Accountant I

Salary : $75,142.08 - $90,781.60 Annually
Location : Throughout the County of Santa Clara, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 25-B80-A
Department: County-Wide Recruitment
Opening Date: 04/18/2025
Closing Date: 5/4/2025 11:59 PM Pacific
Bargaining Unit: 01

Description
Under general supervision, to perform a variety of professional level accounting work of limited scope in the areas of accounting, auditing of financial transactions, budget administration and/or fiscal operations, such as examining, analyzing, maintaining, reconciling and verifying complex financial records.

NOTE: Candidates who meet the employment standards will be invited to take the Written Examination tentatively scheduled for the week of June 2, 2025. The exam date(s) may change based on the number of applicants and room availability.

The list established may be used to fill other vacancies as they occur.
Typical Tasks

• Verifies, screens and may approve fiscal documents such as vouchers, warrants, requisitions, purchase orders, and invoices;
  
• Records transactions in subsidiary and general ledgers;
  
• May oversee routine fiscal work performed by clerks;
  
• Prepares trial balances, reconciliations, and spreadsheets;
  
• Prepares a variety of accounting, statistical, and narrative reports for departmental use;
  
• Reconciles manual records to financial systems output;
  
• Prepares bank reconciliations;
  
• Prepares journal entries and reconciliations of the general ledger;
  
• Reviews documentation submitted for accuracy and conformance to legal and procedural requirements, as well as adherence to internal controls;
  
• Maintains current knowledge of accounting and reporting requirements, policies and procedures; recommends accounting and report changes to ensure compliance with governmental requirements and regulations;
  
• Makes verbal presentations and conducts training on accounting policies and procedures;
  
• Explains the implications of complex accounting matters to non-financial managers and decision makers;
  
• Assists with audits;
  
• Prepares audit lead schedules;
  
• May be assigned as a Disaster Service Worker, as required;
  
• Performs related work as required.

Employment Standards

Sufficient education, training and experience to demonstrate the possession and direct application of the following knowledge and abilities:

Training and Experience Note: The knowledge, skills and abilities required to perform this function are acquired through possession of a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Auditing, Business Administration (with an emphasis in Accounting, Finance, or Economics), Economics, Finance or closely related field.

OR

Possession of sixty (60) semester units or ninety (90) quarter units of college, of which twelve (12) semester units or fifteen (15) quarter units must be in accounting and/or auditing.

and

Two (2) years of experience equivalent to Accountant Assistant in the County of Santa Clara. Relevant experience includes experience compiling and maintaining a wide variety of fiscal, accounting, financial or statistical data.

Certified Public Accountant (CPA) may substitute for one (1) year of the experience requirement.

Special Requirements

• Some positions may require Live Scan screening as part of the background check process.

Knowledge of:

• Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP);
  
• Auditing principles and procedures;
  
• Business law;
  
• Current fiscal systems and software applications;
  
• Applicable laws, codes and regulations;
  
• Principles of financial auditing and reconciliation;
  
• Office practices and procedures, including record keeping systems;
  
• Automated accounting systems and spreadsheets.

Ability to:

• Effectively communicate verbally and in writing with co-workers, management, the public and others contacted in the course of work;
  
• Prepare clear and concise reports;
  
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work;
  
• Analyze and evaluate accounting data;
  
• Learn and understand Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) Statements, Interpretations, and Technical Bulletins;
  
• Learn and apply County financial policies and procedures and applicable departmental policies and procedures;
  
• Verify the accuracy of financial transactions and reports;
  
• Ensure proper authorization and documentation of accounting transactions;
  
• Exercise independent judgment within policy and procedural guidelines;
  
• Understand and apply relevant principles, laws, rules, regulations and procedures;
  
• Audit, analyze and evaluate financial and statistical data;
  
• Prepare, maintain and reconcile a variety of accounting and financial records, documents and reports;
  
• Use various computer applications and software in support of accounting activities.

The County offers comprehensive first-class medical, dental, and vision benefits plans for County employees and their dependents, including plans with no deductibles, no co-pays, no co-insurance, and no prescription drug co-pays. Learn more

The County also offers generous paid time off with significant vacation, sick time, and 13 paid County holidays annually! Details are included in the with the bargaining unit applicable to the job classification.

In addition to the amazing perks above, the County also offers the additional benefits below.

Retirement Benefits
The County offers robust retirement plans including a (similar to the private sector's 401(k) plan) and the In addition to lifetime retirement income available through the CalPERS pension plan, the 457(b) Deferred Compensation plan provides a great way to save for retirement and supplement the defined benefit pension available to employees. These plans help our employees build a plan for their future and contribute to their family's long-term financial well-being.

Health Flexible Spending Account
The empowers employees to manage healthcare expenses efficiently with tax-free contributions (up to $3,200 for the 2024 calendar year). Secure tax-free solutions for your healthcare expenses and enjoy the flexibility to manage your healthcare finances effectively with the HFSA.

Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP)
The enables employees to utilize tax-free funds for dependent care services, facilitating a convenient and cost-effective approach for managing your dependent care expenses. The County also offers the , an employer-funded DCAP, for employees with annual income under $120,000.

Life and AD&D
The County offers life and disability benefits including , Insurance, These benefits ensure financial security and income support when you and your family need it most.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
The County prioritizes employee mental health and well-being and offers a top-tier through Concern providing confidential counseling sessions covering stress, anxiety, relationships, grief, as well as financial/legal services, personal coaching, child and elder care referrals, and comprehensive crisis support.

