Senior Accountant chez Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority, CA

About the Department

Please note this role is a project role and has a THREE-year limited duration.

Senior Accountant 

VTA is excited to announce two openings for Senior Accountants in our Disbursement and Accounting divisions. We’re looking for detail-oriented financial professionals ready to make an impact as we roll out a new, cutting-edge financial system that will modernize how we do business.
As a Senior Accountant, you’ll play a key role in areas such as accounts payable, payroll, payroll tax reporting, general ledger, and capital billing — all while ensuring compliance with local, state, and federal regulations. You’ll also gain valuable experience contributing to system testing, monthly and annual closings, and financial reporting. Apply Today!

This is a great opportunity to use your expertise, grow your skills, and be part of a dynamic team shaping the future of VTA’s financial operations.

The Division
Under the direction of the Chief Financial Officer, the Office of the CFO, Finance & Budget division fulfills the Controller and Treasury functions for VTA including financial reporting, accounting, budgeting, investment services, cash management, debt administration, payroll, accounts receivable, accounts payable and farebox revenue services. This division also includes Technology.

Our Division's goal is to maintain financial stability and to ensure that the monetary activities of VTA are performed, recorded and presented accurately in compliance with professional and ethical guidelines. This includes establishing & maintaining internal control, adequately recording of accounting data in conformity with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and establishing appropriate policy and procedures

Definition
Under general direction, a Senior Accountant plans, organizes, and performs complex, professional, and technical accounting duties in the analysis, preparation, and maintenance of financial records, reports, and systems, for assigned Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) programs and business activities, in accordance with VTA policies and procedures, legal requirements, and professional standards and supervises other accounting personnel.

Distinguishing Characteristics
Senior Accountant is the expert level professional class in the Accounting Series, and is the first supervisory level. An incumbent in this class performs highly complex and technical accounting and financial analyses to provide accurate and timely financial reports to VTA management, other governmental agencies, and the public to support sound decision-making and ensure appropriate public disclosure and accountability. Work requires the exercise of a high degree of independent judgment based on thorough knowledge of VTA's business activities and financial management practices and procedures.

Senior Accountant is distinguished from Accountant III in that an incumbent in the former class serves as a subject expert in a particular area, supervises other accounting personnel, and performs more difficult, complex, and sensitive work of greater VTA-wide impact.

Ideal Candidate 

The ideal candidate for this position is a versatile, detail-oriented accounting professional who thrives in a collaborative and evolving environment. You are adaptable, analytical, and eager to take on the challenge of helping implement VTA’s new financial system, ensuring a seamless transition from legacy processes.
You possess a strong foundation in accounting principles and practices, with experience in areas such as reconciliations, month-end and year-end closings, financial reporting, accounts payable, and payroll. You excel at problem-solving and have the ability to translate complex financial data into clear, actionable insights for both internal management and external compliance reporting.
If you are passionate about accuracy, innovation, and contributing to the continued excellence of VTA’s financial operations, we invite you to apply for one of our Senior Accountant opportunities in Accounting or Disbursements.

About VTA 

The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority employs more than 2,000 people dedicated to providing solutions that move Silicon Valley. Unique among transportation organizations in the San Francisco Bay Area, VTA is Santa Clara County’s authority for transit development and operations (light rail and bus), congestion management, transportation-related funding, highway design and construction, real estate and transit-oriented development, and bicycle and pedestrian planning. With local, state, and federal partners, VTA works to innovate the way Silicon Valley moves and provide mobility solutions for all. 

Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) is an independent special district that provides sustainable, accessible, community-focused transportation options that are innovative, environmentally responsible, and promote the vitality of our region.

VTA provides bus, light rail, and paratransit services, as well as participates as a funding partner in regional rail service including Caltrain, Capitol Corridor, and the Altamont Corridor Express.

As the county’s congestion management agency, VTA is responsible for countywide transportation planning, including congestion management, design and construction of specific highway, pedestrian, and bicycle improvement projects, as well as promotion of transit oriented development.

