Controllers Division Manager - Disbursement and General Accounting (Open and Promotional)
Job Overview
Compensation
Salary
Range $162,593.60 - $203,216.00
Benefits
Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Retirement Plan
Paid Time Off
Professional development opportunities
Job Description
The San Mateo County Controller's Office is a pivotal entity responsible for maintaining the County's comprehensive financial accounting system. This office plays a critical role in ensuring the County's financial integrity through various essential functions, including processing disbursements and journal entries, generating independently audited and award-winning annual financial reports, and performing internal audits across different departments' operations. Staffed by a dedicated team of accountants, auditors, fiscal experts, and other professional personnel, the Controller's Office is committed to transparency, accuracy, and efficiency in public financial management.
Within this office, the General Accounting Division stands out as a cornerstone for delivering reliable accounting and financial services to County departments and agencies. This division handles the preparation of key financial documents such as the County Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR), the Annual Financial Report for the San Mateo County Joint Powers Financing Authority (JPFA), and other mandated financial statements. By adhering to high standards of integrity, effectiveness, and efficiency, the General Accounting Division ensures that all financial practices align with recognized governmental accounting principles.
The role of the Controllers Division Manager - Disbursement and General Accounting is integral to managing the General Accounting Division’s operations. This leadership position involves supervising and coordinating various financial support functions critical to the County’s fiscal health. The manager oversees accounting and financial services, ensures the accuracy and timeliness of financial reporting, and supports the development and implementation of accounting policies and procedures. This position demands a seasoned professional capable of providing complex financial analysis, preparing comprehensive financial schedules and reports, and maintaining compliance with evolving governmental financial standards.
Collaborating closely with senior management and county departments, this role facilitates the smooth execution of day-to-day accounting activities. Key responsibilities include directing the preparation of diverse financial reports such as the ACFR, Popular Annual Financial Report (PAFR), Annual Financial Reports for the JPFA, and State Controller’s financial transaction reports for both the County and JPFA. Furthermore, the Division Manager plays a strategic role in interpreting complex accounting laws and standards while fostering improvements that enhance internal processes and financial operations.
Candidates aspiring to this position should possess substantial experience in managing fiscal and professional staff and in performing high-level accounting and fiscal functions within large, complex public agencies. The successful candidate will demonstrate proficiency in government or public accounting, advanced knowledge of Governmental Financial Accounting Standards, and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. Effective communication skills, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities are essential, along with a proven record in supervising and developing professional teams.
This role also involves mentoring staff through training programs, performance evaluations, and fostering a cohesive, collaborative team environment that encourages communication and mutual support. The Division Manager molds the division's goals and priorities, ensuring alignment with county policies and legal requirements. They also coordinate audit activities and participate in system upgrades to maintain the integrity and efficiency of accounting operations.
San Mateo County is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to diversity, equity, and inclusion across all organizational levels. This position requires in-person work at the County facilities and offers a rewarding opportunity to contribute to public financial management excellence in a dynamic governmental environment. The recruitment process includes a final filing deadline, application screening, and panel interviews, emphasizing thorough selection to identify the most qualified candidate.
Within this office, the General Accounting Division stands out as a cornerstone for delivering reliable accounting and financial services to County departments and agencies. This division handles the preparation of key financial documents such as the County Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR), the Annual Financial Report for the San Mateo County Joint Powers Financing Authority (JPFA), and other mandated financial statements. By adhering to high standards of integrity, effectiveness, and efficiency, the General Accounting Division ensures that all financial practices align with recognized governmental accounting principles.
The role of the Controllers Division Manager - Disbursement and General Accounting is integral to managing the General Accounting Division’s operations. This leadership position involves supervising and coordinating various financial support functions critical to the County’s fiscal health. The manager oversees accounting and financial services, ensures the accuracy and timeliness of financial reporting, and supports the development and implementation of accounting policies and procedures. This position demands a seasoned professional capable of providing complex financial analysis, preparing comprehensive financial schedules and reports, and maintaining compliance with evolving governmental financial standards.
