Senior Accountant

Vallecitos Water District

• $91K — $123K *
Legal & Accounting
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Accounting or related field
  • 2+ years of professional accounting experience
  • Experience in government accounting preferred
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
  • Familiarity with GASB best practices and internal controls

Responsibilities

  • Analyze and reconcile various financial accounts
  • Administer capital asset accounting and related financial activities
  • Assist in preparing and analyzing annual operating and capital budgets
  • Conduct internal and external audits and prepare supporting documentation
  • Develop and implement accounting systems and procedures

Benefits

  • Full-time hourly position with potential for career growth
  • Opportunity to work in a government setting
  • Engagement in diverse financial projects
  • Support for professional development and training
  • Collaborative work environment with a focus on teamwork
Full Job Description
Salary : $91,899.00 - $123,153.00 Annually
Location : San Diego, CA
Job Type: Full-Time Hourly
Job Number:
Department: Finance
Division: Accounting
Opening Date: 10/05/2026

Description
Applications will be accepted until there are a sufficient number of highly qualified applicants from which to make a selection. It is recommended that candidates submit their materials no later than October 18, 2026 to ensure consideration. However, interviews may be conducted throughout the recruitment process and this opening may close at any time. Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

DEFINITION

Under general supervision, performs advanced professional accounting and budget-related work; prepares, reconciles, analyzes, and reports on District financial records, audits, and budgets; coordinates specialized accounting functions and projects; provides technical expertise regarding accounting procedures and internal controls; and performs related duties as assigned.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

This single-incumbent classification is fully responsible for performing and ensuring compliance in daily professional accounting, budget, and fiscal activities; exercises independent judgment within accepted accounting standards, regulations, and internal policies.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED AND RECEIVED

This position is supervised by the Finance Supervisor. It does not supervise any staff. This position may perform some advanced functions in the absence of department supervisor, and may train lower-level Finance staff as directed.
Essential Functions

Essential functions include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Analyzes and reconciles general ledger, subsidiary ledger, bank, asset, liability, and net asset accounts; prepares advanced adjusting and closing journal entries; performs month-end and year-end closing activities; and prepares related financial reports, schedules, worksheets, and supporting documentation;
  • Administers capital asset accounting and capital project-related financial activities, including maintaining capital asset records and depreciation schedules, preparing related journal entries and audit schedules, coordinating property damage recoveries and insurance claims, reconciling developer deposits and project billings, and processing project closeouts, invoices, and refunds;
  • Assists in the preparation, administration, and analysis of the District's annual operating and capital budgets; prepares financial analyses, projections, expenditure forecasts, and budget monitoring reports;
  • Conducts and coordinates internal and external audits; prepares audit schedules and supporting documentation; reviews financial transactions and records for compliance with governmental accounting standards, internal controls, and professional accounting practices; reviews payroll and accounts payable transactions and performs related finance functions as needed;
  • Recommends, develops, and implements accounting systems, procedures, reports, queries, and automated tools to improve financial reporting, analysis, efficiency, and compliance; provides technical guidance and direction to lower-level staff; may perform Accounting Technician duties based on staffing needs;
  • Operates copiers, office equipment, and computer software & programs required for the work;
  • Performs duties in a timely and professional manner and works well with others or in a team setting; establishes and maintains cooperative working relationships;
  • Regular attendance and adherence to prescribed work schedule to conduct job responsibilities; may be called upon to respond to emergency operations as a disaster service worker and support Emergency Operations Center activities;
  • Observes safe work practices and safety methods; performs other duties as assigned.

Typical Qualifications
Ideal Candidate Traits
  • Prior experience working in government accounting;
  • Demonstrated dedication to GASB best practices and internal controls;
  • Ability to accurately review detailed information and identify areas of concern;
  • Prior experience in preparing financial reports and statements;
  • Analytical and problem-solving skills; prioritization and ability to regularly meet deadlines.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of:
  • Principles and practices of accounting and auditing, including general and governmental accounting and budgeting;
  • Business data processing applications related to accounting and budgeting, such as Microsoft Excel; office procedures, methods, and equipment, including computers;
  • Applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and policies related to assigned work, including bond and investment regulations;
  • Methods and techniques of preparing financial reports and statements;
  • Advanced mathematical principles related to the work;
  • Principles and practices of financial record keeping and reporting;
  • Principles and practices of financial/statistical/comparative analysis;
  • Principles of payroll processing;

Ability to:
  • Perform a variety of professional accounting and financial analysis functions; develop and implement efficient accounting procedures and internal controls;
  • Plan and organize work to meet changing priorities and deadlines;
  • Communicate effectively with other departments, the general public, and government agencies;
  • Train lower-level Finance staff; establish and maintain effective working relationships with all those contacted in the course of work;
  • Participate in budget development;
  • Perform cash flow analysis;
  • Prepare and maintain accurate financial statements, records, and reports;
  • Perform applicable mathematical calculations quickly and accurately;
  • Interpret, apply, and explain applicable laws, regulations, and policies;
  • Operate standard office equipment, including computers and supporting software applications.

Education & Experience

Any combination of education or experience that would likely provide the necessary knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain these knowledge and abilities would be: Graduation from a four-year college or university with a degree in Accounting or a related field, plus two years of professional accounting experience. Public agency accounting experience is desirable.

Licenses, Certificates, and Special Requirements

  • None required; however, position-related certificates and licenses will be noted.

Supplemental Information

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Employees may be required to wear and/or use personal protective and other safety equipment. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; talk or hear; use hands and fingers to grasp; and feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand or walk. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Environment: Office environment. Frequently works in or around areas with minor amounts of dust. Some work done on ladders up to 4 feet above ground. Noise level is usually quiet.

01

How many years of experience do you have performing professional accounting duties?
  • Less Than 6 Months
  • At Least 6 Months But Less Than 2 Years
  • At Least 2 Years But Less Than 3 Years
  • 3+ Years

02

Do you possess any professional accounting licenses or certifications? If yes, attach them to your application.
  • Yes
  • No

03

How many years of experience do you have performing accounting with or for government agencies?
  • Less Than 6 Months
  • At Least 6 Months But Less Than 1 Year
  • At Least 1 Year But Less Than 2 Years
  • 2+ Years

04

Describe a time when you identified a discrepancy in accounting records. Outline the nature of the issue, explain how you discovered it, the steps taken to resolve it, and why addressing the discrepancy was significant.
05

Briefly tell us about a time when you identified a process or control that could be improved in your workplace. What was it, how was it implemented, and what was the outcome?
Required Question

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