VTA provides these services throughout the county, including Campbell, Cupertino, Gilroy, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Los Gatos, Milpitas, Monte Sereno, Morgan Hill, Mountain View, Palo Alto, San Jose, Santa Clara, Saratoga and Sunnyvale. VTA continually builds partnerships to deliver transportation solutions that meet the evolving mobility needs of Santa Clara County.
As we continue to implement our VTA Forward Plan, we aim to strengthen and increase our workforce to take on future opportunities and challenges by elevating our people and our services. 

For more information about our VTA Forward Plan, visit: https://www.vta.org/VTAForward

Family-Friendly Workplace Certification Program (FFWCP)

The County of Santa Clara FFWCP recognizes VTA as a business that creates supportive workplaces for employees and their families.

Family-friendly workplaces improve health outcomes and job satisfaction for employees and increase work productivity and retention for employers. Employers can create a family-friendly workplace by meeting and exceeding state and federal employment laws relating to parental leave, lactation accommodation, and work/family balance.

Position Duties

Typical Tasks

• Evaluates the performance of assigned staff; interviews and recommends selection of job candidates; orients and trains unit staff; establishes and/or recommends performance requirements and personal development targets; regularly monitors performance and provides coaching for performance improvement and development; recommends disciplinary action, up to and including termination;
• Plans, organizes, controls, integrates, and evaluates the work of staff in assigned areas, including budget control, cash management and operations, capital projects and accounts receivable, treasury, general ledger, payroll, fixed assets, and revenue services;
• Develops, implements, and monitors work plans to achieve goals and objectives; supervises and participates in developing, implementing, and evaluating plans, work processes, systems, and procedures to achieve annual goals, objectives, and work standards;
• Plans, coordinates, supervises, and/or participates in the preparation of special and/or detailed financial and accounting reports;
• Performs highly technical and complex accounting analysis, research, calculations, and data compilation in compliance with VTA, state, federal and other reporting requirements;
• Plans, reviews, and ensures accuracy, completeness, and timeliness of accounting data in assigned areas; as required or requested, analyzes and evaluates information, presents findings, and/or recommends courses of action to management;
• Plans, organizes, and ensures timely completion of monthly and year end financial closings; supervises or generates and reviews monthly and year-end financial statements, along with supporting schedules and reports; reviews statements, schedules, and reports for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with legal and professional standards;
• Participates in developing, maintaining, and ensuring optimal utilization of SAP financial accounting information systems; verifies the accuracy and completeness of information generated; identifies, diagnoses, and resolves problems; recommends system improvements; trains departmental staff on the operations and reporting capabilities of the system; assists other departments in formulating queries and generating special reports; designs and implements controls for data input and output; designs and creates custom financial reports; creates, maintains, and updates procedures manual related to accounting functions;
• Consults with and provides expert assistance to VTA management, other departments, internal and external auditors, and vendors; works with staff of other departments to resolve technical accounting issues and problems;
• Maintains, reviews, and participates in developing and recommending improvements to accounting policies, processes, and procedures; designs, implements, and improves daily work and month-end processes and procedures to ensure accurate and complete information within established time frames;
• Monitors professional developments in the field, evaluates their impact on VTA policies and operations, and recommends changes and improvements where warranted;
• Performs related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Employment Standards
Sufficient training, education, and public or private sector experience to demonstrate possession of the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Development of the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is typically obtained through a combination of training and experience equivalent to graduation from an accredited college or university with a four-year degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or a closely related field, and four years of progressively responsible professional accounting experience, at least one year of which was in a lead or supervisory capacity.

• Experience in a public agency is preferred.
• A Master's degree in Business Administration with emphasis in accounting or Certified Public Accountant license may be substituted for one year of the required experience.
• License as a Certified Public Accountant is desirable.
• Enterprise Resource Planning System experience is desirable.

Other Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• Principles, practices, and terminology of general, fund and governmental accounting, including financial statement preparation and methods of financial control and reporting;
• Internal control and audit principles and practices;
• Laws and regulations relating to the financial administration of public agencies and transportation authorities in the State of California;
• Laws and regulations governing fund transfer agreement compliance and their application to governmental accounting and budgeting;
• VTA functions and associated financial management and reporting issues;
• Principles and practices of business data processing particularly related to the processing of accounting and financial information;
• Principles and practices of supervision and training.

