research and resolve complex billing, revenue, customer account, and system-related discrepancies. Investments & Cash Management Monitor District investment activity, cash balances, interest earnings, maturities, and portfolio performance. Prepare monthly and quarterly investment reports for management, committees, and the Board. Assist with cash flow analysis and forecasting to support liquidity needs, investment decisions, and reserve planning. Reconcile investment statements, interest earnings, fair market values, and related financial activity. Support compliance with the District's investment policy, reserve policy, and applicable reporting requirements. Coordinate with banks, investment providers, trustees, and internal staff regarding investment activity, transfers, and reporting. Analyze investment trends, yields, market activity, and cash flow needs to support financial planning and decision-making. Process Improvement & Internal Controls Review revenue, cash management, and investment-related procedures and recommend improvements to strengthen accuracy, efficiency, and internal controls. Coordinate with Finance, Customer Service, IT, and other departments on billing system changes, reporting needs, and process improvements. Provide technical guidance, training, and lead direction to staff involved in billing, collections, reconciliations, investments, and financial reporting. Assist with audit requests, revenue documentation, investment schedules, and compliance-related reporting as needed. What You Bring Strong analytical, financial, and problem-solving skills with exceptional attention to detail. Experience with revenue analysis, billing, collections, customer account activity, investment reporting, cash flow analysis, banking activity, or public agency cash management. Ability to analyze large amounts of data and identify trends, discrepancies, and process improvements. Understanding of billing systems, revenue controls, reconciliations, investment statements, interest earnings, maturities, fair market values, and portfolio reporting. Ability to prepare clear revenue, cash, and investment reports for management, committees, or governing boards. Knowledge of internal controls related to billing, collections, cash handling, banking, and investments. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to explain complex financial, revenue, cash, and investment information clearly. Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, financial systems, banking platforms, investment portals, billing systems, reporting tools, and other business software. Requisite Abilities/Qualifications & Guidelines Education & Experience Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business administration, economics, or a related field and at least three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in revenue analysis, investments, cash management, billing, collections, financial analysis, accounting, or a related field, including one (1) year in a lead or project coordination capacity. Experience in a government agency, utility, public finance, banking, treasury, or public sector environment is desirable. Certification or training in public funds investing, treasury management, governmental finance, or a related area is a plus. Other Necessary Requirements/Additional Information This position requires strong judgment, discretion, analytical ability, and the ability to work collaboratively with internal departments and external partners. The selected candidate must be able to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, prepare accurate reports, and maintain effective working relationships. Santa Margarita Water District offers a comprehensive benefit package for eligible employees and their eligible dependents. These benefits include the following: retirement benefits; medical, dental, vision and life insurance; and a variety of other benefits. Benefits may vary based on employment status. PUBLIC EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT SYSTEM As a public agency, the Santa Margarita Water District has enrolled in the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) for retirement benefits. The retirement formula and required employee contribution may vary based on employment status. HEALTH INSURANCE The District contracts with the Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) for medical insurance coverage. Employees may elect coverage from PPO or HMO plans. Medical premiums for plans in an amount up to or equal to the highest HMO are paid for by the District for all full-time employees. The District shares the cost of medical insurance for dependents with the employee. Coverage is effective on the first of the month following employment with full-time status. DENTAL INSURANCE The District provides dental insurance for all full-time regular employees. Optional dependent dental coverage is available at the District's rates. Coverage is effective on the first of the month following employment with full-time status. VISION INSURANCE The District provides each full-time employee and their eligible dependents with vision insurance through Vision Service Plan (VSP). Coverage is effective on the first of the month following employment with full-time status. LIFE INSURANCE AND ACCIDENTAL DEATH AND DISMEMBERMENT The District provides term-life insurance for all full-time employees through VOYA with Employee benefits equaling 2 1/2 times the employee's annual salary to a maximum of $200,000. Adjustments are made based on the employee's salary. Coverage is effective on the first of the month following employment with full-time status. EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (EAP) The District provides all employees and their dependents with an EAP that provides confidential, professional assistance with a variety of services such as legal/financial concerns, ID recovery, mental health, and more. GENERAL LEAVE ACCRUAL First year through five-year anniversary date of continuous employment: 11.67 hours per calendar month (140 hours per year) with an accumulated maximum of 304 hours. Sixth through ten-year anniversary date of continuous employment: 16 hours per calendar month (192 hours per year) with an accumulated maximum of 350 hours. Eleventh through fifteen-year anniversary date of continuous employment: 19.33 hours per calendar month (232 hours per year) with an accumulated maximum of 350 hours. Sixteenth year and beyond of continuous employment: 22.67 hours per calendar month (272 hours per year) with an accumulated maximum of 380 hours. While accrual begins from the date of hire, for the most part, general leave may not be taken until completion of the employee's six-month probationary period. DEFERRED COMPENSATION Regular full and part-time employees are eligible to participate in the District's deferred compensation program. The District shall match an employee’s contribution into the deferred compensation plan up to a maximum of $2,400 per employee per year, or $100 per pay-period. The contributions occur each pay period except the third pay period in those months with three pay dates. HOLIDAYS The District provides 11½ holidays (92 hours) per year for full-time employees. FLEX SPENDING ACCOUNT Through the District's Flexible Spending Account (FSA), employees may set aside pre-tax dollars to pay for eligible "out-of-pocket" (unreimbursed) medical expenses, child or dependent care. LIFESTYLE SPENDING ACCOUNT A benefit in which your employer sets money aside for you to use on eligible expenses related to physical, financial and emotional well-being. EDUCATION REIMBURSEMENT All full-time employees are eligible for reimbursement for educational training or certification training taken from any college, university, or accredited institution, up to the IRS annual limit with Department Head approval. The aforementioned information is only a summary of the District's benefits. Detailed information may be found in the Personnel Rules and Regulations and/or the Memorandum of Understanding between the SMWDEA and the Santa Margarita Water District. 01 Please describe your experience with revenue analysis, utility billing, collections, and/or customer account reconciliations. 02 Please describe your experience with investments, cash management, investment reporting, or treasury-related activities. 03 Do you have experience preparing investment reports for management, committees, or governing boards? 04 Please describe your experience analyzing cash flow, interest earnings, #J-18808-Ljbffr Santa Margarita Water District