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Description Join Our Team as a Principal Accountant! Are you an experienced accounting professional with a passion for leadership and public service?
The City is seeking a dynamic Principal Accountant to oversee the accounting operations that support our community’s growth and financial health.
DEADLINE TO APPLY
This recruitment will close at 5:00 p.m. (PST) on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
Assessment tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, April 29, 2026
This position will be on a 9/80 schedule with every other Friday off.
THE OPPORTUNITY
The City is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Principal Accountant to lead and manage our Accounting division within the Finance Department. This influential position is crucial for upholding the accuracy and integrity of the City’s financial records, guiding the preparation of financial statements, and steering the monthly and annual closing processes. In this role, you will have the opportunity to direct accounting operations, manage intricate financial transactions, and supervise a committed team of accounting professionals. We are looking for candidates with a robust background in governmental accounting, financial reporting, and budget management who can ensure compliance with essential standards such as GAAP, GASB, and GFOA. Your responsibilities will include leading the preparation of monthly and annual financial statements, managing the month-end close process, and ensuring timely and accurate reporting. You will also have the opportunity to develop and implement innovative accounting processes, internal controls, and financial policies to ensure strict compliance with financial regulations. Moreover, this position allows for significant involvement in the City’s budget process. You will contribute to budget preparation, revenue projections, and appropriations adjustments while supporting senior management in making informed financial decisions.
As a key member of our leadership team, you will oversee the City’s external audit process, collaborating closely with auditors for compliance and timely completion of audits. You will also identify and implement process improvement opportunities, including optimizing financial software to enhance operational efficiency. With a strong focus on leadership and team development, you will provide coaching and performance evaluations to your staff, fostering a dynamic, customer-oriented culture within the Accounting division.
Job Description
Click here to access the complete classification description, including the experience, education, and physical and mental requirements for this job.
IDEAL CANDIDATE
We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated Accountant to lead our dynamic division. This high-impact role offers a unique opportunity to make a significant contribution to the City’s financial performance and strategic objectives. The ideal candidate will possess extensive experience in municipal accounting, a strong foundation in financial management, and a proven track record of leading teams and driving operational excellence. In this position, you will manage a diverse team of professional accountants and support staff, guiding them through complex accounting tasks and overseeing key financial processes, including month-end closes, budget preparation, audit coordination, and internal control compliance. You will play a crucial role in ensuring timely and accurate financial reporting, developing and optimizing accounting procedures, and managing the City’s financial systems to meet regulatory standards.
Minimum And Desirable Qualifications
- A bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or a closely related field; OR, equivalent related work experience; AND
- A minimum of six (6) years of progressively responsible professional accounting experience, which includes:
Experience In
- At least five years’ experience in a supervising or lead accounting capacity in a government accounting environment.
- Leading and/or managing the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report process for a multi-agency (such as Redevelopment Agency, Community Services District, Municipal Utility or the like) and multiple fund local government agency is required.
- Local government auditing, with a CPA credential desired.
- Supervising subordinate staff.
- Performing complex account reconciliations.
- Project management, including awareness of project management principles and steps.
- Working extensively with financial software systems, including experience with system implementation.
- Extensively working with monthly and annual close processes, including in-depth awareness of required entries and reconciliations to complete a closing process.
- Demonstrated ability to work at a very high level with Excel, Database Inquiry and Report Writing software.
Licenses; Certificates; Special Requirements:
- A valid California driver’s license and the ability to maintain insurability under the City’s vehicle insurance policy.
Who We Are
The City of Moreno Valley prides itself on delivering quality service to our residents and businesses efficiently and effectively through Collaboration, Innovation, Customer Service, and Human-Centric Design. Strategically located in Southern California’s Inland Empire, Moreno Valley is the second-largest city in Riverside County and is close to major hubs such as Los Angeles, Orange County, and San Diego. This spacious, thriving, and diverse City has a population of over 200,000 residents and offers a variety of business opportunities. For additional information regarding the City, please click here .
About The Financial & Management Services Department
The Financial & Management Services Department manages the City’s finances and safeguards its assets. We provide a wide range of support services to other City departments including budget coordination; financial reporting; payroll; billing and accounts receivable; purchasing and central stores; accounts payable; cash management and investing; cashiering; technology services including network administration and security, enterprise systems and database administration, geographic information systems, backbone infrastructure and telecommunications; and maintenance service for all City facilities.
For more information about the Financial & Management Services Department, please click here .
THE SELECTION PROCESS
Applicants possessing the MOST DESIRABLE qualifications at each level, based on a screening of required application materials, including the completed Supplemental Questionnaire, will be invited to continue in the selection process. The City of Moreno Valley prioritizes and is committed to continuously providing a workplace where equal employment opportunity is afforded to all people.
Recruitment Process: Human Resources (HR) reviews all application materials to determine whether candidates meet the established minimum and preferred qualifications after the position closes. Those who qualify will be advanced to the next stage of the recruitment process. All applicants will receive email notifications regarding their status.
Application Screening
Applications and supplemental materials will be reviewed to identify candidates whose qualifications best align with the position’s essential requirements. Only those applicants who meet the criteria outlined in the job bulletin will advance to the next phase of the selection process.
Video Appraisal Interview
Applicants may complete a self-guided video interview by recording responses to a series of structured questions. These questions are designed to assess each candidate’s qualifications and suitability for the position. There is no live interviewer or proctor; candidates will record their answers independently and submit the videos for evaluation.
Technical Interview
Selected applicants will be invited to participate in a structured technical interview designed to evaluate job-related knowledge, problem-solving abilities, and proficiency in key competencies required for the position. Candidates will respond to a series of standardized questions, and their performance will be assessed using predetermined evaluation criteria to ensure a fair and consistent appraisal process.
Based on the Department’s needs, the selection procedures listed above may be modified. All candidates will be notified of any changes in the selection procedure.
Eligible List: Once the appraisal is complete, HR will establish an eligible list of candidates. Candidates placed on the eligible list may be referred to a selection interview to be considered for present and future vacancies.
DISCLAIMERS
The City of Moreno Valley is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. The City of Moreno Valley prioritizes and is committed to continuously providing a workplace where equal employment opportunity is afforded to all people. As part of this commitment, the City of Moreno Valley will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations.
If reasonable accommodations are needed to participate in the interview process, please contact Human Resources at hr@moval.org or (951) 413-3045.
