Accountant
Apply NowCompany: City of Sunnyvale, CA
Location: Sunnyvale, CA 94087
Description:
Salary: $48.29 - $61.64 Hourly
Location : Sunnyvale, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 24-00152
Department: Finance
Division: Accounting
Opening Date: 02/10/2025
Closing Date: 3/3/2025 5:00 PM Pacific
Description
ACCOUNTANT
Regular Full-Time Employment Opportunity
The position opens Monday, February 10, 2025, and the final filing date is Monday, March 3, 2025, at 5:00 pm or after receiving 100 qualified and completed applications, whichever is first.
Under direction of an assigned supervisor or manager, performs a variety of professional accounting tasks; may provide technical and functional supervision over assigned technical staff; coordinates with other divisions or departments to complete routine and non-routine functions associated with area of assignment; and performs related work as required.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
The position of Accountant is a fully qualified journey-level professional classification in the Accountant series. Incumbents assigned to this classification are responsible for the completion of accounting functions required by existing laws, regulations, policies, and procedures as well as for identifying, troubleshooting, and recommending solutions for problems that may arise in existing processes and for developing new procedures to meet the requirements created by new regulations, policies, or customer needs. This classification differs from the lower-level classification of Senior Accounting Technician which performs accounting tasks that are technical in nature.
Essential Job Functions
(May include, but are not limited to, the following):
WORKING CONDITIONS
Position requires prolonged sitting, standing, walking, reaching, twisting, turning kneeling, bending, squatting and stooping in the performance of daily activities. The position also requires grasping, repetitive hand movement and fine coordination in using a computer keyboard. Additionally, the position requires near and far vision in reading reports and work related documents and using a computer. Acute hearing is required when providing phone and personal customer service. The need to lift, drag and push files, paper, and documents weighing up to 50 pounds is also required. Some of these requirements may be accommodated for otherwise qualified individuals requiring and requesting such accommodation.
Minimum Qualifications
Education and Experience:
The minimum qualifications for education and experience can be met in the following way:
A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in accounting or a related field, AND
One year of professional accounting experience.
Knowledge of:
Ability to:
Willingness to:
Work irregular hours as necessary to meet deadlines and achieve objectives.
Licenses/Certificates:
Possession and continued maintenance of a valid class C California driver's license or the ability to provide alternative transportation as approved by the appointing authority and a safe driving record.
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Application and Selection Process
APPLICATION PROCESS
If you are interested in this opportunity, please submit a City of Sunnyvale employment application and responses to the supplemental questions to the Department of Human Resources no later than Monday, March 3, 2025, at 5:00 pm or after receiving 100 qualified and completed applications, whichever is first.
Candidates are asked to fully describe any training, education, experience, or skills relevant to this position; resumes are not accepted in lieu of an application. Electronic applications may be submitted online through the City's employment page at and click on JOBS. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.
EXAM PROCESS
Applications will be competitively screened based on the minimum qualifications of this position. Based upon a review of the application materials, the most qualified candidates will be invited to participate in the examination process, which may consist of a written examination tentatively scheduled for the week of March 17, 2025 (Note: The examination process may be changed as deemed necessary by the Director of Human Resources).
SELECTION PROCESS
Those candidates that receive a passing score on the examination will be placed on an eligibility list for up to one year, in accordance with the City's Civil Service Rules and Administrative Policies. Top candidates on the eligibility list will be invited to participate in a selection interview with the department.
Any candidate selected by the hiring department will be required to successfully complete a pre-employment process, which may consist of a comprehensive background investigation, as well as medical exam(s) administered by a City-selected physician(s) before hire. Prior to starting work, all newly-hired employees will be fingerprinted to check conviction history. A conviction history will not necessarily disqualify an applicant from appointment; however, failure to disclose conviction history will result in refusal of employment or termination. Positions which are covered by the Department of Transportation regulations are required to submit to a pre-employment drug test and to random drug and alcohol testing.
