ABOUT THE POSITION: 

The City of Monterey is seeking a Finance Manager. This is a full-time, management-level position in the Finance Department. The Finance Manager, under the direction of the Assistant Finance Director, plays a vital leadership role in the City’s Finance Department. This position is responsible for overseeing day-to-day accounting operations, including general ledger, payroll, and participating in budget administration. The Finance Manager ensures the accuracy of financial reporting, compliance with applicable laws and regulations, and the effective stewardship of public funds while providing guidance and support to accounting staff. 

ABOUT THE CITY OF MONTEREY: 

Nestled along California's Central Coast, the City of Monterey is known for its natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, hospitality, and sense of community. The City of Monterey is a full-service charter city operating under a Council-Manager form of government. The City of Monterey is a full-service city that provides police, fire, public works, planning, recreation, and parks services and operates its conference center, sports center, parking, and marina facilities.

WHY WORK FOR US?

The City of Monterey offers a competitive benefits package to full-time employees. Some of these benefits include a Health Spending Fund, Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance, Vacation Accruals, Sick Leave, 14 Paid Holidays, Education Incentive Pay, Tuition Reimbursement Programs, CalPERS Retirement, and more!

Application Process

A limited number of applicants who clearly show that they most closely meet the needs of this position in terms of training, experience, education, and other job-related characteristics will be accepted to participate in the selection process. This process will include evaluation and initial screening of the standard on-line City application to determine which candidates progress to the next phase of the recruitment process. The subsequent selection process may include a written test/written exercise, performance exercise, panel interview, and a final departmental interview. As a condition of employment, the selected candidate will be required to successfully pass a Live Scan fingerprint background check and reference check. 

As a condition of employment, some positions require the selected candidate to pass a physical exam, including a drug screen and a federal background check, to gain access to military and police facilities and systems. 

The Human Resources Department reserves the right to make changes to components of the examination process.

Candidates who successfully complete all phases of this recruitment process will be placed on an eligible list. The eligible list is active for 12-months and may be used to fill additional positions including lower-level positions, regular part-time, and part-time temporary seasonal, determined to have similar duties and requirements.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER: The City of Monterey provides outstanding services to the public and is deeply committed to a community and workforce that is inclusive, equitable, and diverse. We welcome and encourage applications from all qualified applicants, including underrepresented minorities that contribute to the diversification and enrichment of ideas and perspectives. The City of Monterey does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, or based on an individual’s status in any group of class protected by applicable federal, state or local law.

SUMMARY: 

Under direction of the Assistant Finance Director, the Finance Manager performs advanced and complex accounting tasks, plans, organizes and supervises the day-to-day operations of accounting staff for a variety of functional areas within the Finance Department, which may include any combination of: general ledger, reporting, payroll, billing and collection of revenues, business license administration, accounts payable, budget and investment of city funds.  Performs work of considerable difficulty in maintaining the City’s general ledger and prepares key financial reports requiring comprehensive knowledge of the City’s municipal financial functions, automated municipal accounting systems, existing laws, regulations, policies and procedures.   

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS: 

The Finance Manager is distinguished from the next higher level of classification, Assistant Finance Director, in that the latter has management responsibility over all accounting activities within the Finance Department and develops and implements related departmental goals, policies and procedures.  This position is distinguished from the next lower classification, Senior Accountant, in that the latter is expected to perform accounting work of moderate difficulty, while the Finance Manager is expected to provide lead direction and supervision of staff, provide oversight of the accounting functions within the area of assignment and perform the more advanced and complex professional accounting duties for the City.

This position is distinguished from the Finance Director in that the latter is a department head with overall responsibility for directing City-wide finance and related administrative support services and provides general direction to this classification. 

 

Examples of Duties

 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. Factors such as regular attendance at the job are not routinely listed in job descriptions, but are an essential function. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

 

• Provides management level assistance to the Finance Director and the Assistant Finance Director.  
• Manages fiscal reporting, provides accurate and timely management information for use within the Finance Department and other City departments.  
• Supervises, trains, motivates and evaluates assigned staff responsible for performing professional and technical accounting functions; makes recommendations for the selection of new employees; provides or coordinates staff training; provides expertise and direction to staff; reviews work of assigned staff for correctness, works with employees to correct deficiencies and implements appropriate discipline procedures.

• Ensures excellent customer service is provided to city departments, citizens, the public and customers conducting business with the City. 

• Prepares or directs the preparation and reconciliation of journals, ledgers and other accounting records.  
• Recommends and participates in the implementation of accounting policies and procedures and methods and analyzes existing procedures and prepares recommendations for revision when necessary.  

• Participates in the development and implementation of the financial goals of the City; manages objectives, policies, and priorities for assigned programs towards those goals. 
• Manages the review of revenues and expenditures and prepares analyses and forecasts; including, but not limited to, the preparation of quarterly, mid-year and year-end reports, as well as participation in the development of a five-year financial forecast. Projects appropriable fund balance for all city funds.
• Stays up-to-date on the knowledge and practices essential for delivering effective and efficient budgeting, accounts payable, revenue and payroll services.
• Contributes to the coordination of overall City efforts by cooperating with other managers and supervisors throughout the City to supply and exchange information relative to the financial performance of the City.
• Makes effective verbal presentations and written reports for the City Council, boards and commissions, staff, intergovernmental and citizen groups. Develops and presents ideas and issues in a convincing verbal and written manner.
• Participates in software upgrade process for areas assigned.
• May participate in the issuance of bonds.

