Job Details

Director, Accounting Services

Position Number: 6899651
Location: Bakersfield, CA
Position Type: Business - Accounting

Director, Accounting Services

Kern Community College District

Salary: $155,737.56 - $220,053.10 Annually

Job Type: Management - Classified Administrator

Job Number: FY25-2600203

Location: District Office, CA

Department: Business Services

Basic Function

Under the direction of the Associate Vice Chancellor of Accounting Services or assigned supervisor, the Director, District Accounting Services, shall be responsible for planning, organizing, and managing the District's operational functions. The position is also responsible for the following areas: overseeing day-to-day operational accounting activities; supervising accounting staff; ensuring the processing of financial transactions; maintaining reconciled financial records; and supporting internal financial reporting, audit preparation, and compliance activities with established District financial policies and procedures.

Representative Duties

1.Oversee and support district wide accounting operations by ensuring the timely processing of transactions, maintaining internal controls, preparing operational financial reports, and coordinating routine audit documentation.
2.Plan, organize, and manage accounting functions district wide, consistent with District policies and procedures established by the District's fiscal policy.
3.Monitor and supervise all accounting office functions: develop and maintain annual budget for accounting services; audit invoices and the preparation of commercial warrants; collect accounts receivable; and deposit funds with the County Treasurer and various banking institutions. Direct, monitor, and assist in reconciliation of all bank and investment accounts, ensuring compliance with established internal controls and timelines.
4.Supervise the operational implementation of accounting and compliance requirements and assist in maintaining systems and procedures compliant with federal, state, and local bidding limits and legal requirements for biddable contracts.
5.Direct and oversee production and periodic operational updates of District accounting manuals as directed.
6.Oversee the preparation and processing of required financial and grant-related reports, including accounting for specially funded programs and grants, and ensure required reports and claims for cash advances, drawdowns, and reimbursements are completed accurately and timely.
7.Coordinate the development and operational implementation of new or revised financial systems and applications affecting accounting functions.
8.Direct and oversee the maintenance of the District's Chart of Accounts to ensure compliance with reporting requirements and consistency with standards established by the assigned supervisor.
9.Direct the preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements and provide supporting documentation and operational analysis regarding the status of financial accounts.
10.Coordinate district wide preparation for external audits by managing operational documentation, reconciliations, and staff coordination, and supporting implementation of audit recommendations as directed.
11.Provide training and assistance to the campuses in the development and maintenance of accounting records and operational procedures.
12.Select, supervise, train, and evaluate accounting department employees district wide as assigned.
13.Participate in the implementation and application of District policies and procedures for all financial operations of the District.
14.Participate in or chair various committees related to the District's financial operations, as assigned.
15.Assume additional administrative responsibilities as appropriate to the position. May provide operational leadership support as assigned.
16.Respond to inquiries from federal, state, or local agencies related to all fiscal operations by providing operational documentation and information in coordination with the assigned supervisor.
17.Establish and maintain strong, cooperative, and effective working relationships with faculty, staff, students, and community partnerships.
18.Perform position related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree, preferably with major emphasis in accounting.

Increasingly responsible, successful experience involving accounting, finance, and computer applications.

Successful experience supervising the activities of a financial office.

Three years' experience in responsible leadership positions.

Demonstrated sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, ethnic, and disability backgrounds of community college students and employees.
Desirable Qualifications:

Certified Public Accountant (C.P.A.) or Certified Managerial Accountant (CMA).

Five years' experience in responsible leadership positions, preferably in public institutional setting.

Knowledge & Abilities

Knowledge of:

Pertinent State and Federal laws, codes, statutes, and regulations.

Mission, procedures, and operations of California Community Colleges.

Perform basic math including calculations using fractions, percents, and/orratios.

Accounting/Bookkeeping principles.

Financial analysis and budget analysis.

Electronic spreadsheets.

Principles and objectives of budget preparation.

Budget-related administrative assignments.

Principles and practices of supervision, training, and evaluation.

Interpersonal skills using tact, patience, and courtesy.

Title 5 regulations on funding.

SCT BANNER Finance System for schools and/or community colleges.

California school and/or community college accounting and fiscal procedures, budgeting concepts, principles, and practices; principles of supervision and training; and the principles of data processing.

Governmental accounting and budgeting procedures with emphasis on California community colleges.

Business systems, practices, and procedures.

Financing practices and procedures.

Information technology systems and related applications.
Ability to:

Exercise critical thinking skill sets that include the ability to articulate issues, analyze data, develop options, and provide recommendations.

Learn and interpret laws, rules, and regulations affecting district/college accounting and fiscal operations; and prepare clear, concise, and accurate oral and written reports.

Explain bookkeeping and financial regulations to staff.

Analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action.

Exercise leadership and maintain good working relationships with faculty, students, and staff.

Learn and use Banner software system with high proficiency.

Perform high level professional accounting work in the analysis, maintenance, and auditing of accounts affecting college wide operations.

Understand and research limitations for expenditures and help budget managers and staff to work within regulations specific to their grants.

Maintain accurate financial records to balance budget and accounts.

Perform short-and-long-range budget, financial, and operational planning.

Effectively work with academic, occupational, developmental, and entrepreneurial programs in a multi-campus environment.

Facilitate change in a productive and positive manner.

Foster teamwork and establish consensus.

Effectively represent the District in the community in a positive manner.

Work independently with little direction.

Analyze financial data and formulate appropriate policy and strategy; to interpret laws, rules, and regulations affecting community colleges; to compile and deliver accurate and clear reports to management.

Establish and maintain successful professional working relationships with others effectively

Communicate technical information to lay persons.

Demonstrate sensitivity to and the understanding of historically minoritized groups and participate in professional development activities to increase cultural competency to enhance equity minded practices within the District.
SALARY RANGE$ 155,737.56 - $ 220,053.10 annuallyMaximum Entry Level Salary: $163,621.77 annually SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONSFirst Review of Applications: Complete application packets will be accepted until the position is filled; but those received by February 16th, 2026, are assured consideration. The College reserves the right to extend time limits or reinitiate the recruitment/selection process at any point.
Completed application packet MUST include:

Completed Online Application for Employment form
Current resume
Letter of interest (Cover Letter)
Copy of legible transcripts
List of five (5) professional references - Listed on application form

It is the applicant's responsibility to redact (or remove) any personal information from all documents prior to uploading. This includes Social Security Numbers, Date of Birth, and any photos of the applicant.
Foreign Degree: Applicants with foreign degrees from colleges or universities outside of the United States must have their coursework evaluated by a professional association that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or Academic Credentials Evaluation Institute, INC. (ACEI). A copy of the evaluation must be submitted with your on-line application.
Applicants who require reasonable accommodation to participate in the selection process should contact Human Resources to make the necessary arrangements. EEO Plan 2021-2024
Note: The District is strongly committed to achieving staff diversity and the principles of equal employment opportunity. The District encourages a diverse pool of applicants and does not discriminate on the basis of national origin, religion, age, gender, gender identity, gender expression, race or ethnicity, color, medical condition, genetic information, ancestry, sexual orientation, marital status, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, or because he/she is perceived to have one or more of the foregoing characteristics, or based on association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law, in any of its policies, procedures or practices. Discrimination Free Work Environment
The District does not provide sponsorship for authorization to work in the United States. Work authorization should be established at the time of application submission.

All applicants must apply online at https://www.schooljobs.com/careers/kccd/jobs/5221464/director-accounting-services. Emails will not be accepted.

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