INFORMATION ABOUT PROOF OF EDUCATION
Any successful candidate, selected by the hiring department will be required to submit proof of education (i.e. original copy of the diploma or college/university transcripts). An applicant with a college degree obtained outside the United States must have education records evaluated by a credential evaluation service at the candidate's expense. Candidates may utilize any third-party agency for the evaluation. If you search 'education equivalency verification' or similar online, you will obtain results for agencies that provide this evaluation service. A conditional job offer cannot be made until the education has been evaluated and submitted to the Department of Human Resources.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Positions in this job classification are represented by the .
For assistance on how to fill out your job application, watch the following video:
The City of Sunnyvale is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of the City of Sunnyvale not to discriminate against all qualified applicants or employees on the basis of actual or perceived race, religion (including religious dress or grooming practice), color, sex (includes gender, pregnancy, childbirth, medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth, breastfeeding or medical conditions related to breastfeeding), gender identity and/or gender expression, sexual orientation (including heterosexuality, homosexuality and bisexuality), ethnic or national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, uniformed service member status, marital status, family relationship, age, cancer or HIV/AIDS related medical condition, genetic characteristics and/or genetic information, and physical or mental disability. Applicants needing special accommodations for testing should submit a request to the Department of Human Resources at time of application.
Summary of Sunnyvale's Employees Association
(California Family Rights Act) Rights and Obligations
01
Instructions for completing the supplemental questionnaire:
This supplemental questionnaire will be a primary tool in the evaluation of your qualifications for this position. The supplemental information that you provide will be evaluated along with your completed application. Please limit your response to one page per question. In answering the question(s), be as specific as you can. Some questions may include multiple parts (i.e., (a), (b), (c), (d), etc.). Please make sure to address each part of each question in the supplemental questionnaire below.
Please be advised that you will be 'timed out' of this page after 30 minutes. Therefore, it is best to copy the supplemental questions that require text answers from this page into a document that you can save on your computer, produce your responses in that document, and then copy and paste the responses into the space provided below. Additionally, please save your work continuously.
The completed application and responses to supplemental questions constitute an examination. Note: qualifying experience must be reflected on the education, work experience, Certificates/Licenses section of the job application form. Please note the information provided in the supplemental question will not be accepted in lieu of completing the work experience section of the application.
Resumes may be attached, but they will not be accepted in lieu of completing the work experience section of the application or the supplemental questions. The information you provide will be used to further identify those applicants who are best qualified to continue in the selection process for this position.
Your responses to the questions that require you to detail your background and experience should include the following information:*
Additionally, I certify that I have completed the following supplemental questionnaire on my own; the answers accurately reflect my training, education and experience; and, I understand that my responses are subject to verification.
02
Do you have a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in accounting or a related field?
03
Do you have one year of professional accounting experience?
04
If you answered "yes" to the question above (Question 3), please describe your professional accounting experience related to general ledger and financial reporting below. Please include the agency you worked for, the number of years and your specific duties you were responsible for. If you do not have this experience, please indicate N/A below.
Required Question
Location : Sunnyvale, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 24-00152
Department: Finance
Division: Accounting
Opening Date: 02/10/2025
Closing Date: 3/3/2025 5:00 PM Pacific
Description
ACCOUNTANT
Regular Full-Time Employment Opportunity
The position opens Monday, February 10, 2025, and the final filing date is Monday, March 3, 2025, at 5:00 pm or after receiving 100 qualified and completed applications, whichever is first.
Under direction of an assigned supervisor or manager, performs a variety of professional accounting tasks; may provide technical and functional supervision over assigned technical staff; coordinates with other divisions or departments to complete routine and non-routine functions associated with area of assignment; and performs related work as required.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
The position of Accountant is a fully qualified journey-level professional classification in the Accountant series. Incumbents assigned to this classification are responsible for the completion of accounting functions required by existing laws, regulations, policies, and procedures as well as for identifying, troubleshooting, and recommending solutions for problems that may arise in existing processes and for developing new procedures to meet the requirements created by new regulations, policies, or customer needs. This classification differs from the lower-level classification of Senior Accounting Technician which performs accounting tasks that are technical in nature.
Essential Job Functions
(May include, but are not limited to, the following):
- Participates in the posting, balancing and reconciliation of the general ledger and subsidiary accounts; reviews and posts utility billing journal entries and reconciles related revenue.
