Accountant or Senior Accountant

Accountant or Senior Accountant

Salary

$101,263.51 - $146,530.81 Annually

Location

San Diego, CA

Job Type

Full-Time Regular

Job Number

00323

Department

Finance

Section

Accounting (Treasury/Acctg)

Opening Date

07/29/2026

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

General Duties

Compensation

Accountant: $48.68 - $60.85, $101,263.51 - $126,578.82

Senior Accountant: $56.35 - $70.44, $117,225.10 - $146,530.81

Ideal Candidate

Both levels require an individual with great attention to detail, able to work in a fast-paced environment, and the ability to work independently.

Accountant: The ideal candidate will be working toward or have a CPA (active or inactive), have strong experience in banking and cash management, and solid background on account reconciliations, GL and month-end and year-end close.

Senior Accountant: The ideal candidate will have strong GL experience and a good technical accounting background, experience leading an audit and a year-end close, and be strong on internal controls. The candidate is required to have a CPA, either active or inactive.

We welcome veterans and transitioning military. Are you a former member of the military with experience as a Personnel Specialist (PS), Disbursing Clerk (DK), Financial Management Technician (36B - U.S. Army), Financial Management Officer, or in a similar military occupation? Your experience in payroll, financial management, budgeting, auditing, internal controls, and regulatory compliance may closely align with this opportunity.

The Otay Water District offers excellent benefits, a balanced work/life environment and is a leader in the industry.

About the Positions and Department

There are currently two vacant positions - one Accountant and one Senior Accountant. These positions report directly to a Finance Manager. These positions are members of a dedicated, service-oriented team where collaboration and leadership are promoted at all levels.

The Finance Department is responsible for Customer Service, Meter Services, Accounting, Accounts Payable, and Payroll and has a staff of approximately 33 employees.

Applications will be accepted until there are a sufficient number of highly qualified applicants from which to make a selection. However, for the earliest consideration, please submit your application materials by August 23, 2026. For information on the recruitment process, please go to the Employment section of our website www.otaywater.gov or click here.

Examples of Duties

The Accountant duties include:

• Performs revenue and expense analysis for the preparation of budget and monthly comparative reports; including, preparation of annual published Budget and Comprehensive Annual Financial Report schedules.
• Prepares monthly reconciliations, related supporting financial analysis and annual audit schedules of assigned general ledger account balances.
• Performs daily bank reconciliations and forecasting of all District bank accounts and banking activities including: operating, payroll and investments. Audits daily cashiering activities and initiates the related posting of subledger transactions. Prepares cash flow projections, reports changes in cash and bank balances.
• Performs 7-day cash flow forecast analysis and recommends activities required to meet District obligations; prepares and initiates recommended transfer activities.
• Prepares month end financial close process including related journal entries and month-end financial reporting.
• Prepares cash summary, demands list, comparative budget reports and Board Expense reports for the Board of Directors.
• Maintains accuracy and controls related to the implementation and monitoring of water and sewer rates and structures and maintains water and sewer rate agency comparison.
• Performs reconciliation of inventory to the general ledger and implementation and monitoring of controls related to inventory transactions and execution of departmental inventory billing.
• Performs developer deposit activities including the opening, closing, invoicing, analyzing, auditing and refunding of developer deposits. Investigates and resolves job cost discrepancies.
• Monitors, analyzes, maintains records, and prepares, as necessary, billings, deposits, payments, collection, contractual obligations, and supporting documentation related to cell-site, golf course, deferred billing or other miscellaneous billing.
• Updates and maintains records for prepaid expenses, insurance, collected fees, SDCWA and City of San Diego. Analyzes and calculates monthly insurance amortization's and maintains insurance expense records. Maintains updated records related to vehicle insurance coverage.

The Senior Accountant duties include being assigned to one or more of the following four primary functions and incumbents are rotated between the functions:

Payroll: Coordinates the bi-weekly payroll service and activities for approximately 148 employees, including time entry, printing checks, preparing reports and files for automatic deposits; posts labor to general ledger and job cost systems; calculates and posts vacation and sick leave accruals; compiles with wage garnishments and levies; coordinates pension contributions through report to CalPERS, ensures compliance with State and Federal laws. Coordinates with IT and HR on various payroll issues and systems upgrades.

Audit and Financial Statement: Coordinates year-end audit process. Reviews and/or prepares analytical scheduled of financial data; ensures that audit schedules are complete and accurate. Prepares and/or reviews year-end audited financial statements for propriety and completeness. Ensures that all applicable financial accounting standards have been adhered to under GASB.

Cost Benefits Analysis and Internal Control: Evaluates key initiatives to ensure that the uses of District resources are maximized. Establishes, modifies, documents and coordinates implementation of account and accounting control procedures ensuring that the District's financial accounting records conform to GAAP.

