Accounting Division Manager

Accounting Division Manager

Salary

$174,481.00 - $218,102.00 Annually

Location

Sunnyvale, CA

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

26-00104

Department

Finance

Division

Accounting

Opening Date

08/14/2026

Closing Date

9/13/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Description

ACCOUNTING MANAGER

Full-Time, Regular Employment Opportunity

Sunnyvale (pop. 157,000) is the seventh-largest city in the San Francisco Bay Area and second largest in Santa Clara County. In addition to being a center of technology and innovation, Sunnyvale is a city of quiet family neighborhoods, a vibrant and thriving downtown, strong schools, and a diverse community. The Finance Department, with a budget of $16.1 million and 60.75 FTE employees, works to ensure the City's excellent financial health.

Sunnyvale seeks an experienced finance professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment to serve as its next Accounting Manager. The ideal candidate brings a solid public sector accounting foundation and a combination of technical expertise, strong leadership, and interpersonal skills. They will have experience preparing the ACFR and state-mandated reports, as well as working with external auditors. For more information about the City and this position, please click here: Job Bulletin.

Essential Job Functions

(May include, but are not limited to, the following):

• Plans, manages, and oversees the daily functions, operations, and activities of the Accounting Division, including division budget administration, program evaluation, and recommendation and implementation of policies, procedures, goals, objectives, priorities, and standards related to financial processing, reporting, and accounting activities.
• Participates in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, work plans, policies, and priorities for the division; recommends within division policy, appropriate service, and staffing levels; recommends and administers policies and procedures.
• Participates in the development, administration, and oversight of the division budget; determines funding needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; ensures compliance with budgeted funding.
• Develops and standardizes procedures and methods to improve and continuously monitors the efficiency and effectiveness of assigned programs, service delivery methods, and procedures; assesses and monitors workload, administrative and support systems, and internal reporting relationships; identifies opportunities for improvement and makes recommendations to the Director/Assistant Director of Finance.
• Participates in the selection of, trains, motivates, and evaluates assigned personnel; provides or coordinates staff training; collaborates with employees to correct deficiencies; recommends discipline.
• Performs project management responsibilities; develops logical and efficient project plans; establishes priorities; monitors and manages task completion; anticipates and avoids problems; works collaboratively and cooperatively with team members and user groups to ensure project accountability.
• Develops and manages requests for proposals for professional and/or contracted services; prepares scope of work and any technical specifications; evaluates proposals and recommends award; negotiates contracts; administers contracts to ensure compliance with City specifications and service quality.
• Reviews and monitors a variety of general ledger entries (investments, debts, cash receipts, interest income, project and program expenses), bank reconciliations, reports, and accounting records; reviews accounting transactions to ensure accuracy.
• Reviews and approves all outgoing wire transfers; monitors payroll and accounts payable disbursements, and the City's daily cash balance; reviews and tracks debt disclosures; prepares and submits debt service payments.
• Oversees the month-end close process for accounts payable, fixed assets, project management modules as they integrate with general ledger module; prepares fiscal year-end account system processing.
• Monitors year-end closing, financial and compliance audits, and other financial reports; drafts and/or reviews financial statements, financial disclosures, and audit schedules for annual financial reporting; oversees and prepares a variety of financial reports for submission to federal, state, and local government agencies.
• Leads the timely preparation of financial reporting, including but not limited to the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR), the Single Audit report, annual debt reporting, State Controller's City Financial Transactions Report, and various special revenue and grant reports.
• Oversees quarterly financial system upgrades and testing; reviews and analyzes negative impacts experienced in the City's financial system; assigns user access for financial systems.
• Acts as primary liaison to the City's external auditors and ensures all audit requests are addressed accurately and promptly.
• Serves as liaison for assigned functions with other City departments, divisions, and outside agencies; provides staff support to commissions, committees, and task forces, as required.
• Provides highly complex staff assistance to the Director/Assistant Director of Finance; prepares and presents staff reports and other written materials; supervises the establishment and maintenance of working and official division files; ensures the proper documentation of operations and activities.
• Reviews the work of staff to ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
• Represents the City in meetings with members of other public and private organizations, community groups, contractors, and the public.
• Attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in public agency finance, accounting, and financial reporting.
• Monitors changes in regulations and technology that may affect operations; implements policy and procedural changes after approval.
• Answers questions and provides information to the public; investigates and responds to complaints and inquiries from residents, other departments, and agencies.
• Ensures staff observe and comply with all City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Physical Demands:

This is primarily a sedentary office classification although standing in work areas and walking between work areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 10 pounds. Some of these requirements may be accommodated for otherwise qualified individuals requiring and requesting such accommodation.

