Job Title: Accounting Manager/Controller
Job Grade: A through F
FLSA Status: Professional/Administrative Management
Date: April 2026
The March Joint Powers Authority (MJPA) is seeking a new Accounting Manager / Controller who will join us at the March Inland Port Airport (RIV). MJPA is a premiere military base reuse Authority.
ABOUT MJPA / MIPAA
Located within the western Riverside County region of Southern California, March Air Force Base (AFB) encompassed approximately 6,500 acres straddling Interstate 215 (Highway 395) just south of Highway 60. March AFB was first established as a military installation in 1918 and has operated almost continually since. In July of 1993, March AFB was selected to be realigned and subsequently converted from an active-duty base to a Reserve Base, effective April 1, 1996. The decision to realign March AFB resulted in approximately 4,400 acres of property and facilities being declared surplus and available for disposal actions, as well as joint use of the airfield.
With the announcement of realignment, the regional economic loss with the change in military mission at March was immediately recognized. Prior to base realignment, the base employed over 10,000 military personnel and civilian employees. The existence of the base in its pre-realignment condition contributed an estimated $500 million annually to the regional economy. The MJPA was created to redevelop former military properties and to restore the economic vitality lost through BRAC (Base Realignment and Closure). The Authority inherited 3,500 acres of former military properties for economic development at its formation. Since that time, the Authority has successfully developed nearly 1,500 acres of commercial and industrial projects and created 15,000 jobs through public-private partnerships.
On July 1, 2025, MJPA transferred its land use authority to the County of Riverside and focused its economic development efforts on the enhancement of the joint use of the airfield facilities through the development of aviation facilities. Airport obligations are managed through the agency’s March Inland Port Airport Authority. In addition to this strategic shift, MJPA continues to actively manage and oversee the properties it owns, ensuring they are properly maintained, leased where appropriate, and aligned with its broader operational and economic objectives.
ABOUT THE POSITION
In this high-impact role, you will be responsible for the comprehensive management of all financial and accounting activities, including budget planning, cash flow management, and the development of forward-looking predictive models to guide organizational growth. You will function as a primary advisor to the CEO, exercising independent judgment to ensure sound fiscal policy and long-term financial health. Additionally, the Accounting Manager / Controller represents the association to external partners, financial institutions, and auditors. Maintaining the high standards of transparency and integrity that our members expect.
Beyond high-level strategy, the Accounting Manager / Controller provides critical administrative leadership by supervising accounting staff and ensuring the accuracy and timeliness of all financial reporting. You will be responsible for maintaining rigorous internal controls, managing complex audits, and ensuring strict compliance with federal and state regulatory standards. This includes overseeing sophisticated computer applications for financial record-keeping and staying current on nonprofit audit best practices. Backed by robust asset management and disciplined accounting Procedures, your leadership will ensure that MJPA remains a fiscally resilient public agency.
JOB SUMMARY
Under the direction of the Chief Executive Officer, the Accounting Manager/Controller manages and handles all accounting functions including handling accounts receivable systems, accounts payable, payroll; assist with the preparation of the March Joint Powers Authority (“Authority”) and its related entities’ annual budgets, audits, capital improvement programs, grant assurances and the administration of the Authority’s Debt Portfolio; provide accounting and payroll services and instruction to Authority departments.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: (include but are not limited to the following)
Job Descriptions are intended to present a description summary of the range of duties and responsibilities associated with specified positions. Therefore, job descriptions may not include all duties performed by individuals within a classification. In addition, job descriptions are intended to outline the minimum qualifications necessary for entry into the class and do not necessarily convey the qualifications of the incumbents within the class.
- • Participate in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, and procedures, particularly as they relate to accounting, finance, and payroll.
- • Manage and handle the maintenance and integration of the automated accounting system, including year closing.
- • Maintain a general accounting system for the Authority and departments.
- • Maintain the records of current inventories of all property of the Authority by department.
- • Review, analyze, and recommend improvements to accounting, reporting, and recording methods and procedures which must enable the Authority to meet State Controller’s and GAAP guidelines.
- • Supervise and be responsible for the disbursement of all moneys and have control of all expenditures to ensure that budget appropriations are not exceeded; audit all purchase orders before issuance; audit and approve, before payment, all bills, invoices, payrolls, demands, or charges against the Authority, with the advice of Legal Counsel, when necessary, determine the regularity, legality and correctness of such claims, demands or charges.
- • Assist in the development, justification, and administration of divisional and departmental budgets and accounts.
- • Provide information regarding the budgetary status of all Authority funds and accounts.
- • Submit to the Authority Commission through the Chief Executive Officer a monthly statement of all receipts and disbursements in sufficient detail to show the exact financial condition of the Authority; and, at the end of each fiscal year, submit a complete financial statement and report.
- • Supervise external audit activities, analyzing audit steps and progress.
- • Prepare financial statements for both the Authority and component units; meet provisions of federal requirements, including the Single Audit Act, various grants, and other reports.
- • Lead the research and analysis of departmental and divisional fiscal, administrative, personnel, and operational activities.
- • Participate in data processing procedures related to automated accounting systems or those systems that affect the general ledger. Provide necessary testing and support to determine that automated systems are performing appropriately.
- • Perform the annual Appropriations Limit (Gann Proposition 4) calculations derived from Authority and State data.
- • Respond to citizen inquiries and complaints regarding accounts payable and a variety of other accounting and budgetary matters.
- • Coordinate accounting related activities with other Authority departments and with outside governmental and community agencies.
