Job Description

MANAGER, FINANCIAL REPORTING MARKETING STATEMENT - ACCOUNTING:

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) is seeking a dynamic and results-driven Manager of Financial Reporting to lead the preparation and oversight of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR). This pivotal role ensures full compliance with US GAAP (GASB) standards, drives continuous system and process improvements, and leads cross-functional teams to deliver accurate and timely financial reporting.
With a strong emphasis on transparency, accountability, and innovation, the Manager will empower a diverse accounting staff, foster collaboration across departments, and play a critical role in maintaining public trust and supporting executive-level decision-making.

EDUCATION

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Business Administration, Finance or a related field

EXPERIENCE

• A minimum of six (6) years’ experience in accounting operations, planning/execution, financial management and/or management analysis in a large, complex organization using manual and automated financial systems to include financial reporting, analysis and the development and presentation of financial information. Demonstrated experience in researching, interpreting, reporting, and implementing the provisions of US GAAP.
• A minimum of two (2) years management experience in an accounting and/or financial environment, demonstrating experience in leading and motivating a large team and managing large and complex financial transactions

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree in Accounting, Business Administration, or related field
• Experience in preparing Annual Comprehensive Financial Reports (ACFR), Schedule of Expenses for Federal Awards (SEFA), National Transit Database reports (NTD), and other government financial reports.

JOB SUMMARY

The Manager, Financial Reporting is responsible for all aspects of the financial reporting, and preparation including but not limited to the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR), and production of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) financial statements. The scope involves directing the development, implementation, and maintenance of financial systems including the definition of policies and procedures, best practices, and general accounting internal controls; performing technical accounting research related to new standards; analyzing financial information, and financial reporting in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (US GAAP). The incumbent is also accountable for coordinating cross-departmental, cross-functional teams to ensure data integrity and reliability of financial transactions. This position requires strong leadership skills to motivate and energize a large and diverse accounting staff to timely, accurately, and efficiently deliver accounting services. The incumbent has considerable latitude for independent judgment and action within established guidelines.

CLOSING

WMATA is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by applicable federal law.
This posting is an announcement of a vacant position under recruitment. It is not intended to replace the official job description. Job descriptions are available upon confirmation of an interview

• Leads all technical financial accounting efforts. Researches, analyzes, and concludes on new and proposed accounting, reporting, and disclosure standards issued by the GASB and other standard setting bodies and prepares memorandums regarding the WMATA¿s position and impact on the Authority.
• Directs the planning, preparation, and accurate and timely execution of the ACFR.
• Coordinates, directs, plans, and executes the financial reporting component of the external audit.
• Conducts, supports, and assists with the internal audit function and the initial implementation and compliance requirements.
• In coordination with other accounting branches ensuring the correct application of complex accounting standards to financial transactions and statements related to the accounting process area (e.g., Accounts Payable, Payroll, Financial Reporting, Accounts Receivable, Financial Analysis, Asset Management, or Grants).
• In accordance with US GAAP, ensures the proper accounting and financial reporting of financial transactions on a periodic, monthly, quarterly, annual, ad-hoc, and multi-year basis. Consistently directs the development of best practices and procedures to ensure that accounting activities are in compliance with the overall financial objectives set forth for the Authority and that financial reporting of actual activities can be measured against approved financial plans, budgets, or other source documents.
• Oversees the timely development and preparation of financial statements and complex schedules; monthly, quarterly and annual reconciliations; journal entries; and account classifications based on a thorough understanding of financial systems, accounting policies, and US GAAP.
• Reviews, analyzes, and develops recommendations to support actions, policies, and management decisions pertaining to complex accounting and auditing issues. Develops alternative methods to operational strategies that benefit the Authority; implements remediation activities to address audit findings; and formulates communications, procedures, and guidelines.
• Recommends, plans, and implements modifications to improve financial processes and systems. Participates in the requirements gathering, development, and testing of new systems or functionality.
• Recommends and reviews established goals for the Office of Accounting as well as provides input on goals and objectives.
• Directs and manages subordinate staff and consultants to include assessing the need for additional staff, recommending applicant selection for hiring, undertaking necessary disciplinary actions, resolving grievances and difficult personnel and task-related problems, retention programs, approving leave requests, assigning duties, directing the accurate and timely completion of work, ensuring appropriate training and preparedness in achieving branch goals, including continued education for professional accounting staff.
• Establishes specific and measurable work plans for subordinates (staff and consultants) against, which they will be measured, and conducts performance evaluations based on these work plans.
• Keeps abreast of applicable accounting-related policies, procedures, and standards, as applicable for the branch (e.g., Governmental Accounting Standards Board pronouncements, grantor requirements, payroll laws, and tax policies) and implements appropriate training/procedures to ensure staff compliance.
• Uses knowledge of accounting operations and policies, benchmarks against industry practices, and uses business judgment to identify formulate, evaluate, recommend, and implement improvement strategies, including automation of manual processes for critical areas
• Develops and reports on quantitative and qualitative performance metrics for all critical process areas to measure the effectiveness and accuracy of transactions processed.