Environmental Conditions:

Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or the public in interpreting and enforcing divisional policies and procedures.

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience:

The minimum qualifications for education and experience can be met in the following way:

• A bachelors degree from an accredited college or university in public administration, business administration, finance, accounting, or related field; AND
• Five (5) years of increasingly responsible experience in public sector accounting and/or administrative analytical work, including three (3) years of experience in a lead or supervisory capacity.

Knowledge of:

• Organization and management practices as applied to the development, analysis, and evaluation of programs, policies, and operational needs of the assigned area of responsibility.
• Principles and practices of employee supervision, including work planning, assignment review and evaluation, discipline, and the training of staff in work procedures.
• Principles and practices of leadership.
• Internal controls including administrative and system controls to ensure integrity, accuracy and reliability of the fiscal transactions, data, and records.
• Administrative principles, practices, and methods including goal setting, program development, implementation and evaluation, policy and procedure development, quality control, and work standards.
• Principles and techniques for working with groups and fostering effective team interaction to ensure teamwork is conducted smoothly.
• Principles and practices of contract administration and management.
• General principles of risk management related to the functions of the assigned area.
• Budgeting, financial analysis, and all aspects of accounting functions and financial reporting.
• Principles and practices of public agency financial management including general and governmental accounting, budgeting, auditing, and reporting functions as well as Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB).
• Principles and practices of organizational analysis and management.
• General applications of information technology systems to financial operations.
• Principles and procedures of fiscal record keeping.
• Complex arithmetic and statistical techniques.
• Research methods and techniques.
• Recent and ongoing developments related to municipal finance and accounting.
• Methods and techniques of preparing technical and administrative reports, and general business correspondence.
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations as well as industry standards and best practices pertinent to the assigned area of responsibility.
• City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service, by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff.
• The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.

Ability to:

• Select and supervise staff, provide training and development opportunities, ensure work is performed effectively, and evaluate performance objectively.
• Develop and implement goals, objectives, practices, policies, procedures, and work standards.
• Provide administrative, management, and professional leadership for the Accounting Division.
• Work in a multi-tasking environment and coordinate several assignments simultaneously.
• Prepare and present technical and administrative reports, correspondence, and other documents.
• Interpret, apply, explain, and ensure compliance with federal, state, and local policies, procedures, laws, and regulations.
• Apply principles and practices of accounting and financial operations to municipal government.
• Evaluate and develop improvements in operations, procedures, policies, or methods.
• Oversee and participate in the maintenance of accurate financial records.
• Compile and analyze financial data and reports.
• Perform mathematical calculations quickly and accurately.
• Research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods, procedures, and techniques.
• Supervise the establishment of filing, record-keeping, and tracking systems.
• Understand, interpret, and apply all pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures, and standards relevant to work performed.
• Effectively represent the division and the City in meetings with governmental agencies, community groups, various business, professional, and regulatory organizations, and in meetings with individuals
• Prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, documentation, and other written materials.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, legal, and procedural guidelines.
• Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.

Licenses/Certificates:

Possession and continued maintenance of a valid class C California drivers license or the ability to provide alternative transportation as approved by the appointing authority and a safe driving record.

Desirable Qualifications:

• A Masters degree in accounting, business administration, public administration or a related field.
• California Certified Public Accountant (CPA) License.

Application and Selection Process

APPLICATION PROCESS

The application period closes on Sunday, September 13th at 11:59pm. Candidates are asked to fully describe any training, education, experience, or skills relevant to this position. Electronic applications may be submitted online through the Citys employment page at https://sunnyvale.ca.gov and click on City Jobs. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.

EXAM PROCESS

Applications will be competitively screened based on the minimum qualifications of this position. Based upon a review of the application materials, the most qualified candidates will be invited to participate in the oral examination process scheduled for Wednesday, September 30 at Sunnyvale City Hall. (Note: The examination process may be changed as deemed necessary by the Director of Human Resources.)

SELECTION PROCESS

Those candidates that receive a passing score on the examination will be placed on an eligibility list for up to one year, in accordance with the Citys Civil Service Rules and Administrative Policies. Top candidates on the eligibility list will be invited to participate in a selection interview with the department tentatively scheduled for the week of October 5th.

