Senior Accountant - Disbursement ERP Project

Senior Accountant - Disbursement ERP Project

Salary

$148,090.02 - $180,048.44 Annually

Location

San Jose, CA 95134-1927, CA

Job Type

Project

Job Number

2026-MF-20134

Division

Finance & Budget

Department

Finance & Administration Adm

Opening Date

10/08/2026

Closing Date

10/23/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Job Description

The Senior Accountant is a project position which supports the ERP Accounting Activities. The anticipated end date is 6/30/2028.

The VTA accounting team seeks a Project Senior Accountant for the Disbursements team. The position supports the implementation of a new financial system and requires expertise in accounts payable, payroll transactions, payroll tax activities, and general ledger reconciliation. Primary responsibilities include ensuring compliance with local, state, and federal labor laws, wage regulations, and tax requirements; filing local, state, and federal tax returns, including W-2s and 1099Rs; reconciling general ledger accounts related to payroll and accounts payable expenses; managing monthly and annual closings; and performing additional duties as determined by the progress of the implementation of the new financial system for the Agency.

The Division

Under the direction of the Chief Financial Officer, the Office of the CFO, Finance & Budget division fulfills the Controller and Treasury functions for VTA including financial reporting, accounting, budgeting, investment services, cash management, debt administration, payroll, accounts receivable, accounts payable and farebox revenue services. This division also includes Technology.

Our Divisions goal is to maintain financial stability and to ensure that the monetary activities of VTA are performed, recorded and presented accurately in compliance with professional and ethical guidelines. This includes establishing & maintaining internal control, adequately recording of accounting data in conformity with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and establishing appropriate policy and procedures.

Definition

Under general direction, a Senior Accountant plans, organizes, and performs complex, professional, and technical accounting duties in the analysis, preparation, and maintenance of financial records, reports, and systems, for assigned Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) programs and business activities, in accordance with VTA policies and procedures, legal requirements, and professional standards and supervises other accounting personnel.

Distinguishing Characteristics

Senior Accountant is the expert level professional class in the Accounting Series, and is the first supervisory level. An incumbent in this class performs highly complex and technical accounting and financial analyses to provide accurate and timely financial reports to VTA management, other governmental agencies, and the public to support sound decision-making and ensure appropriate public disclosure and accountability. Work requires the exercise of a high degree of independent judgment based on thorough knowledge of VTAs business activities and financial management practices and procedures.

Senior Accountant is distinguished from Accountant III in that an incumbent in the former class serves as a subject expert in a particular area, supervises other accounting personnel, and performs more difficult, complex, and sensitive work of greater VTA-wide impact.

Ideal Candidate

We are looking for an adaptable and detail-oriented individual to join our accounting team as a Senior Accountant. You will be working with a diverse staff to help implement a new financial system for the Agency where duties may include performing system tests to ensure old data is user friendly in the new system, accounting reconciliations, month-end and year-end accounting transactions, preparing internal reports for management as well as external reports to meet compliance requirements related to accounting, accounts payable and/or payroll. If you have a wide breadth of accounting knowledge and can rapidly apply your skills to ensure that VTA meets its standards of financial reporting and compliance excellence as we replace our legacy financial system, then we encourage you to apply.

About VTA

The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority employs more than 2,000 people dedicated to providing solutions that move Silicon Valley. Unique among transportation organizations in the San Francisco Bay Area, VTA is Santa Clara County's authority for transit development and operations (light rail and bus), congestion management, transportation-related funding, highway design and construction, real estate and transit-oriented development, and bicycle and pedestrian planning. With local, state, and federal partners, VTA works to innovate the way Silicon Valley moves and provide mobility solutions for all.

Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) is an independent special district that provides sustainable, accessible, community-focused transportation options that are innovative, environmentally responsible, and promote the vitality of our region.

VTA provides bus, light rail, and paratransit services, as well as participates as a funding partner in regional rail service including Caltrain, Capitol Corridor, and the Altamont Corridor Express.

As the county's congestion management agency, VTA is responsible for countywide transportation planning, including congestion management, design and construction of specific highway, pedestrian, and bicycle improvement projects, as well as promotion of transit oriented development.

VTA provides these services throughout the county, including Campbell, Cupertino, Gilroy, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Los Gatos, Milpitas, Monte Sereno, Morgan Hill, Mountain View, Palo Alto, San Jose, Santa Clara, Saratoga and Sunnyvale. VTA continually builds partnerships to deliver transportation solutions that meet the evolving mobility needs of Santa Clara County.

As we continue to implement our VTA Forward Plan, we aim to strengthen and increase our workforce to take on future opportunities and challenges by elevating our people and our services.

For more information about our VTA Forward Plan, visit: https://www.vta.org/VTAForward

Family-Friendly Workplace Certification Program (FFWCP)

The County of Santa Clara FFWCP recognizes VTA as a business that creates supportive workplaces for employees and their families.

Family-friendly workplaces improve health outcomes and job satisfaction for employees and increase work productivity and retention for employers. Employers can create a family-friendly workplace by meeting and exceeding state and federal employment laws relating to parental leave, lactation accommodation, and work/family balance.

Essential Job Functions

Typical Tasks

• Evaluates the performance of assigned staff; interviews and recommends selection of job candidates; orients and trains unit staff; establishes and/or recommends performance requirements and personal development targets; regularly monitors performance and provides coaching for performance improvement and development; recommends disciplinary action, up to and including termination;
• Plans, organizes, controls, integrates, and evaluates the work of staff in assigned areas, including budget control, cash management and operations, capital projects and accounts receivable, treasury, general ledger, payroll, fixed assets, and revenue services;
• Develops, implements, and monitors work plans to achieve goals and objectives; supervises and participates in developing, implementing, and evaluating plans, work processes, systems, and procedures to achieve annual goals, objectives, and work standards;
• Plans, coordinates, supervises, and/or participates in the preparation of special and/or detailed financial and accounting reports;
• Performs highly technical and complex accounting analysis, research, calculations, and data compilation in compliance with VTA, state, federal and other reporting requirements;
• Plans, reviews, and ensures accuracy, completeness, and timeliness of accounting data in assigned areas; as required or requested, analyzes and evaluates information, presents findings, and/or recommends courses of action to management;
• Plans, organizes, and ensures timely completion of monthly and year end financial closings; supervises or generates and reviews monthly and year-end financial statements, along with supporting schedules and reports; reviews statements, schedules, and reports for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with legal and professional standards;
• Participates in developing, maintaining, and ensuring optimal utilization of SAP financial accounting information systems; verifies the accuracy and completeness of information generated; identifies, diagnoses, and resolves problems; recommends system improvements; trains departmental staff on the operations and reporting capabilities of the system; assists other departments in formulating queries and generating special reports; designs and implements controls for data input and output; designs and creates custom financial reports; creates, maintains, and updates procedures manual related to accounting functions;
• Consults with and provides expert assistance to VTA management, other departments, internal and external auditors, and vendors; works with staff of other departments to resolve technical accounting issues and problems;
• Maintains, reviews, and participates in developing and recommending improvements to accounting policies, processes, and procedures; designs, implements, and improves daily work and month-end processes and procedures to ensure accurate and complete information within established time frames;
• Monitors professional developments in the field, evaluates their impact on VTA policies and operations, and recommends changes and improvements where warranted;
• Performs related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Employment Standards

Sufficient training, education, and public or private sector experience to demonstrate possession of the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Development of the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is typically obtained through a combination of training and experience equivalent to graduation from an accredited college or university with a four-year degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or a closely related field, and four years of progressively responsible professional accounting experience, at least one year of which was in a lead or supervisory capacity.

• Experience in a public agency is preferred.
• A Masters degree in Business Administration with emphasis in accounting or Certified Public Accountant license may be substituted for one year of the required experience.
• License as a Certified Public Accountant is desirable.
• Enterprise Resource Planning System experience is desirable.

Supplemental Information

Knowledge of:

• Principles, practices, and terminology of general, fund and governmental accounting, including financial statement preparation and methods of financial control and reporting;
• Internal control and audit principles and practices;
• Laws and regulations relating to the financial administration of public agencies and transportation authorities in the State of California;
• Laws and regulations governing fund transfer agreement compliance and their application to governmental accounting and budgeting;
• VTA functions and associated financial management and reporting issues;
• Principles and practices of business data processing particularly related to the processing of accounting and financial information;
• Principles and practices of supervision and training.

Ability to:

• Operate a computer using word processing and spreadsheet and other standard business and financial software;
• Analyze and evaluate complex financial and accounting information and reach sound professional conclusions and recommendations;
• Evaluate financial and accounting systems and programs and make recommendations for improvement;
• Understand, interpret, explain, and apply VTA policies, state and federal laws and regulations, and applicable professional standards regarding VTA financial accounting, reporting, and record keeping;
• Develop and implement financial procedures and internal controls;
• Prepare clear, concise, and comprehensive financial statements, schedules, reports, and other written materials;
• Exercise sound independent judgment within general policy guidelines;
• Plan, direct, and supervise the work of others;
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with management, staff, auditors, vendors and others encountered in the course of work.

General Application Instructions

Please read this job announcement in its entirety before applying. We recommend printing or saving a copy for future reference.

To be considered, applications must be submitted online through the Human Resources department by the posted deadline. If the job posting is listed as "continuous," we encourage you to apply as soon as possible, as the posting may close without prior notice. Once your application is submitted, you will receive an immediate email confirmation.

Personalized responses to Supplemental Questions that connect your past experiences to this specific role are the most effective. AI-generated content may lack the specificity required to address the key criteria outlined in the job description. While we encourage the use of AI as a tool to enhance your work, we want to evaluate your non-AI-assisted communication skills. You may use AI to generate ideas, but please ensure your final responses are in your own voice and reflect your unique experience. Overreliance on AI-generated content is discouraged and may diminish your chances of success.

Important: Only online applications will be accepted for this recruitment. We do not accept paper applications, resumes, Job Interest Notification Cards, or incomplete/unsubmitted applications in place of a fully completed application.

Communication & Contact Information All updates regarding your application-including notices for testing and interviews-will be sent via email. Be sure to select email as your preferred method of communication and maintain a valid, up-to-date email address. Applicants are also responsible for keeping their phone numbers and mailing addresses current in their online profiles.

Due to the high volume of applications, we are unable to provide individual updates. Please check your application status through your online account. For technical support, contact NEOGOV at (855) 524-5627, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM (PST), excluding holidays.

Application Review & Processing

All current and prior relevant work experience-including experience with VTA-must be fully detailed in the Work Experience section of your application. Entries such as "see resume" are not acceptable. Incomplete or improperly completed applications may be rejected, even if you meet the minimum qualifications.

While you are welcome to upload a resume, it does not substitute for completing the online application in full. Be sure that your application accurately reflects the education and experience necessary for the position.

Applications are reviewed throughout the recruitment process to determine whether candidates meet the minimum qualifications. Meeting these minimums or advancing through any stage does not guarantee further consideration. Any misrepresentation or falsification of qualifications, experience, education, or training may result in disqualification and/or exclusion from future employment opportunities with VTA.

This classification is represented by American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME). Wages, hours, and other terms and conditions of employment are governed by the applicable collective bargaining agreement between VTA and the union.

Tentative Examinations:

Oral Panel: TBD November 2026

Conditions of Employment

Final candidates must successfully complete a Livescan background check, reference checks, verification of education or certifications, and a criminal history review before appointment.

For safety-sensitive positions,VTA requires all safety-sensitive positions to have a 6-month DOT physical clearance. Obtained at the time of preboarding from a VTA-contracted Concentra Location.

Eligibility List

The established Eligible List from this recruitment will be used to fill the current vacancies and additional vacancies that may occur. Eligible Lists typically remain in effect for six (6) months. However, Human Resources may abolish Eligible Lists at any time during the six (6) month period. Human Resources may extend eligible Lists for up to two (2) years. Eligible Lists may be used for more than one recruitment.

Americans with Disabilities Act Accommodations

VTA is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities in the recruitment and examination process. To request an accommodation, please contact the Human Resources Department at (408) 321-5575 or email Personnel@vta.org at least five business days before the test.

Veterans' Preference Program

VTA welcomes and encourages the employment of veterans of the United States Armed Forces. Qualified veterans may be eligible to receive additional veterans' preference credit in the selection process for this recruitment.

To be considered for Veterans' Preference credit, please attach a PDF copy of your DD Form 214 (Service Copy 2) or other official discharge documentation showing your enlistment and discharge dates and character of service (i.e., type of discharge) in the "Attachments" section of your application. Applicants requesting preference based on a service-connected disability, please submit Standard Form 15 (SF-15) along with any required supporting documentation.

Veterans' Preference credit will only be applied after the required documentation has been received and eligibility has been verified.

Equal Employment Opportunity

VTA is an equal employment opportunity employer. VTA does not and will not tolerate discrimination against applicants or employees on the basis of age, ancestry, color, marital status, mental or physical disability, genetic information, national, origin, immigration status, political affiliation, race, religion, creed, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, medical condition, disabled veteran or veteran status, etc.

VTA offers a generous benefit package including: vision care, a choice of health plans, dental coverage, an employee assistance program, life insurance, and liberal holiday, vacation, and sick leave. A credit union and deferred compensation are also available to employees at their option. Detailed information on VTAs benefits may be found here: https://app.strivebenefits.com/santa-clara-valley-transportation-authority

As defined by the California Public Employees Pension Reform Act (PEPRA):

• Classic Members retirement benefit formula is 2% @55.
• New Members retirement benefit formula is 2% @62.

All Classic AFSCME, SEIU, TAEA, and Non-Rep employees hired on or after 01/09/2012 pay 7.0% of salary toward the required employee contribution to PERS.

All New/PEPRA AFSCME, SEIU, TAEA, and Non-Rep employees pay 8.0% of salary toward the required employee contribution to PERS.

Social Security taxes will be deducted from each employees bi-weekly salary.

01

Please indicate how you meet these minimum qualifications. Include job titles, employers, dates worked, hours per week, and duties performed. All employers indicated in this section must be clearly listed in the Work Experience section of the application. Please describe in detail your experience reconciling and filing quarterly Federal & State Payroll Tax Returns, and describe in detail your familiarity with payroll laws, taxes, and regulations. If you do not have this experience, please indicate how your skills and experience may be transferable to this. How do you keep yourself updated on applicable laws and regulations? How have you implemented necessary changes to ensure compliance? Please be specific and use detailed examples.

02

Please describe your experience in the various areas of accounting. Please include specifically your experience in accounts payable, payroll, account reconciliation, general ledger, and/or capital billing.

03

Please describe your experience with system upgrades or enhancements. Please be specific and use detailed examples, including what systems you have used. If you do not have this experience, please indicate how your skills and experience may be transferable to this.

Required Question

Employer Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority

Address 3331 North First Street, Bldg. B-1

San Jose, California, 95134

Phone (408) 321-5575

Website http://www.vta.org