Department Manager of Accounting; Controller - Limited Term

Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) is seeking a hands-on leader and manager with a "big picture" vision to fill the limited-term position of Controller during an instrumental era of transformation for the agency as we embark on the implementation of a new Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system. The Controller will be a self-starter who possesses excellent communication, organizational, problem-solving skills, and the proven ability to identify solutions for business problems.

Under general direction of the Chief Financial Officer, the Controller will assume full managerial responsibility for the Accounting Department consisting of 19 full-time employees, and be responsible for: external audit administration and financial reporting (e.g. preparation of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report); general ledger maintenance; in-house payroll and tax reporting; grant billing and accounts receivable; accounts payable and other Accounting tasks.

The Controller will collaborate with the Chief Financial Officer, Division Heads, Finance Managers and staff to pioneer best practices and streamline finance processes to support Agency activities. It is crucial that the Controller possess a strong knowledge of Government Accounting Standards, good judgment and decision-making skills, excellent communication skills, employee management and development skills, and a customer-service orientation to serve as a resource to all SCAG divisions.

• Assume management responsibility for all Accounting department services and activities: plan, direct, coordinate, and review the work plan in the Accounting department; meet with staff to identify and resolve problems; assign work activities, projects, and programs; monitor work flow; review and evaluate work products, methods, and procedures.
• Prepare SCAG’s Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) and Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards, including implementation of new Accounting standards
• Review and approve accounting and financial transactions including: memorandum of understanding, contracts, journal entries, accounts payable, accounts receivable, receipts, refunds, cash management functions
• Manage and participate in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for accounting and finance programs including the General Fund and all Special Revenue Funds
• Continuously monitor and evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; assess and monitor workload, administrative and support systems, and internal reporting relationships; identify opportunities for improvement and review with the Chief Financial Officer; direct the implementation of improvements
• Develop and standardize procedures, methods, and workflows to improve and continuously monitor the efficiency and workload of staff during the implementation of SCAG’s new ERP system
• Monitor costs and expenses approved by the Regional Council and other expenses that can only be charged to the General Fund; monitor dues collections from member jurisdictions; assume responsibility for long-term strategy and implementation to conserve the agency's financial reserves.
• Access financial data and information for preparation of reports pertaining to the General Fund, Special Revenue funds, and other reports to assess fund utilization by SCAG and use of resources available to SCAG. Monitor, record and report OPEB and Pension Obligations.
• Serve as a liaison for Accounting with the Regional Council, other SCAG departments and divisions, and outside agencies; negotiate and resolve significant and controversial issues.
• Communicate directly with Federal and State administrators, contractors, subregions and other vendors to discuss and resolve problems that affect SCAG's financial interest on an ongoing basis.
• Perform other duties as assigned

A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be with 7 years of experience in government accounting, 4 years of management or direct supervisory experience, and a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field. A CPA is highly desirable.

Any combination of training, education, and…