Any candidate that is selected by the hiring department will be required to successfully complete a pre-employment process, which may consist of a background history check, as well as a medical exam(s) administered by a City selected physician(s) before hire. Prior to starting work, all newly-hired employees will be fingerprinted to check conviction history. A conviction history will not necessarily disqualify an applicant from appointment; however, failure to disclose conviction history will result in refusal of employment or termination. Positions which are covered by the Department of Transportation regulations are required to submit to a pre-employment drug test and to random drug and alcohol testing.

INFORMATION ABOUT PROOF OF EDUCATION

Any successful candidate selected by the hiring department will be required to submit proof of education (i.e., copy of the diploma or college/university transcripts). An applicant with a college degree obtained outside the United States must have education records evaluated by a credential evaluation service at the candidate's expense. Candidates may utilize any third-party agency for the evaluation. If you search 'education equivalency verification' or similar online, you will obtain results for agencies that provide this evaluation service. A conditional job offer cannot be made until the education has been evaluated and submitted to the Department of Human Resources.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Positions in this job classification are represented by the Sunnyvale Managers Association (SMA).

For assistance on how to fill out your job application, watch the following video:

• How to Apply for a City of Sunnyvale Job - YouTube (5:13)

The information contained within this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

The City of Sunnyvale is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants for all job openings will be considered without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, or any other consideration made unlawful under any federal, state, or local laws. The City of Sunnyvale is committed to offering reasonable accommodations to job applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact us at (408) 730-7490 or recruitments@sunnyvale.ca.gov.

Summary of Management SMA Benefits

Notice of CFRA (California Family Rights Act) Rights and Obligations

01

Instructions for completing the Supplemental Questionnaire: The following supplemental questions constitute an examination. Responses are reviewed and rated by Subject Matter Expert(s). The supplemental question examination determines the most qualified candidates to move forward in the recruitment process. The responses to the supplemental questions should be specific, thorough and must be reflected in the Work Experience, Education, and Certificates/Licenses sections of the application. Please note the information provided in the supplemental questions will not be accepted in lieu of the completed application. Incomplete responses, false statements, copying and pasting responses from Artificial Intelligence (AI) programs, and/or entering "See Resume" will result in an incomplete application and/or disqualification from the recruitment process. Note: The minimum qualifications for experience are based on full-time experience (40 hours per week). Experience included in the Work Experience section of the application is calculated to the full-time equivalent (hours are pro-rated if less than 40 hours/week). Volunteer experience is not considered qualifying experience. Please be advised that you will be timed out of this page after 30 minutes. It is recommended to copy the supplemental questions that require text answers into a document that you can save on your computer. Prepare your responses in that document and then copy and paste the responses into the spaces provided. Additionally, please save your work continuously. By checking the Yes response below, I indicate that I have read the instructions for completing the application (located in the job posting) and supplemental questionnaire. In accordance with these instructions, I understand that a completed application and written responses to the supplemental questionnaire are required. I understand the completed application and supplemental question responses will be used to evaluate my qualifications for this position and further identify the most qualified candidates to continue in the recruitment process. Additionally, I certify that I have completed the application and supplemental questionnaire on my own; the information provided accurately reflects my training, education and experience; and I understand the information provided is subject to verification.

• Yes
• No

02

Do you have a bachelors degree or higher from an accredited college or university in public administration, business administration, finance, accounting, or related field?

• Yes
• No

03

Do you have at least three years of supervisory experience? If so, describe your experience. Be sure to include where you obtained your experience (name of organization) and number of years. If not, enter N/A in the box below.

04

Do you have at least five years of increasingly responsible experience in public sector accounting and/or public sector administrative analytical work? If yes, please describe your experience in public sector accounting and/or public sector administrative analytical work including where you gained this experience. If you do not have this experience, please enter N/A in the box below.

05

Do you have experience with the preparation of an Annual Comprehensive Financial Report? If so, describe your experience. Be sure to include where you obtained your experience (name of organization) and number of years. If not, enter N/A in the box below.

06

Do you have experience working with external auditors to complete a Single Audit? If so, describe your experience. Be sure to include where you obtained your experience (name of organization) and number of years. If not, enter N/A in the box below.

07

Do you have experience leading, managing, and motivating people? If so, describe your experience. Be sure to include where you obtained your experience (name of organization) and number of years. If not, enter N/A in the box below.

Required Question

Employer City of Sunnyvale

Address 456 W. Olive Avenue

Sunnyvale, California, 94086

Phone 408-730-7490

Website https://sunnyvale.ca.gov