- Assists in the preparation, analysis and review of estimated revenues, reimbursements, expenditures, fund balances or other proprietary and budgetary accounts.
- Assigns and reviews the work of assigned technical accounting staff; trains staff in systems and procedures related to area of assignment.
- Maintains and updates records for the City's fixed asset group of accounts in accordance with Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) valuation, quality assessment, and reporting requirements.
- Prepares monthly or quarterly billings for full-cost entitlement projects and specific plans; reviews and corrects developer deposit errors; prepares a variety of fee payments and oversees leases and service agreements as assigned.
- Assists in the preparation of annual financial reports; prepares graphics and statistical data for the City's Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR); reviews, reconciles, and prepares annual audit spreadsheets, reports and journal entries.
- Examines accounting transactions to ensure accuracy; corrects financial records as necessary; analyzes, verifies, and prepares various financial reports and statements; assists in monitoring various accounts and verifies availability of funds and accurate coding and classification of expenditures; researches and analyzes transactions to resolve problems.
- Recommends or implements changes in accounting and auditing systems and procedures; participates in operating a variety of automated office and computerized financial information systems and tests various budgetary accounting programs.
- Answers questions and provides information to the public and City departments; researches requested information and makes recommendations appropriate to resolving inquiries and/or complaints.
- Responsible for grants accounting and reporting.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Position requires prolonged sitting, standing, walking, reaching, twisting, turning kneeling, bending, squatting and stooping in the performance of daily activities. The position also requires grasping, repetitive hand movement and fine coordination in using a computer keyboard. Additionally, the position requires near and far vision in reading reports and work related documents and using a computer. Acute hearing is required when providing phone and personal customer service. The need to lift, drag and push files, paper, and documents weighing up to 50 pounds is also required. Some of these requirements may be accommodated for otherwise qualified individuals requiring and requesting such accommodation.
Minimum Qualifications
Education and Experience:
The minimum qualifications for education and experience can be met in the following way:
A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in accounting or a related field, AND
One year of professional accounting experience.
Knowledge of:
- Principles and practices of governmental accounting, auditing, and financial reporting.
- Pertinent local, State and Federal laws, rules and regulations, especially as related to accounting, auditing and payroll.
- Generally accepted accounting principles as related to governmental procedures.
- Principles and practices of cost accounting.
- Sampling techniques.
- State and Federal financial reporting requirements.
- Office methods, procedures, software and equipment.
Ability to:
- Research and interpret tax, grant, and other regulations.
- Estimate the relative financial return of alternative courses of action.
- Identify weaknesses in internal financial controls.
- Identify and reconcile differences between conflicting balances in an account.
- Assign and review the activities of assigned technical staff.
- Compile financial reports by integrating information from a variety of sources.
- Operate a computer using word processing and business software and other office equipment.
- Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
- Establish and maintain and promote positive and effective working relationships with employees, other agencies, public officials and the public.
- Demonstrate initiative and exercise good judgment in the performance of duties.
- Work independently and as a team member; recognize and set priorities and meet deadlines.
- Observe safety principles and work in a safe manner.
Willingness to:
Work irregular hours as necessary to meet deadlines and achieve objectives.
Licenses/Certificates:
Possession and continued maintenance of a valid class C California driver's license or the ability to provide alternative transportation as approved by the appointing authority and a safe driving record.
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience in public sector accounting.
Application and Selection Process
APPLICATION PROCESS
If you are interested in this opportunity, please submit a City of Sunnyvale employment application and responses to the supplemental questions to the Department of Human Resources no later than Monday, March 3, 2025, at 5:00 pm or after receiving 100 qualified and completed applications, whichever is first.
Candidates are asked to fully describe any training, education, experience, or skills relevant to this position; resumes are not accepted in lieu of an application. Electronic applications may be submitted online through the City's employment page at and click on JOBS. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.
EXAM PROCESS
Applications will be competitively screened based on the minimum qualifications of this position. Based upon a review of the application materials, the most qualified candidates will be invited to participate in the examination process, which may consist of a written examination tentatively scheduled for the week of March 17, 2025 (Note: The examination process may be changed as deemed necessary by the Director of Human Resources).