- • Advise the Chief Executive Officer of financial implications and fund availability of items in Authority Commission reports.
- • Review legislation and accounting and/or recording pronouncements affecting the Authority or any component units.
- • Assist in the administration of the Authority’s Debt Portfolio.
- • Assist with the preparation of the Authority’s annual budget and capital improvement program.
- • Post and reconcile general ledger and special fund accounts.
- • Reconcile all bank accounts.
- • Make journal entries.
- • Process Payroll and file reports and process payments to the Public Employee’s Retirement System (PERS).
- • Complete State reporting criteria and requirements with entities such as the California Department of Finance or the Secretary of State.
- • Perform related duties as assigned.
JOB SPECIFICATIONS
Knowledge:
- • General and fund accounting principles and practices.
- • Theories, principles, and practices of financial administration, budgeting, reporting, financial planning, and internal and external auditing.
- • Applications of automatic data processing to accounting and related practices, including the use of computers and related software.
- • Management and research techniques and procedures and methods of report presentation.
- • Principles and practices, methods and procedures of budgeting, accounting, analysis, fiscal planning, and control.
- • Pertinent state, federal, and local laws, regulations, ordinances, and legislative processes controlling the Authority’s functions, programs, and operations.
- • Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Government Accounting Principles, and the Government Accounting Standards Board (GASB) requirements.
- • Principles and practices of auditing and internal control, cash management, budgeting, cost estimating and contract administration.
- • Advanced operation and use of standard spreadsheet, database and presentation software; computer operations as related to internal controls, financial and billing systems; modern office procedures methods and equipment.
- • Fund accounting and payroll processing.
Skills and Abilities:
- • Plan, organize, supervise, and review accounting administrative, financial, budgeting, payroll, and accounting related activities.
- • Communicate clearly and concisely, orally and in writing.
- • Assess, develop, revise, and install automated and manual accounting systems and procedures.
- • Analyze a variety of administrative problems and develop effective solutions.
- • Prepare financial statements and reports from the Authority’s comprehensive annual financial report to individual activity reports.
- • Exercise leadership and authority tactfully and effectively.
- • Create and deliver sophisticated public presentations.
- • Organize, analyze, and evaluate complex data and financial reports.
PHYSICAL, MENTAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL WORKING CONDITIONS
The physical, mental, and environmental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Physical Demands
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; talk or hear, both in person and by telephone; use hands to finger, handle and feel computers and standard business equipment; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is frequently required to stand and walk.
Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.
Mental Demands
While performing the duties of this job, the incumbent is regularly required to use written and oral communication skills; read and interpret data, information and documents; analyze and solve problems; use reasoning; perform highly detailed work under changing, intensive deadlines, on multiple concurrent tasks; work with constant interruptions; and interact with March Joint Powers Authority and March Inland Port Airport Authority Management, staff, vendors, representatives of other government agencies, customers, the public and others encountered in the course of work.
Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing these essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The employee works under typical office conditions, and the noise level is usually quiet.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education, Training and/or Previous Work Experience:
Any combination of experience and training that would provide the knowledge and abilities to perform the position is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would include the following:
- • Equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in accounting, finance, business administration, or a closely related field.
- • Certified Public Accountant designation and/or a Master’s degree in Public Administration, Business, Finance, or Accounting are highly desirable.
- • Extensive experience in computerized accounting programs, word processing, and spreadsheets.
- • At least five (5) years of professional experience in government accounting and experience preparing financial statements.
- • Experience with Springbrook is highly desirable.
- • Experience with local government is highly desirable.
License / Certificate:
- • Possession of a driver’s license, issued by the State of California and satisfactory driving record free from multiple or serious traffic violations or accidents for a period of at least two (2) years.
Other requirements:
- • Completion of and satisfactory results of pre-employment drug and alcohol test; physical examination (including x-ray) indicating fitness for duty; DMV record review; and background investigation.
WORK SCHEDULE
This position will operate under a hybrid structure, with two days per week of remote work. Attendance at MJPA / MIPAA Commission meetings, assigned conferences, and educational events will be required.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
Annual Salary:
Minimum: $146,718 Maximum: $205,440
Benefit Package:
- • 11 Paid Holidays per year.
- • 2 Floating Holidays per year.
- • 10 Vacation Days accumulated at 3.08 hours per pay period.
- • 12 Sick Days accumulated at 3.69 hours per pay period.
- • 60 Hours of Administrative Leave per year.
- • 2% Professional/Administrative Management Bank
- • Flexible Benefit Bank of $12,604 per year that may be used toward the following:
- 1) Medical Insurance.
- 2) Medical Reimbursement Plan of up to $2,000 per year.
- 3) Dependent Care Reimbursement.
- 4) Deferred Compensation.
- • Any unused Flexible Benefit Bank will be paid to employees as taxable compensation.
- • Employer participates in PERS (Public Employee Retirement System) at 2% at 62.
- 1) Employees are required to pay the employee’s share of PERS.
- • Employer Paid Life Insurance at two times the employee’s annual salary – maximum of $300,000.
- • Employer Paid Long Term Disability and Short-Term Disability.
- • Educational Assistance Program: Available for accredited educational programs, 80% of approved tuition books and fees up to $1,000 per calendar year.
- • Work Flexibility: 9/80 Schedule with 2 days of remote work each week.
March Joint Powers Authority (MJPA) is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
For questions, please contact: Amelia Ayala, Human Resources Consultant, at ayala@marchjpa.com, (951) 656-7000