Finance Manager, Accounting and Payroll

Finance Manager, Accounting and Payroll

Salary

$133,931.72 - $187,504.98 Annually

Location

City of Milpitas, CA

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

2026-00021

Department

Finance

Division

Accounting Services

Opening Date

10/30/2026

Closing Date

11/13/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Definition

Help lead the finances of a full service city at the north end of Silicon Valley.

The City of Milpitas seeks an experienced, hands on governmental accounting leader to serve as Finance Manager over the Accounting and Payroll group: General Ledger, Payroll, and Grant Management. This is a working managers seat at a moment that matters. The City is converting payroll to Tyler ERP, the annual audit and Single Audit run on a fixed calendar. The Finance Manager reports to the Finance Director, supervises professional and technical staff, and acts for the Director when needed.

The Department

The Milpitas Finance Department safeguards the Citys fiscal resources and advances long term financial sustainability through sound stewardship, transparency, and responsive service to the City Council, City staff and the community. The Department plans, manages and directs budgeting, accounting, payroll, procurement, risk management, debt management, investment management, and utility billing, and oversees financial responsibilities exceeding one billion dollars across its combined operating budget, investment and debt portfolio. Milpitas has received the GFOA Distinguished Budget Presentation award for 23 consecutive years and the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for 30, and its FY 2024-25 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report and Federal Single Audit both received unqualified opinions with no material findings. The Department has 31 funded positions.

The Position

The Finance Manager plans, organizes and directs the Accounting and Payroll group and is one of two Finance Manager positions in the Department. Key responsibilities include:

• Lead General Ledger, Payroll and Grant Management: year-end close, the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report, the annual audit and Single Audit, grant reimbursement reporting, and the bi-weekly payroll cycle with its Federal and State payroll tax filings and CalPERS reporting.
• Own the Finance side of the Tyler ERP Phase 2 payroll migration: stabilization, business process redesign, and the written procedures that come out of it.
• Develop, implement and maintain accounting procedures and internal controls in accordance with GAAP, GASB pronouncements, the Government Code and City policy.
• Coordinate with internal and external auditors; oversee implementation of recommended changes to systems and controls.
• Supervise, train and evaluate professional and technical staff; set priorities and keep day to day accounting and payroll current through the system change.
• Train staff across City departments on financial transactions and serve as the Departments resident expert on accounting and payroll operations.
• Act for the Finance Director in the Directors absence.

The Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is a governmental accounting professional who has closed the books, run or overseen a public agency payroll, and lived through an ERP conversion. They bring a steady hand with staff during change, a working knowledge of CalPERS reporting and negotiated MOU provisions, and the judgment to recommend and put in place procedures that make the Departments work more accurate and easier to explain. An active CPA license, Single Audit experience, and a role in a Tyler, Workday, Oracle or comparable implementation are highly desirable. Public sector experience in California local government is strongly preferred.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Works under the direction of the Finance Director. Supervises professional, technical and clerical staff.

For the complete Job Description, click here: Class Specifications | Finance Manager https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/milpitas/classspecs/1345497?keywords=finance%20manager&pagetype=classSpecifications

Examples of Duties

Duties below are from the Finance Manager class specification and may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Plans, develops, directs, supervises and evaluates staff and performance of the assigned division in support of general accounting, payroll, accounts payable and receivable, revenue analysis, cash collections and billing functions.
• Provides technical expertise in financial data preparation, administration and analysis, and automated financial information systems.
• Assigns, schedules, prioritizes, coordinates and reviews work activities and determines schedules.
• Establishes, develops and maintains practices, procedures and policies for compliance and control in accordance with the Government Code and City policies and procedures.
• Integrates financial and statistical information into a comprehensive financial recording and reporting system.
• Supervises and conducts detailed analysis of existing accounting systems, makes recommendations for revision and implements required changes; assists in the coordination of information systems functions to ensure the proper design, testing and implementation of enhancements and corrections to the Citys financial application software.
• Interacts with internal and external audit staff in review of financial systems and controls; oversees implementation of recommended changes to such systems or control procedures.
• Coordinates financial services operations with other City sections, divisions and departments; conducts training for staff within the department and within other departments throughout the City as required to effectively administer all financial transactions.
• Performs a variety of complex and technical revenue analysis functions and maintains records; prepares analytical and management reports as required; directs the preparation of interim and annual financial reports in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
• Attends meetings and seminars related to financial service functions and acts as the resident expert of such functions for the City; represents the Finance Department on citywide special project teams.
• Sets policies and procedures for the work of professional, technical and clerical staff engaged in the processing and recording of all financial transactions.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Typical Qualifications

