Finance Manager

Rainbow Municipal Water District - Fallbrook, CA

Full-time - Senior

Hybrid - Fallbrook, CA

Utilities

About the position

The Finance Manager at Rainbow Municipal Water District serves as a strategic financial leader and hands-on accounting manager, acting as the District's CFO while managing day-to-day finance operations. This role involves overseeing cash flow, investments, debt, financial reporting, and grants, contributing to the mission of delivering safe and reliable water services to the community.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic financial insights to the General Manager and Board, contributing to long-term goals and capital project funding.
• Attend Board meetings and Senior Management meetings to present financial updates and analyses.
• Mentor and develop the finance team, setting goals and conducting performance evaluations.
• Serve as project manager for ERP system improvements, addressing communication gaps and streamlining operations.
• Oversee cash flow management, fund movement, and investment performance.
• Manage debt obligations and new issuances, working closely with the Municipal Financial Advisor.
• Coordinate budget preparation with the management analyst, guiding revenue projections and expenditure forecasting.
• Direct the District's grant administration, ensuring accuracy and compliance.
• Review and perform complex accounting entries, particularly year-end entries related to capital assets, pensions, OPEB, and debt.
• Supervise the accounting team's day-to-day work, including payroll and accounts payable.
• Prepare and present financial reports to the Board and executive team, highlighting trends and insights relevant to District performance.
• Ensure readiness for the annual audit, preparing documentation and managing the audit process.
• Provide leadership for purchasing operations, ensuring adherence to policies and efficient procurement practices.
• Support customer service functions, including billing, collections, and customer inquiries.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in business, with Accounting or Finance highly preferred.
• Master's in Accounting, Finance, or Public Administration (MPA), CPA, or Certified Public Finance Officer (CPFO) designation is a strong plus.
• 5+ years of senior-level accounting and leadership experience, preferably in the public sector.
• Strong budget creation, management, and data analysis skills.
• Experience with utility billing and financial software is required.
• Familiarity with electronic asset management systems is strongly preferred.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience managing enterprise funds and ensuring GASB reporting compliance.
• Proactive and resourceful attitude.

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Tuition reimbursement
• Paid time off
• CalPERS pension
• Retirement matching
• Family-building benefits
• Generous education assistance
• Potential for hybrid/partially remote schedule after onboarding