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Job Description
Description
The City of Laguna Beach is seeking a detail-oriented and results-driven professional to serve as our next Finance Manager. This is a key leadership role responsible for overseeing the City’s financial operations and supporting strategic decision-making across the organization.
The Finance Manager will lead a talented team and play a critical role in budgeting, financial reporting, payroll, audits, and overall fiscal stewardship. This is an exciting opportunity for a collaborative and forward-thinking leader to make a meaningful impact in a dynamic coastal community.
What You’ll Be Great At:- Leading and managing municipal finance operations, including budgeting, accounting, payroll, and audits
- Providing strategic financial guidance to executive leadership and City departments
- Developing and monitoring the City’s annual budget and long-range financial forecasts
- Ensuring compliance with governmental accounting standards, laws, and regulations
- Strengthening internal controls and improving financial systems and processes
- Presenting financial reports to City Council and participating in public meetings
- Supervising, mentoring, and developing finance staff
- Building strong partnerships across departments and with external stakeholders
Apply now to be part of the first review! Applications will be accepted on a continuous basis, with the first review on April 14, 2026.
Examples of Duties
The normal duties for this position can be found in the job description for Finance Manager . They are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.
Qualifications
Any combination demonstrating the ability to effectively and successfully perform the duties of the position is considered qualifying. A typical combination is as follows:
Education:- Bachelor's degree in accounting, public, or business administration.
- An advanced degree in a related field or Masters in Public Administration is desirable.
Experience:- Six or more years (extensive) of progressively responsible experience in the area of municipal accounting or a closely related field.
- A minimum of two years of experience in a supervisory capacity.
License/Certificate Requirements:- CPFO is desirable.
Supplemental Information
This recruitment will establish an eligibility list that may be used to fill future vacancies in the same or lower classifications.
Application Process: All interested applicants must submit a completed online City application. Applications will be accepted on a continuous basis with a first review on April 14 , 2026. Applications will be screened carefully and selected applicants will be invited to undergo a Structured Panel Interview to evaluate their knowledge, skills and abilities. The appointing hiring authority will further review the job-related qualifications of applicants deemed eligible before making selection decisions and may require a written exam. The selection process may be modified based on the needs of the City.
Pre-employment Process: Selected candidates must successfully pass a fingerprint check with the State Department of Justice and Sterling background check. Education and employment verification and reference check(s) will also be conducted.
Why work for Laguna Beach: Laguna Beach is a beautiful coastal city located in Orange County, California, with a vibrant art scene and cultural events. We offer competitive compensation and benefits packages, including City paid health insurance for employees, retirement plans, and paid time off. The City has a strong commitment to its employees, providing opportunities for professional growth and development through training and education programs.
Equal Opportunity Employer: The City of Laguna Beach is an Equal Opportunity Employer and provides reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. We encourage you to inform Human Resources at least two business days prior to the first phase of the selection process if you have a disability that may require accommodation. EEO/ADA.
Click here for the link to the MOUs. -
ABOUT THE COMPANY
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City of Laguna Beach
Show moreThe City of Laguna Beach was founded on June 29, 1927, and is a small town of picturesque beaches, hiking trails, a walkable downtown, and summer art festivals. Located in southwest Orange County, Laguna Beach occupies 8.84 square miles, has a population of approximately 23,000 and welcomes six million visitors each year.
The City provides a full range of services, including recreational activities, cultural arts events, public works services, transit operations, community development, administrative services, and police, fire, and marine safety protection. Laguna Beach operates under a council-manager form of government. Policymaking and legislative authority are vested in a five-person City Council. The City Manager carries out the policies and ordinances of the City Council, oversees the day-to-day operations of the City, and appoints department heads.
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