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION

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

Experience:

• Five (5) years of increasingly responsible experience in governmental accounting and financial reporting, including at least two (2) years of supervisory experience.
• Public accounting experience in the audits of local governments may be substituted for up to two (2) years of the governmental accounting and financial reporting experience.

Education:

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelors degree in Business with major course work in accounting and finance.
• An advanced degree, such as an MBA with emphasis in finance or accounting, or a CPA certificate, may be substituted for two (2) years of the required experience.

Desirable:

• Active CPA license.
• Hands on role in a financial or payroll system implementation or conversion (Tyler ERP, Workday, Oracle or comparable).
• Public agency payroll oversight, including negotiated MOU provisions, CalPERS reporting and payroll tax compliance.
• Year-end close, annual audit and Single Audit, and grant reimbursement reporting in a California local government.

LICENSE AND CERTIFICATES

• When driving on City business, possession of a valid California Drivers License and a satisfactory driving record are required.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

To submit a complete application, please attach a professional resume and a cover letter. Your cover letter should describe your governmental accounting, payroll, grants and ERP implementation experience, and what you would bring to a team in the middle of a payroll system conversion. Applicants who hold a CPA license should also attach proof of licensure. Applications without a resume and cover letter will not be reviewed.

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• Proof of CPA licensure (if held)

Supplemental Information

SELECTION PROCESS

Applications are reviewed for the minimum qualifications and the required documents. The Finance Department then reviews the responses to the supplemental questions, the cover letter and the resume, and the most qualified candidates are invited to an oral board interview, planned for the first week of December 2026. Finalists are interviewed by the Finance Director in mid December. Meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee advancement to the interview. City communication regarding the selection process will be by email; please ensure you have access to the email address on your application. Target start: January 2027. Relocation expenses will not be reimbursed for this position.

Appointment is contingent on a satisfactory background check, including Department of Justice fingerprinting and a credit check for this positions responsibility for City funds and payroll, and on reference checks.

Recruitment contact: Ernest Azevedo, Human Resources, (408) 586-3086, HRRecruitment@milpitas.gov.

UNREPRESENTED MANAGEMENT

This is an unrepresented management classification. Salary placement is within the range based on qualifications. Benefits for unrepresented employees are summarized in the Unrepresented Benefits Handbook. https://www.milpitas.gov/282/Employee-Labor-Relations

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Work is performed indoors in a standard office environment. Required to sit for long periods of time; talk and hear in person, in meetings and by telephone; use hands and fingers to operate standard office equipment; frequently required to carry, bend, squat, twist, push and pull with hands and arms to reach files; and safely lift and carry up to 30 pounds occasionally. Ability to travel to various locations within and outside the City of Milpitas.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

Incumbents in this position are required to file a Conflict of Interest Statement (Form 700) upon assuming office, annually, and upon leaving office, in accordance with Resolution No. 8833.

DISASTER SERVICE WORKER

In accordance with Government Code Section 3100, all City of Milpitas employees are Disaster Service Workers and may be required to perform assigned duties in the event of an emergency or disaster.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City of Milpitas will provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the Human Resources Department. Applicants who need an accommodation in the application or selection process should contact Human Resources at (408) 586-3090 or HRRecruitment@milpitas.gov by the final filing date.

The City of Milpitas is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicants are considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, or any other basis protected by law.

