Accountant I/II - Information Services Department - Limited Term (Open)

Salary : $75,212.80 - $109,948.80 Annually
Location : County of San Mateo, CA
Job Type: Limited Term
Job Number: E011Y
Department: Information Services Department
Opening Date: 02/20/2025
Closing Date: 3/14/2025 11:59 PM Pacific
Bargaining Unit: 35

Description
The Information Services Department (ISD) of the County of San Mateo is seeking well-qualified and highly motivated candidates with high standards of accuracy and exceptional detail-oriented and organizational skills for the position of Accountant I/II - Limited Term.Successful candidates will be self-motivated, experienced, and effective communicators - candidates with the ability to work effectively in a high-volume and fast-paced environment and the ability to multi-task.
Primary responsibilities will include:

• Prepare routine, monthly, month-end, and year-end close journal entries
• Ensure department-wide monthly service charge allocations and revenue collections and project cost reimbursements are processed timely and accurately
• Review and process vendor invoices and communicate with vendors regarding invoices, payments, and any issues that may arise
• Manage external agency accounts receivables by ensuring timely and accurate invoicing, tracking outstanding balances, and following up on overdue payments
• Support or coordinate the preparation and analysis of departmental budgets and the development of service charge rates
• Assist in the forecasting of revenue and expenses, and ensuring alignment with organizational goals and financial strategies
• Assist in forecasting and budgeting for capital expenditures, providing necessary data for long-term financial planning
• Maintain capital assets and tech replacement fund schedules and co-ordinate with other divisions for decommissioning of fixed assets
• Maintain division-specific expenditure and budgetary control accounts
• Manage general and job ledger reconciliations, classifying transactions to support the preparation of the department's annual cost allocation plan
• Assist management in reviewing general ledger and cost accounting data to ensure the accuracy of information and calculations, and make any necessary correcting entries

The ideal candidate for this position will possess:

• Previous work experience in a large, complex office, preferably in the public sector and within an accounting function
• Ability to work effectively in a high-volume and fast-paced environment and ability to multi-task
• Self-starter mentality with ability to excel in a professional environment with limited supervision
• Ability to work well both independently and in a team environment to complete projects, contributing ideas and collaborating to problem solve and find solutions to issues that arise
• Ability to manage a large and varied workload with changing and conflicting deadlines
• High standards of accuracy of financial data and information, excellent detail-oriented and organization skills
• Competency to review, analyze, post, balance, interpret and reconcile complex financial data and accounts
• Knowledge of principles, practices, and terminology of general and cost accounting
• Strong interpersonal skills, through experience in participating on or working with cross-departmental teams, with proven ability to develop and maintain effective business partner relations at all levels of the organization
• Intermediate to advanced Excel and PowerPoint skills
• Proficient Office 365 and Microsoft suite of services skills
• Excellent verbal and professional writing and communication skills
• Excellent customer service skills
• Be able to interpret, apply, explain, and ensure compliance with policies

SALARY
Accountant I: $36.16 - $45.22/ hour
Accountant II: $42.29 - $52.86 / hour

This is a limited term, at-will position. Limited Term Employees are assigned to assignments not to exceed three years. They receive medical and dental benefits, similar to regular employees, and a defined contribution retirement plan.

Information for current County employees: Current and regular San Mateo County Employees who are interested in this assignment must submit application materials and compete in the selection process. If you are successful in the selection process and are being considered for the assignment, HR will work directly with you and/or your department for options. Please note that there is no guarantee that you will be allowed by your department to rotate into this assignment nor are your departments obligated to allow you to take on this assignment. The salary range for this position is "as is" and non-negotiable.

Qualifications
Requirements: This classification requires the successful completion of a minimum of twelve (12) "semester" units of college level accounting coursework. NOTE: To convert quarter units divide by 1.5; eighteen (18) quarter units are equivalent to twelve (12) semester units.

Experience and Education:Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and skills is qualifying. A typical way to qualify is:

Accountant I: Equivalent to graduation from a four year college or university in accounting, finance, business administration, economics, or a closely related field. Sub-professional accounting support work may be substituted for the education on a year for year basis to a maximum of two years. This classification requires the successful completion of a minimum of twelve semester units of college level accounting coursework.
Accountant II: Two years of accounting experience, preferably in a governmental or public agency.

