Principal Accountant

Applications will be accepted on a continuous basis until a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received.
The deadline for the first review of applications is on Thursday, October 23, 2025
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Applicants are encouraged to apply early. Applicants that apply after the first review are not guaranteed to be considered for this recruitment. This recruitment may close at any time without notice after the first review date.
Description
Under general direction of the Accounting & Finance Manager, leads day-to-day Citywide accounting operations, and financial reporting; supervises professional and technical accounting staff (e.g., general ledger/financial reporting, accounts payable/receivable, payroll interface/reconciliation, fixed assets, grants, project/cost accounting); manages the month-end and year-end close; coordinates external audit fieldwork and produces the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) and related regulatory reports; ensures compliance with GAAP/GASB and internal controls; performs related duties as required.

Class Characteristics
The Principal Accountant is an advanced, professional classification responsible for the operations and production of City accounting and reporting and may provide direction to professional and technical accounting staff.

Supervision Received
Works under the general supervision of the Accounting & Finance Manager.

Supervision Exercised
Exercises technical direction to assigned professional and technical accounting staff; provides project leadership to cross-functional teams; may act for the Accounting & Finance Manager in his/her absence.

Responsibilities
Essential functions may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents of this class; employees may be assigned duties which are not listed below; and reasonable accommodations will be made as required. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:
Responsible for the monthly, quarterly, and annual close calendar; prepares/reviews/approves complex closing entries; reconciles the general ledger and all subledgers (AP, AR, payroll, inventory, fixed assets, grants, projects); issues fund, cash, and variance reports; ensures accurate fund accounting.

Performs advanced professional accounting and budgetary work in establishing, analyzing, auditing, reconciling, and maintaining financial records (e.g., bank reconciliations, CIP/project accounting, fixed asset capitalization and depreciation, and grants), and monitors transactions for compliance with GAAP, GASB, and where applicable GAGAS, state/federal regulations, grant and debt covenants, and City policies/internal controls.

Leads audit preparation and fieldwork (annual financial audit, Single Audit, grant audits, Successor Agency audit); develops PBCs and timelines, coordinates schedules, ensures high-quality workpapers and timely responses; tracks and clears findings; drafts MD&A/notes as assigned; partners with the Accounting & Finance Manager as the City's lead auditor liaison.

Produces the ACFR and statutory reports (e.g., State Controller's Reports, Streets Report, Successor Agency ROPS), including statements, notes, RSI, and statistical-section inputs; prepares monthly/quarterly operating statements and reconciliation schedules; implements new GASB pronouncements and related disclosures in coordination with the Accounting & Finance Manager.

Maintains City debt records; coordinates payments with fiscal agents; reconciles trustee statements; prepares continuing disclosure information; ensures compliance with covenants; performs and/or assists with accounting for complex financing projects and agreements, including allocations.

Oversees capitalization/depreciation, project/grant accounting, and cost allocations; reviews allowability, supporting documentation, drawdowns, and reports; coordinates with Grants and Budget on compliance and reporting.

Provides administrative and analytical support in planning, developing, reviewing, and implementing designated budgets and accounts; monitors and evaluates budget performance; prepares revenue/expenditure projections; analyzes program/project costs and recommends allocations; collaborates with Budget on year-end estimates and forecast alignment; assists with the City's annual budget.

Administers the chart of accounts; performs GL setup/close; serves as ERP business owner for GL/projects/fixed assets/AP-AR interfaces; builds and validates interfaces; establishes and maintains automated records/files; designs queries and reconciliation/closing/audit reports; partners with IT on upgrades, user access, and internal controls.

Develops and maintains internal controls over financial reporting; documents SOPs; conducts risk assessments; leads cross-training; implements workflow/process improvements to strengthen accuracy, timeliness, segregation of duties, and audit readiness; recommends policy updates to the Accounting & Finance Manager.

Provides coaching, training, and technical direction. Assigns and reviews the work of professional and technical accounting staff; sets service levels and quality standards.

Provides consultation to departments on accounting and budgetary activities; responds to inquiries; resolves escalated reconciliation and transaction issues; provides technical assistance/backup as needed.

