Accountant II - Human Services Agency (Limited Term)

Job Description

Description

The Human Services Agency of the County of San Mateo is seeking well-qualified and highly motivated candidates with high standards of accuracy and exceptional attention to detail and organizational skills for the position of Accountant II. Successful candidates will be self-motivated, experienced, and effective communicators; with the ability to work effectively in a high-volume and fast-paced environment while managing multiple tasks simultaneously.

Primary responsibilities will include:

• Provide accounting and financial support for special projects to ensure accuracy, completeness, and compliance with grant requirements and applicable accounting standards.
• Perform accounting and financial activities for grants, including tracking and verification of grant expenditures, compilation of financial data, preparation of grant reports, grant close-out activities, revenue and expenditure reconciliations, and trust fund analysis.
• Ensure all required financial documents are complete and property retained.
• Review invoices, contracts, and agreements for accuracy and compliance, and prepare encumbrance and reimbursement requests.
• Coordinate with analysts and internal stakeholders and participate in meetings related to grant administration and special projects.
• Communicate clearly and professionally with internal teams and external partners.
• Actively track and meet deadlines such as grant reporting, budget development and monitoring, and month-end general ledger close.
• Prepare and maintain control and subsidiary accounting records involving a variety of transactions and accounts.
• Prepare journal entries and reconciliations of general ledger, journals, subsidiary accounts and trust accounts.
• Review and recommend modifications to existing or creation of accounting systems and procedures, and assist with or coordinate the automation of accounting processes.
• Provide technical support to internal and outside audits and governmental program audits.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

The ideal candidate for this position will possess:

• Two (2) or more years of experience in accounting, finance, or a related field.
• Experience with preparation of account reconciliations and analysis. Strong Excel skills. Experience with accounting and reporting for grants is preferred.
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to identify discrepancies and errors.
• Solid understanding of accounting principles and financial processes.
• Experience reviewing or working with contracts and billing documentation.
• Strong numerical aptitude and analytical skills.
• Experience working in a public sector or government environment.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, deadline-driven setting.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to articulate financial information clearly.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining accuracy.
• A proactive, team-oriented mindset with a strong sense of adaptability, ownership, and accountability.
• Ability to balance detailed work with an understanding of the big picture.

Note: This is a limited-term, at-will assignment. 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. This recruitment may be used to fill future limited term positions.

Qualifications
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 relationships.

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:

• Two (2) years of accounting experience, preferably in a governmental or public agency.

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 Human Services Agency will screen materials after the recruitment closes. The Human Services Agency 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 in person, 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 before midnight on the final filing date.

TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT SCHEDULE
Final Filing Date: Monday, November 16, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. PST
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 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: Arlene Cahill (11032026) (Accountant II - E011)