Accountant I/II (20784545)

City of San Rafael; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 81,000 - 104,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical - health benefits

Dental and vision insurance

Paid time off

Holidays and leave benefits

Life insurance

Job summary

The City of San Rafael seeks an Accountant I/II for the Finance Department. You will maintain financial records, perform journal entries and reconciliations, and assist with payroll, budget development, and audit preparation.

This is an in-office, non-hybrid role within a nationally recognized municipal government. The ideal candidate has a bachelor’s degree in accounting or related field and at least three years of accounting experience, with a master’s degree substituting for one year.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance or related field required.
• Minimum three years of accounting experience, preferably government-related.
• Master's degree may substitute for one year of experience.

Responsibilities

• Maintain City’s financial records and internal controls; prepare journal entries and reconciliations.
• Coordinate month- and year-end closing; assist with budget development and audit prep.
• Monitor procurement policies and spending limits; support payroll as needed.

Skills

Accounting

Budgeting

GAAP

Internal controls

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance or related

Three years of accounting experience

Master's degree substitution for one year

Tools

Excel

Finance software

General ledger

Job description

The City of San Rafael is a charter city founded in 1913. The mission of the City is to enhance the quality of life and to provide for a safe, healthy, prosperous and livable environment in partnership with the community. The City has a staff of 441 regular FTEemployees and an annual budget of $172million. City departments include the City Manager’s Office, Management Services, Finance, Community Development, Community Services, Fire, Library, Police, and Public Works. Click here to watch a short video and learn more about the City of San Rafael.

The City of San Rafaelwas voted one of the 2022 Best Places to Work in local government by ELGL, a nationally recognized organization.The City was recognizedfor our cross-departmental work that is key to advancing community programs and projects. Employees from all departments worked together, allowing us to break down silos, and model our culture initiative, Together San Rafael .

A strong emphasis on innovation, equity, and a commitment to our employees are a vital part of creating a wonderful community and for the trust we instill and have for providing ongoing learning opportunities to all staff are just some of the perks that make San Rafael the Best Place to Work.

Non-Discrimination Policy

The City of San Rafael values a diverse, inclusive workforce and provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

In accordance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act, all potential employees are required to provide proof and/or be verified of U.S. Citizenship or authorization to work in the United States.

Disaster Service Workers

California Government Code Title I, Sections 3100 - 3109, declare all public employees to be Disaster Service Workers, subject to such disaster service activities as may be assigned to them by their superiors or by law. More information can be found here .

Reasonable Accommodation

The City of San Rafael will make reasonable accommodations at any phase of the application and interview process, to accommodate persons with disabilities. If you have a disability for which you require an accommodation, please advise Human Resources upon submittal of your application. For examination accommodations, please contact Human Resources at least seven (7) calendar days before the test date, at [phone].

Level I: $7,268 - $8,835 monthly (DOE/DOQ)

Level II: $7,632 - $9,277 monthly (DOE/DOQ)

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Apply by Wednesday, November 11,2026 @ 5:00 PM

THE CITY is focused on enhancing our community members’ quality of life through well-designed services and a positive workplace culture. San Rafael is the economic and cultural heart of Marin County, and its high quality of life is centered on its commercial districts, engaged neighborhoods, active lifestyle, and natural environment. San Rafael, with a population of approximately 60,000, is a full-service city with a City Council/City Manager form of government with 12 departments, more than 400 employees, and a fiscal year 2026-2027annual budget of approximately $208 million. The City’s vision is to be a vibrant economic and cultural center reflective of its diversity. The City Council is engaged and seeks to strengthen the urban and commercial areas as well as sustain the beautiful natural environment.

San Rafael’s Organizational culture framework is an initiative called “Together San Rafael.” City employees are our greatest asset, and we seek talented individuals with diverse backgrounds who are creative, curious, and excited about a challenge. We are a results-driven team focused on the needs of community members. TheTogether San Rafael initiative is focusedon modernizing City services and increasing the engagement of employees. This initiative recognizes the interconnectedness of the customer and employee experience.

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT

The F inance Department provides financial information, policy analyses, and recommendations that help the City Council and all City Departments make decisions about how to allocate resources.

The department also prepares an annual budget .

