Senior Accountant; Finance Department

Senior Accountant

The City of Ventura is seeking an experienced accounting professional to join our Finance team as a Senior Accountant. This position plays a critical role in maintaining the integrity of the City's financial operations and overseeing complex accounting functions, ensuring compliance with auditing standards, and supporting key financial reporting and analysis.

This is an excellent opportunity for a seasoned accounting professional who thrives in a collaborative environment, enjoys problem-solving, and is ready to take on a senior role within municipal finance.

What You'll Do

As a Senior Accountant, you will perform a full range of professional accounting functions across multiple areas while providing guidance and oversight to staff.

Key responsibilities include:

• Accounting Operations & Oversight Oversee and review accounting processes for compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) pronouncements, and applicable federal, state, and local regulations. Evaluate complex transactions and develop internal controls to ensure accuracy and compliance.
• Financial Reporting Lead the preparation of the City's Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR), including drafting financial statements, notes, and required supplementary information, coordinating supporting schedules, and ensuring timely, accurate reporting.
• Governmental Accounting & Auditing Compliance Serve as the primary point of contact for external auditors, managing all phases of the financial statement audit, Single Audit, and Transportation Development Act (TDA) audits, prepare and review audit schedules, SEFA, and related reports, and ensure timely resolution of audit inquiries and findings.
• General Ledger Management Oversee monthly and fiscal year-end close processes, including preparing, reviewing, and posting complex journal entries, maintaining the chart of accounts, performing detailed account reconciliations, and analyzing variances.
• Grant Accounting & Regulatory Compliance Oversee grant accounting, reporting, and reimbursement processes, ensure compliance with GAAP, grant agreements, and OMB Uniform Guidance, and review transactions for proper classification and eligibility.
• Program Area Oversight Provide technical oversight and review of key functional areas, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, treasury/revenue services, and fixed assets, ensuring accurate financial reporting and integration with the general ledger.
• Systems & Financial Analysis Use Workday Financials, Excel, and other business applications to perform advanced financial analysis, reconcile data across systems, and support reporting and process improvements.
• Supervision & Leadership Provide lead direction to accounting staff, including assigning and reviewing work, resolving complex accounting issues, and guiding staff on the application of accounting standards and procedures.
• Interdepartmental Coordination Work collaboratively with City departments to resolve complex accounting issues, perform analysis, and implement compliant, effective solutions.
• Communication & Compliance Support Respond to technical accounting inquiries from staff and auditors, interpret and communicate complex financial information while ensuring adherence to established policies, standards, and regulatory requirements.

The Ideal Candidate Preferred Qualifications

The ideal candidate is a knowledgeable and proactive accounting professional who brings both technical expertise and leadership capability, demonstrates the ability to manage competing deadlines in a fast-paced environment, and maintains a strong commitment to accuracy, accountability, and public service.

Key attributes include:

• Strong knowledge of GAAP, GASB, and governmental accounting and auditing standards, including experience with government auditing and accounting practices
• Experience preparing or supporting the ACFR (Annual Comprehensive Financial Report) and working with external auditors through the audit process
• Ability to analyze complex financial data, identify issues, and recommend appropriate, compliant solutions
• Demonstrated…