Definition and Class Characteristics
Monterey One Water is looking for a professional and knowledgeable individual to join the finance department. The ideal candidate will be a team player, proactive, and have strong communication skills.
This position will receive a 3% Cost-of-Living-Adjustment (COLA) and a 1.3% salary survey adjustment on June 22, 2025.
Join the Monterey One Water Team!
Definition:
Under general supervision, performs responsible professional accounting, payroll, administrative and technical support relative to the planning, organization and coordination of assigned activities in the Finance Department. This position is responsible for performing general accounting tasks, preparing financial and statistical reports, developing and evaluating workflow processes for the financial system, performing payroll functions, including processing and reconciling payroll, benefit and financial records, providing responsible technical assistance to the Director of Finance and Controller/Assistant Director of Finance, and performing other job-related duties as required.
Supervision Received and Exercised
Receives direct or general supervision from the Controller/Assistant Director of Finance. No direct supervision of staff is exercised. May exercise technical and functional direction over staff and in the absence of the manager.
Class Characteristics
This is a professional level accounting position with knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB), and the foundation or experience to perform the full range of payroll and accounting responsibilities. The incumbent is expected to work independently with minimal supervision while maintaining confidentiality regarding payroll and personnel matters. The position requires strong attention to detail, excellent time and priority management skills, the ability to work under deadlines, and a thorough understanding of general accounting, payroll processes, reconciliations, and financial reporting requirements.
This class is distinguished from the Accounting Assistant I/II by having substantial knowledge in general accounting and payroll processes, regulations, and reporting requirements; understanding and ability to process and report transactions in accordance with Federal and State laws, Agency policies, procedures, and memoranda of understanding, performs more complex technical work, and the performance of the full range of duties as assigned. This class is distinguished from the Controller/Assistant Director of Finance in that the latter has overall supervisory responsibility for all financial and payroll functions; and assists the Director of Finance with the most complex special studies.
Essential Functions
Examples of Essential Functions (Illustrative Only)
Management reserves the right to add, modify, change or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.
•Performs professional accounting work in the maintenance of fiscal records, including balancing, verifying and reconciling accounts, ledgers, and other fiscal records.
•Prepares, reviews, and approves journal entries with proper supporting documentation.
•Prepares various financial reports and ensures the accuracy of related financial records.
•Analyzes and reconciles various accounts to the general ledger, including bank statements, payroll liabilities and subsidiary ledgers associated with accounts receivable, accounts payable, and deposits.
•Performs and provides technical support in payroll processing and reporting functions.
•Reviews, processes, and reconciles biweekly payroll, researching and correcting discrepancies.
•Updates and maintains payroll and timekeeping software, including pay codes, salary schedules, and deductions.
•Processes payroll-related personnel transactions, including retroactive adjustments, garnishments, benefits, and retirements.
•Balances payroll and ensures appropriate salary/benefit cost distribution relative to the general ledger.
•Prepares and reconciles payroll-related journal entries and reports.
•Ensures compliance with applicable Federal, State, and local payroll laws and Agency policies.
•Prepares and submits payroll tax filings, W-2s, and required reports to CalPERS and other agencies.
•Assists employees with payroll-related inquiries, discrepancies, and benefit deductions.
•Monitors capital improvement and capital outlay expenditures for appropriate account coding, budgetary compliance, and prepares related internal reports.
•Assists in the development and implementation of special accounting systems to track revenues and expenditures for grants and reimbursement agreements; reconciles related accounts; prepares reimbursement requests and financial reports; and assures all transactions are processed in accordance with agreements.
•Provides accounting and technical support for various departmental programs, major projects, or funds, which may include the Monterey Regional Stormwater Management Program and the Pure Water Monterey Fund.
•Monitors expenditures, revenues and budget allocations to determine assigned program or fund’s financial status; communicates with program representative on account activity or discrepancies; assists with budgetary control; prepares custom reports, graphs and schedules as needed.
•May assist or assume responsibilities for fixed asset accounting, cash management, routine debt administration, interest allocation, budget development, inventories, internal audits, and grant accounting.
•Interprets and applies general and governmental accounting/auditing principles and procedures, laws and regulations affecting the financial operations of municipal government.
•Assists with the year-end closing process, including reconciliation of various accounts, preparation of supporting schedules for the annual audit, and working with auditors in areas of responsibility.
•Serves as a technical resource to departments and paraprofessional staff.
•Participates in operating an automated office and computerized financial and information system; and assists in implementing new automated applications as needed to facilitate effectiveness and efficiency.
•Attends meetings, conferences, workshops, and training sessions, and reviews publications to remain current on principles, practices, and new developments in accounting.
•Performs other job-related duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Knowledge of:
•Terminology, rules and methods of governmental accounting and financing, including program budgeting and auditing, and their applicability to the Agency’s operations.
•Principles and practices of governmental accounting and financing and their applicability to the Agency’s operations.
•Principles, methods and practices of accounting and financial recordkeeping, including GASB and GAAP.
•Payroll processing, including applicable Federal, State and local laws.
•Employee benefits as they relate to payroll deductions and reporting.
•Applicable Agency and Department regulations, codes, policies, and procedures.
•Modern office practices, methods and computer equipment.
•Computerized accounting and finance systems and computer software and systems related to finance processes; other computer applications related to work, including word processing and spreadsheet software.
•Business arithmetic and statistical techniques.
•English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation.
•Techniques for effectively providing a high level of customer service to public and Agency staff, in person and over the telephone.
Ability to:
•Analyze situations accurately and develop effective course of action.
•Analyze financial data and draw sound conclusions.
•Accurately process and reconcile payroll transactions in a timely manner.
•Maintain strict confidentiality regarding payroll and personnel records.
•Respond to and effectively prioritize multiple phone calls and other requests for service.
•Work on multiple projects with competing priorities effectively and in a timely manner; organize and prioritize timelines for self and others in an effective and timely manner.
•Evaluate and develop improvements in operations, procedures, policies or methods.
•Analyze situations accurately and develop effective course of action.
•Understand and carry out a variety of complex instructions in a responsible and independent manner.
•Prepare clear, complete and concise financial statements and reports.
•Establish and maintain a variety of files and records.
•Make accurate arithmetic, financial, and statistical computations.
•Maintain attention to detail and accuracy.
•Compose correspondence and reports independently or from brief instructions.
•Enter and retrieve data from a computer with sufficient speed and accuracy to perform assigned work.
•Organize and prioritize a variety of projects and multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner; organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines.
•Operate modern office equipment, including computer equipment and specialized software application programs.
•Effectively communicate in person, over the telephone and in writing.
•Use tact, initiative, prudence and independent judgment within general policy, procedural and legal guidelines.
•Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work.
•Provide good customer service to both internal and external customers.
Education and Experience:
Any combination of training and experience which would provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:
Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in accounting, finance or a closely related field and two (2) years of responsible professional accounting experience.
Physical and Environmental Demands
Physical Demands
•Standing & Walking – Primarily sedentary classification although standing in work areas and walking between work areas may be required.
•Lifting - Ability to safely lift up to 10 pounds overhead and 20 pounds to waist level; both these requirements include bending at knees to facilitate proper lifting techniques: 1 minute up to 5 minutes per day.
•Manual Dexterity - Ability to perform multiple work activities requiring a significant level of physical and mental coordination, such as operating a computer keyboard; copying, and adding machines; writing: 1 hour up to 8 hours per day.
•Visual – Ability to read printed materials and view a computer screen for long periods: 30 minutes up to 8 hours per day.
•Hearing and Speech - Ability to communicate in person, before groups, and over the telephone.
•Mobility – Ability to work in a standard office setting and operate a motor vehicle to visit various meeting sites, reach, carry, push, pull, stoop, and bend.
Environmental Elements
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 public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.
Working Conditions
May be required to work evenings, weekends, and holidays.
M1W Values•Accountability - I take ownership of my job as demonstrated through my words, actions, and attitude.
•Integrity – I am guided by strong ethics and consistently do the right thing.
•Respect – My actions demonstrate that I care about the well-being of others, the organization, and the environment.
•Transparency – My communication and actions are honest, complete, timely and open to public review.
•Collaboration – I value and seek diverse input to optimize opportunities and solutions.
This position is part of the General Employee Association (GEA)
Employee Benefits PackageHealth Care Coverage
Anthem Blue Cross through ACWA JPIA. Agency pays 100% of the employee contribution and a substantial portion of the dependent contribution.
Dental Care Coverage
MetLife. Agency pays 100% of the employee contribution and a substantial portion of the dependent contribution.
Vision Care Coverage
MetLife. Agency pays 100% of the employee contribution and a substantial portion of the dependent contribution.
Life & AD&D Insurance
MetLife. 1x employee's annual salary plus $15,000, maximum of $265,000, paid by Agency.
LTD/STD
MetLife. Paid by Agency.
Retirement
CalPERS. Local Misc.:
Employees pay 100% of the employee portion.
VacationSix month waiting period, accrual every pay period. 440 is the max accrual.
•1-3 years = 80 hours/year
•3-8 years = 120 hours/year
•8-15 years = 160 hours/year
•15-20 years = 176 hours/year
•20-30 years = 200 hours/year
•31+ years = 4 additional hours per year of service
Sick Leave
Employees are granted 96 hours of sick leave, accrued per pay period. There is no limit to the amount of sick leave an employee may accrue due to the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) sick leave conversion credit accumulation upon retirement.
Bereavement Leave
Up to five days per incident. Employees can use sick, vacation, compensatory time, or Admin leave.
Military Leave
Temporary military leaves of absence will be granted to engage in ordered military duty.
Holidays
13 paid Holidays per year + 1 floating holiday per year.
EAP
The Agency provides and pays for an EAP Program through Claremont EAP.
Education Incentive
The employee will be reimbursed for books and tuition only and the employee will receive reimbursement of the course with a grade of "C" or higher. There is a 6 month waiting period for this benefit. Reimbursement is limited to the following maximums:
Community College
•- $1,000 per calendar year
University/State School* - $2,500 per calendar year
Master's Degree level* - $3,500 per calendar year
Optional Benefits
AFLAC, Flexible Spending Account (unreimbursed medical and dependent care) and Deferred Compensation Plan (Principal, no matching funds).
Memorandum of Understanding
Monterey, CA
Full-time
$108,160-$138,008
