Payroll and Accounting Technician

THE POSITION

The City of Rancho Cordova is seeking a Payroll and Accounting Technician who is detail-oriented, organized, and committed to accuracy and excellence. The ideal candidate will bring strong analytical and problem-solving skills, maintain confidentiality, and demonstrate a collaborative, customer-focused approach to supporting City employees. This role requires a professional who can balance multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and ensure the timely and precise processing of payroll and accounting transactions in a fast-paced environment.

This position in the Administrative Services - Finance Department plays a vital role in the City’s financial operations. The Payroll and Accounting Technician processes the City’s bi-weekly and monthly payroll, reconciles payroll and general ledger accounts, ensures compliance with payroll laws and reporting requirements, and maintains accurate financial records. The position also assists with benefit invoicing, financial reconciliations, and special projects that enhance the City’s internal operations and employee services.

The Ideal Candidate
The City of Rancho Cordova is seeking a Payroll and Accounting Technician who:

• Demonstrates accuracy, integrity, and strong attention to detail
• Excels at managing complex payroll and accounting tasks
• Understands principles and practices of municipal finance and payroll
• Maintains confidentiality and professionalism in all matters
• Communicates clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing
• Thrives in a collaborative, team-oriented environment
• Provides exceptional service and support to internal City staff

If this describes your skills and work style, we encourage you to APPLY TODAY and join our dedicated Finance team at the City of Rancho Cordova!
*Recruitment will remain open continuously until filled - Apply early! Applications received by November 20 , 2025, at 11:59 p.m. will be part of the first review.

City employees enjoy a robust benefit plan for themselves and their families.
BENEFITS OF WORKING FOR THE CITY OF RANCHO CORDOVA

• Choice of a generous monthly stipend for Medical/Dental/Vision or Cash in Lieu of Medical Insurance.
• 13 paid holidays per year.
• Universal Time Off (combined vacation and sick leave).
• CalPERS Retirement.
• Tuition Reimbursement up to $2,500/fiscal year
  • The City of Rancho Cordova is also a qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.
• Alternate work schedules available
• Onsite fitness area & many more employee perks.

City employees also enjoy the knowledge that their work matters to the residents, visitors and businesses in our community. See what some of employees have to say about working for the City of Rancho Cordova, by watching this short video:

The City of Rancho Cordova is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability or any other characteristics protected by law.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES

The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and change business practices.

Payroll

• Processes the City’s bi-weekly and monthly payroll by reviewing timecard entries for timely submission and accuracy, calculating special pay and retroactive adjustments, confirming the accuracy of payroll information in the system, and ensuring that payroll is submitted by the deadline each pay period.
• Processes payroll taxes close quarter and year-end; reconcile quarterly tax reports to the General Ledger.
• Extracts payroll data from the City’s Human Resources and Information System (HRIS) and post into the City’s financial system; maintains a high level of proficiency in utilizing the City’s Payroll and HRIS.
• Serves as the payroll point of contact for the organization by providing payroll information and advice on payroll policies and procedures.
• Reconciles the General Ledger payroll accounts monthly and identifies adjusting entries.
• Processes, codes, and reconciles invoices for various benefit plans and ensures timely payment.
• Assists in the maintenance of employee benefit elections in various benefit systems.
• Reviews and processes personnel transactions for the City’s payroll system, if applicable; identifies errors or deviations and resolves with department staff.
• Monitors temporary employee and retiree annuitant hours to ensure maximum hours are not exceeded and that employees are enrolled/unenrolled in benefits based on hours worked.
• Prepares various payroll reports for internal and external purposes; maintain payroll files and confidential reports.
• Prepares special reports and/or supplemental data for required forms as necessary; develops spreadsheets of varying sizes and complexity; utilizes database management systems.
• Makes mathematical and/or statistical calculations of salary, deductions, leave adjustments, wage attachments and other payroll related adjustments.
• Responds to employee questions and request for assistance concerning payroll actions.
• Maintain confidentiality of records and information concerning other city employees that is part of the payroll process.

Accounting

• Works closely with the cashier on the daily cash reconciliation; ensures all payments are posted to the correct General Ledger account.
• Reviews and posts cash receipt transactions into City's General Ledger; substantiates or resolves complex financial transactions by analyzing and auditing materials, revenue streams, transactions, and documents; reconciling statements and transactions; using initiative and sound independent judgement on difficult procedural.

General

• Compiles and develops information for special studies and reports from a variety of resources; completes various special projects that include the coordination, research and development of systems and procedures.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS & MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time to successfully perform the assigned duties.

Knowledge of:

• Principles, practices, methods, and techniques used in municipal finance, accounting, and payroll.
• Rules and laws governing payroll.
• Standard accounting practices and principles.
• Office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.
• Mathematical principles.
• Principles and practices used in establishing and maintaining files and information retrieval systems.
• Principles and practices of customer service.
• Techniques and methods of effective oral and written communications.
• Research methods and techniques.