Ability to:

• Operate a computer using word processing and spreadsheet and other standard business and financial software;
• Analyze and evaluate complex financial and accounting information and reach sound professional conclusions and recommendations;
• Evaluate financial and accounting systems and programs and make recommendations for improvement;
• Understand, interpret, explain, and apply VTA policies, state and federal laws and regulations, and applicable professional standards regarding VTA financial accounting, reporting, and record keeping;
• Develop and implement financial procedures and internal controls;
• Prepare clear, concise, and comprehensive financial statements, schedules, reports, and other written materials;
• Exercise sound independent judgment within general policy guidelines;
• Plan, direct, and supervise the work of others;
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with management, staff, auditors, vendors and others encountered in the course of work..

General Application Instructions
Please read this job announcement in its entirety before applying. We recommend printing or saving a copy for future reference.
To be considered, applications must be submitted online through the Human Resources department by the posted deadline. If the job posting is listed as “continuous,” we encourage you to apply as soon as possible, as the posting may close without prior notice. Once your application is submitted, you will receive an immediate email confirmation.

Personalized responses to Supplemental Questions that connect your past experiences to this specific role are the most effective. AI-generated content may lack the specificity required to address the key criteria outlined in the job description. While we encourage the use of AI as a tool to enhance your work, we want to evaluate your non-AI-assisted communication skills. You may use AI to generate ideas, but please ensure your final responses are in your own voice and reflect your unique experience. Overreliance on AI-generated content is discouraged and may diminish your chances of success.
Important: Only online applications will be accepted for this recruitment. We do not accept paper applications, resumes, Job Interest Notification Cards, or incomplete/unsubmitted applications in place of a fully completed application.
Communication & Contact Information

All updates regarding your application—including notices for testing and interviews—will be sent via email. Be sure to select email as your preferred method of communication and maintain a valid, up-to-date email address. Applicants are also responsible for keeping their phone numbers and mailing addresses current in their online profiles.

Due to the high volume of applications, we are unable to provide individual updates. Please check your application status through your online account. For technical support, contact NEOGOV at (855) 524-5627, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (PST), excluding holidays.
Application Review & Processing

All current and prior relevant work experience—including experience with VTA—must be fully detailed in the Work Experience section of your application. Entries such as “see resume” are not acceptable. Incomplete or improperly completed applications may be rejected, even if you meet the minimum qualifications.
While you are welcome to upload a resume, it does not substitute for completing the online application in full. Be sure that your application accurately reflects the education and experience necessary for the position.

Applications are reviewed throughout the recruitment process to determine whether candidates meet the minimum qualifications. Meeting these minimums or advancing through any stage does not guarantee further consideration. Any misrepresentation or falsification of qualifications, experience, education, or training may result in disqualification and/or exclusion from future employment opportunities with VTA.

This classification is represented by Service Employees International Union (SEIU), Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU), American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME),Transportation Authority Engineers and Architects Association(TAEA).Wages, hours, and other terms and conditions of employment are governed by the applicable collective bargaining agreement between VTA and the union.

Conditions of Employment
Final candidates must successfully complete a Livescan background check, reference checks, verification of education or certifications, and a criminal history review before appointment.
For sensitive positions, VTA requires all safety-sensitive positions to have a 6-month DOT physical clearance. Obtained at the time of preboarding from a VTA-contracted Concentra Location.

Eligibility List
The established Eligible List from this recruitment will be used to fill the current vacancies and additional vacancies that may occur.  Eligible Lists typically remain in effect for six (6) months. However, Human Resources may abolish Eligible Lists at any time during the six (6) month period. Human Resources may extend eligible Lists for up to two (2) years. Eligible Lists may be used for more than one recruitment. 

Americans with Disabilities Act Accommodations
VTA is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities in the recruitment and examination process. To request an accommodation, please contact the Human Resources Department at (408) 321-5575 or email [email protected] at least five business days before the test.

Equal Employment Opportunity
VTA is an equal employment opportunity employer. VTA does not and will not tolerate discrimination against applicants or employees on the basis of age, ancestry, color, marital status, mental or physical disability, genetic information, national, origin, immigration status, political affiliation, race, religion, creed, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, medical condition, disabled veteran or veteran status, etc.

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