Principal Accountant in Walnut, California

Principal Accountant

Are you a seasoned accounting professional with a passion for public service, financial stewardship, and leading high-performing teams? Do you thrive on solving complex financial challenges and ensuring transparency, accuracy, and accountability? If so, we invite you to bring your expertise as our next Principal Accountant! In this key leadership role, you'll oversee critical accounting functions that support operations while helping shape financial strategies, strengthen internal controls, and ensure compliance with government accounting standards.

This is an exciting opportunity to make a meaningful impact in a dynamic municipal environment.

What We're Looking For Required Qualifications Education & Experience Any combination of education and experience that demonstrates the required knowledge and abilities will be considered. A typical background includes:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a related field from an accredited college or university.
• Five (7) years of progressively responsible professional accounting experience.
• Two (2) years of accounting supervisory experience highly preferred.
• Strong knowledge of governmental accounting principles, practices, and reporting requirements.

Ideal Candidate You'll stand out if you have:

• Experience working in a municipal or public sector environment.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Knowledge of budgeting, auditing, payroll, capital assets, and financial reporting.
• Experience leading teams and developing staff.
• Exceptional attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Advanced proficiency with accounting software and Microsoft Office applications.

What You'll Do As the Principal Accountant, you'll serve as a trusted financial expert and leader, providing advanced accounting support, supervision, and analysis across departments.

Financial Management & Accounting Leadership Develop and recommend departmental goals, policies, and procedures. Participate in the design and implementation of accounting systems, internal controls, and reporting processes. Prepare and analyze complex financial statements and reports. Monitor cash balances across City funds and recommend appropriate adjustments. Perform high-level account reconciliations and verify the accuracy of financial transactions. Analyze daily cash flow and financial activity.

Team Leadership & Supervision Provide guidance, oversight, and support to accounting staff. Review accounting entries, reconciliations, and fiscal records for accuracy and completeness. Foster a collaborative environment focused on continuous improvement and excellence.

Financial Reporting & Audit Support Prepare complex adjusting entries affecting multiple accounting subsystems. Review month-end and year-end closing activities. Prepare financial reports and supporting schedules. Serve as a key liaison with agency auditors, and the public. Respond to audit inquiries and support successful audit completion.

Budgeting & Financial Analysis Prepare accounting summaries, reimbursement reports, and financial analyses. Ensure compliance with approved budgets and fiscal policies. Forecast financial needs and evaluate budget impacts.

Capital Assets & Infrastructure Accounting Maintain records for assets, infrastructure, and construction-in-progress projects. Record asset additions and disposals. Calculate depreciation schedules and asset valuations. Analyze expenditures related to Capital Improvement Projects (CIP).

Payroll & Compliance Support Apply payroll administration principles and regulations. Support payroll processing and compliance with federal and state reporting requirements. Interpret bargaining unit agreements and payroll policies.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, age, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, or military or veteran status. We consider all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with state and local laws, including the California Fair Chance Act, City of Los Angeles' Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance.