Senior Finance Analyst
Salary
$92,248.00 - $136,302.40 Annually
Location
City Hall, 505 S. Vulcan Avenue, Encinitas, CA
Job Type
Full-Time Regular
Job Number
26-23
Department
Finance
Opening Date
05/21/2026
Closing Date
Continuous
The Position
Analyze.Optimize.Deliver.
The City of Encinitas is seeking a Senior Finance Analyst with exceptional organizational and technical accounting skills to join the Finance Department. This position reports to the Financial Reporting Manager and will supervise other staff accountants and technicians in the department. You will be a key contributor to the year-end audit and preparation of the City's Annual Comprehensive Financial Report as well as the preparation and review of other grant-related audits and financial reports. You will be responsible for recording investment activity, preparing investment reports, and ensuring compliance with the City's investment policy. Other duties include preparing complex journal entries, grant and account reconciliation, financial analysis, leading ad-hoc accounting related projects, and providing accounting support to all departments and Districts in the City. This is an exciting growth opportunity in the Finance Department in one of Californias most vibrant coastal cities.
Your Role in Finance
The Senior Finance Analyst supports the detailed work of the Finance Department by performing a broad range of accounting, financial analysis, and administrative tasks. The role requires knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and Governmental Accounting Standards, strong multitasking skills, the ability to shift priorities quickly, the ability to work efficiently in a variety of software platforms and comfort managing several projects at once. You will work both independently and collaboratively with other departments in the City.
The Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate is a self-starter, who is analytical, detail oriented, organized, and an effective communicator with a passion for public service. They possess strong accounting and financial reporting skills, the ability to research and implement complex accounting standards with little supervision, perform complex data analysis, and have advanced software skills. At the Senior Finance Analyst level, candidates bring deeper experience in complex accounting standards including knowledge of accounting processes and effective internal controls. They can train and supervise accounting staff and perform high-level project or accounting policy work. Successful candidates thrive in a dynamic environment and demonstrate initiative, sound judgment, and strong problem-solving abilities.
Why Youll Love Working Here
Encinitas is a scenic coastal city known for its six miles of shoreline, engaged community, and strong commitment to sustainability, recreation, and the arts. Employees enjoy a supportive, collaborative culture grounded in public service and continuous improvement. Encinitas city hall is located just blocks from the beach and near historic downtown.
The City also offers excellent benefits, contributing to a positive work-life balance and long-term career satisfaction. In this role, your work will directly support financial accounting and reporting across departments for the City.
Examples of Important & Essential Duties (included but not limited to)
Must have sufficient knowledge of the following Governmental Accounting Standards:
Click HERE to read the full job description.
Minimum Qualifications
Training and Experience (position requirements at entry):
Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance, Public Administration, or a related field, plus 4 years of progressively responsible experience in government budget, finance, and accounting activities or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above. A minimum of three years of ACFR or governmental Budget experience is required.
A CPA or Master's degree in a related field is highly desirable.
Experience with the following software is not required but is highly desirable:
Application Process and Deadline
This job posting is open until the position is filled.
First review of applications will be on the week of June 8, 2026, and qualified applicants will be invited for interviews.
If youre ready to contribute your talents and grow your career while serving an exceptional coastal community, we encourage you to apply today!
A completed application with an attached cover letter AND resume are required.
The City of Encinitas and the San Dieguito Water District provide equal opportunity employment for all persons without regard to race, color, religion/religious creed, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, gender, gender identity, gender expression, physical disability, mental disability, marital status, age, physical disability, ancestry, genetic information, medical condition, political affiliations, veteran status, Family Leave Act status, AB60 CA Drivers License status or status with pregnancy, child birth or breastfeeding. The City and Water District encourage minorities, disabled persons and women to apply. Qualified applicants who move to the next level of the selection process must notify the Human Resources Office if accommodation is needed. A thorough background check will be conducted for the candidate(s) seriously considered for the position including fingerprinting and reference checking. A contingent job offer may be given pending the results of medical evaluation, which includes a physical, TB test and drug and alcohol screening. Applicants will be required to submit verification of the legal right to work in the United States. The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice.
2026 Benefits Summary
Unrepresented General, Management and Professional Employees
Cafeteria Health Plan
The employer's "Flexible Benefit Plan" contribution will make available for each employee a monthly amount equal to the high median of the monthly premiums of all CalPERS health plans available in San Diego County. Under the City's Section 125 Cafeteria Benefits Plan qualified benefits include: health, dental, vision, dependent care flexible spending account (FSA) and healthcare FSA. The remaining balance is available as additional taxable income capped at one-half of the monthly cafeteria contribution
Retirement
The City contracts with the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS):
Retirement Tier Retirement Formula
Classic2.0% @ 60
New Member2.0% @ 62
457 and 401a Deferred Compensation
The City offers a 457 and/or 401(a) deferred compensation. These accounts are voluntary and employee funded.
Basic Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance
The City provides Basic Group Term Life Insurance equal to 1x your basic annual earnings up to a maximum of $150,000. AD&D is up to the amount of your Group Term Life Insurance.
Employees may choose to purchase additional life insurance through the City's Voluntary Optional Life Insurance program.
Short-Term Disability Insurance (STD)
STD benefits are 70% of your weekly earnings up to a maximum of $3,500 per week.
Long-Term Disability Insurance (LTD)
LTD benefits are 66% of monthly earnings up to a maximum of $8,000 per month. San Dieguito Water District employees pay for their LTD premium.
Sick Leave
Unrepresented full-time employees accrue nine (9) hours of sick leave for each calendar month of paid status (4.153 hours per pay period). New employees are granted a beginning balance of (9) hours. Less than full time employees accrue sick leave in an amount prorated by FTE status. Accrued sick leave carries over from year to year.
Parental Leave (Baby Bonding)
Employees who qualify for California Family Rights Act (CFRA) baby bonding will be eligible for twelve (12) weeks of employer paid leave. Available leave is prorated based on FTE status.
Vacation Leave
Employees earn vacation hours based on the following years of service:
Years of Service Annual Accrual
Hire - 5 Years 104 hours
6 - 10 Years 128 hours
11 - 15 Years 152 hours
16+ Years 184 hours
Credit is given to new employees for related continuous prior public service employment at the rate of one year for every two years worked.
In addition to Vacation Leave, all Management employees shall be provided fifty-five (55) annual hours of Administrative Leave.
General Election Leave
Employees shall be provided a half day of paid leave to vote at the employee's polling location or a full day of paid leave to volunteer for the County Registrar of Voters for a General Election.
Holiday Closure
Each year, City Hall is closed from Christmas Eve through New Year's Day.
Holidays
Employees receive thirteen (13) fixed holidays and five (5) floating holidays (45 hours) per fiscal year.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Confidential services are available to employees and household members to assist with personal and professional issues. Five sessions per issue are available each calendar year.
Computer Purchase Program
The City will loan employees who successfully complete the probationary period of employment an interest free loan of up to $3,000.
Tuition Assistance
Eligible employees may receive up to $1,200 in reimbursement per fiscal year for approved coursework tuition, required textbooks and registration.
Social Security and Medicare
The City does not participate in the Social Security program. The City and employees each pay 1.45% to Medicare Insurance.
01
Please explain your experience implementing a new financial accounting standard, including the key steps you took to ensure a successful adoption. If none, please state N/A.
02
Please describe your experience reviewing staff accounting journals, reconciliations, or reports, including how you identified and addressed any errors. If none, please state N/A.
03
Please describe your experience implementing a new accounting process or software, including your specific role in the implementation. If none, please state N/A.
04
Do you have a CPA license or a Master's Degree?
Required Question
Employer City of Encinitas
Address 505 S. Vulcan Ave
Encinitas, California, 92024
Phone 7606332767
Website http://www.encinitasca.gov