Budget: Coordinates the preparation of the capital and operating budget, including being responsible for the updating of the rate model and assists in the setting of rates. Collects and analyzes historical data for trends and projections.

The above-referenced duties are a summary of some of the duties. For the complete job description, go to the Employment section of our website www.otaywater.gov or click here.

Required Licenses and/or Certifications

• Both positions require a valid California Driver's License. [This requirement is currently under review.]
• Senior Accountant requires an active or inactive Certified Public Accountant (CPA) License.

Minimum Experience, Education, and Training Requirements

Experience

Accountant: Two (2) years of professional accountant work in analyzing and maintaining accounting and financial records and reports.

Senior Accountant: Five (5) years of professional accounting experience with duties involved in the analysis and reporting of financial transactions, including two (2) years of auditing experience.

Education

Both positions require a Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration or a closely related field.

The Accountant position is a non-exempt position, and the Senior Accountant position is an exempt position.

Otay Water District is a Smoking, Tobacco and Nicotine Free Campus. All Otay Water District employees are at-will pursuant to California Water Code, Section 71362.

Notice: Benefits listed below assume full-time regular status. These benefits do not apply to temporary appointments.

Scheduled salary increases include the following:

• July 1, 2024: 6% Cost-of-Living Adjustment
• July 14, 2025: 5% Cost-of-Living Adjustment
• July 13, 2026: 5% Cost-of-Living Adjustment
• Annual Merit Increases: Eligible employees are eligible for 3% merit increase on an annual basis until they reach the top of their salary range, based on meeting expectations on their performance review.

Vacation: 12 days/year, increasing to a max of 23 days/year.

Sick Leave: 8 days/year, increasing to max of 15 days/year.

Paid Holidays: 14 days/year, including employees birthday and two floating holidays.

Alternative Work Schedule: A 9/80 work schedule may be available based on the needs of the department. Upon approval, employees would work 80 hours over 9 days and enjoy one day off every two weeks. Some Operations department staff may be subject to a 4/10 work schedule (four 10-hour days within a week).

PERS Retirement: The District contracts with the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS). CalPERS is a defined benefit retirement plan that includes a lifetime benefit determined by a set formula (years of service, age at retirement, and final compensation). Employees hired after January 1, 2013, are subject to the Public Employees Pension Reform Act (PEPRA).

Employee Contributions:

New Member (hired on or after 1/1/13 who are new CalPERS members or do not have reciprocity with CalPERS):

• Are enrolled in the 2% at age 62 formula based on the employees 36 months of highest average annual compensation limit set by CalPERS.
• District and employees share the normal employee CalPERS service contribution cost. Employees contribute 7.5% of salary toward the employee CalPERS service contribution cost up to the annual compensation limit set by CalPERS.

Classic Member (hired before January 1, 2013, or who have reciprocity with CalPERS):

• Are enrolled in the 2.7% at age 55 formula based on the employees single highest year annual compensation.
• Employees contribute 8% of salary towards the employee CalPERS service contribution cost.

The District is also a Social Security participant and the District and employee make contributions.

Deferred Compensation Retirement Plan (457 Plan): Optional plan designed to provide employees with additional retirement income. Employees may elect to contribute a portion of their income on a pre-tax or post-tax basis through payroll deductions.

Medical/Rx Insurance: Choice of Blue Shield PPO, EPO, HMO or Kaiser HMO plans, 100% premium paid by District for employee and 88% for dependent(s).

Dental Insurance: 100% premium paid by District for employee and 88% paid for dependent(s).

Vision: 100% premium paid by District for employee and 0% for dependent(s).

Flexible Benefits Plan: The District offers a healthcare and dependent care flexible benefits plan. The healthcare account reimburses the employee on a pre-tax basis for medical, pharmacy, dental and other related expenses not covered by the insurance plans. The dependent care account allows employees to pay for employment-related dependent care expenses on a pre-tax basis.

Group Term Life & Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance: 100% premium paid by the District for employee and eligible dependent(s). Depending on employees annual earnings and/or position, amounts of Life and AD&D insurance range from $15,000 to $50,000. Eligible dependents have life insurance coverage of $1,000.

Voluntary Life Insurance: Employees may elect to cover themselves and eligible dependents for voluntary life insurance. The full cost of this insurance is paid by the employee via payroll deductions

Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance: The District provides short-term and long-term disability insurance equal to 66 2/3% of your income after a 30-day elimination period (90-day elimination period for long term disability) if totally disabled due to illness or injury.

Education Reimbursement Program: Employees are eligible to receive reimbursement for District approved courses not to exceed $3,000 per fiscal year.