SELECTION PROCESS
Those candidates that receive a passing score on the examination will be placed on an eligibility list for up to one year, in accordance with the City's Civil Service Rules and Administrative Policies. Top candidates on the eligibility list will be invited to participate in a selection interview with the department.
Any candidate selected by the hiring department will be required to successfully complete a pre-employment process, which may consist of a comprehensive background investigation, as well as medical exam(s) administered by a City-selected physician(s) before hire. Prior to starting work, all newly-hired employees will be fingerprinted to check conviction history. A conviction history will not necessarily disqualify an applicant from appointment; however, failure to disclose conviction history will result in refusal of employment or termination. Positions which are covered by the Department of Transportation regulations are required to submit to a pre-employment drug test and to random drug and alcohol testing.
INFORMATION ABOUT PROOF OF EDUCATION
Any successful candidate, selected by the hiring department will be required to submit proof of education (i.e. original copy of the diploma or college/university transcripts). An applicant with a college degree obtained outside the United States must have education records evaluated by a credential evaluation service at the candidate's expense. Candidates may utilize any third-party agency for the evaluation. If you search 'education equivalency verification' or similar online, you will obtain results for agencies that provide this evaluation service. A conditional job offer cannot be made until the education has been evaluated and submitted to the Department of Human Resources.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Positions in this job classification are represented by the .
For assistance on how to fill out your job application, watch the following video:
- - YouTube (5:13)
The City of Sunnyvale is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of the City of Sunnyvale not to discriminate against all qualified applicants or employees on the basis of actual or perceived race, religion (including religious dress or grooming practice), color, sex (includes gender, pregnancy, childbirth, medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth, breastfeeding or medical conditions related to breastfeeding), gender identity and/or gender expression, sexual orientation (including heterosexuality, homosexuality and bisexuality), ethnic or national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, uniformed service member status, marital status, family relationship, age, cancer or HIV/AIDS related medical condition, genetic characteristics and/or genetic information, and physical or mental disability. Applicants needing special accommodations for testing should submit a request to the Department of Human Resources at time of application.
Summary of Sunnyvale's Employees Association
(California Family Rights Act) Rights and Obligations
01
Instructions for completing the supplemental questionnaire:
This supplemental questionnaire will be a primary tool in the evaluation of your qualifications for this position. The supplemental information that you provide will be evaluated along with your completed application. Please limit your response to one page per question. In answering the question(s), be as specific as you can. Some questions may include multiple parts (i.e., (a), (b), (c), (d), etc.). Please make sure to address each part of each question in the supplemental questionnaire below.
Please be advised that you will be 'timed out' of this page after 30 minutes. Therefore, it is best to copy the supplemental questions that require text answers from this page into a document that you can save on your computer, produce your responses in that document, and then copy and paste the responses into the space provided below. Additionally, please save your work continuously.
The completed application and responses to supplemental questions constitute an examination. Note: qualifying experience must be reflected on the education, work experience, Certificates/Licenses section of the job application form. Please note the information provided in the supplemental question will not be accepted in lieu of completing the work experience section of the application.
Resumes may be attached, but they will not be accepted in lieu of completing the work experience section of the application or the supplemental questions. The information you provide will be used to further identify those applicants who are best qualified to continue in the selection process for this position.
Your responses to the questions that require you to detail your background and experience should include the following information:*
- The number of years of experience you have had performing the duties that you are describing;
- The name(s) and type(s) of organization(s) where you obtained such experience; and,
- Your role and specific responsibilities within the organization(s).
Additionally, I certify that I have completed the following supplemental questionnaire on my own; the answers accurately reflect my training, education and experience; and, I understand that my responses are subject to verification.
- Yes
- No
02
Do you have a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in accounting or a related field?
- Yes
- No
03
Do you have one year of professional accounting experience?
- Yes
- No
04
If you answered "yes" to the question above (Question 3), please describe your professional accounting experience related to general ledger and financial reporting below. Please include the agency you worked for, the number of years and your specific duties you were responsible for. If you do not have this experience, please indicate N/A below.
Required Question