Salary : $92,268.80 - $136,323.20 Annually
Location : City Hall, 505 S. Vulcan Avenue, Encinitas, CA
Job Type: Full-Time Regular
Job Number: 26-23
Department: Finance
Opening Date: 05/21/2026
Closing Date: Continuous

The Position
Analyze.Optimize.Deliver.
The City of Encinitas is seeking a Senior Finance Analyst with exceptional organizational and technical accounting skills to join the Finance Department. This position reports to the Financial Reporting Manager and will supervise other staff accountants and technicians in the department. You will be a key contributor to the year-end audit and preparation of the City's Annual Comprehensive Financial Report as well as the preparation and review of other grant-related audits and financial reports. You will be responsible for recording investment activity, preparing investment reports, and ensuring compliance with the City's investment policy. Other duties include preparing complex journal entries, grant and account reconciliation, financial analysis, leading ad-hoc accounting related projects, and providing accounting support to all departments and Districts in the City. This is an exciting growth opportunity in the Finance Department in one of California's most vibrant coastal cities.
Your Role in Finance
The Senior Finance Analyst supports the detailed work of the Finance Department by performing a broad range of accounting, financial analysis, and administrative tasks. The role requires knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and Governmental Accounting Standards, strong multitasking skills, the ability to shift priorities quickly, the ability to work efficiently in a variety of software platforms and comfort managing several projects at once. You will work both independently and collaboratively with other departments in the City.
The Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate is a self-starter, who is analytical, detail oriented, organized, and an effective communicator with a passion for public service. They possess strong accounting and financial reporting skills, the ability to research and implement complex accounting standards with little supervision, perform complex data analysis, and have advanced software skills. At the Senior Finance Analyst level, candidates bring deeper experience in complex accounting standards including knowledge of accounting processes and effective internal controls. They can train and supervise accounting staff and perform high-level project or accounting policy work. Successful candidates thrive in a dynamic environment and demonstrate initiative, sound judgment, and strong problem-solving abilities.

Examples of Important & Essential Duties (included but not limited to)

• Preparation and review of journal entries and supporting documentation
• Reconciliation of subledgers to the general ledger for various City grants
• Accounting of investment activity and preparing monthly and quarterly reports
• Prepare supporting documentation for the year end audit and Annual Comprehensive Financial Report as well as the City's Single Audit and other required financial reports
• Administration of banking and investment authorizations
• Assist with ad-hoc assignments such as internal cost allocation study, tax assessments, pension and OPEB actuarial evaluations
• Review and testing of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system and other financial software
• Research and implementation of new GASB Pronouncements

Must have sufficient knowledge of the following Governmental Accounting Standards:

• GASB 68 Accounting and Financial Reporting for Pensions
• GASB 75 Accounting and Financial Reporting for Postemployment Benefits Other Than Pensions
• GASB 87 Leases
• GASB 94 Public-Private and Public-Public Partnerships
• GASB 96 Subscription Based Information Technology Arrangements
• GASB 101 Compensated Absences
• GASB 102 Certain Risk Disclosures
• GASB 103 Financial Reporting Model Improvements
• GASB 104 Disclosure of Certain Capital Assets

Click to read the full job description.
Minimum Qualifications
Training and Experience (position requirements at entry):

Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance, Public Administration, or a related field, plus 4 years of progressively responsible experience in government budget, finance, and accounting activities or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above. A minimum of three years of ACFR or governmental Budget experience is required.

A CPA or Master's degree in a related field is highly desirable.

Experience with the following software is not required but is highly desirable:

• Tyler Enterprise ERP
• DebtBook
• Gravity/Clear Gov
• SYMPRO
• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Teams

Application Process and Deadline
This job posting is open until the position is filled.
First review of applications will be on the week of June 8, 2026, and qualified applicants will be invited for interviews.

If you're ready to contribute your talents and grow your career while serving an exceptional coastal community, we encourage you to apply today!A completed application with an attached cover letter AND resume are required.

*** Incomplete application packets are not accepted ***




2026 Benefits Summary

Unrepresented General, Management and Professional Employees

Cafeteria Health Plan
The employer's "Flexible Benefit Plan" contribution will make available for each employee a monthly amount equal to the high median of the monthly premiums of all CalPERS health plans available in San Diego County. Under the City's Section 125 Cafeteria Benefits Plan qualified benefits include: health, dental, vision, dependent care flexible spending account (FSA) and healthcare FSA. The remaining balance is available as additional taxable income capped at one-half of the monthly cafeteria contribution

Retirement

The City contracts with the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS):
Retirement Tier Retirement Formula
Classic2.0% @ 60
New Member2.0% @ 62

457 and 401a Deferred Compensation
The City offers a 457 and/or 401(a) deferred compensation. These accounts are voluntary and employee funded.

Basic Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance
The City provides Basic Group Term Life Insurance equal to 1x your basic annual earnings up to a maximum of $150,000. AD&D is up to the amount of your Group Term Life Insurance.
Employees may choose to purchase additional life insurance through the City's Voluntary Optional Life Insurance program.

Short-Term Disability Insurance (STD)
STD benefits are 70% of your weekly earnings up to a maximum of $3,500 per week.

Long-Term Disability Insurance (LTD)
LTD benefits are 66% of monthly earnings up to a maximum of $8,000 per month. San Dieguito Water District employees pay for their LTD premium.

Sick Leave
Unrepresented full-time employees accrue nine (9) hours of sick leave for each calendar month of paid status (4.153 hours per pay period). New employees are granted a beginning balance of (9) hours. Less than full time employees accrue sick leave in an amount prorated by FTE status. Accrued sick leave carries over from year to year.

Parental Leave (Baby Bonding)
Employees who qualify for California Family Rights Act (CFRA) baby bonding will be eligible for twelve (12) weeks of employer paid leave. Available leave is prorated based on FTE status.

Vacation Leave
Employees earn vacation hours based on the following years of service:

Years of Service Annual Accrual
Hire - 5 Years 104 hours
6 - 10 Years 128 hours
11 - 15 Years 152 hours
16+ Years 184 hours

Credit is given to new employees for related continuous prior public service employment at the rate of one year for every two years worked.

In addition to Vacation Leave, all Management employees shall be provided fifty-five (55) annual hours of Administrative Leave.

General Election Leave
Employees shall be provided a half day of paid leave to vote at the employee's polling location or a full day of paid leave to volunteer for the County Registrar of Voters for a General Election.

Holiday Closure
Each year, City Hall is closed from Christmas Eve through New Year's Day.

Holidays
Employees receive thirteen (13) fixed holidays and five (5) floating holidays (45 hours) per fiscal year.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Confidential services are available to employees and household members to assist with personal and professional issues. Five sessions per issue are available each calendar year.

Computer Purchase Program
The City will loan employees who successfully complete the probationary period of employment an interest free loan of up to $3,000.

Tuition Assistance
Eligible employees may receive up to $1,200 in reimbursement per fiscal year for approved coursework tuition, required textbooks and registration.

Social Security and Medicare
The City does not participate in the Social Security program. The City and employees each pay 1.45% to Medicare Insurance.
01

Please explain your experience implementing a new financial accounting standard, including the key steps you took to ensure a successful adoption. If none, please state N/A.
02

Please describe your experience reviewing staff accounting journals, reconciliations, or reports, including how you identified and addressed any errors. If none, please state N/A.
03

Please describe your experience implementing a new accounting process or software, including your specific role in the implementation. If none, please state N/A.
04

Do you have a CPA license or a Master's Degree?
Required Question