Senior Accountant

Salary : $90,313.60 - $124,592.00 Annually
Location : Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA), 2600 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA
Job Type: CHP-A Exempt
Job Number: 26-84
Department: Finance
Opening Date: 11/09/2026
Closing Date: 11/23/2026 4:30 PM Pacific

The exam will be IN-PERSON on December 3, 2026.
Please go to for details of this position and to apply.

Special Note: The posted salary is an estimate of the potential annual pay. Final offer will be dependent on qualifications and experience.
Definition: Performs the more technical and complex accounting assignments, including the preparation and/or supervision of financial reports and statements, general ledger and subsidiary maintenance of various Authority programs and other related financial duties. Supervises a group of accountants and clerical staff.

Characteristics of the Class: Positions allocable to this classification report to an Accounting Manager. This classification is distinguished from Accounting Manager, which is above, and from Accountant, which is below, by the size, scope, and complexity of accounting responsibilities.

• Prepares and supervises the preparation of finance statements for Authority programs on a monthly, semi-annual and annual basis.
• Prepares project cost development reports.
• Summarizes payroll and prepares monthly, quarterly, and annual reports of taxes and Workers' Compensation.
• Conducts internal audits, analyzes and updates general ledger accounts and balances.
• Checks bank reconciliation statements.
• Establishes and maintains accounting systems in accordance with Housing and Urban Development (HUD), California Housing Finance Agency (CHFA) and Trust Indenture requirements.
• Supervises Accountants and clerical staff in the performance of required duties.
• May establish new and/or modify existing accounting systems.
• Participates in a wide variety of assignments including the annual set up and maintenance of accounting books, the classification of transactions, trail balance, closing and end of period adjustments.
• May prepare and assist in the preparation of required local and federal financial statements and reports.
• Closes general ledgers and takes trial balances.
• Performs other related duties as assigned for training purposes or to meet technological changes or emergencies.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Knowledge Of:

• Principles, methods, and techniques of financial and accounting analysis and administration.
• Principles and practices of financial record keeping.
• Laws and ordinance relating to the financial administration of a public agency.
• Principles and practices and procedures.
• Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requirements relative to accounting systems, reports, and procedures.
• Theory and practice of governmental and commercial accounting; cost accounting methods, and procedures and electronic data processing principles.
• Housing Authority policies, practices, procedures, and principles related to this classification.
• Trust fund accounting in relation to trust indenture; payroll taxes and reporting.

Skills In:

• The application of good public and human relations techniques.
• Reading, writing, arithmetic, and analytical accounting techniques.
• The use and operation of required office machines and equipment used in accounting duties such as ten-key calculators, adding machines, and related equipment.
• Preparing mathematical computations and interpreting statistical information, graphs, charts, and diagrams.
• Effective written and verbal communication.

Ability To:

• Prepare, analyze, verify, evaluate, interpret, and assemble data, including financial documents, statements, and reports and make sound recommendations.
• Perform independent research and analysis on assigned studies.
• Relate to and effectively work with Authority management and development staff, subordinate, co-workers, and others in the performance of assigned duties.
• Make sound accounting decisions within established guidelines and know limits of discretion.
• Prepare clear, accurate, and comprehensive reports.
• Meet deadlines, goals, and objectives.
• Effectively communicate orally and in writing.
• Adapt to various work assignments.
• Maintain records and reports as required.
• Plan and conduct internal audits of accounting records.
• Prepare complex financial statements and reports.
• Plan and supervise the work of accountants and clerical accounting personnel.

Minimum Qualifications

Graduation from a recognized four-year college or university with at least twenty-four (24) semester or thirty-six (36) quarter units in Accounting -AND- two (2) years of professional level experience in government, public, or commercial accounting or auditing.
Desirable Qualifications

Graduate level course work in Business Administration or preferably Finance Administration with specialization in accounting and four (4) years of professional level accounting experience working in a large public agency. Good with numbers, excellent analytical and written skills and some supervisory experience is highly desirable.
License: May be required to possess a current California Class "C" Driver's License.
Special Requirements: May be required to possess and drive an automobile.