Employee Wellness
The offers free wellness programing, fitness classes and resources; including Elevate My Wellness an all-in-one platform designed to elevate your well-being journey.

Education Reimbursement
A generous program is available, including Education Reimbursement for employees seeking additional training and professional development.

NOTE: Benefit and Retirement information may vary from bargaining unit to bargaining unit. Due to changes in State Law, current pension provisions described in the union contracts are not automatically applied. Specific pension benefits for new hires who start on or after January 1, 2013 may be different than indicated in the union contracts.

Click here to access all Memoranda of Understanding and most recent Summary of Changes.
01

Please answer the following questions. Completion of the following supplemental questions is REQUIRED and is an integral part of the evaluation process. Initially, it will be used to determine minimum qualifications. For those applicants meeting the employment standards, this information will be critical in the subsequent competitive assessment to identify those candidates to be invited to continue in the examination process. Your responses to the questions may also be reviewed and scored in a Competitive Rating evaluation process based on pre-determined rating criteria. Your answers should be as complete as possible, as no additional information will be accepted from applicants once the Competitive Rating evaluation has begun. A response of "see resume" or "see application" will deem your application incomplete. Please include the name of employers, job titles, dates of employment, and hours worked per week for questions asking about work experience.
Do you understand these requirements?

• Yes
• No

02

What is the highest level of education you have completed?

• None
• High School or GED equivalent
• College (1 to 29 semester units / 1 to 44 quarter units)
• College (30 to 59 semester units / 45 to 89 quarter units)
• College (60 to 89 semester units / 90 to 134 quarter units)
• College (90 to 119 semester units / 135 to 179 quarter units)
• College (120 or more semester units / 180 or more quarter units)
• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree
• Doctoral Degree

03

Do you possess a Bachelor's or higher level degree in any of the following fields?

• Accounting
• Auditing
• Business Administration (with an emphasis in Accounting, Finance, or Economics)
• Economics
• Finance
• Closely Related Field
• None of the above

04

If you selected "Closely related field" in the question above, please indicate the degree you possess.
05

Please list all courses completed in accounting and/or auditing. For each course indicate if semester or quarter units and total units completed. If none, please indicate N/A.
06

Are you a Certified Public Accountant (CPA)? If yes, please attach a copy of your CPA license.

• Yes
• No

07

How many years of work experience do you have compiling and maintaining a wide variety of fiscal, accounting, financial or statistical data?

• No experience
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five or more years

08

Describe your professional experience compiling and maintaining a wide variety of fiscal, accounting, financial or statistical data.
Responses must include the following required information:
- Your job title(s)
- Start/end date(s)
- Hours worked per week
- Detailed description of tasks performed.

If none, type N/A.
09

How many years of experience do you have that is equivalent to Santa Clara County's Accountant Assistant classification?
View Job Specification Here:

• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five or more years
• None

10

Please describe your experience equivalent to Santa Clara's Accountant Assistant classification. View Job Spec Here:
Responses must include the following required information:
- Your job title(s)
- Start/end date(s)
- Hours worked per week
- Detailed description of tasks performed.

If none, type N/A.
11

Please complete this survey carefully. Your responses may determine whether or not you will be referred for a specific department and/or location. Please place a mark next to the location(s) in which you would be willing to work.

• Supervisorial District 1
• Supervisorial District 2
• Supervisorial District 3
• Supervisorial District 4
• Supervisorial District 5
• Clerk of The Board
• County Executive
• Risk Management
• Controller - Treasurer Department
• Department of Tax and Collection
• Local Agency Formation Commission
• County Clerk - Recorder
• Assessor
• Procurement
• County Counsel
• Employee Services Agency
• Fleet Services
• Registrar Of Voters
• Technology Services & Solutions
• Office Of Supportive Housing
• County Communications
• Dept of Child Support Services
• District Attorney
• Public Defender
• Pre-Trial Services
• Sheriff's Office
• Sheriff-Doc Contract
• Department of Correction
• Probation
• Planning & Development
• Dept of Environmental Health
• Agriculture & Environmental Mgmt
• Facilities
• Medical Examiner/Coroner
• Public Health
• Vector Control District
• Custody Health Services
• Behavioral Health Services
• Community Health Services
• Emergency Medical Services
• Social Services Agency
• Roads Department
• Airports
• County Library District
• Parks & Recreation
• Valley Health Plan
• Hospital System - Valley Medical Center
• Hospital System - O'Connor
• Hospital System - Saint Louise Regional
• Hospital System - De Paul Medical Center

12

Some assignments may require the possession of a valid California license. Do you currently hold a valid California Driver's License without restrictions?

• Yes
• No

13

How did you hear about this employment opportunity?

• County Employee
• Friend or Family (not County Employee)
• Paper Flyer / Announcement
• County of Santa Clara email
• GovernmentJobs.com
• CareersInGovernment.com
• Indeed
• LinkedIn
• Facebook
• Job Fair
• Professional Association or Affiliation
• Email Notification
• Text Message Notification
• Dice
• Twitter
• Monster Jobs
• School Career Center or Handshake

14

If you selected an event/fair or other in the question above, please specify. If not, type N/A.
Required Question