RETIREMENT

Membership in CalPERS (2% at 60 or 2% at 62 with three year average salary). City of Milpitas employees do not participate in Social Security, but do contribute to Medicare.

MEDICAL INSURANCE

Choice of CalPERS Medical Plans. City pays coverage up to the Kaiser rate. Employees who waive health coverage are eligible to receive $250 per month in lieu of medical plan coverage with proof of other coverage.

RETIREE MEDICAL

Employees are eligible upon CalPERS retirement from the City to receive up to 100% retiree medical coverage (currently based on the Kaiser health rate), based on years of service.

DENTAL & VISION

City provides full family coverage for dental and vision at no cost to the employee.

LIFE INSURANCE

City provides $50,000 term policy. Supplemental employee-paid life insurance is available up to $500,000, based on carrier acceptance.

DISABILITY INSURANCE

City provides a Short-Term Disability plan similar to State Disability Insurance (SDI) coverage. Employees do not participate in SDI. Long-Term Disability coverage of 60% of base salary up to $1,500 per month is available after a 60-day waiting period. Additional buy-up options for LTD are available.

DEFERRED COMPENSATION

City contributes $75 per month on the employees behalf.

VACATION

Employees earn 16-36 days of vacation based on years of service.

MANAGEMENT LEAVE

Employees earn 5 hours of Management Incentive Paid (MIP) Leave for each full pay period worked.

HOLIDAYS

Employees receive 12 paid holidays and one (1) floating holiday per year.

SICK LEAVE

Employees earn 12 days annually.

TUITION REIMBURSEMENT

Employees are eligible to receive up to $3,000 per fiscal year in tuition reimbursement.

FITNESS PROGRAM

Employees are offered free access to City-sponsored sports and fitness programs.

The City also offers a flexible spending benefits plan, employee assistance program, and other voluntary insurance. Contact Human Resources (HR) at 408-586-3090 or visit https://www.milpitas.gov/245/Benefits for more information on employee benefits.

01

Are you a current City of Milpitas employee?

• Yes
• No

02

Which best describes your highest level of education?

• Bachelor's degree in Business with major course work in accounting and finance
• Bachelor's degree in another field
• Master's degree or MBA with emphasis in finance or accounting
• No Bachelor's degree

03

How many years of increasingly responsible experience do you have in governmental accounting and financial reporting? Please note that this experience must be listed in the Work Experience section of your application.

• Less than three (3) years
• Three (3) to four (4) years
• Five (5) to seven (7) years
• Eight (8) years or more

04

How many years have you directly supervised accounting, payroll, or grants staff? Please note that this experience must be listed in the Work Experience section of your application.

• None
• Less than two (2) years
• Two (2) to five (5) years
• More than five (5) years

05

Do you hold an active CPA license?

• Yes, and I have attached proof of licensure
• No

06

If you answered Yes to Question 5, enter the state and license number of your active CPA license. If you answered No, enter N/A.

07

To submit a complete application, please attach a professional resume and cover letter. Failure to include these documents in the Attachments Section of the application will result in an incomplete application, and your application will be withdrawn from consideration for this position. (I understand)

• I understand

08

Describe your role in implementing or converting a financial or payroll system (for example, Tyler ERP, Workday, Oracle, or a comparable system): the module, your responsibilities, and the outcome. (Max 350 word count)

09

Describe your experience with year-end close, the annual audit and Single Audit, and grant reimbursement reporting. (Max 350 word count)

10

Describe your experience managing or overseeing payroll in a public agency, including implementing negotiated MOU provisions, CalPERS reporting, and payroll tax compliance. Include the approximate number of employees paid and your specific role. (Max 350 word count)

11

Describe a time you led staff through a significant process or system change. What did you do to maintain service levels and keep staff engaged? (Max 350 word count)

Required Question

Employer City of Milpitas

Address 455 E. Calaveras Blvd.

Milpitas, California, 95035

Phone 408-586-3090

Website http://www.milpitas.gov