Collaborating closely with senior management and county departments, this role facilitates the smooth execution of day-to-day accounting activities. Key responsibilities include directing the preparation of diverse financial reports such as the ACFR, Popular Annual Financial Report (PAFR), Annual Financial Reports for the JPFA, and State Controller’s financial transaction reports for both the County and JPFA. Furthermore, the Division Manager plays a strategic role in interpreting complex accounting laws and standards while fostering improvements that enhance internal processes and financial operations.
Candidates aspiring to this position should possess substantial experience in managing fiscal and professional staff and in performing high-level accounting and fiscal functions within large, complex public agencies. The successful candidate will demonstrate proficiency in government or public accounting, advanced knowledge of Governmental Financial Accounting Standards, and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. Effective communication skills, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities are essential, along with a proven record in supervising and developing professional teams.
This role also involves mentoring staff through training programs, performance evaluations, and fostering a cohesive, collaborative team environment that encourages communication and mutual support. The Division Manager molds the division's goals and priorities, ensuring alignment with county policies and legal requirements. They also coordinate audit activities and participate in system upgrades to maintain the integrity and efficiency of accounting operations.
San Mateo County is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to diversity, equity, and inclusion across all organizational levels. This position requires in-person work at the County facilities and offers a rewarding opportunity to contribute to public financial management excellence in a dynamic governmental environment. The recruitment process includes a final filing deadline, application screening, and panel interviews, emphasizing thorough selection to identify the most qualified candidate.
Job Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in business or public administration or a related field
- three years of increasingly responsible experience performing a wide variety of administrative financial or managerial duties in a large complex public agency including at least one year of direct experience managing and or supervising an accounting or auditing function related to the assigned division
- if assigned to internal audit must obtain a Certified Public Accountant license issued by the State of California within six months of appointment
Job Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in business or public administration or a related field
- three years of increasingly responsible experience performing a wide variety of administrative financial or managerial duties in a large complex public agency including at least one year of direct experience managing and or supervising an accounting or auditing function related to the assigned division
- proficiency in government or public accounting
- advanced knowledge of governmental financial accounting standards and generally accepted accounting principles
- demonstrated success in preparing comprehensive and highly complex financial reports communications
- effective oral and written communication skills
- critical thinking and problem-solving skills
- experience managing and supervising professional staff
- knowledge of laws accounting rules and regulations
- experience in developing goals objectives and priorities
- ability to interpret complex laws and regulations and assess their impact
- ability to train and develop professional personnel
Job Duties
- Organize direct and coordinate accounting and financial operational activities
- preparing financial analysis schedules and reports such as Annual Comprehensive Financial Report ACFR Annual Financial Report for the San Mateo County Joint Powers Financing Authority JPFA Annual State Controller’s Report of Financial Transactions for the County and the Joint Powers Financing Authority Popular Annual Finance Reporting PAFR and County Budget Schedules
- administering and interpreting county administrative policies and procedures implementing division goals objectives and priorities
- reviewing and updating changes in governmental accounting standards and generally accepted accounting principles including procedures for implementation of changes to the County's financial reports and business processes
- coordinating year-end closing activities with controller’s staff county departments and agencies
- supervising and supporting division staff in day-to-day operation
- organizing and supervising training and work of professional and clerical staff including a Senior Accountant an Accountant and a Fiscal Office Specialist
- providing timely feedback and performance evaluations for staff and direct training opportunities
- consulting departments on complex accounting issues
- coordinating annual audit activities with external auditors
- participating in accounting system upgrades with the Controller's Information Systems Division or county department agencies systems as needed
- develop the Division’s procedures handbook for implementation of county policies
- conduct special financial analysis
- provide excellent customer service to departments which includes managing relationships with external and internal vendors customers
- perform related duties as assigned
Job Criteria
Experience
Mid Level (3-7 years)
Job Location
Your Profile Is Visible To Hiring Managers Across OysterLink.
We'll match you with best jobs
Get job offers faster
Search For More Opportunities:
How Candidates Get Hired Faster
Apply to 2–3 similar roles
Complete profile & get best matches
Check new opportunities daily
