Manager Accounting

Salary: Depends on Qualifications

Location : Fairfax, VA

Job Type: Full Time

Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid

Job Number: 201601152

Division: Finance

Opening Date: 09/05/2025

Closing Date: 9/18/2025 11:59 PM Eastern

Description

Under limited supervision of the Deputy Director, Finance, provides leadership by planning, directing, coordinating, and managing staff responsible for the financial accounting and general accounting functions. Serves as a technical expert in interpreting and implementing new governmental accounting and reporting standards. Ensures conformity to generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), Fairfax Water policies, and the provisions of the General Trust Indenture.

Examples of Duties

Manages financial accounting functions including general ledger, fixed assets, debt management, investment accounting, audit, budget, and financial reporting.

Oversees the direction of general accounting functions including accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, employee benefit accounting, and procurement cards.

Provides technical guidance to departments and assists in development and review of financial and accounting policies in accordance with GAAP, while complying with applicable statutory requirements and regulatory guidelines.

Ensures the adequacy of internal controls to safeguard Fairfax Water assets and manages organizational separation of duties within the financial system.

Implements and maintains an effective system of internal controls over general accounting processes and transactions.

Research, interprets, and analyzes new accounting pronouncements and standards, and their impact on Fairfax Water.

Oversees the external audits for Fairfax Water and the Retirement Plan and facilitates resolution of audit-related requirements.

Directs the preparation and compilation of the audited financial statements, which are prepared in accordance with GAAP.

Provides overall management of the annual budget process, including review and analysis. Continuously monitors the operating budget to ensure revenues and expenditures are within the limitations of the operating budget.

Responsible for investment portfolio management activities to ensure compliance with the Fairfax Water and Retirement Plan investment policies.

Assists with debt issuance including the preparation of preliminary and official offering statements and presentations for rating agencies.

Reviews monthly, quarterly, and annual financial and operational reports.

Ability to compile data, draw sound conclusions, and recommend courses of action.

Performs partial audits and special studies to ensure accuracy and appropriateness of revenues and expenditures and associated accounting records.

Oversees the sewer billing operations to ensure proper collection and recording of receipts, proper distribution of funds, and balancing of related accounts.

Identifies and evaluates potential improvements to accounting practices and procedures and makes recommendations to senior staff.

Analyzes and interprets financial records and reports.

Prepares and reviews financial reports and documents for Board meetings.

Attends Finance and Audit Committee meetings and prepares minutes as required.

Serves as a member of the Benefits Trust Committee.

Accesses operational processes to interpret financial impacts.

Prepares effective oral and written presentations and documents as requested.

Effectively communicates with staff to ensure that new practices,processes, and procedures are implemented appropriately.

Ensures cross training of staff and oversees the creation and maintenance of standard operating procedures.

Develops and maintains effective working relationships with all stakeholders.

Meets critical deadlines of department operational programs.

Performs other duties as assigned or required.

Typical Qualifications

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor's degree in accounting or closely related field and a minimum of ten years of progressively responsible accounting experience.

Five years of supervisory experience with the ability to plan, direct, and supervise the activities of professional and technical accounting staff.

CPA or CPFO certification required.

Comprehensive knowledge of current governmental and generally accepted accounting principles(GAAP), methods, and practices.

Comprehensive accounting knowledge applicable to a governmental enterprise fund.

Comprehensive knowledge of theories and practices of public finance, including accounting, auditing, budgeting, financial reporting, debt management, and investment portfolio management.

Comprehensive knowledge of financial systems and procedures applicable to utility billing and accounting activities preferred.

Strong experience with enterprise resource programs. SAP experience preferred.

Strong knowledge of payroll and human resource information systems.

Strong Microsoft Office experience with advanced Excel skills.

Strong organizational skills with the ability to effectively multi-task.

Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.

Ability to travel for meetings and attend Board meetings as needed.

Must pass a controlled substance(drug) test for employment.

Fairfax Water is committed to providing comprehensive benefits to our employees and their eligible dependents, as well as opportunity for continued education and professional development. A summary of these benefits is listed below.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Fairfax Water is dedicated to providing equal employment without regard to race, gender, age, color, religion, disability status, marital status, sexual orientation or transgendered status, or ethnic, national origin, or on the basis of any other category protected under federal, state and local laws.

Holidays

January - New Year's Day; Inauguration Day; Martin Luther King Day

February - George Washington Day

May - Memorial Day

June- Juneteenth

July - Independence Day

September - Labor Day

October - Columbus Day

November - Veterans' Day; Thanksgiving Day; Day After Thanksgiving

December - Christmas Eve Day; Christmas Day

Health Insurance - Employee Cost/Month

Employee Only - $100.88

Employee + 1 - $335.74

Family - $ 466.74

The Fairfax Water Health Plan is offered to all permanent full time employees and their eligible dependents. The medical, dental and vision plans are administered by UMR, United Healthcare..

Coverage is effective 1st day of month after hire if hired between the 1st and 15th of the month. If hired between the 16th and 31st of the month, coverage is effective the 1st day of the 2nd month after hire.

Paid Family & Medical Leave

Up to 240 hours of paid leave in a rolling 12-month period for qualifying continuous absences that are covered under the Family and Medical Leave Act.

Group Life Insurance - Employee Cost Month

Basic = 2 times annual salary

Paid by Fairfax Water

Supplemental 1 to 5 times annual salary

Age-banded rates

Additional supplemental life insurance request requires you to submit an evidence of insurability form (EOI).

Dependent spouse and/or child - $2.55

The Group Life Insurance Plan is offered to all permanent full time employees. Effective date follows same rule as health insurance.

Long-Term Disability

Effective after 36 months of employment with Fairfax Water. Benefit is equivalent to 66.7% of base pay at no cost to the employee.

Fairfax Water Retirement Plan - Is a defined benefit plan in which all regular full time employees are enrolled in at time of hire at no cost to employees. Employees are vested after five years of service.

ICMA 457 Plan - Is a deferred compensation plan which employees can voluntarily participate in with a maximum contribution as established by the IRS on a yearly basis.

Additional Benefits

Flexible Spending Accounts: Fairfax Water offers a Medical Flexible Spending Account where employees may contribute up to $3,300 per year on a pre-tax basis for eligible expenses. Fairfax Water offers a Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account where employees may contribute up to $5,000.00 per year on a pre-tax basis for eligible child-care expenses.

Child/Adult Care Reimbursement: Employees with household incomes under $60,000 my be eligible for an annual subsidy for licensed child/adult care ringing from $800.00 to $4,000.00 depending on eligibility.

Professional Development: Reimbursement of approved attendance at professional conferences and seminars

Direct Deposit of pay. Pay days are bi-weekly on Thursday.

This review is intended to be a brief summary of the major benefits provided by Fairfax Water. In all instances, plan documents and policies govern the eligibility and administration of each benefit plan.