Senior Accountant (Grants)

PURPOSE OF POSITION
The Southern California Regional Rail Authority (SCRRA), operator of the METROLINK Commuter Rail System, is seeking a Senior Accountant who will perform and provide limited supervision of a wide variety of professional-level accounting duties and responsibilities involved in the recording and reporting of financial transactions specifically related to the administration of federal, state, and local grants. The Senior Accountant will perform and supervise general ledger accounting tasks, including journal entries, reconciliations, analyses, and the preparation of grantor invoices. The position will engage in customer collections, prepare various internal and external financial analyses and reports, and play a central role in the Agency’s successful completion of multiple financial audits.
 
TO APPLY: This is a continuous recruitment with the first review of applications beginning January 3, 2025. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply immediately.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
This is the senior level of the Accountant series. At this level, work may be performed under limited supervision or under limited direction. Incumbent possesses considerable latitude to accomplish tasks, which may include lead worker or supervisor duties.
 
SUPERVISION EXERCISED AND RECEIVED

• Receives general supervision from departmental supervisory roles.
• This position does not have formal supervisory responsibilities but may serve as a lead worker to lower-level workers.

The duties listed below are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed and are not to be interpreted as an exhaustive list of responsibilities.

• Manage the accounting and administration of Grants, including award set-up in the system, preparation and submission of invoices to Grantors, monitoring the status of each program life cycle, providing financial oversight for funds related to Grant projects, and timely reporting to Grantors. 
• Manage, reconcile, and track Federal operating grants and corresponding expenditures. 
• Work to ensure timely collection of grants-related invoices and resolve issues related to payment delays.
• Prepare journal entries and other accurate records and reconcile transactions for posting to the general ledger. 
• Review accounting and financial documents to ensure the accuracy of information, calculations, and correction of entries.
• Prepare project and award-level reconciliations to ensure that expenditures are billed in compliance with grant terms prior to closeout. 
• Assist in the development of various reports for internal and external review.
• Work with other finance team staff to coordinate various ongoing and annual special projects such as the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR), Single Audit Report, Indirect Cost Allocation Plan, and multiple internal and external audits.
• Take a lead role in the annual preparation of the Schedule of Expenditures for Financial Awards (SEFA) and various Federal Financial Reports (FFRs) for grant funds. 
• Support month-end and year-end accounting closeout.
• Facilitate resolution of grantor customer issues by working with staff within the department and between departments.
• Ensure established policies and procedures related to organizational financial controls and audit reports are adhered to.
• The responsibilities outlined above are representative of the role but not exhaustive. Additional duties may be assigned as needed, and reasonable accommodations will be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with applicable laws.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• A minimum of seven (7) years of work experience involving general accounting, grants administration, financial audits, billing, and collections.
• A combination of training, education, and or experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered when determining minimum qualifications.  Advanced relevant coursework may also substitute for a portion of the required experience. 

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• Transit-related grants finance experience.
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA). 
• Experience determining allowability under the Code of Federal Regulations and the Uniform Administrative Requirements and Cost Principles for Federal Awards (2 CFR 200).

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Knowledge of:

• Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and their application within a grant-funded public agency.
• Complex financial accounting transactions and related procedures.
• Working knowledge of Uniform Guidance for Federal Awards (Uniform Grant Guidance).
• Oracle or other similar enterprise resource planning.
• Detailed data analysis and data-driven decision-making.
• Organization and time management.

Skilled in:

• Intermediate or advanced use of Microsoft Office products and other applicable accounting software, including Enterprise Resource Planning financial systems and Microsoft Excel

Ability to:

• Prioritize and simultaneously work on multiple tasks.
• Review documentation, monitor and track complex federal, state, and local grants. 
• Effectively communicate both verbally and in writing.
• Identify areas for process improvement and make recommendations.
• Provide limited supervision to staff accountants on work tasks. 

 
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Transition between a stationary position at a desk or work location and move about Metrolink facilities or other work site locations.
• Operate tools to perform the duties of the position, such as computers, office equipment, and work-related machinery.
• Transport equipment or boxes up to 25 lbs.
• Exchange ideas by means of communication.
• Visual acuity to detect, identify, and observe employees or train movement and any barriers to movement when working on or near railroad tracks. 
• Hear and perceive the nature of sounds when working on or near railroad tracks.
• Balance, ascend/descend, climb, kneel, stoop, bend, crouch, or crawl within assigned working conditions and or locations.

 
Working Conditions
Position requires work in a normal office environment with artificial lighting and controlled environment.Selection Process:
 
Following a review of resumes and/or applications, the most highly qualified candidates will be invited to continue in the selection process. Eligible applicants will be notified of the exact time and place of assessments and interviews.  Candidates will be interviewed to determine their relative knowledge, skills, and abilities in job-related areas.  Offers of employment may be contingent upon the successful completion of a reference check, including degree verification and criminal records check provided through SCRRA.
   
Internal Candidates: Employees with active discipline as defined in the HR Policy No. 5.3 Positive Discipline Program and/or with performance that does not meet the standard for "meets expectations" as defined in the Performance Planning and Appraisal Process may be precluded from consideration and placement in the position.
   
   
The SCRRA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. EEO/ADA. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the SCRRA will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

Salary : $83,249 - $129,035