Other administrative duties covered by the Finance Department include:

• Business Licenses (Business Tax)
• Cashiering
• Accounts Payable
• Payroll
• Budgeting and Financial Reporting
• Master-Fee Schedule (fee-based services)

THE POSITION

The City of San Rafael is seeking an Accountant I/II for the Finance Department. The Accountant I/II performs complex accounting functions to maintain the City's financial records and internal controls, including journal entries, general ledger reconciliations, fixed assets, payroll, accounts receivable, and month- and year-end closing activities. You will prepare and analyze financial, budgetary, and statistical reports; review expenditures for accuracy and budget compliance; and assist with budget development, audit preparation, and financial reporting. The Accountant I/II coordinates and monitors City-wide procurement policies and practices to ensure compliance with established procedures, authorized spending limits, contract and purchase order requirements, and competitive bidding regulations. This position will also provide up to 50% of payroll support/backup.

This is NOT a hybrid position - employee is required to be in office.

IDEAL CANDIDATE

The ideal candidate for the Accountant I/II role is a detail-oriented, analytical, and highly organized accounting professional with a strong foundation in accounting principles, financial reporting, auditing, budgeting, and internal controls. You will have the knowledge, technical skills, and professional judgment necessary to maintain accurate financial records, prepare standard and adjusting journal entries, reconcile bank and general ledger accounts, support month-end and year-end closing activities, and prepare clear, accurate, and timely financial and statistical reports. You are capable of analyzing account balances and expenditures, identifying discrepancies, maintaining fixed asset and accounts receivable records, assisting with payroll processing, and supporting budget preparation and audit activities while ensuring compliance with applicable laws, regulations, accounting standards, and City Policies.

The ideal candidate demonstrates a thorough understanding of financial administration, budgetary controls, and procurement procedures, including the review of purchase orders, contract approvals, authorized spending limits, and competitive bidding requirements. They are proficient in automated financial management systems and related software, possess strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, and can interpret complex financial data to identify trends, resolve accounting issues, and recommend improvements to financial processes and internal controls.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (Including but not limited to)

This list is meant to be representative, not exhaustive.

• Coordinates and participates in accounting tasks related to the maintenance of the City's financial record keeping, reporting, and control system.
• Prepares for approval, standard and adjusting journal entries.
• Assists with month and year-end closing including account analysis and report distribution.
• Audits and reviews operation and project account expenditures for accuracy and budgetary control.
• Maintains detailed fixed asset records, including categories, useful lives, costs and vehicle registration information where appropriate.
• Assists in calculating and processing payroll, determines tax deposits, benefit and other deductions and related adjustments, tracks accrual, and processes direct deposit. Serves as a backup for payroll processing.
• Maintains general ledger control account of accounts receivable system and prepares aging reports.
• Assists with the development of budget work papers and final document preparation.
• Reviews and monitors City-wide adopted policies and practices related to contract and purchase orders, verifies authorized limits, approvals, processing and formal bidding.
• Performs related duties as required.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Any combination of education and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skill, and ability is qualifying. A typical way to obtain such knowledge, skill, and ability is: (Please see job spec for additional details):

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in accounting, finance or a related field, AND
• Three (3) years of increasingly responsible accounting experience preferably working in government or with government clients.
• Master's Degree in finance, accounting, public or business administration or a CPA may be substituted for one year of experience.

This position is a regular position of the City’s SEIU Local 1021 employee group and is eligible to receive benefits including but not limited to:

• MEDICAL | City group health coverage, with the City paying a fixed dollar amount toward the cost of the monthly insurance premium: Employee only: $998.00 | Employee plus one: $1,995.00 | Family: $2,520.00
• DENTAL | Premium fully paid for employee plus eligible dependents.
• VISION | Premium fully paid for employee.
• VACATION LEAVE | 10 days annually, increases after 3 years of service
• SICK LEAVE | 12 days annually
• HOLIDAYS | 12 paid City holidays plus 1 floating holiday per year
• BEREAVEMENT LEAVE | Up to 5 days paid leave
• PAID PARENTAL LEAVE (if eligible) | Up to 300 hours paid leave. SEIU employees also contribute to State Disability Insurance (SDI)
• END OF LIFE CARE LEAVE | Up to 80 hours paid leave
• LIFE INSURANCE & AD&D | $20,000 Life policy and $20,000 AD&D policy
• LONG TERM DISABILITY | 66.67% of salary, up to $1,000 per month
• Tier 2 - hired on or after 7/1/2011: 2% @ 55, Average of 3 highest years
• Tier 3 PEPRA - hired on or after 1/1/2013: 2% @ 62, Average of 3 highest years
• GYM MEMBERSHIP REIMBURSEMENT | Up to $198 per year
• BILINGUAL PAY (if eligible) | Up to $250 per month