Communicates and coordinates with City personnel, governmental agencies, auditors, fiscal agents, vendors, and other stakeholders to exchange information, align activities, and resolve issues; represents the Administrative Services Department in meetings and presentations on accounting/reporting matters; may brief the City Council and committees on technical content at the direction of the Accounting & Finance Manager/Director of Administrative Services.

Manages the City's investment portfolio and related treasury functions in coordination with the Accounting & Finance Manager and Treasurer.

May act for the Accounting & Finance Manager on accounting matters as assigned; performs related duties as required.

Education and Experience

A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college/university in accounting, finance, business administration (with substantial accounting coursework), or a closely related field is required. A Master's degree in accounting, finance, business administration, and public administration is highly desirable. Four (4) years of progressively responsible governmental accounting experience, including at least two (2) years supervising professional accounting staff and demonstrated leadership of the year-end close and external audit/ACFR workstreams is required. Possession of any of the following licenses/certifications is highly desirable: CPA, CGFM, and/or CPFO.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities
Knowledge of: GAAP and GASB for governments; fund accounting; ACFR preparation; Single Audit and audit standards; internal controls and risk assessment; debt and grant compliance; cost allocation; ERP/report-writer tools.

Skill/Ability to: Plan, organize, and direct section-level accounting operations; lead close, audit prep, and ACFR production; interpret/apply GASB; design/monitor internal controls; analyze complex transactions; communicate clearly with finance and non-finance audiences; supervise and coach professional staff; manage competing deadlines; collaborate effectively with auditors, fiscal agents, vendors, and departments.

Physical Demands and Work Environment
The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. Incumbents may be exposed to repetitive motion. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet. Incumbents are not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions.

Recruitment Process
Application Packets Must Include:
A fully completed online employment application which:

• Covers at least the past 10 years of employment history (or longer if you have other relevant experience).
• Responses to the supplemental questionnaire.
• Must be specific in describing your qualifications for this position. Failure to state all pertinent information may lead to elimination from consideration. Stating "See Resume" is not an acceptable substitute for a completed application.
• Individuals who require a reasonable accommodation to participate in any phase of the application or selection process must advise Human Resources and make such a request during the application process. Every effort will be made to provide a reasonable accommodation where requested.

*Selection Process:*
All application materials received by the application deadline will be reviewed and evaluated. All information supplied by applicants is subject to verification.

• Application Review: The first phase will be a detailed review and appraisal of each candidate's application. This phase is for qualifying purposes only. There is no weight assigned to this phase. Those candidates who meet the minimum qualifications may be invited to the next phase.
• Written Examination: If a written exam is given, a minimum of 70% must be obtained on the written exam in order to be eligible to continue to the next phase of the selection process which will consist of a practical examination and oral appraisal interview.
• Oral Appraisal Interview: A minimum of 70% must be obtained for placement on the Employment Eligibility List. Current and future vacancies will be filled from this list. Lists typically last for 12 months but may be extended or abolished in accordance with the City's Civil Service rules and regulations.

Pre-employment Process

• The City supports a Drug-Free Workplace.
• All potential employees are required to successfully complete a thorough background investigation, fingerprinting, and pass a post-offer pre-employment medical examination (which will include a drug/alcohol screening).
• New employees must complete a verification form designated by the United States Department of Homeland Security, Citizenship and Immigration Services, that certifies eligibility for employment in the United States of America.

Hiring of Relatives:
Relatives of existing employees by blood or marriage will not be eligible for employment with the City if potential supervision, safety, security, or morale problems exist; or if potential conflicts of interest exist. Relatives include an employee's parents, children, spouse, brothers, sisters, in-laws, and step relationships.

The provisions of this announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract and any provisions contained in this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice.
*Equal Opportunity Employer*
The City of South Gate is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with all applicable Federal and State laws, it does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, marital status, age, religion, disability (mental or physical), medical condition, genetic characteristic or information, sex (including gender, gender identity, gender expression, or pregnancy), sexual orientation (including homosexuality, bisexuality, or heterosexuality), or military or veteran status in its employment actions, policies, procedures, or practices.

*The City of South Gate*
The City of South Gate is a busy urban community consisting of residential, commercial, and industrial development, spread over 7.41 square miles. It is currently ranked the 79th largest city in California with a population of approximately 97,000. Strategically located along the 710 freeway, the City is just 12 miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles.