PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT (PROJECT ACCOUNTING)

Salary : $90,521.60 - $135,740.80 Annually

Location : Los Angeles, CA

Job Type : Regular Employee

Job Number : 2400200

Cabinet : STRATEGIC FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

Cost Center : 5110 - ACCOUNTING

Opening Date : 02 / 01 / 2025

Closing Date : 2 / 15 / 2025 5 : 00 PM Pacific

FLSA : Exempt

Bargaining Unit : Non-Contract

Metro's mission is to provide a world-class transportation system that enhances the quality of life for all who live, work, and play within LA County.

Description

Performs a distinct function in the management and support of highly complex financial reporting, payroll, and accounting / financial systems for different departments. The role will be responsible for grants and project billings, supporting highly complex reporting, and performing capital assets accounting functions.

Examples of Duties

• Plans, prioritizes, and organizes accounting functions within the Accounting Department

Prepares accurate and timely financial statements and reports for management staff

Reviews complex grant funding agreements, bond issues, and other financial contractual agreements with federal, state, and local governmental agencies

Prepares or supervises the preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports, payroll related tax reports, and other financial schedules

Responds to audit inquiries and other information required by federal, state, and local government agencies

Coordinates with department management staff regarding related processes, such as timekeeping, payroll, project management, and invoice payment or billing processes

Complies with Metro's bill payments standard to ensure project and cost center invoices are paid according to agreed terms

Supervises the research of finance, accounting, and payroll systems issues and makes recommendations to senior management

Acts as a project lead for software upgrades, implementation, deployment, and training and documentation of business requirements

Advises staff and department staff on complex accounting issues, cost standards, legal requirements, and labor and tax regulations

Recommends and assists in the implementation of goals and objectives

Establishes schedules, controls, and systems to ensure accuracy and security of financial records and source documents

Prepares, reviews, and supervises the preparation of board and other management reports

Serves as lead and provides work direction to accounting professionals as necessary

Contributes to ensuring that the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) policies and programs of Metro are carried out

May be required to perform other related job duties

Minimum Qualifications

A combination of education and / or experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the position. Additional experience, as outlined below, may be substituted for required education on a year-for-year basis. A typical combination includes :

Education

Experience

Certifications / Licenses / Special Requirements

CPA (Certified Public Accountant) and / or CMA (Certified Management Accountant) preferred

Preferred Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications (PQs) are used to identify relevant knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) as determined by business necessity. These criteria are considered preferred qualifications and are not intended to serve as minimum requirements for the position. PQs will help support selection decisions throughout the recruitment. In addition, applicants who possess these PQs will not automatically be selected.

The following are the preferred qualifications :

Experience preparing schedules related to capital assets addition, depreciation, and retirement (sale, donation, loss, impairment).

Experience preparing timely and accurate responses to audit requests from auditors by various funding sources, such as federal, state, and local.

Experience using Oracle-based Financial Information System preparing / approving journal entries.

Essential Knowledge

Knowledge of (defined as a learned body of information that is required for and applied in the performance of job tasks)

Applicable local, state, and federal laws, rules, and regulations governing a public transportation agency or financial reporting agency

Applicable accounting codes, regulations, and cost accounting standards

Principles of supervision

Applicable business software applications

Skill in (defined as the proficient manual, verbal, or mental utilization of data, people, or things)

Determining strategies to achieve goals and objectives

Establishing and implementing applicable policies and procedures

Analyzing situations, identifying problems, recommending solutions, and evaluating outcomes

Exercising sound judgment and creativity in making decisions

Communicating effectively orally and in writing

Interacting professionally with various levels of the organization and external representatives

Learning and utilizing new and existing financial / accounting software

Operating computers and general office equipment

Ability to (defined as a present competence to perform an observable behavior or produce an observable result)

Prepare comprehensive reports and correspondence

Meet tight deadlines and time constraints

Think and act independently

Understand, interpret, and apply laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, contracts, budgets, and labor / management agreements

Represent Metro before the public

Plan financial and staffing needs

Oversee, train, mentor, and motivate assigned staff

Read, write, speak, and understand English

Special Conditions

The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Metro provides reasonable accommodation to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Working Conditions

Close exposure to computer monitors and video screen

Physical Effort Required

Operate a telephone or other telecommunications device and communicate through the medium

Type and use a keyboard and mouse to perform necessary computer-based functions

Communicating through speech in the English language required

Metro is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, ancestry, national origin, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, religion, age, veteran status, or disability. Learn more about Metro does not deny participation in the application process to anyone with prior justice system involvement, in line with hiring practices.

Selection Procedure

Applicants who best meet job-related qualifications will be invited to participate in the examination process that may consist of any combination of written, performance, or oral appraisal to further evaluate job-related experience, knowledge, skills and abilities.

Application Procedure

To apply, visit Metro's website at www.metro.net and complete an online Employment Application.

Computers are available to complete online Employment Applications at the following Metro location :

METRO Headquarters, Employment Office

One Gateway Plaza

Los Angeles, CA 90012

Telephone : (213) 922-6217 or persons with hearing or speech impairments can use California Relay Service 711 to contact Metro.

All completed online Employment Applications must be received by 5 : 00 p.m. on the closing date. Late applications will not be considered.

This job bulletin is not to be construed as an exhaustive list of duties, responsibilities, or requirements. Employees may be required to perform other related job duties.

BENEFITS FOR REGULAR EMPLOYEES

Benefits cover probationary or regular full-time (working at least 40 hrs / week) employees of Metro.

We offer a range of high-quality medical, dental and vision plan options as well as health care spending accounts for you and your family. Metro will cover a significant portion of your health care premiums.

Medical / Dental / Vision Plan - Employee has the choice of 3 separate medical plans and 3 dental plans. A separate vision plan is included in each medical plan.

Group Life Insurance - PTSC pays for an amount equal to your annual salary, rounded up to the nearest $1,000. Minimum amount of life insurance is $30,000.

Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance - PTSC provides $50,000 coverage for each employee. Additional voluntary coverage in amounts up to $500,000 is available at favorable premium rates.

Long-Term Disability Insurance - 100% employer paid. Provides employees with a minimum income of 60% of earnings after six months of disability. Buy up or buy down options available.

Holidays - 12 days a year : New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans' Day, Cesar E Chavez, Juneteenth,Thanksgiving Day, Day After Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day.

Time off with Pay (TOWP) - Compensates employees who are on approved absence from work for reasons such as illness, injury, medical and dental appointments, personal business, vacation, or observance of (a) religious holiday.

Years of Service Annual Accrual

Hire date - 5 years 20 days

Beginning of 6th - 10th year 25 days

Beginning of 11th - 15th year 30 days

Beginning of 16th years 35 days

Pension Plan - PTSC retirement plan is the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). Vesting is five (5) years. Minimum retirement age is 52, based on the 2% at 62 formula.

Other Benefits : Transportation passes for employees and / or eligible dependents; Medicare; Tuition reimbursement; credit union membership; SDI; Deferred Compensation Plan; 401(K) Thrift plan; EAP; Medical and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts; Flexible work schedules; and Jury Duty Pay.

BENEFITS FOR TEMPORARY EMPLOYEES

Temporary (Contingent) employees are eligible for the following benefits only :

Public Pension Plan

457 / 401K Plan

Flex Spending

Paid Sick Time

Fare Media

Rideshare Subsidies

Metro One Fitness membership

For more information on the Benefits Enrollment for Contingent Employees, please visit LA Metro's Pension & Benefits website at

Please acknowledge that the following responses will be used to supplement and expand on the Work Experience section of your application. It is important to provide detailed answers and do not refer to or rely on a resume or other documentation as we will not review resumes to determine qualifications. The information provided in your application must support your selected answers in the supplemental questions. The information you provide will be verified and documentation may be required. Please be as accurate as possible. By completing this supplemental questionnaire you are attesting that the information you have provided is accurate. Any misstatements, omissions, or falsification of information may eliminate you from consideration or result in dismissal.

Are you a current Metro employee?

Please select the highest level of education you have completed.

Please select the number of years of relevant experience you have in accounting performing complex management, operations, financial, budgetary, or other related analytical work.

If you indicated having relevant experience in accounting performing complex management, operations, financial, budgetary, or other related analytical work, please describe where and how you gained this experience, including names of employers, dates of employment, and duties performed. If you do not have this experience, please indicate "N / A."

Do you have relevant experience preparing billings and reports related to grants from various funding sources, such as federal, state, local, and / or bonds?

If you indicated having experience preparing billings and reports related to grants from various funding sources, such as federal, state, local, and / or bonds, please describe where and how you gained this experience, including names of employers, dates of employment, and duties performed. If you do not have this experience, please indicate "N / A."

Do you have relevant experience preparing schedules related to capital assets addition, depreciation, and retirement (sale, donation, loss, impairment)?

If you indicated having experience preparing schedules related to capital assets addition, depreciation, and retirement (sale, donation, loss, impairment), please describe where and how you gained this experience, including names of employers, dates of employment, and duties performed. If you do not have this experience, please indicate "N / A."

Do you have relevant experience preparing timely and accurate responses to audit requests from auditors by various funding sources, such as federal, state, and local sources?

If you indicated having experience preparing timely and accurate responses to audit requests from auditors by various funding sources, such as federal, state, and local sources, please describe where and how you gained this experience, including names of employers, dates of employment, and duties performed. If you do not have this experience, please indicate "N / A."

Do you have relevant experience using Oracle-based Financial Information System preparing / approving journal entries?

If you indicated having experience using Oracle-based Financial Information System preparing / approving journal entries, please describe where and how you gained this experience, including names of employers, dates of employment, and duties performed. If you do not have this experience, please indicate "N / A."

Required Question

Salary : $90,522 - $135,741