Finance Manager

Salary: $122,015.74 - $148,310.95 Annually
Location : 300 E. Branch St., Arroyo Grande, CA
Job Type: Permanent Full Time
Job Number: 2026-AS-001
Department: Administrative Services
Opening Date: 10/06/2026
Closing Date: 10/23/2026 11:00 PM Pacific

Description

Under general direction, supervises, assigns, and reviews the work of staff responsible for performing accounting functions, including payroll, cash receipts, accounts payable, business licensing, utility billing, and customer service. Oversees and participates in all work activities, manages the City's audits and internal controls, participates in budget preparation, performs a variety of technical tasks related to the assigned area of responsibility, and may act as Administrative Services Director in their absence.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives direction from the Director of Administrative Services.

Exercises direct supervision over clerical accounting staff.
Essential Function Statements

Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Essential Functions:

• Plan, prioritize, assign, supervise, review and participate in the work of staff responsible for complex accounting functions including payroll, cash receipts, accounts payable, business licensing, utility billing and customer service; review and audit claims, computer generated records and other related documentation for accuracy.
• Establish schedules and methods for providing accounting services; identify resource needs; review needs with appropriate management staff; allocate resources accordingly.
• Develop and standardize procedures and methods to improve and continuously monitor the efficiency and effectiveness of assigned programs, service delivery methods and procedures; assess and monitor workload, administrative and support systems, and internal reporting relationships; identify opportunities for improvement and make recommendations to the Director of Administrative Services.
• Participate in the selection of accounting staff; provide or coordinate staff training; work with employees to correct deficiencies; implement discipline procedures.
• Participate in the preparation of the City's budget; coordinate budget preparation with the Director of Administrative Services.
• Prepare journal entries and reconcile general ledger and subsidiary accounts related to postings from payroll, accounts payable, cash receipts, and accounts receivable; prepare monthly financial statements, including distribution to departments; prepare numerous monthly, quarterly and annual financial reports.
• Perform internal audits of assigned accounts and balances; reconcile differences.
• Examine, reconcile, balance and adjust accounting records; reconcile and prepare complex bank reconciliations for multiple accounts.
• Serve as back up to balance and receipt assigned department cash transmittals and prepare bank deposits; edit cash receipts and prepare starting cash.
• Oversee utility billing activities; grant extensions for payment as appropriate; assist the general public with utility billing questions and provide appropriate information.
• Respond to and resolve difficult and sensitive inquiries and complaints from inside and outside the organization.
• Prepare a wide variety of financial, analytical and statistical reports, including year-end reporting, budgetary reports, assisting in the preparation of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR), and preparing other legal documents and management analysis. Assist the Director of Administrative Services with financial reports and research projects as assigned.
• Prepare analysis and work papers pursuant to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and Generally Accepted Auditing Standards (GAAS).
• Attend and participate in professional group meetings and training classes; stay abreast of new laws and regulations in the field of financial services.
• Operate computer and supporting word processing and spreadsheet applications; perform computer data entry; maintain computerized records and files.
• Serve as acting Director of Administrative Services in his/her absence.
• Respond and perform assigned duties in the event of a City declared emergency.
• Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.

Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• Operations, services and activities of a municipal accounting program.
• General and governmental accounting and auditing principles, methods and procedures (GAAP/GAAS).
• Principles of supervision, training and performance evaluation.
• Principles and procedures of financial record keeping and reporting.
• Basic mathematical principles.
• Applicable computer software applications.
• Pertinent Federal, State and local codes, laws and regulations.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff.

Ability to:

• Oversee the accounting functions for accounts payable, utility billing, payroll, accounts receivable, business licensing and customer service.
• Select, supervise, train and evaluate staff.
• Evaluate and develop improvements in operations, procedures, policies, or methods.
• Plan, organize, review and evaluate the work of lower level staff.
• Maintain complex general and subsidiary accounting records.
• Prepare clear and concise reports and spreadsheets, including computer generated financial reports.
• Operate office equipment including computers and supporting word processing and spreadsheet applications.
• Respond to requests and inquiries from the general public.
• Interpret, explain and enforce City policies and procedures applicable to assigned area of responsibility.
• Maintain confidentiality in all work areas.
• Work independently in the absence of supervision.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
• Establish, maintain and foster positive and harmonious working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Maintain effective audio-visual discrimination and perception needed for making observations, communicating with others, reading, writing and operating assigned equipment.
• Maintain physical condition appropriate to the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities.

Experience and Training Guidelines

Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience:
Five years of highly responsible experience in accounting, including one year of supervisory or lead responsibility.

Education:
Equivalent to a Bachelors degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in accounting, finance, business administration, or other closely related field.
Our Community
Arroyo Grande, incorporated in 1911, is located on the California Central Coast midway between Los Angeles and San Francisco. Located in San Luis Obispo County, the City is 5.45 square miles with a population of over 18,000 residents. Nestled between the Pacific Ocean, beautiful foothills, lakes, and world-class wineries, the City boasts fine homes, excellent schools, and a thriving agricultural and tourism-based economy.

Downtown Arroyo Grande, or the "Village" as locals call it, is the quaint heart of the city. The walkable downtown has antique shops in old Victorian buildings, farm-to-table eateries and watering holes, and exhilarating outdoor exploration. In the middle
of the village overlooking Arroyo Grande Creek is the historic Swinging Bridge, which is owned and maintained by the City. Constructed in 1875, it spans a total length of 171 feet, is suspended 40 feet above the creek, and is the only one of its kind in California.

The City prides itself on its beautiful array of parks, open space, and multiple community facilities. From the many parks to the sports complexes to the wildlife preserve, the City of Arroyo Grande encourages a strengthened community and improved
psychological health. Each year, the Harvest Festival and Summer Concerts in the Park Series draw crowds of visitors seeking an old-fashioned good time.

Arroyo Grande is one of the cities on the central coast known as the "Five Cities," which includes Grover Beach, Oceano, Pismo Beach, and Shell Beach or Halcyon. Known for its Mediterranean climate, summers are warm and dry with an average temperature of 70 degrees. Meanwhile, winters are mild with an average temperature between 50 and 60 degrees.

Benefits
There are a wide variety of benefits available to City of Arroyo Grande employees. These benefits include: health, dental, vision, life insurance, optional life and disability insurance plans, an employee assistance program and a deferred compensation program.

In addition, the City of Arroyo Grande provides full-time employees accrued Sick and Vacation leave and paid Holidays.

The City also participates in CalPERS retirement and Social Security.

The Memorandum of Understanding or Resolutions define the benefit details for each classification.

For a benefits overview click here:
01

Are you related to, or do you share a household with, any current City of Arroyo Grande or Five Cities Fire Authority employee?

• Yes
• No

02

Please rate your level of expertise with Microsoft Excel.

• Entry level
• Intermediate
• Advanced
• Expert

03

Describe your ERP system experience including the specific systems and the length of time you worked with each. If you have Tyler EERP (Munis) experience, please explain.
04

Please describe a challenging situation you encountered while supervising staff. How did you assess the situation, what steps did you take to address it, and what the final outcome was.
05

Describe a time when you proactively identified a task, project, or report that required attention but had not been formally assigned to you. Explain how you recognized the need, how you communicated with your supervisor, and what the final outcome was.
Required Question