Accountant III

City of San Diego Green Business Network; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 103,000 - 124,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of San Diego is seeking an Accountant III to perform revenue and expense audits, accounting, and financial information systems work. You will maintain and analyze complex accounting records and guide staff on internal controls.

Minimum qualifications include a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting or related field with required coursework, plus three years of professional accounting experience; CPA may substitute for up to one year. A CA driver license may be required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or related field with documented accounting coursework.
• Coursework must meet the minimum education options listed in the posting.
• Education cannot be substituted by experience.

Responsibilities

• Accountant III performs revenue and expense audits, accounting, or financial information systems work.
• Maintain and analyze complex accounting records and documents.
• Respond to staff and outside agency inquiries regarding budgets and financial matters.
• Direct input and updating of data in the City’s accounting system.
• Maintain and revise accounting and related system procedures.
• Evaluate and document internal controls and provide guidance on internal controls.
• Lead the work of professional staff and supervise subprofessional and clerical staff.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Accounting

Bachelor's Degree in related field with 24 sem/36 qtr units in accounting

Job description

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Accountant III

Salary:
$102,856.00 - $124,259.20 Annually

Location:
City of San Diego, CA

Job Type:
Varies by Position

Job Number:
SI-T12077-202610

Business Area:
N/A - Multiple Departments

Opening Date:
10/23/2026

Closing Date:
11/2/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Accountant III positions perform revenue and expense audits, accounting, or financial information systems work; maintain and analyze complex accounting records/documents; respond to staff and outside agency inquiries relating to budget and financial matters; direct the input and updating of data contained within the City's accounting system; maintain and revise accounting and related system procedures; evaluate and document internal controls and provide general guidance to staff regarding internal controls; lead the work of professional staff and supervise subprofessional and/or clerical staff; and perform other duties as assigned.

Notes

• Employees in job classifications represented by Municipal Employees Association (MEA) are scheduled to receive the following general wage increases:
  • 3.5% effective 7/1/27
  • 2% effective 7/1/28
  • 2% effective 1/1/29
• Eligible benefitted employees originally hired on or after July 10, 2021, will be automatically enrolled in the San Diego City Employees Retirement System (SDCERS).

Minimum Requirements

You must meet the following requirements on the date you apply, unless otherwise indicated.

Education

EDUCATION: You must meet ONE of the following options:

• Bachelor's Degree in Accounting.
• Bachelor's Degree in a closely related field AND completion of at least 24 semester/36 quarter units of college-level accounting course work.

Note

• Experience may NOT be used to substitute for lack of the required education.

Experience

EXPERIENCE: Three years of full-time professional accounting and/or auditing experience.

Notes

• A Master's Degree in Accountancy or a Master's Degree in Business Administration with completion of at least 24 semester/36 quarter units of college-level accounting course work may be substituted for a MAXIMUM of one year of the required experience.
• Possession of a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) License may be substituted for a MAXIMUM of one year of the required experience.
• Successful completion of all parts of the written test for the CPA License may be substituted for a MAXIMUM of one year of the required experience.
• City of San Diego employees using Out-of-Class Assignment (OCA) experience to qualify must submit written documentation signed by their appointing authority or payroll specialist, detailing the work performed, dates, and total number of qualifying OCA hours. OCA experience without the required documentation will NOT be considered.

License

A valid California Class C Driver License may be required at the time of hire.

Notes

• Reliable transportation and proof of auto insurance may be required at the time of hire.
• You must provide your own vehicle for which mileage will be reimbursed.

Highly Desirable

• Full-time professional auditing experience.

Required Documents (MUST SUBMIT WITH APPLICATION)

• Proof of degree/transcripts.
• Proof of transcripts showing completion of the required course work, if utilized to meet the minimum requirements.
• Proof of CPA License or successful completion of all parts of the written test for the CPA License, if utilized to meet the minimum requirements.
• For City of San Diego employees, proof of Out-of-Class Assignment (OCA), if utilized to meet the minimum requirements.

Screening Process

Please ensure all information is complete and accurate as the responses you provide on the supplemental questions will be reviewed using an automated evaluation system. If you are successful in this initial screening process, your application will be reviewed for applicable education, experience, and/or training to ensure all minimum requirements have been met. Successful candidates will be placed on a list which will be used to fill position vacancies during the next one year. For each vacancy, only those candidates with the most appropriate qualifications will be contacted by the hiring department for an interview.

Supplemental Information

PRE-EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS: Employment offers are conditional pending the results of all screening processes applicable to this position, which may include the following: confirmation of citizenship or legal right to work in the United States; completion of a pre-employment medical review and exam (which may include drug and alcohol testing); reference checks; and fingerprinting. Fingerprints will be submitted to the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the California Department of Justice for a conviction record report. Certain positions may require additional screening processes, including a polygraph examination and/or background investigation. All screening processes must be successfully completed before employment begins. A positive test result for alcohol, cannabis/marijuana, illegal drugs, or inadequately explained prescription drugs, or misrepresentation, falsification, or omission of pertinent facts in any step of the screening or selection process, may constitute cause for disqualification or termination of employment. Nothing in this job posting constitutes an express or implied contract for employment with the City of San Diego. Candidates must notify the Personnel Department of any change in their name, mailing address, email address, or phone number, otherwise they may miss employment opportunities.

Benefits

City employees may be eligible to participate in a benefit program including holidays, vacations, savings and retirement plans, health programs, and other benefits.

Eligible City employees initially hired or assuming office on or after July 10, 2021, with the exception of Police Recruits participating in the City’s Police Academy, will participate in the City’s Defined Benefit Plan administered by the San Diego City Employees’ Retirement System (SDCERS).

Benefits may change due to employer-employee contract negotiations.

Flexible Benefits Plan Options for Employees Represented by Municipal Employees Associate (MEA) or review the Benefits Summary for MEA Employees. (Download PDF reader)

Employer Contact

Employer City of San Diego

Address 1200 3rd Ave., Suite 300, MS 51P

San Diego, California, 92101

Phone [phone]

[phone]

Website http://www.sandiego.gov/empopp/