Senior Accountant

Resumes will not be accepted as a substitute for a fully completed District Online Application. However a resume is required and a cover letter is highly recommended; this will provide valuable information for the evaluation process.

ABOUT WEST BASIN:

West Basin Municipal Water District (West Basin or District) is a global leader in water recycling conservation resource management and education. West Basin provides drinking and recycled water to several local retail water agencies including six cities three private water companies one county water agency and one groundwater management agency. The District serves a population of nearly one million residents in 17 cities and unincorporated areas along the coastal corridor from the Palos Verdes peninsula to the City of Malibu. The District is governed by an elected five-member Board of Directors and is a member agency of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California.

West Basin operates the Edward C. Little Water Recycling Facility (ECLWRF) in El Segundo California three satellite treatment plants in the cities of El Segundo Torrance and Carson and over 100 miles of pipelines across the South Bay area of Los Angeles County. The ECLWRF is the largest recycled water treatment facility of its type providing nearly 40 million gallons of recycled water each day to over 400 sites. West Basin utilizes various advanced treatment processes to produce five types of fit-for-purpose waters used for irrigation commercial industrial and groundwater replenishment purposes.

West Basin is an equal opportunity employer promoting diversity in its recruitment process and programs. The District is committed to customer service and seeks to provide its customers with the most qualified and exceptional professional services through those they employ while offering an excellent benefits package to its employees.

West Basin Municipalis seeking a detail-oriented and experienced Senior Accountant to join our Finance team. Under the direction of the Accounting Supervisor the Senior Accountant performs a full range of professional accounting auditing and financial analysis duties. Responsibilities include maintaining financial records and systems assisting with interim and annual audits preparing financial reports and supporting operational reporting. The role is instrumental in applying Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) pronouncements ensuring compliance and interpreting accounting treatment of various costs. The Senior Accountant also drafts and updates financial policies and procedures conducts monthly financial reviews performs bank reconciliations and participates in the preparation of cash flow projections and financial components of RFPs.

This position requires strong analytical skills to identify and resolve discrepancies monitor capital expenditures review journal entries and recommend improvements to accounting practices.

Key responsibilities are:

• Audit Preparation and Financial Reporting
  Supports annual interim and other audits by preparing schedules reviewing financial data for accuracy responding to auditor inquiries and reviewing draft financial statements and disclosures. Assists in preparing the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) State Controllers Report bond disclosures and other financial reports by compiling and analyzing data and coordinating with internal and external stakeholders.
• General Ledger and Year-End Close
  Manages monthly and year-end close processes including preparing journal entries performing account reconciliations and ensuring entries align with accounting standards. Prepares complex year-end adjustments related to GASB compliance fixed assets debt service accruals and deferrals.
• Policy Compliance and Accounting Standards
  Reviews and updates the Districts financial policies and procedures to ensure compliance with GASB pronouncements and GFOA best practices. Assists with the development of new policies as regulatory standards evolve.
• Capital Asset and Project Accounting
  Oversees the Districts capital asset accounting working closely with Engineering and Operations to correctly classify and track capital versus operational expenses. Maintains and updates the asset management module and participates in the Asset Management Workgroup to ensure proper financial treatment and reporting of capital projects.
• Financial System Oversight and Reconciliation
  Monitors the integrity of financial records by reviewing general ledger entries trial balances and system settings. Completes monthly bank and account reconciliations and recommends system improvements to enhance accuracy and efficiency.
• Treasury and Debt Management
  Performs treasury-related functions including updating cash forecasts and preparing bank reconciliations. Manages debt-related journal entries and supports long-term financial planning.
• Budget Support and Department Collaboration
  Provides support throughout the budget process ensuring expenses are accurately coded and aligned with budgeted accounts. Prepares budget-to-actual comparisons for departments and collaborates with Contracts and Accounts Payable staff to monitor financial activity.
• Procurement and Consultant Support
  Coordinates financial consultant RFP processes by drafting documents reviewing proposals serving on interview panels and preparing related correspondence and Board reports.
• Special Projects and Financial Analysis
  Conducts financial studies program audits and specialized analyses as assigned. Presents findings and recommendations to management and assists in improving financial procedures and reporting mechanisms.

A Bachelors degree in Accounting Finance Economics Business Administration or a related field is required along with at least four years of professional accounting experience preferably in a public agency. Candidates should also have a minimum of two years of experience overseeing or guiding staff on routine financial tasks. A Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license is desirable and a Certified Public Finance Officer (CPFO) certification is highly desirable.

The ideal candidate will also have:

• Knowledge of operations services and activities related to enterprise fund accounting.
• Knowledge of advanced principles and practices ofgeneral fund and governmental accounting including financial statement preparation and financial control/reporting methods.
• Knowledge of advanced principles and practices ofcost accountingand fixed asset accounting.
• Knowledge ofinternal controlsystems andaudit principles and practices.
• Knowledge ofGenerally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) andGovernmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB)standards and requirements.
• Knowledge of applicablefederal state and local laws regulationsand court decisions affecting governmental financial operations.
• Knowledge ofpublic agency budgetingprinciples and practices.
• Knowledge of laws regulations and best practices for theinvestment and management of public funds.
• Knowledge ofresearch methodsand statistical and financialanalysis techniques.
• Knowledge ofcomputer-based financial and accounting systems.
• Knowledge of principles and practices ofeffective business communication.
• Knowledge of principles oflead supervisionstaff training and performance evaluation.
• Knowledge of standardoffice procedurespractices and equipment.
• Knowledge ofcomputer applications including word processing spreadsheets and databases (e.g. Microsoft Office Suite).
• Ability to independently perform increasingly complex professional accounting assignments.
• Ability to independently plan organize and manage complex projects.
• Ability to prepare a variety of financial statements reports and analyses.
• Ability to analyze and make sound recommendations on difficult financial data and operations.
• Ability to understand interpret explain and apply District state and federal laws codes ordinances regulations and professional accounting standards related to financial reporting and recordkeeping.
• Ability to perform complicated mathematical calculations and financial analyses.
• Ability to prepare clear concise and comprehensive financial reports and written materials.
• Ability to exercise sound independent judgment within established policies and procedures.
• Ability to lead organize and review the work of staff as assigned.
• Ability to plan and organize work to meet changing priorities and deadlines.
• Ability to operate office equipment including computers and standard business software such as word processing spreadsheet and database applications.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

There is one (1) vacancy currently available. The salary range is $91063 - $113829 annually depending on qualifications. The position is eligible for benefits.

APPLICATION INFORMATION:

Application Deadline: August 8 2025. To apply please visit . For questions or additional information contact the West Basin Municipal Water District Human Resources Department via email at.

Application requirements:West Basin Online Application and resume. Resume-only submissions will notbe accepted in lieu of a completed District Online Application.

The most qualified applicants will be invited to participate further in the screening process which may include a written exam and panel interviews.