Ability to:

• Identify and correct errors in mathematical computations and improper entries on a variety documents.
• Perform mathematical calculations and complex data processing tasks rapidly and accurately.
• Maintain a high level of confidentiality of a wide range of sensitive information.
• Work without direct supervision; exercise initiative and sound judgement.
• Work independently and as a team member.
• Recognize and set priorities and meet deadlines.
• Prepare clear, concise, grammatically correct documents, emails, and reports.
• Maintain attention to detail by prioritizing work and coordinating several activities simultaneously despite interruptions.
• Maintain integrity of work by taking responsibility and accountability for completion of work and customer interactions and maintaining punctuality and attendance at work.
• Perform mathematical calculations with speed and accuracy.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Be an integral team player, which involves flexibility, cooperation, and communication.
• Observe safety principles and work in a safe manner.
• Operate office equipment including computers and supporting word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications.
• Establish and maintain effective working relations with those contacted in the course of work.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS GUIDELINES
Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain knowledge and abilities would be :

Education:

• Equivalent to the completion of a high school diploma supplemented by courses in Finance and Accounting.

Experience:

• Three (3) years of progressively responsible administrative experience in Finance and Accounting or a closely related field.
  • Experience in municipal government is desirable.

License or Certification:

• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California driver's license.

PHYSICAL WORKING CONDITIONS AND ENVIRONMENTS

The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

Requires the mobility and manual dexterity to work in a standard office environment, use standard office equipment and attend off-site meetings; speech and hearing to communicate in person and by telephone; vision to read handwritten and printed materials and a computer screen; strength and agility to lift and carry items weighing up to 20 pounds. Some accommodations may be made for some physical demands for otherwise qualified individuals who require and request such accommodations.

FLSA - Non-Exempt status

Equal Opportunity Employer

The City of Rancho Cordova complies with the letter and spirit of the Equal Employment Opportunity and Americans with Disabilities laws in its employment process. Please advise the Human Resources Department of any reasonable accommodation you need in order to participate in the City’s application process.

HumanResources@CityofRanchoCordova.org

NON-EXEMPT EMPLOYEE BENEFIT SUMMARY

CALPERS Retirement

Tier 1: Employees hired prior to December 31, 2012, and "Classic Members" hired subsequently with less than a six-month break in service, are provided 2.7% at 55 retirement formula. City employees pay the full 8% of their base pay toward this retirement benefit.

Tier 2: Due to the Public Employees' Pension Reform Act of 2013 (Assembly Bill 340), new MISC members hired after January 1, 2013, or "Classic Members" with a break in service of more than 6 months, are eligible for the 2% @ 62 CalPERS retirement formula and are required to pay a 7.75% contribution toward the PERS benefit. (Note: the employee contribution will change as the cost of the benefit changes, since the employee is required to pay half the normal cost.)

1959 Survivor Benefit (Indexed Level)
The 1959 Survivor Benefit provides a monthly allowance to eligible survivors of members who die while actively employed. The monthly benefit payable to survivors in the Indexed Level increases by 2% each year. Benefit amounts as 2025 are $820, $1,641 and $2,461 for 1, 2, or 3 eligible survivors.

457 and 401(a) Deferred Compensation Plan

• City will contribute $23.08 per pay period into the 457 Deferred Compensation Plan on behalf of the employee.
• City will match up to 3% of the base salary for employees who participate in the 457 plan. City match is placed in a 401(a) plan. There is no vesting period.
• Employees may also voluntarily participate in the 401(a) defined contribution retirement program; however, election must be made upon hire and is irrevocable during employment with the city.

Health Insurance (medical, dental and vision) - The City offers a "cafeteria plan," which includes a monthly medical stipend the employee may apply toward premiums for medical, dental and vision.

Cash-in-lieu - If your total health, vision and/or dental premium costs are lower than $300, you may receive the difference as cash in lieu up to a total of $300. If you do not need to purchase medical, dental or vision benefits from the City, you are eligible for a total of $300 cash in lieu per month.

Medical Benefits

Retiree Health - CalPERS plans made available, and retiree medical contribution offered toward the cost of the plan. In 2025, the retiree medical contribution is $158.00 per month. The retiree medical contribution will continue to increase until it is equal to the minimum contribution required by CalPERS for the employer to pay on behalf of an employee.

Dental -Delta Dental PPO

• Deductibles $50 per person each calendar year
• Maximums $1,500 - $2,500 per person each calendar year
• Preventative services - 100% covered
• Basic services - 80% covered
• Major services - 50% covered
• Waiting Period(s) - None

Vision - Vision Service Plan (VSP)

Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

• Medical FSA for the plan year is $3,300 (maximum)
• Dependent Care FSA for the plan year is $5,000 (maximum)

Universal Time Off (UTO) - vacation and sick leave combined

Universal Time Off Cash Out - Employees may cash out up to 80 hours in fiscal year 24/25.

Bereavement Leave - On the date of hire, employees are entitled to 24 hours of Bereavement Leave per event due to the death of a member of an employee's immediate family.

Holidays - 13 Holidays per year.

Winter Break - Reviewed by the City Manager each year.

Life Insurance - $50,000 life insurance policy

• Life price per $1,000 $0.109
• AD&D price per $1,000 $0.205

Long Term Disability

• LTD price per $100 $0.0145
• 60% of earnings up to $7,500
• 90 day benefit waiting period

Social Security - No
Employees do not pay into and earn credit toward future benefits in Social Security, since the City offers an IRS qualifying retirement plan. Medicare benefits, however, will not be affected.

Employee Assistant Plan (EAP) - Available to employee and immediate family. Includes concierge, financial and legal services.

Wellness Program - On-site fitness room, shower and lockers and ping pong tables available for employee use.

Tuition Reimbursement - Up to $2,500 per fiscal year.

Training and Development - Available and encouraged for each employee.

Updated January 2025

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• City of Rancho Cordova

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