Assistant Director, General Accounting

Salary: $129,971.00 - $201,455.00 Annually
Location : Main Office, 900 Wilshire Boulevard Suite 1500, Los Angeles, California 90017, CA
Job Type: At Will Full Time
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number:
Department: Finance
Opening Date: 10/23/2026
Closing Date: 11/13/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

SUMMARY
PURPOSE OF POSITION

The Assistant Director, General Accounting, will provide staff leadership, plan, direct, manage and oversee the activities and operations of the General Accounting team within the Finance Department. This team is responsible for general ledger, accounts payable, payroll, audit support, monthly balance sheet reconciliation and validation, fixed assets, and other financial reporting.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This job description is not part of a job series

SUPERVISION EXERCISED AND RECEIVED

• Receives general oversight from director or executive level management
• Responsible for supervising and monitoring the performance of a team or department

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The duties listed below are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed and are not to be interpreted as an exhaustive list of responsibilities

• Direct, manage, monitor, and evaluate work and activities of assigned team.

• Plan, organize and direct maintenance of official Agency financial records.
• Develop policies and procedures to ensure adequate internal controls, segregation of duties, organizational efficiencies, adherence to best practices, and compliance with regulatory requirements, while maintaining alignment with existing policies and procedures.
• Assure the financial integrity of the organization by developing and implementing a system of internal controls to safeguard assets and continually review financial systems to assure achievement of the Agency's goals and objectives.
• Ensure the timeliness and accuracy of payroll, revenue collection, accounts receivable, accounts payable and general ledger records.
• Lead the month-end and year-end accounting close.
• Lead preparation of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR), providing technical guidance and support to related tasks delegated to your team.
• Lead and manage internal and external financial audits.
• Lead the preparation of the indirect cost allocation plan
• Lead the preparation of reporting to the State Controller's Office and the National Transit Database
• Oversee the Authority's fuel hedging activities, including reporting to the Board on the results of the program.
• Develop a customer service oriented operating philosophy within the finance department that emphasizes providing accurate, timely and usable financial reports to meet the needs of others throughout the organization.
• Develop and implement fiscal plans and goals.
• Research or direct research and prepare reports on financial records and activities as required by law and ordinance, or as requested by Agency officials and appropriate staff.
• Participate in various cross-functional committees and task forces while representing the viewpoints of Finance and General Accounting.
• Assist in preparing the annual operating budget and develop special revenue fund budgets. Direct and recommend revenue and expenditure projections, and monitor expenditures, revenues, investments, and debt accumulation and payments.
• Provide fiscal information to executive Management, the Agency's Board, state and federal authorities, news media representatives, independent auditors, and the public. Prepare and deliver concise, professional oral and written presentations.
• Maintain knowledge of current public finance administration, budgeting and auditing practices, office procedures and equipment, pending and existing legislation affecting government finance, applicable ordinances and laws, fiscal forecasting techniques, investment strategy, organization administration, and personnel management.
• Ability to communicate financial terms, policies, and limitations in a way that is solution-oriented and understandable to non-financial professionals.
• The responsibilities outlined above are representative of the role but not exhaustive. Additional duties may be assigned as needed, and reasonable accommodations will be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with applicable laws.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS TO PERFORM ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, or a related field
• Current license as a Certified Public Accounting (CPA) issued by the California Board of Accountancy, or a similar licensing body from another state.
• A minimum of (8) years of progressive work experience in accounting, auditing, finance, budgeting, or a related field, including management of accounts payable, accounting and payroll teams, fixed asset inventories, capitalization, revenue and expense recording, and monthly and year-end closing cycles.
• A minimum of (5) years of experience in supervising and monitoring the work of subordinate staff or project managers, including monitoring and evaluating staff.
• Experience with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), General Accounting Standards (GAS), Government Accounting Standards Board (GASB), and the preparation of an Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR)
• Working knowledge of Governmental and Enterprise Fund Accounting;

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or Public Administration
• Experience working in a public sector agency
• Experience with Oracle financial software
• Knowledge of Six Sigma problem-solving methodology

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of:

• Knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), General Accounting Standards (GAS), Government Accounting Standards Board (GASB), and strong familiarity with the preparation of an Annual Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (ACFR)
• Applicable federal, state, and local regulations
• Modern principles of management, supervision, training, and performance evaluation
• Principles and practices, and corresponding policies and procedures related to assigned function

Skilled In:

• Highly Proficient in Microsoft Office with advanced Excel skills, and the ability to develop PowerPoint presentations and complex Word documents
• Using or deploying technology in innovative ways to accomplish department goals and objectives efficiently and effectively
• Performing complex analysis and producing clear, informative summaries or reports

Ability to:

