ACCOUNTING MANAGER

Salary : $88,548.00 - $126,840.00 Annually
Location : City of West Covina, CA
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 2026-026
Department: Finance Department
Division: Finance
Opening Date: 10/07/2026
Closing Date: Continuous

Description

Job Summary:
Under general direction, supervises, plans and coordinates the activities and operations of the Accounting Division; performs a variety of advanced level and professional accounting functions related to the assigned area of responsibility; coordinates assigned activities with other departments, outside agencies and the general public; provides highly responsible and complex staff assistance to the Assistant Finance Director and Finance Director; performs related job duties as assigned.

Application Directions
This position will remain open until filled. To be considered, candidates must submit a cover letter, resume, and completed online application. Applicants must also provide clear and detailed responses to all supplemental questions. Incomplete or unclear applications will not be considered.

Only those candidates whose applications and resumes most clearly demonstrate the job-related experience, education, and training sought by the City shall be selected to move forward in the recruitment process. Placement in the position shall be contingent upon the successful completion of a reference check, prior employment check, Live Scan, and pre-employment medical exam.
Examples of Duties
The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to this class.

1. Plans, prioritizes, assigns, supervises, and reviews the work of professional and clerical accounting and payroll staff; ensures that work is performed in a timely manner and in conformance with established policies, procedures, and regulations. Analyzes and implements workflow recommendations. Ensures effective internal controls.
2. Acts as a liaison to the external auditors. Coordinates the preparation of external audit materials and assists auditors in the review of financial operations. Responds to and resolves questions and requests for information from the auditor.
3. Participates in and supervises the maintenance of the general ledger and subsidiary ledgers of various funds; performs year-end review of accounts, preparing adjusting and closing entries, and prepares year-end financial statements.
4. Selects, trains, motivates and evaluates assigned personnel; provides or coordinates staff training; works with employees to correct deficiencies; implements discipline procedures; recommends disciplinary actions; coordinates and approves leave requests; develops and establishes work method and standards.
5. Prepares and analyzes complex financial reports and statements; notifies departments when there are discrepancies; monitors cash balances in all funds; recommends adjustments as appropriate.
6. Coordinates, prepares, and reviews transactions in relation to community facilities districts, assessment districts, and long-term debt investments.
7. Advises and consults with management on accounting and budgetary concerns; provides information and recommendations as appropriate.
8. Participates in the preparation and administration of the program budget; submits budget recommendations; monitors expenditures.
9. Recommends and assists in the implementation of goals and objectives; develops and implements approved policies and procedures. Participates in the development of accounting systems, control systems and reporting procedures.
10. Conducts special studies and projects as assigned.
11. Performs other duties as assigned.

Typical Qualifications
Any combination of education and experience that has provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary for senior level accounting position. A typical way of obtaining the required qualifications is to possess the equivalent of:

Knowledge of:

1. Principles and practices of municipal administration, governmental accounting, auditing, budgeting, purchasing, payroll, cashiering, investments, accounts receivable, accounts payable, business license; computer applications in administrative functions.
2. Pertinent Federal, State and local laws, codes and regulations pertaining to public finance and accounting.
3. Principles of research, statistical analysis and report preparation.
4. General office procedures.
5. Operation and care of general-purpose computer equipment.
6. Working knowledge of City policies and procedures.
7. Principles and practices of supervision, training and performance evaluation.
8. Economic/business cycles.
9. Microsoft Excel (including pivot tables), Word and PowerPoint.

Ability to:

1. Plan, organize, manage and coordinate the work of staff engaged in preparing and maintaining City-wide financial records and reports.
2. Analyze and make sound recommendations on complex accounting and financial issues, data and operations.
3. Understand, interpret, explain and apply federal, state and local policy, law, regulations and court decisions regulating the City's financial accounting, reporting and record keeping.
4. Develop and implement sound financial and accounting procedures and controls.
5. Communicate clearly and effectively, orally and in writing.
6. Define issues, analyze problems, evaluate alternatives and develop sound, independent conclusions and recommendations in accordance with laws, regulations, rules and policies.
7. Prepare clear, concise and comprehensive correspondence, reports, studies and other written materials.
8. Exercise sound, expert independent judgment within general policy guidelines.
9. Exercise tact and diplomacy in dealing with sensitive and complex issues and situations.
10. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with the City Manager, department heads and managers, staff, representatives of other agencies, the public and others encountered in the course of work.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONSEducation, Training, and Experience
A Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university with a major in accounting, finance, business or public administration or a related field is required.

Four (4) years of progressively responsible, professional accounting experience involving governmental accounting, including at least one (1) year of supervisory experience.

Master's degree is highly desirable.

IDEAL CANDIDATE
The City of West Covina is reinventing its service model to build a more efficient, effective, and forward-thinking organization. We are seeking a candidate who is committed to public service, innovative, technologically proficient, hardworking, customer-service oriented, and ready to take on meaningful challenges. If you are ready to help shape the future of our organization, we welcome your application.
LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS
Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation, Certified Public Finance Officers (CPFO), or other accreditation in a related field is desirable.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
This position also requires extensive and repetitive physical activity involving the arms, wrists, and hands, including writing and using a keyboard. It also requires physical abilities associated with the ability to read, write and communicate in a work environment requiring no extraordinary physical strength or other special physical qualifications.
Supplemental Information
01

Do you possess a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration? If yes, please attach a copy of your degree to your application.*Failure to provide the required attachment may result in disqualification from further consideration.*

• Yes
• No

02

Do you have at least four (4) years of municipal or governmental accounting experience? If yes, please describe where you gained this experience, including the name of the employer, your position title, and the total years of experience.
03

Do you have supervisory experience in a municipal or public-sector finance environment?

• Yes
• No

04

Please indicate the number of employees you have directly supervised.

• 10 or more employees
• 7-9 employees
• 4-6 employees
• 1-3 employees
• I have not supervised employees or conducted performance evaluations.

05

Please identify the classifications of the employees you supervised and describe the scope of your supervisory and leadership responsibilities. Include relevant experience in managing departmental operations, assigning and reviewing work, conducting performance evaluations, mentoring and developing staff, and overseeing financial functions and activities.
06

Please list any municipal financial systems (e.g.