Knowledge of:

• Principles, practices and terminology of general, fund and governmental accounting.
• Principles and practices of business data processing, particularly as related to the processing of accounting information.
• Applicable laws regulating public fiscal operations.
• Budgeting principles and terminology.
• Basic auditing and financial reconciliation principles and methods.

Skill/Ability to:

• Review, analyze, interpret and reconcile financial reports and transactions.
• Verify the accuracy of financial data and information.
• Prepare clear, concise and complete financial reports and statements.
• Ensure proper authorization and documentation for disbursements and other transactions.
• Direct the work of others on a project or day to day basis.
• Exercise sound independent judgment within established procedural guidelines.
• Make accurate mathematical and statistical calculations.
• Maintain accurate records and files.
• Establish and maintain effective working relations.

Application/Examination

This is a limited term recruitment. Anyone may apply. A supplemental application form must be submitted in addition to our regular employment application form. The Information Services Department will screen materials after the recruitment closes. The Information Services Department will contact qualified candidates directly for a departmental interview.

All applicants who meet the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement through any subsequent phase of the examination. All examinations will be conducted virtually and applicants must participate at their own expense.

IMPORTANT: Applications for this position will only be accepted online. If you are currently on the County's website, you may click the "Apply" button. If you are not on the County's website, please go to https://jobs.smcgov.org/ to apply. Online applications must be received by the Human Resources Department by 11:59 p.m. PDT on the final filing date.

~ Tentative Recruitment Schedule ~
Final Filing Date: Friday, March 14, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. PSTTentative Departmental Interviews: TBD

About the County
San Mateo County is centrally located between San Francisco, San Jose, and the East Bay. With over 750,000 residents, San Mateo is one of the largest and most diverse counties in California and serves a multitude of culturally, ethnically, and linguistically diverse communities.

The County of San Mateo, as an employer, is committed to advancing equity to ensure that all employees are welcomed in a safe and inclusive environment. The County seeks to hire, support, and retain employees who reflect our diverse community. We encourage applicants with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to apply. Eighty percent of employees surveyed stated that they would recommend the County as a great place to work.
The County of San Mateo is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion at all levels.

HR Contact: Arlene Cahill (Accountant I/II - E030/E011)
Please visit for a complete listing of all benefits for this classification.
Benefits are offered to eligible employees of the County of San Mateo. All benefits are subject to change.
NOTE: Employees hired on or after January 1, 2013 may be subject to new Pension Reform retirement laws.
As an additional benefit, the County offers extensive training and development programs designed to improve skills and enhance career opportunities. Most programs are offered on County time at no cost to you.
County employees are also covered by the federal Social Security system and earn benefits for retirement based on salary and time worked.
01

Applicants for this position are required to submit responses to the following supplemental questions. Your responses will give us additional information about your background and experience related to this position and will weigh heavily in the selection process. Be concise and specific. Neatness, clarity of expression, grammar, spelling and ability to follow instructions will be considered in the evaluation process. A resume will not be accepted as a substitute for your responses to these questions. I understand this important information.

• Yes
• No

02

This position requires the successful completion of a minimum of twelve semester units of college level accounting coursework. List either the type of Accounting Degree you possess OR the following for your college-level accounting courses: a) Name of Institution; b) Class Title; and c) Number of "Semester" Units.
03

Describe your background and experience in accounting and other fiscal work in a public sector or government agency, particularly in performing accounting close processes (month, quarter, and year-end). Explain where this experience was gained, the level of your experience, the systems you have used, and your responsibilities. Be clear, specific, and complete in your response.
04

Describe your knowledge and experience in the area of cost accounting. Discuss the duties and responsibilities you performed that are related to cost accounting and the automated systems you used.
05

Describe your experience analyzing financial data, developing fiscal projections, preparing reports and recommendations for management on financial issues, and explaining budget or financial information to program managers or other program staff orally and/or in writing.
Required Question