Controller

Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed by individual positions.

Under direction, plans, organizes and manages the work of accounting staff responsible for the financial services of the District including accounting, budget preparation, payroll, accounts payable, accounts receivable, purchasing, and contract administration; bond and grant accounting and reporting; participates in the preparation, maintenance and interpretation of financial records for the District and Joint Powers Authority (JPA); manages the District's financial budgets for capital projects and operating activities; ensures proper system of internal controls is in place; provides professional assistance and guidance to the District's managers and supervisors in areas of expertise.

The Controller is responsible for the maintenance of the District's accounting records, including the general ledger, and prepares periodic and annual financial statements and reports of accounting and financial transactions, activities and funds. The incumbent manages the work of professional and technical accounting staff engaged in processing accounting transactions to the general ledger, reconciling accounts and preparing adjustments, and preparing and monitoring operational and capital budgets. The incumbent performs specialized and complex financial and cost accounting analyses and participates in the audit of District financial records. Work requires seasoned judgment and a high degree of initiative and independence.

This position reports to the Chief Financial Officer and directs the work of the accounting, budget, forecasting, payroll, and purchasing staff. This class is distinguished from the Chief Financial Officer in that the latter has overall management responsibility for all functions of the Finance Department and for developing, implementing and interpreting public policy.

The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to this class.

1. Plans, directs, participates, organizes, controls, integrates and reviews/evaluates the work of the assigned section; with subordinate supervisors and/or staff, develops, implements and monitors work plans to achieve goals and objectives; contributes to the development of and monitors performance against the annual department budgets and forecasts; supervises and participates in developing, implementing and evaluating plans, work processes, systems and procedures to achieve annual goals, objectives and work standards.
2. Manages the performance of section staff; interviews and selects new staff; establishes performance requirements and personal development targets; regularly monitors performance and provides coaching for performance improvement and development; recommends compensation and provides other rewards to recognize performance; hears and makes recommendations on grievances; subject to management concurrence, approves or takes disciplinary action, up to and including termination, to address performance deficiencies, in accordance with District human resources policies and labor contract agreements.
3. Provides day-to-day leadership and works with staff to ensure a high-performance, customer service-oriented work environment that supports achieving the department’s and the District’s mission, objectives and values regarding teamwork, mutual trust and respect; applies process improvement and quality management principles to assigned areas of responsibility.
4. Participates in the formulation and implementation of departmental policy, planning and strategic development; leads and directs staff in the development and application of new methods and processes to achieve higher efficiency, quality automation and innovation in department work processes.
5. Through subordinate supervisors and/or staff, oversees the analysis, development, implementation and monitoring of monthly and annual financial statements and schedules including District and JPA CAFRs; supervises the preparation and review of journal entries, account reconciliations, financial reports and schedules; prepares Board letters and attends Board meetings to provide explanations and answer questions; oversees and directs month-end, quarterly and year-end closing processes.
6. Researches and works with department heads and other staff to resolve accounting and reporting problems and discrepancies; performs a variety of complex financial and accounting analyses including cost accounting analyses for specific programs and operations; participates in preparation of the annual CAFR.
7. Oversees the preparation of and administers the annual budget and advises departments or JPA of budget-related policies and procedures, timelines, budget issues, policies and procedures, assists in the maintenance of proper budgetary controls; assists in the development and implementation of new revenue opportunities and cost-recovery programs; ensures compliance with debt covenants; establishes accounts and monitors revenue coverage and reserves for compliance; assists with the evaluation and implementation of improvements to the District's administrative and financial internal control systems and procedures.
8. Prepares and directs the preparation of a variety of written correspondence, reports, procedures, presentations and other materials, such as detailed accounting analyses, statistical compilations and narrative reports for the purposes of disclosing and presenting information to District management, the Board of Directors and the public.
9. Presents financial information, including audit results, to the Board of Directors.
10. Participates in complex administrative or management studies relating to District activities regarding such areas as organizational structure, staffing space requirements, cost analysis, productivity, policy or procedure modifications; identifies problems, determines analytical approach, obtains and analyzes necessary information; evaluates alternative courses of action and makes recommendations; prepares reports of study conclusions; assists in the development of implementation plans and the implementation of policy and procedural modifications.
11. Recommends and ensures compliance with accounting policies, procedures and internal controls to ensure the integrity of District financial operations and compliance with all legal requirements.
12. Coordinates the annual independent financial audit and responds to inquiries.
13. Performs related duties and responsibilities as required.

1. Principles, practices, methods and techniques of public finance administration including goal setting and the development, analysis and evaluation of programs, policies and operational needs of the assigned section.
2. Principles and practices of budget development, revenue forecasting, budget development, administration and accountability.
3. Principles and practices of employee supervision, either directly or through subordinate levels of supervision, including work planning, assignment, review and evaluation, and the training of staff in work procedures.
4. Strong technical knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Procedures (GAAP), Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) and Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB).
5. Principles and practices of financial information systems and software and their application to District operations.
6. Principles and practices of public administration, including long-range planning, budgeting, forecasting, purchasing and maintaining public records.
7. Research methods and statistical analysis techniques.
8. Familiarity with water rate financial concepts.
9. Principles and practices of effective management and supervision.
10. Principles and practices of sound business communications.
11. District human resources policies and labor contract provisions.
12. Safety policies and safe work practices applicable to the work.

1. Plan, organize, administer, coordinate, review and evaluate a variety of finance-related programs.
2. Define issues, analyze problems, evaluate alternatives and develop sound, independent conclusions and recommendations in accordance with laws, regulations, rules and policies.
3. Establish and manage the maintenance of municipal financial systems.
4. Prepare complex financial, economic, statistical and administrative reports and analyses.
5. Administer programs and the work of staff directly and through subordinate levels of supervision.
6. Analyze, interpret, summarize and present administrative and technical information and data in an effective manner.
7. Make accurate arithmetic, financial and statistical computations.
8. Organize and prioritize a variety of projects and multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner.
9. Conduct research projects, evaluate alternatives, make sound recommendations and prepare effective technical staff reports.
10. Exercise sound independent judgment within areas of responsibility.
11. Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
12. Understand, interpret, explain and apply applicable laws, codes and ordinances.
13. Represent the District effectively in dealings with governmental agencies, professional groups and regulatory and legislative organizations.
14. Operate a computer, standard business software and a variety of software programs and databases related to area of assignment.
15. Use tact and diplomacy in dealing with sensitive and complex issues, situations and concerned people.
16. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with all those encountered in the course of work.

Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor’s degree in finance, business, accounting or related field and a minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience, including two years at a supervisory or managerial level, providing direction and oversight for financial services and managing staff in a public agency or corporate finance environment. Experience in a water or wastewater agency is preferred.

Possession of or the ability to obtain a valid California Class C driver’s license and the ability to maintain insurability under the District’s vehicle insurance program. Possession of a California Board of Accountancy (CPA) License is required.