Accountant I - Controller's Office (Extra Help) (Open)

County of San Mateo; San Mateo (CA); On-site; USD 34,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

County of San Mateo is seeking an Accountant I for the Accounting section of the Controller’s Office. This on-site, extra-help position involves professional accounting work with routine duties under supervision, including budgeting and financial reporting tasks.

The role emphasizes learning County policies, processing accounting records, and supporting internal and external audits. Compensation is hourly with variable work hours, as needed by the department.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of general, fund, and governmental accounting principles.
• Understanding of budgeting principles and terminology.
• Awareness of auditing and financial reconciliation methods.

Responsibilities

• Review accounting documents to ensure accuracy and proper entries.
• Prepare trial balances and coordinate periodic closings.
• Prepare journal entries and reconcile general ledger and bank statements.
• Maintain and analyze budgets and related control accounts.
• Assist in and coordinate preparation and analysis of departmental budgets.

Skills

Budgeting

Financial analysis

General accounting

Financial reconciliation

Mathematical calculations

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting/finance/business

Job description

The Controller's Office is currently seeking well‑qualified candidates for the position of Accountant I. 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. This position is assigned to the Accounting section of the Controller’s Office.

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. 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.

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

NOTE: This is an extra‑help, at‑will assignment, paid on an hourly basis. Extra‑help hours are dependent on the business needs of the department and therefore work hours may vary from week to week. Extra help employees shall not exceed 1,040 hours of work per fiscal year. Some extra help positions are eligible for benefits under the Affordable Care Act. Extra help employees are not guaranteed permanent status at the end of the assignment.

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Review accounting documents to ensure accuracy of information and 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.

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.

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.

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 (09152026) (Accountant I - E030)