• Lead, motivate, train, and mentor a strong resilient team
• Exercise sound judgment and discretion
• Communicate in an articulate, concise, and manner appropriate to your audience, allowing people to understand, accept or act on the guidance you provide
• Apply strong critical thinking skills to assess the accuracy and completeness of inputs and outputs, ensuring quality results
• Manage relationships and conflict smoothly, understanding the emotions and perspectives of others
• Prioritize, multitask, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced and changing environment
• Work independently, elevating issues when they arise armed with recommended solutions

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Transition between a stationary position at a desk or work location and move about Metrolink facilities or other work site locations
• Operate tools to perform the duties of the position, such as computers, office equipment, and work-related machinery
• Transport equipment or boxes up to 25 lbs
• Exchange ideas by means of communication
• Visual acuity to detect, identify, and observe employees or train movement and any barriers to movement when working on or near railroad tracks
• Hear and perceive the nature of sounds when working on or near railroad tracks
• Balance, ascend/descend, climb, kneel, stoop, bend, crouch, or crawl within assigned working conditions and or locations

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Working Conditions

Position requires work in a normal office environment with little exposure to excessive noise, dust, or temperature. Work may also be conducted in outdoor environments, at construction sites, Railroad Track and Right-of-Way environments, and warehouse environments, with possible exposure to individuals who are hostile or irate, moving mechanical parts, and loud noises (85+ decibels, such as heavy trucks, construction, etc.)

Following a review of resumes and/or applications, the most highly qualified candidates will be invited to continue in the selection process. Eligible applicants will be notified of the exact time and place of assessments and interview. Candidates will be interviewed to determine their relative knowledge, skills and ability in job related areas. Offers of employment may be contingent upon successful completion of a reference check, including degree verification and criminal records check provided through SCRRA.

Internal Candidates: Employees with active discipline as defined in the HR Policy No. 5.3 Positive Discipline Program and/or with performance that does not meet the standard for "meets expectations" as defined in the Performance Planning and Appraisal Process may be precluded from consideration and placement in the position.

SCRRA offers a choice of health plan options provided through the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS). You may choose from Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) plans and Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plans. Some health plans are only available in certain counties and/or zip codes.
SCRRA will contribute 87.50 percent and you will contribute 12.50 percent of the premium for coverage of you and your eligible dependents.
You may waive coverage if you are covered under another group health plan; you must provide proof. Once you waive coverage, you will only be allowed to enroll during Open Enrollment or within 60 days from the date on which your other coverage is no longer available (proof is required). If you elect to waive coverage, you will receive $300.00 per month taxable earnings, paid in two installments of $150 each on the first two paychecks of the month. A retiree or an employee who is a spouse, child, or any other eligible dependent of another SCRRA employee is not eligible for the opt out/cash in lieu credit if he/she is covered under a SCRRA health plan.
Eligibility begins the first of the month following hire date or qualifying event.

DENTAL:

SCRRA offers two dental options provided by Delta Dental. Under the DeltaCare (HMO) program, you must select a contract dentist within their network to perform your dental services. If you require treatment from a specialist, your contract dentist will handle the referral. Many services are covered at no cost to you. A co-payment applies for other services.
The Delta Dental PPO plan allows you to visit a dentist of your choice, change dentists at any time, go to a dental specialist of your choice, receive dental care any-where in the world, and save on out-of-pocket expenses when you visit a PPO net-work dental office.
SCRRA pays the full premium for coverage of you and your eligible dependents un-der both plans.
Eligibility begins the first of the month following hire date or qualifying event.

VISION:

SCRRA offers two (2) vision plans through Vision Service Plan (VSP), providing coverage for eye examinations, prescription eyewear and contact lenses through network providers. You have the option of seeing out-of-network providers, but full reimbursement is not guaranteed.
VSP has contracted with many laser surgery facilities and doctors, offering you a discount on PRK and LASIK surgeries.
If you enroll in the VSP Basic Plan, SCRRA pays the full premium for coverage of you and your eligible dependents. If you enroll in the VSP Buy-up Plan, which offers enhanced vision benefits, you pay the difference between the cost of the Basic Plan and the Buy-up Plan.
Eligibility begins the first of the month following hire date or qualifying event.

FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNTS:

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) allow for the deferral of pre-tax dollars to be used for reimbursement of eligible medical, dependent care, and commuter parking expenses related to commuting to/from work.
Below are the 2026 contribution limits:
• Health FSA: $3,400 per year
• Dependent Care FSA: $7,500 per household per year for single filers or married couples filing jointly, and $3,750 per year for married couples filing separately
• Commuter Parking Benefit: $340/month
Eligibility begins the first of the month following hire date or a qualifying event.

GROUP TERM LIFE INSURANCE:

SCRRA provides for an amount equal to one (1) time your annual salary, rounded to the nearest $1,000, to a maximum of $350,000. Your life insurance benefit will re-duce to 65% at age 65 and 55% at age 70.
IRS regulations require that the portion of Group Term Life ("G.T.L.") insurance benefits provided to you by SCRRA, which exceeds $50,000, be added to your Federal, State, and Medicare taxable earnings for W-2 reporting. This amount