EXAMINATION

Applications will be reviewed for relevant experience, education and training. Applications must be detailed and complete for proper evaluation. Resumes may be included but may not be submitted in lieu of application content. Only the MOST QUALIFIED APPLICANTS will be invited to the testing process, which may include any combination of oral, written and/or performance examination. Applicants must pass each phase of the testing process with a rate of 80% or higher to be placed on the "Certified List". Generation of a Certified List does not mean that there are any vacant and available positions at this time. The Certified List will be available for not less than 6 consecutive calendar months.
THE EXAMINATION FOR THIS POSITION WILL OCCUR IN-PERSON ON December 3, 2026If you are invited to the examination process, you will receive an email from NO LATER THAN November 24, 2026 This will be your only notice. There will be no changes to the date(s) of the examination.
REFERRAL PROCESS

Only applicants who have been placed on the certified eligibility list will be considered for job openings. Placement on the eligibility list is neither a guarantee of employment, nor is it an implied promise of work. All applicants referred from an eligibility list for selection interview(s) will be considered for the position; however, only the best-qualified applicant(s) may be selected.
SELECTION PROCEDUREApplications will be reviewed for relevant experience, education and training. The application must be detailed and complete for proper evaluation.
HIRING INFORMATION:
All job offers are contingent upon successful completion of a pre-employment evaluation, which includes: a post-offer medical examination (includes drug and alcohol screening), criminal records check, employment history and education verification, and documentation of the right to work in the United States.
Candidates will start at STEP 1 of an eight step salary range unless there are special exceptions in accordance with the Personnel Rules.

HACLA Benefits

*Medical/Dental/Vision Plan:

• HACLA will provide up to 100% of the CalPERS medical premium rate for Los Angeles, San Bernardino & Ventura Counties Kaiser rates for employee only, employee + one dependent, and employee + multiple dependents as applicable
• HACLA will provide 100% of basic Dental HMO rates for employee only, employee + one dependent, and employee + multiple dependents as applicable
• HACLA will provide 100% basic Vision coverage for employee only, employee + one dependent, and employee + multiple dependents as applicable
• $250 OPT OUT payment is available for employees with a qualifying health plan outside of the employer network.
• Employees have the option to choose additional optional insurance such as Dental PPO, Custom Vision, additional medical coverage, and voluntary additional life insurance.

*Short-Term Disability/Long-Term Disability/Mandatory Life:

• HACLA will provide 100% of STD/LTD/Mandatory Life premiums for all eligible employees to maintain the IRS 125 Plan

*Pension Plan:

• HACLAretirement plan is the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). Vesting is five (5) years.
  • For Classic members, the pension formula is 2.7% at 55 with members contributing 8% of their wages towards their retirement.
  • For PEPRA members, the pension formula is 2% at 62, with members contributing 7.75% of their wages towards their retirement.
  • CalPERS will make the determination regarding the type of membership for which the eligible employee will qualify.

*General Leave/Holidays/PTO:

• Annual leave accruals vary, depending upon the type of job/position (membership in employee organizational group) and years of service. Length of service increases accrual rates by employee organizational group when service requirements are met.
• Newly Hired Annual Accruals:
  • At-Will/Non-Represented accrual per pay period 5.23 hours (17 days annually)
  • Council of Housing Professionals-Management accrual per pay period 4.15 hours (14 days annually)
  • Council of Housing Professionals-Administration accrual per pay period 6.78 hours (22 days annually)
  • Service Employees International Union (Local 721) accrual per pay period 6.78 hours (22 days annually)
  • Los Angeles County Building and Construction Trades Council accrual per pay period 5.23 hours (17 days annually)
  • American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees accrual per pay period 6.78 hours (22 days annually)
• 14 Observed Holidays:
  • New Year's Eve; New Years Day; Martin Luther King Jr's Birthday; President's Day; Cesar Chavez Day; Memorial Day; Juneteenth; Independence Day; Labor Day; Veteran's Day; Thanksgiving Day; Day After Thanksgiving; Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.
• 12 Floating Holiday hours annually
• Opportunity to earn up to 160 hours of Paid Time Off (PTO) for eligible exempt employees as comp time per calendar year. Employees may cash out up to 160 hours of accrued and unused PTO annually.

*Additional Optional Benefits:

• Pre-Tax Deferred Compensation 457 Plan
• Group term life insurance
• Flexible Spending Account Options
• Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Employee Assistance Program
• Flexible 9/80 Work Schedule
• Partial Telework Program

*Temporary Casual/Per-Diem employee are eligible to enroll/receive the following benefits:

• Kaiser Medical Insurance - 50% employer covered medical through Kaiser Permanente if working 30 hours or more per week.
• Paid Sick Time - At least 40 hours or 5 days of sick leave after 90 days of employment.
• Eligible casual employees may enter as Classic or PEPRA members if qualifying requirements are met.
• Per-Diem employees are not eligible for the Public Employee Retirement System (PERS).

Note: Temporary casual/per-diem employees are able to work up to 40 hours per week as necessary.

*Availability of benefits are dependent upon employment eligibility status with HACLA*
01

Do you have two (2) years of professional level experience in government, public or commercial accounting or auditing?

• Yes
• No

02

Have you graduated from a recognized four-year college or university with at least twenty-four (24) semester or thirty-six (36) quarter units in Accounting?

• Yes
• No

Required Question