Certification Incentive Program: Eligible District employees that obtain target certifications that exceed the minimum job requirements may qualify for either a base pay percentage increase or receive a monetary incentive.

Employee Assistance Program: Provides confidential referrals and counseling concerning personal, family, or work-related issues for employees and their dependents.

Free Onsite Workout Facility: The District has a fully equipped exercise room for employees to use before work, after work or during lunchtime.

Yoga Classes: On-site Yoga classes are offered during the lunch hour at the employees expense.

Retirement Benefits:

Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) effective September 1, 2024: A Health Reimbursement Arrangement is an interest-bearing, employer-funded account created in your name to reimburse you tax-free in retirement for eligible medical expenses and premiums. Otay Water District makes deposits of employer contributions and mandatory employee contributions while you are employed, but you will not be able to access funds until retirement or separation of service, having met Otay Water District's vesting requirements.

Tier II Eligibility for All Full-time Regular Employees Hired On or After September 1, 2024:

All full-time, regular employees hired on or after September 1, 2024, will participate in a mandatory HRA Plan. The District and the employee will make contributions to the HRA Plan.

The District will contribute $4,000 annually to the employee's HRA from their latest date of hire until they retire or terminate from the District for a maximum period of twenty (20) years. The employee will contribute $1,000.00 annually (or $40 per pay period for the first twenty-five [25] pay periods of the calendar year) to their HRA from their latest date of hire until they retire or terminate from the District. There is a vesting schedule for this Plan as set forth in the Memorandum of Understanding between the Otay Water District Employees Association, effective July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2027.

01

Select the position(s) you qualify for and are interested in:

• Accountant
• Senior Accountant
• Both Accountant and Senior Accountant

02

Which best describes the highest level of education you have obtained? If you do not have a Bachelor's or Master's in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration or closely related field please do not apply, as you do not qualify.

• I do not have a High School Diploma or G.E.D.
• I have a High School Diploma or G.E.D.
• I have some college-level coursework or an Associate's Degree.
• I have a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration or closely related field.
• I have a Bachelor's Degree in an UNRELATED field.
• I have a Master's Degree or higher in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration or closely related field.

03

If you stated your degree was in a "closely related field," please identify the degree and how it relates. (If not applicable, please type in "N/A".)

04

Identify the status of your Certified Public Accountant (CPA) License. If you are applying for the Senior Accountant and do not have an active or inactive CPA, you will not be considered for Senior Accountant and will be considered only for the Accountant position.

• I do not have an active or inactive CPA License.
• I am actively pursuing my CPA license.
• I have an inactive CPA License.
• I have an active CPA License.

05

Which best describes the number of years of experience you have in professional accountant work in analyzing and maintaining accounting and financial records and reports?

• I do not have any experience.
• I have some, but less than 2 years of experience.
• I have 2-4 year of experience.
• I have 5-6 years of experience.
• I have 7-8 years of experience.
• I have 9 years of more of experience.

06

Please provide details on the duties performed involving analysis and maintaining accounting and financial records and reports, and where on your application (which companies) you performed those duties. Do not type "see resume." Please type "N/A" if you do not have experience in this area.

07

Which best describes your level of experience in Microsoft Excel?

• I do not have experience with Excel.
• I can create and format a worksheet.
• I can do all the above and create simple formulas, charts, and sort and filter data.
• I can do all the above and link cells in multiple workbooks and import and export data, perform complex formulas, and data analysis.

08

Questions 8-12 are geared for Senior Accountant. Please answer them to the best of your ability even if you are not applying for the Senior Accountant position. Which best describes your years of experience in managing month-end and year-end closing processes?

• I do not have any experience.
• I have 1-2 years of experience.
• I have 3-4 years of experience.
• I have 5 or more years of experience.

09

Please elaborate on your experience in managing month-end and year-end closing processes. Please indicate where on your application (which companies) you obtained this experience. Do not type "see resume." Please type "N/A" if you do not have experience in this area.

10

Which best describes the number of years of experience you have managing the external financial audit process?

• I do not have any experience.
• I have less than 2 years of experience.
• I have 2 years of experience.
• I have 3-4 years of experience.
• I have 5 or more years of experience.

11

Please elaborate on your experience managing the external financial audit process and where on your application (which companies) you performed this function. Do not type "see resume." Please type "N/A" if you do not have experience in this area.

12

Please describe on your experience managing and processing payroll, including whether you processed payroll internally or through a third-party administrator, and where on your application (which companies) you performed this function. Do not type "see resume." Please type "N/A" if you do not have experience in this area.

13

What else would you like to tell us that would make you the preferred candidate?

Required Question

Employer Otay Water District

Address 2554 Sweetwater Springs Boulevard

Spring Valley, California, 91978

Phone 619-670-2222

Website https://www.otaywater.gov