Director of Accounting

Director of Accounting Stockton, CA Port of Stockton, CA Career Opportunity The Port of Stockton is seeking an experienced, collaborative, and business-minded financial leader to serve as its next Director of Accounting. Reporting directly to the Deputy Port Director of Administration, the Director provides executive leadership and oversight of the Port’s accounting, budgeting, financial reporting, forecasting, investments, cash and debt management, auditing, and procurement functions. The Director also serves as an important financial advisor to executive leadership and the Board of Port Commissioners. The next Director will join the Port during an important period of organizational change and investment. The organization has recently developed a strategic plan, adopted new core values, is continuing to improve its use of the Tyler ERP system, and is preparing for significant infrastructure investment and organizational growth. The successful candidate will bring strong technical financial expertise, while also understanding that the Port operates differently from a traditional city or county. The next Director must be engaged and interested about the Port’s business, collaborative with operating departments, and able to balance sound financial controls with responsive customer service and practical problem solving. TOP AREAS OF FOCUS Financial Leadership & Stewardship Accounting & Reporting: Provide executive and day-to-day oversight of accounting operations, financial reporting, annual audits, internal controls, and preparation of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report. Budget & Forecasting: Lead the annual budget process and provide clear financial analysis, forecasting, and recommendations to executive leadership and the Board. Investments & Cash Management: Provide strong leadership over the Port’s investment portfolio, cash management, debt obligations, and financial institution relationships. Investment knowledge and judgment will be particularly important for this position. Capital & Strategic Financial Planning Capital Financial Planning: Participate as a key member of the Port’s Financial Strategy Committee and help evaluate financial capacity, funding strategies, and priorities supporting the Port’s $238.8 million five-year Capital Improvement Plan. Business-Oriented Financial Advice: Understand the Port’s commercial operating model, perform financial analysis, and provide strategic recommendations that support sound business decisions, infrastructure investment, and long-term organizational sustainability. Procurement & Organizational Service Procurement & Contracting: Lead the Port’s procurement and contracting functions, while identifying ways to improve responsiveness and efficiency without sacrificing appropriate controls or compliance. Internal Customer Service: Build strong relationships with departments including Real Estate, Engineering and Facilities, Maritime Operations, and other business units and ensure Accounting serves as a collaborative organizational partner. Technology & Continuous Improvement Tyler ERP Optimization: Continue improving the Port’s use of Tyler ERP, financial reporting, workflows, and system capabilities. Process Improvement: Question established practices when appropriate, identify more effective approaches, and support a culture of innovation and continuous improvement. Leadership & Organizational Change Develop the Team: Lead, coach, and support a professional Accounting and Procurement team, while creating clear expectations, accountability, and professional growth opportunities. Champion Change: Help the organization navigate organizational and operational change with patience, persistence, collaboration, and a positive approach. About Port of Stockton, CA The Stockton Port District, also known as Port of Stockton, isa unique inland deepwater port located on the San Joaquin River, 75 nautical miles from the San Francisco Bay. Encompassing approximately 2,000 acres, the Port connects California’s agriculturally rich Central Valley with domestic and international markets by ship, rail, and truck. The Department The Port is a self-supporting special district that operates with a distinctly business-oriented model. Revenues generated through cargo operations, property management, leasing, and other Port activities are reinvested into the organization, while public funding is generally limited to grants received for qualifying projects. The Port employs approximately 105 employees and is governed by an appointed seven-member Board of Port Commissioners. In Fiscal Year 2025, the Port generated approximately $72.1million in operating revenue and reported approximately$384 million in total assets. The Port is also implementing a$238.8 million FY 2026-2031 Capital Improvement Plan, including investments in rail, maritime infrastructure, environmental projects, buildings, utilities, streets, and technology. The Port’s core values are Integrity, Safety, Collaboration, Accountability, Sustainability, and Positive Culture. For more budget information, please visit: Port of Stockton – FY 2027 Budget . The Position The Port is seeking a highly capable public-sector financial professional who combines strong technical expertise with exceptional judgment, interpersonal skills, curiosity, and business acumen. The ideal candidate will be collaborative, analytical, curious, creative, ethical, engaged, accountable, and solution oriented. This person will understand that Accounting is not simply a compliance function, but an organizational partner that helps departments and executive leadership make informed decisions. They will be comfortable asking thoughtful questions, examining the ‘why’ behind existing processes, and recommending practical improvements, while remaining open-minded, diplomatic, and receptive to different perspectives. The next Director will also be an effective people leader who communicates clearly, develops employees, handles difficu