Accountant II

Overview

At Western Municipal Water District ("Western Water"), we are looking for an accomplished accounting professional to fill this position. We seek a seasoned professional in public sector accounting who is committed to excellence, can think creatively, and enjoys helping others grow professionally. This opportunity is for a collaborative individual with strong interpersonal skills to join an exceptional agency that provides essential services to western Riverside County.

Western Municipal Water District stands out:
Western Water is one of the largest public agencies in Riverside County providing water and sewer services to nearly one million people through approximately 25,000 residential and business connections and eight wholesale water agencies/cities. We see ourselves as more of a business than a bureaucracy and view our customers as essential partners in ensuring long-term water reliability. The Western Water team is focused on being the definitive leader in water and sewer services, upholding the highest level of stakeholder trust.

Our vision is to integrate best-in-business processes and develop a leading-edge workforce that creates greater efficiency and value for our customers. Western Water’s values include Service Excellence, Efficiency, Water Supply Reliability, Fiscal Responsibility and Value, Public Trust, Accountability and Transparency, Environmental Stewardship, Employee Empowerment, and Innovation.

Under minimal direction, individuals within the Accountant II series can expect to perform technical and complex accounting duties related to the preparation of financial statements, review of fiscal records, and monitoring of financial transactions in accordance with accounting procedures.

• Seasoned accountant with strong interpersonal skills to support day-to-day financial and accounting operations and provide strategic guidance.
• In-depth knowledge and experience in financial and accounting processes for a special district providing reliable water and sewer services to retail and wholesale customers in western Riverside County.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to coordinate and support the activities of the accounting group; capable of working independently and as part of a team.

• Relationship-builder who partners with internal and external stakeholders and large utilities in the region.
• High emotional intelligence and awareness of community and customer issues, including political sensitivities.
• Open, approachable, action-oriented; good judgment; respectful.
• Collaborative, able to bring people together to pursue Western Water’s vision.
• Customer-centric, with outstanding facilitation and leadership skills.
• Self-starter with initiative and a strong work ethic.

Incumbents in the Accountant II series are responsible for technical accounting and financial analysis of moderate complexity to provide accurate and timely financial reports to District management, other governmental bodies, and the public. Incumbents work under general supervision with some independent judgment within established systems and procedures. Incumbents report to an Accounting Supervisor. Western Water employees may be required to work overtime, weekends, evenings, and holidays, and may be assigned to Disaster Emergency Service Worker duties as needed.

• Maintain Western Water’s general ledger; review accounting documents for accuracy; perform reconciliations of general ledger accounts and subsidiary ledgers; ensure conformance with policies, contracts, and state/federal requirements.
• Prepare and enter journal entries; summarize data for financial reports.
• Meet with Western Water staff to review budgets versus actual performance, research variances, and assist in monthly/quarterly financial performance reporting.
• Assist in the preparation of annual financial reports (e.g., ACFR).
• Coordinate year-end audits by reviewing and preparing required data and journals; ensure compliance with record retention policies.
• Adhere to office procedures and promote Western Water’s ethics and values.