Accountant I/II - Controller's Office (Departmental Promotional Only)

Description

The Controller's Office is currently seeking well-qualified candidates for the position of Accountant I/II.

The mission of the Controller's Office is to promote the County's operational effectiveness and ensure its financial transparency and integrity by providing quality accounting, audit, and financial reporting services.

The Controller's Office maintains the County's financial systems and records, and prepares independently audited, award-winning annual financial reports that disclose the financial condition of the County to the public. We are staffed with 51 full-time accounting, audit, and information systems professionals. The office also calculates annual property tax bill amounts, distributes taxes collected to local government agencies, performs internal audits of the County's operations, and provides payroll services for the County's workforce.

Under general supervision, performs professional accounting work relating to both centralized and departmental County accounting procedures and records.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
Accountant I is the entry-level class of the professional accounting series. Initially, under close supervision, the incumbents perform the more routine duties while learning County policies and procedures and becoming familiar with the variety of departmental systems and practices. As experience is gained, duties become more diversified and are performed under more general supervision. This class is flexibly staffed with an Accountant II, and incumbents may advance to the higher level after gaining experience and demonstrating proficiency which meet the qualifications of the higher-level class.

Accountant II is the journey level class in this series, competent to independently perform the full range of accounting duties. Successful performance requires a thorough knowledge of governmental accounting procedures, the ability to exercise sound independent judgment within established guidelines, and may involve skill in directing the work of support staff. The use of computer technology and/or automated input and output documents varies with the department to which assigned. This class is distinguished from Senior Accountant, which is either the supervisory and/or advanced specialist level in the professional accountant series. The classes are distinguished from the fiscal office support classes in that the work requires not only process knowledge, but also analytical and systems development skills, in addition to a strong accounting theoretical knowledge. They are further distinguished from the Internal Auditor series in that the latter classes perform internal and external audits in addition to performing accounting duties.

NOTE: This position is based entirely on-site and does not include remote work options.

NOTE: The eligible list generated by this recruitment may be used to fill current and future vacancies.
Examples Of Duties
Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Review accounting documents to ensure accuracy of information, calculations, and make correcting entries.
• Examine supporting documentation to establish proper authorization and conformance with agreements, contracts, and state and federal regulations.
• Prepare and maintain control and subsidiary accounting records involving a variety of transactions and accounts.
• Prepare trial balances; coordinate and calculate periodic closings.
• Prepare journal entries and reconciliation of general ledger, journals, subsidiary accounts, and bank statements.
• Compile and prepare general and subsidiary ledgers and supporting schedules.
• Assist in and/or coordinate the preparation and analysis of budgets for departmental and County funds.
• Maintain expenditure and budgetary control accounts; prepare and coordinate budget appropriation transfers.
• Confer with departmental representatives and provide information regarding budgeting and accounting processes.
• Analyze and prepare varied financial statements and reports.
• Apportion monies, including secured, unsecured, impounded, redeemed, and other taxes.
• Review and approve claims for referral of tax, grant, or other monies and prepare claims for reimbursement from various state or funding agencies and/or programs.
• Maintain varied departmental cost accounting records, disbursing funds to various accounts and/or billing for reimbursements as required.
• Analyze programs and legislation to determine fiscal and budgetary impact; prepare budgetary appropriation transfers and supplemental budgets.
• Review and recommend modifications to existing or creation of accounting systems and procedures; may assist with or coordinate the automation of manual accounting systems.
• Provide technical support to internal and outside auditors and governmental program auditors.
• May plan, direct, review, and evaluate the work of fiscal office support staff on a project or day-to-day basis; may train staff in work procedures.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Qualifications
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
Departmental Promotional Only . Only current County of San Mateo employees in the Controller's Office with at least six months (1040 hours) of continuous service in classified regular, probationary, or extra-help/limited term positions prior to the final filing date may apply.

The examination process will consist of an application screening (weight: pass/fail) based on the candidates' application and responses to the supplemental questions. Candidates who pass the application screening will be invited to a panel interview (weight: 100%) which may include a performance exam. Depending on the number of applicants, an application appraisal of education and experience may be used in place of other examinations or further evaluation of work experience may be conducted to group applicants by level of qualification. All applicants who meet the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement through any subsequent phase of the examination. All examinations will be given in County of San Mateo, California 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, please click the "Apply" button. If you are not on the County's website, please go to https://jobs.smcgov.org/ to apply. Responses to the supplemental questions must be submitted in addition to our regular employment application form. A resume will not be accepted as a substitute for the required employment application and supplemental questionnaire.

Tentative Recruitment Schedule:
Final Filing Date: Thursday, May 21, 2026, by 11:59 PM PST
Application Screening: May 26 - 29, 2026
Panel Interviews: June 4 and/or 5, 2026

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 is committed to advancing equity in order 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.

Analyst: Sedrick Dixon (05072026) (Accountant I/II - E030/E011)

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• County of San Mateo Human Resources Department

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