• Performs related duties as assigned.  

 

Finance Manager – General Ledger & Payroll

Additional duties include:

• Oversees the balancing and control activities in the keeping of the City’s general ledger.  
• Participates in the preparation and monitoring of the City’s operating and capital budgets, personnel budgeting, and project accounting subsidiary ledgers. 
• Prepares financial statements for the City, JPA’s, and the City’s Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR).  Prepares required reports for State and Federal agencies. 
• Coordinates annual audit activities and preparation of Cost Allocation Plan.  
• Ensures that the general ledger and financial statements comply with the requirements of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), the City Charter, GASB, and existing statues.  
• Oversees the production of semi-monthly payroll function.
• Oversees the recording and monitoring of long-term debt transactions for the City’s debt issues
• Manages the capital assets process and inventory, including project cost analysis and capitalization.

• Supervises and participates in comprehensive payroll operations, ensuring proper processing and timely mandatory reporting and submission. 
• Participates in the labor and benefits forecasting for annual and mid-year city-wide budget. 
• Advises on associated fiscal and/or budgetary impacts and participates in budget study sessions for both the personnel costs and capital portions of the budget.
• May prepare and review reports for City Council as assigned by the Finance Director. 

Finance Manager – Operations

Additional duties include:

• Oversees the billing and collection of business licenses, permits, lease payments, and other accounts receivables.  Performs the most difficult tasks associated with complex business license, permit, and lease revenue problems.   
• Oversees the production of semi-monthly accounts payable function.
• Oversees the daily reconciliation of cash and credit card transactions.
• Assists in the management of the City’s investment portfolio. 
• Performs audits of business license tax returns and reviews leases of City-owned property.   

• Manages the enforcement of provisions of the City’s revenue code through ongoing field investigations and audits. Also works with City’s independent auditors and other City departments to ensure effective internal controls over cash handling and revenue management.
• Maintains a current and thorough working knowledge of State and City laws and procedures regarding municipal revenue sources including business taxes. Accurately interprets and applies such laws and devises procedures to assure the compliance of the Finance Department with such laws.
• Manages and monitors a variety of revenue sources for the City including business tax, utility users’ tax, transient occupancy tax, sales tax, franchise fees, and property taxes.
• Supervises and participates in comprehensive accounts payable and revenue collections  ensuring proper processing and timely mandatory reporting and submission. May coordinate filing of SB90 claims for reimbursement of state mandated costs.
• Maintains the Master Fee Schedule and works with consultants for updates to the Cost Allocation Plan and City-wide Cost Study
• Participates in the revenue forecasting for annual and mid-year city-wide budget.
• Advises on associated fiscal and/or budgetary impacts and participates in budget study sessions for both the revenue portion of the budget.
• May prepare and review reports for City Council as assigned by the Finance Director.

 

Typical Qualifications

 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education: Completion of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a closely related field.  At least 18 units in accounting subjects is preferred.

Experience: Five years of recent progressively responsible management experience in accounting or a related business field preferably in a municipal government setting including a minimum of two (2) years’ experience at a supervisory level is preferable.  

LICENSE AND CERTIFICATION: 

• Must possess a valid California Driver’s License upon time of appointment and be insurable with the City’s standard insurance rate, unless otherwise approved by appointing authority. 

 

Supplemental Info

 

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge of: 

• Principals and practices of public administration, finance and governmental accounting systems and methods.
• Generally accepted accounting principles as related to fund accounting, cost accounting, Government Accounting Standards Board pronouncements, and accounting systems and procedures.
• Principals and procedures of financial record keeping and reporting.
• Investment practices, procedures and laws. 
• Cash management techniques.
• Collection methods and procedures.
• Computerized financial accounting system applications and controls.
• Database management and analytical reporting. 
• Principals of supervision, training and performance evaluation.

Ability to:

• Work effectively with departmental officials, City employees, the general public and other agencies; respond to inquiries and complaints in a courteous, tactful manner.
• Interpret and apply pertinent Federal, State and local codes, policies, laws and regulations.
• Exercise independent judgment, analyze problems, identify alternative solutions and implement recommendations.
• Analyze and verify complex accounting, fiscal and technical information.
• Prepare clear and comprehensive fiscal analysis and reports.
• Develop and document detailed technical fiscal procedures.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, orally and in writing.
• Plan and organize responsibilities so that fiscal matters are dealt with appropriately and correctly and reports are produced in a timely and accurate manner.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT:

Physical Demands

• Sitting - Ability to work in a seated position at a computer station for extended periods of time.
• Lifting - Ability to safely lift 35 pounds; this requirement includes bending at the knees to facilitate proper lifting techniques.
• 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.
• Visual – Ability to read printed materials and view a computer screen for long periods.
• 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.

DISASTER SERVICE WORKERS

All City of Monterey employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the City requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

View the job flyer: Finance Manager

Submit an application online: City of Monterey Job Opportunities

📅 Application deadline: December 7, 2025 at 11:59 PM PST

Faxes, e-mails, and paper copies will not be accepted. Please feel free to call HR at (831) 646-3765 if you have any questions.