Finance Manager - Accounting

The City of Menlo Park is recruiting for the exciting and challenging position of Finance Manager. As a member of the Administrative Services team, the incumbent will plan, organize, manage, and oversee the City’s general accounting functions, including general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, reconciliations, financial close, and related accounting operations. This position will oversee accounting systems and financial data integrity and direct the preparation of financial statements and fiscal reports, ensuring adherence to applicable governmental accounting principles, professional standards, and financial reporting requirements.

The Finance Manager is responsible forcoordinatingthe City’s annual financial statement preparation and external audit activities and providing complex financial analysis and recommendations to management. This position works collaboratively with City departments and staff, including payroll and accounts payable, to support the reliability and integrity of the City’s financial standing.

Examples of essential job functions:

• Plans, organizes, manages, and oversees the City’s general accounting functions, including general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, reconciliations, financial close, and related accounting operations.
• Oversees accounting systems and financial data integrity and ensures the timely and accurate completion of accounting activities and financial reporting requirements.
• Directs the preparation of, and participates in developing, financial statements and fiscal reports, including monthly, quarterly, and annual reports, as well as the City’s annual financial reporting documents.
• Coordinates the City’s annual financial statement preparation and external audit activities and ensures adherence to applicable governmental accounting principles, financial reporting requirements, and professional standards.
• Evaluates accounting processes and internal controls and implements improvements as needed.
• Provides complex financial analysis and recommendations to management and prepares clear, comprehensive, and concise accounting, financial, and statistical reports.
• Plans, organizes, assigns, reviews, and evaluates the work of assigned staff and provides or coordinates staff training.
• Develops and standardizes procedures and methods to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of accounting operations, financial reporting, and internal controls.

Requires knowledge of:

• Governmental accounting, fund accounting, and municipal financial reporting.
• GAAP and GASB standards applicable to municipal governments.
• General ledger, reconciliation, year-end closing, and financial statement preparation.
• Internal controls, auditing, and financial compliance.
• Administrative principles and practices, including goal setting, program development, implementation, and evaluation.
• Principles and practices of employee supervision, including work planning, assignment, review and evaluation, and the training of staff in work procedures.
• Organization and management practices as applied to the development, analysis, and evaluation of financial services programs, policies, and operational needs.
• Principles and practices of researching issues, evaluating alternatives, making sound recommendations, and preparing and presenting effective staff reports.
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulatory codes, ordinances, and procedures relevant to the assigned area of responsibility.

As part of the Administrative Services Department, we believe that it is our people and the power of teamwork that enable us to succeed. We believe that how we get our work done is as important as getting the job done. Our values guide how we behave as a team each day, acting with:

• Humility – Sharing…