SENIOR ACCOUNTANT

Senior Accountant

This recruitment will remain open until filled. The first review of applications is scheduled to occur for applications received before 5:00 PM on November 6, 2026, and will be reviewed on an ongoing basis until the position is filled. This recruitment may close at any time after that date, once a sufficiently strong candidate pool has been established. Here in Huntington Beach, we believe passionately that the key to becoming the best beach City in the world starts and ends with finding the right people to join our team. At this time, we have an outstanding career opportunity available, as we're looking for the right person to serve as Senior Accountant in our Finance Department.

Under general direction, reviews and analyzes financial transactions, prepares a variety of financial statements and reports, ensures proper recording and reporting of financial transactions and performs financial functions related to budget administration and annual audits; and performs other duties as required within the scope of the classification. The Senior Accountant performs journey level professional accounting for the City under the direction of the Principal Finance Analyst and/or Finance Manager. It is distinguished from the Principal Finance Analyst by the absence of supervisory responsibilities. Senior Accountant incumbents develop methods and procedures to solve problems encountered in the course of their work and may provide direction to Accountants.

Examples of Essential Duties

• Performs advanced professional level financial accounting duties in compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and governmental accounting standards, including but not limited to general accounting, accounts payable, accounts receivable and payroll
• Takes an active role in the preparation of financial and statistical statements and reports, fixed assets, the implementation of GASB pronouncements and other accounting functions
• Prepares general journal entries (revenues, expenditures, depreciation, etc.) to generate fiscal month and fiscal year-to-date balance sheets, changes in fund balance and cash flow financial statements
• Analyzes and prepares financial statements related to debt service, property tax distributions and other transactions
• Performs year-end review of accounts and necessary adjusting and closing entries
• Assists in the maintenance of general ledger and subsidiary ledgers of various funds
• Reconciles information produced by automated financial reporting systems with accounting records
• Reviews requisitions, allocates interest to various funds or special accounts
• Assists in the preparation of information for auditors
• Provides information to other local, state, and federal agencies as requested
• Provides quality service to both internal and external customers; serves as Accounting liaison with assigned departments; provides accounting advice and training, reviews requests for appropriation revisions and departmental transactions; monitors budgets and compliance with internal controls, practices and procedures; performs research or furnishes assistance as required

Minimum Qualifications

Any combination of education, training, and experience that would likely provide the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform in the position is qualifying. A typical combination includes: Education: A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in accounting, finance, business or related field. Experience: Three (3) years of professional accounting experience, at least two (2) years for a municipality or similar agency. License/Certificate: Certified Public Accountant (CPA) is preferred and may substitute for up to one (1) year of required experience. SPECIAL CONDITIONS. Public Employee Disaster Service Worker: In accordance with Government Code Section 3100, all Huntington Beach City employees are required to perform assigned disaster service worker duties in the event of an emergency or a disaster.

Application & Selection Procedure

• Application: Applicants must provide complete and detailed information regarding their education and experience in the application. Responses such as "See Resume" or references to an attached resume in lieu of providing the requested information are not sufficient and may result in the application being considered incomplete. Resumes may be submitted as supplemental documentation but will not be accepted in lieu of completing the application.
• Examination(s): Applicants who clearly demonstrate that they meet the minimum education, experience, license, and/or certification requirements and whose qualifications best meet the City's needs will be invited to participate in a virtual oral examination (weighted 100%), which will be scheduled once a sufficiently strong candidate pool has been established.
• Eligible List.
• Selection Interview.
• Background.
• Appointment.

Benefits

The City of Huntington Beach offers a comprehensive benefit package to Huntington Beach Municipal Teamsters (formerly MEA) members, including: The SALARY RANGE is composed of seven steps. Merit step increases are based on satisfactory performance. PROMOTIONS within the City are based upon the merit system principles emphasizing individual ability and utilizing competitive examinations. TWELVE PAID HOLIDAYS provided per year. GENERAL LEAVE with pay of 176 hours is granted to regular full-time employees. After four years' service additional general leave hours are earned, up to 256 hours after fifteen years' service. EDUCATIONAL INCENTIVE PLANS are available for eligible employees to develop their knowledge and abilities. GROUP INSURANCE PROGRAMS are available to eligible City employees. These programs include medical, dental, vision, long-term disability, life and accidental death and dismemberment insurances. FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNTS are available where employees use pre-tax salary to pay for regular child care, adult dependent care and/or medical expenses. RETIREMENT BENEFITS are provided by the California Public Employee's Retirement System. Every regular employee becomes a member immediately upon employment. Effective January 1, 2013, the Public Employees' Pension Reform Act will apply to new members of CalPERS. A new member is defined as a new hire who is brought into CalPERS membership for the first time on or after 1/1/13 and has no prior membership in a California public retirement system; is not eligible for reciprocity with another California public retirement system; or is rehired by a different CalPERS employer after a break in service of greater than six (6) months. All employees hired on or after January 1, 2013 will be subject to CalPERS membership review for applicability of PEPRA. Employees enrolled in CalPERS prior to January 1, 2013 are considered classic members. The benefit formula, final compensation period, and member contribution rate is as represented below: Classic Miscellaneous Members: Benefit Formula Miscellaneous 2.5% at age 55 Final Compensation Period 1-year Final Compensation Member Contribution Rate 9.0% of Reportable Compensation New Miscellaneous Members under PEPRA: Benefit Formula Miscellaneous 2% at age 62 Final Compensation Period 3-year Final Compensation Member Contribution Rate 8.25% of Reportable Compensation (eff. 7/1/23) DEFERRED COMPENSATION: Two voluntary deferred compensation 457 plans are available. CREDIT UNION membership is available to all City employees and provides access to low interest loans. FLEXIBLE WORK SCHEDULES: Employees will have the option of working a 5/40 or 9/80 work schedule with Supervisor and Department Head approval. Employees assigned to the Police Department shall retain the option of working the 4/10 work schedule with Supervisor and Department Head approval. In order to maintain service to the public, departmental effectiveness, productivity and/or efficiency, a Department Head may assign an employee a different work schedule that is in compliance with the requirements of FLSA with City Manager approval. An Agency Shop Agreement exists between the City of Huntington Beach and the Huntington Beach Municipal Teamsters (HBMT). As a result, employees in classifications represented by the HBMT are required, no later than 30 days after commencing employment, to either opt out or become a dues paying HBMT member. All dues are collected via payroll deduction and distributed directly to HBMT for processing. NOTE: The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute a contract expressed or implied, and any provisions contained herein may be modified or revoked without notice. For a more detailed overview of the benefits, review the Memorandum of Understanding and Side Letters at: MEMORANDA OF UNDERSTANDINGS Click on the links under "Huntington Beach Municipal Teamsters" or "Municipal Employees' Association".