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SUMMARY:

The Mayor’s Office of Community Safety (MOCS) leads the City of Los Angeles’ comprehensive approach to safety—centered on prevention, intervention, re-entry, and civilian crisis response. MOCS manages a diverse portfolio of programs funded through City, State, Federal, and private sources, and partners extensively with community-based and nonprofit service providers.

MOCS is seeking a highly skilled and detail-oriented Deputy Director of Finance to lead financial operations and ensure the integrity, accuracy, and transparency of all fiscal activities. This role serves as the chief accounting lead and senior advisor to executive leadership, responsible for overseeing accounting systems, grant management, budgeting, and contract payments to service providers.

The Deputy Director will design and implement systems that promote accountability across bookkeeping, financial reporting, grant compliance, and contract expenditures. This position requires strong operational leadership to ensure timely and accurate invoice processing, effective financial planning, and a high-performing finance team grounded in accuracy, discipline, and continuous improvement.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

The Deputy Director of Finance leads financial operations for MOCS, overseeing accounting, budgeting, grant management, and contract payment functions. This position is responsible for ensuring the accuracy, timeliness, and compliance of all financial activities, including high-volume invoice processing and payments to community-based organizations and nonprofit service providers.

The role includes direct oversight of financial operations staff and systems to ensure invoices are processed efficiently, payments are made on time, and financial practices align with City policies and funding requirements.

Financial Leadership & Advisory

• Directs the departmental accounting division in maintaining cost and budget accounts

• Serves as a senior advisor to executive leadership on complex financial, accounting, and budgetary matters.

• Leads the development of annual budgets, financial forecasts, and long-term fiscal planning.

• Analyzes and prepares projections for departmental operations and management budgets.

• Prepares and reviews transmittals for budget modifications and authorities submitted to the City Administrative Officer (CAO) and City Council.

Financial Operations & Contract Payment Management

• Oversees the end-to-end invoice and payment process, ensuring timely, accurate, and compliant payments.

• Manages contract payments to community-based organizations and nonprofit service providers.

• Establishes and enforces standards for invoice processing timelines, accuracy, and accountability.

• Supervises bookkeeping staff responsible for invoice processing and ensures timely completion of payments.

• Identifies and resolves payment delays, discrepancies, and system bottlenecks.

• Monitors contract expenditures and ensures alignment with approved budgets and funding restrictions.

Grant Management & Compliance

• Tracks grant expenditures, reimbursements, and reporting deadlines.

• Reviews and approves grant and contract budgets for fiscal accuracy and allowability.

• Ensures proper documentation to support audits and reimbursement requests.

• Tracks federal, state, and local policy and regulatory requirements.

Accounting Operations & Internal Controls

• Ensures adherence to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and City financial policies.

• Reconciles departmental fund balances with those maintained by the Controller.

• Certifies the accuracy of payroll records and oversees payroll-related accounting functions.

• Directs staff responsible for payroll worksheets and leave tracking (sick, vacation, and other time off).

• Develops and implements internal controls to ensure accuracy, prevent errors, and maintain audit readiness.

• Implements new or revised accounting procedures to improve efficiency and compliance.

• Develops and manages cost allocation plans across funding sources.

Budgeting, Forecasting & Financial Planning

• Prepares annual budgets and oversees ongoing financial tracking and variance analysis.

• Develops spending forecasts and cash flow projections across departmental operations, contracts, and grants.

• Monitors expenditures across multiple funding sources and proactively addresses variances.

• Ensures financial planning aligns with program goals and funding requirements.

Financial Reporting & Audit

• Prepares and supervises the preparation of financial reports, including:

• Revenue and expenditure reports

• Reversion worksheets

• Related cost reports

• Interest reports

• Conducts or oversees internal and external audits of accounting records.

• Provides responses to audit findings and implements corrective action plans.

Staff Supervision & Team Management

• Applies sound supervisory principles in selecting, training, assigning, and evaluating staff.

• Oversees onboarding, training, and professional development of finance and bookkeeping staff.

• Establishes accountability systems to ensure accuracy, productivity, and timeliness of work.

• Monitors staff performance and enforces quality control standards.

• Motivates and develops team members to achieve high performance.

Systems Improvement & Interdepartmental Coordination

• Develops and maintains financial management systems to improve tracking, reconciliation, and reporting.

• Ensures real-time visibility into expenditures, grant balances, and contract obligations.

• Identifies inefficiencies and implements process improvements to strengthen fiscal operations.

• Builds and maintains effective working relationships with internal departments, external partners, and community-based organizations.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience managing high-volume invoice processing and contract payments, particularly with community-based or nonprofit organizations.

• Experience with public sector financial systems, including City of Los Angeles systems and Controller processes.

• Strong background in federal, state, and philanthropic grant administration, including reimbursement-based funding.

• Experience developing or implementing financial management systems and internal controls.

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation.

REQUIREMENTS

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field; and 

• Seven (7) years of full-time paid professional experience in accounting, auditing, budgeting, or financial management, including experience in grant management and contract payment oversight; and

• At least three (5) years of experience in a supervisory capacity over accounting or financial staff.

REFERENCES: Provide 3 references (2 must be work related).