Accountant III

Job Description:

Accountant III

Description

General

The Accountant III reports to the Billing Manager and is responsible for supervising the billing functions and performing the tasks in accordance with Generally Accepted Account Principles (GAAP) for the San Mateo County Transit District (SamTrans), the Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board (Caltrain), the San Mateo County Transportation Authority (TA), and the San Mateo County Express Lanes Joint Powers Authority (ELJPA).

Essential Functions & Duties

• Prepare the month-end, quarter-end and year-end close , including the preparation and review of the general ledger account analysis, fund reconciliations, and preparation/review journal entries.
• Executes billing and accounting procedures, perform adjusting entries to billing and reporting processes to ensure compliance with GAAP, Governmental Accounting Standards Board, the Federal Transit Administration, as well as other laws and regulations.
• Lead reimbursements and drawdown for local, state, and federal grants.
• Review and evaluate accounting procedures, make recommendations for accounting systems and processes to ensure compliance with GAAP, Governmental Accounting Standards Board, Federal Transit Administration, and other laws and regulations.
• Act as a liaison between finance and other departments, organizations, and agencies. Respond to complex accounting questions and complaints as well as researching and responding to audit questions.
• Prepare and submit audit requests and findings.

Examples of Essential Duties:

• Ensure monthly/quarterly/annual reports are submitted timely and accurately. Reports include but are not limited to weekly capital billing status updates, weekly cash flow analysis, monthly financial statements, monthly status updates for selected capital projects, monthly board reports, quarterly federal financial reports, annual Comprehensive Annual Financial Reports, annual National Transit Database reports, annual State Controller’s reports, and any compliance reports as needed. Prepare and submit monthly/quarterly claims to granting agencies with proper documentation and required forms completed for expense reimbursement.
• Ensure the submittals are in accordance with the terms of the agreement.
• Ensure audits are completed on a timely basis and respond to audit request, questions and findings.
• Review accounting documents to ensure accuracy of information and calculations. Make necessary correcting entries.
• Analyze accounting variances, trends, exceptions, and discrepancies.
• Perform capital project accounting, manage and coordinate fixed asset physical inventories and investigate all exceptions.
• Communicate with internal and external stakeholders to resolve complex accounting issues, answer questions, resolve problems, and address complaints.
• Interpret rules and regulations of other government agencies that affect the District’s accounting process.
• Update department procedures manual while continuously identifying areas where procedures can be improved.
• Perform all job duties and responsibilities in a safe manner to protect one’s self, fellow employees and the public from injury or harm. Promote safety awareness and follow safety procedures in an effort to reduce or eliminate accidents.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Sufficient experience, training and/or education to demonstrate the knowledge and ability to successfully perform the essential functions of the position. In lieu of a degree, work-related experience that demonstrates the skills and experience necessary to perform this role will be accepted. Development of the required knowledge and abilities is typically obtained through but not limited to :

• Bachelor’s Degree in accounting, finance, or related field.
• Three (3) years of full-time accounting experience.
• One (1) year of experience supervising staff.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license in California.
• Accounting experience in a governmental organization.
• Experience with billing, general ledger, grants, and enterprise fund accounting.
• Experience with ERP databases, PeopleSoft.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.

Below is a summary of the comprehensive benefits provided to District full-time employees:

Health and Welfare Benefits:

• Healthcare Benefits -District employees are offered a choice of healthcare providers under the CalPERS Health Benefits Program.The District will contribute ninety (90) percent towards monthly premiums for full-time employees. Fifty (50) percent for part-time employees.
  
• Free Dental and Vision Benefits provided - Employer Covers Premiums
  
• Free Employee Assistance Benefit - Employees are entitled to 5 face-to-face sessions or telephonic or web-video consultations for problem-solving support per incident, per calendar year.
  

• Flexible Spending Accounts - Pre-tax dollars to pay for qualified Health or Dependent Care expenses.
  

Retirement Medical Benefits:

• Long Term Disability Insurance - After 90 days of total disability, Administrative full-time employees are eligible for 60% of monthly income covered by the District.
  
• Health and Wellness - Gyms located at most work locations and discounted Weight Watcher Membership Option.
  

Holidays and Paid Time Off:

• Paid Time Off - Newly hired employees accrue 6.5 hours bi-weekly when hired (if Exempt 8.5 hours).As you move up in years of service credit, the rate of the amount of PTO accrued will also increase.
  
• Paid Holidays - The District provides seven paid holidays throughout the year - New Years Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day (July 4th), Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day
  
• Floating Holidays - District employees can earn up to five (5) floating holidays.
  

Financial Planning Benefits:

• Pension Benefits through CalPERS -You must have a minimum of 5 years of service to be eligible for this pension.
  

• CalPERS PEPRA vs. Classic - All employees hired on, or after January 1, 2013, are considered PEPRA members and will contribute 8% of their salary up to the maximum IRS cut-off. All Classic members will contribute 6%
  
• Deferred Compensation Options - Select to contribute to one or both of our Tax Deferred Compensation Options
  
• Reliance Standard Life Insurance with 100% premium paid by the District - 1 times annual salary of employee - max $200,000
  
• Optional Life Insurance - Employees may purchase additional life insurance for themselves and their eligible family members.
  

Growth and Education Benefits:

• Professional Development - Access to LinkedIn Learning and San Mateo County’s professional training. District Tuition Reimbursement Program - A maximum of $5,250 per year for courses related to your job or career goals with the District.
  
• Computer Loan Program - Interest-free two-year loan with a maximum amount of $4,000.
  

Other Amazing Benefits:

• Credit Union - Employees and family members are eligible to join the San Mateo Credit Union and Patelco Credit Union.
  
• Employee Clean Commute (ECC) - Car/Van poolers and Public Transit riders receive a monthly reimbursement.
  
• Commuter Benefits - Free Employee Parking; Free Bus Pass for employee as well as children/spouse; Clipper Card/Go Pass Program for Central employees.
  

For union employees, all of the above benefits are subject to the employee’s Collective Bargaining Agreement. Benefits listed are also subject to change with or without notice and are subject to contract/provider terms and conditions.

Closing Date/Time: 9/29/2024 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$99,511.00 - $149,267.00 Annually