Director of Accounting

The Port of Stockton is seeking an experienced, collaborative, and business-minded financial leader to serve as its next Director of Accounting.

Reporting directly to the Deputy Port Director of Administration, the Director provides executive leadership and oversight of the Port’s accounting, budgeting, financial reporting, forecasting, investments, cash and debt management, auditing, and procurement functions. The Director also serves as an important financial advisor to executive leadership and the Board of Port Commissioners.

The next Director will join the Port during an important period of organizational change and investment. The organization has recently developed a strategic plan, adopted new core values, is continuing to improve its use of the Tyler ERP system, and is preparing for significant infrastructure investment and organizational growth.

The successful candidate will bring strong technical financial expertise, while also understanding that the Port operates differently from a traditional city or county. The next Director must be engaged and interested about the Port’s business, collaborative with operating departments, and able to balance sound financial controls with responsive customer service and practical problem solving.

• Accounting & Reporting: Provide executive and day-to-day oversight of accounting operations, financial reporting, annual audits, internal controls, and preparation of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report.
• Budget & Forecasting: Lead the annual budget process and provide clear financial analysis, forecasting, and recommendations to executive leadership and the Board.
• Investments & Cash Management: Provide strong leadership over the Port’s investment portfolio, cash management, debt obligations, and financial institution relationships. Investment knowledge and judgment will be particularly important for this position.

• Capital Financial Planning: Participate as a key member of the Port’s Financial Strategy Committee and help evaluate financial capacity, funding strategies, and priorities supporting the Port’s $238.8 million five-year Capital Improvement Plan.
• Business-Oriented Financial Advice: Understand the Port’s commercial operating model, perform financial analysis, and provide strategic recommendations that support sound business decisions, infrastructure investment, and long-term organizational sustainability.

• Procurement & Contracting: Lead the Port’s procurement and contracting functions, while identifying ways to improve responsiveness and efficiency without sacrificing appropriate controls or compliance.
• Internal Customer Service: Build strong relationships with departments including Real Estate, Engineering and Facilities, Maritime Operations, and other business units and ensure Accounting serves as a collaborative organizational partner.

• Tyler ERP Optimization: Continue improving the Port’s use of Tyler ERP, financial reporting, workflows, and system capabilities.
• Process Improvement: Question established practices when appropriate, identify more effective approaches, and support a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.

• Develop the Team: Lead, coach, and support a professional Accounting and Procurement team, while creating clear expectations, accountability, and professional growth opportunities.
• Champion Change: Help the organization navigate organizational and operational change with patience, persistence, collaboration, and a positive approach.

About Port of Stockton, CA

The Stockton Port District, also known as Port of Stockton, isa unique inland deepwater port located on the San Joaquin River, 75 nautical miles from the San Francisco Bay. Encompassing approximately 2,000 acres, the Port connects California’s agriculturally rich Central Valley with domestic and international markets by ship, rail, and truck.

The Department

The Port is a self-supporting special district that operates with a distinctly business-oriented model. Revenues generated through cargo operations, property management, leasing, and other Port activities are reinvested into the organization, while public funding is generally limited to grants received for qualifying projects. The Port employs approximately 105 employees and is governed by an appointed seven-member Board of Port Commissioners.

In Fiscal Year 2025, the Port generated approximately $72.1million in operating revenue and reported approximately$384 million in total assets. The Port is also implementing a$238.8 million FY 2026-2031 Capital Improvement Plan, including investments in rail, maritime infrastructure, environmental projects, buildings, utilities, streets, and technology.

The Port’s core values are Integrity, Safety, Collaboration, Accountability, Sustainability, and Positive Culture.

The Port is seeking a highly capable public-sector financial professional who combines strong technical expertise with exceptional judgment, interpersonal skills, curiosity, and business acumen.

The ideal candidate will be collaborative, analytical, curious, creative, ethical, engaged, accountable, and solution oriented. This person will understand that Accounting is not simply a compliance function, but an organizational partner that helps departments and executive leadership make informed decisions. They will be comfortable asking thoughtful questions, examining the ‘why’ behind existing processes, and recommending practical improvements, while remaining open-minded, diplomatic, and receptive to different perspectives.

The next Director will also be an effective people leader who communicates clearly, develops employees, handles difficult conversations appropriately, and builds trust across the organization.

The ideal candidate will possess meaningful public-sector experience, as well as the ability to understand and thrive within the Port’s unique business-oriented operating environment. Relevant port or maritime experience is preferred but not required.

Additional Requirements: The Director of Accounting position is at-will and subject to an employment agreement. The selected candidate will also be required to obtain and maintain a valid Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) throughout employment.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, the ideal candidate must satisfy the requirements listed below, which are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions:

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in accounting, finance, or a closely related field. (A master’s degree in a related discipline is highly desired.)
• At least eight years of progressively responsible professional experience managing accounting functions, including internal and external audits, general ledger, investments, and financial reporting in the public sector.
• At least five years of experience at the management level or higher.

The ideal candidate will also have knowledge and experience in the following:

• Governmental accounting, GAAP, GASB, and GFOA best practices.
• Public agency budgeting, forecasting, and long-range financial planning.
• Investments, cash and debt management.
• Internal controls, auditing, procurement, and public contracting.
• Staff leadership and professional development.
• Executive communication and financial management systems.
• Possession of a CPA or CMA is desirable, and working knowledge of Tyler ERP is highly desirable.

Salary & Benefits

The salary range for the Director of Accounting is $183,120 – $242,520 annually. Starting salary will be based upon the experience and qualifications of the selected candidate.

The Port provides discretionary annual cost-of-living adjustments based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and offers a comprehensive benefits package currently valued at approximately 47% of wages.