Director, Accounting

Job Description

General

The Director of Accounting is responsible for organizing, directing, and supervising the Financial Reporting and General Ledger, accounting for grants and capital projects, Payroll, Capital Asset Management, and Accounts Payable functions for the San Mateo County Transit District (SamTrans), Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board (Caltrain), San Mateo County Transportation Authority (TA), and San Mateo County Express Lane JPA (SMCELJPA).

Essential Functions & Duties

• Oversee all general ledger and accounts payable (A/P) transactions and reporting.
• Direct audit process and the production and publication of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Reports (ACFR) and any other special financial reporting for all four agencies.
• Direct grants accounting, capital assets accounting, investment and debt accounting.
• Lead the development and implementation of processes for accounts payable, operating and capital expense recording, internal and external financial reporting, and the distribution of financial information.
• Work with the Treasury department in the development and implementation of financing mechanisms, investment of funds, bonds, and notes proceeds.
• Work with the Budgets department in the development and implementation of the annual budgets to achieve reasonable consistency in the reporting of financial data
• Lead process of procurement of accounting & auditing related contract services in partnership with contracts & procurement.
• Work with Financial Planning & Analysis, Risk Management, Fare/Program Operations, and other Departments in the development of operating forecasts and financial analysis.
• Supervise staff. Hire, mentor and take appropriate corrective and/or disciplinary action. Ensure EEO policies and procedures are followed. Participate in selection of staff. Coordinate staff training and professional development. Establish performance objectives. Monitor and evaluate employee performance.

Examples of Essential Duties:

• Oversee the month-end and year-end closes of financial transactions.
• Directproductionoffinancialstatementsandotherinformationforinternalandexternalpurposes, including: the audit documents, the Annual Comprehensive Financial Reports (ACFRs), monthly and quarterly financial statements, and external reporting of the National Transit Database (NTD) and the state required Financial Transaction Reports for SamTrans, Caltrain, TA, and SMCELJPA.
• Direct all Payroll transactions.
• Oversee disbursements for Payroll and Accounts Payable.
• Oversee the accounting for the agencies’ capital assets.
• In coordination with Treasury, direct accounting for investments, debt, and grants.
• Develop and manage administrative and accounting policies, services, structures, controls, and reporting systems.
• Evaluate staff job performance, which also includes the professional development of staff through the identification of on-the-job and other professional development opportunities.
• 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.

• Perform 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, economics, finance or related field.
• Seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in accounting, auditing, or finance.
• Three (3) years of full-time management experience in governmental accounting or enterprise accounting.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Strong governmental accounting experience is desirable.
• Experience utilizing Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and implementing complicated GASB Standards.

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 8.25 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 $2,000.
  

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: 11/1/2026 11:59 PM Pacific