Accounting Specialist - Fiscal Services

SAN-Jose-Unified-School-District; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

San José Unified seeks an Accounting Specialist to manage and reconcile financial data supporting district payroll, budgeting, and reporting. You will analyze records, ensure accuracy, and aid in compliant, informed financial decisions across district programs.

The role requires a 4-year degree in finance or accounting, strong Excel skills (PivotTables, VLOOKUP), and the ability to work independently while collaborating with multiple stakeholders. Evening and site-specific requirements apply.

Qualifications

• 4-year degree in finance, accounting, or business administration or any combination of experience and education equivalent to four or more years.
• Resume and cover letter required.
• Pass San José Unified assessment.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and reconcile general ledger accounts and post financial transactions.
• Collect, analyze and reconcile fiscal records and reports.
• Complete audits, analyses, schedules, and reports to meet compliance requirements.
• Support budget development, forecasting revenues and expenditures.
• Support payroll and retirement processes.
• Review and approve expenditures such as invoices, reimbursements, and timesheets.
• Interpret and apply applicable laws, policies, and regulations.
• Support sites and departments to ensure proper use of funds and resources.
• Train or support others on fiscal processes or systems as assigned.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Detail-oriented

Excel

PivotTables

Education

Bachelor's degree in finance/accounting/business

Job description

The impact you will have: As an Accounting Specialist, you play a key role in managing, analyzing, and reconciling financial data that informs district Payroll, budgeting and financial decisions. Your work ensures funds are allocated appropriately, financial reports are accurate, and programs remain compliant with policies and regulations. Through analysis and collaboration, you help leaders make informed educational and financial decisions that directly support district operations and student services.. A more detailed job description can be found at Accounting Specialist.

Who you are: You are an analytical and detail-driven professional with a strong understanding of accounting principles. You have an intermediate level knowledge of excel functions such as pivot tables, VLOOKUP and formulas. You are comfortable working independently, interpreting financial data, and solving complex problems. You exercise sound judgment, manage competing priorities effectively, and communicate clearly with a wide range of stakeholders. You are confident navigating regulations and supporting others in understanding fiscal processes.

As a Accounting Specialist you will be assisting with fiscal operations and be responsible for (but not limited to):

• Maintaining and reconciling general ledger accounts and posting financial transactions.
• Collecting, analyzing, and reconciling fiscal records and reports.
• Completing audits, analyses, schedules, and reports to meet compliance requirements.
• Supporting budget development, forecasting revenues and expenditures.
• Supporting payroll and retirement processes.
• Reviewing and approving expenditures such as invoices, reimbursements, and timesheets.
• Interpreting and applying applicable laws, policies, and regulations.
• Supporting sites and departments to ensure proper use of funds and resources.
• Training or supporting others on fiscal processes or systems as assigned.

What you need for this position:

• 4-year degree in finance, accounting, or business administration or any combination of experience and education equivalent to four or more years
• Resume and cover letter
• Pass San José Unified assessment

Roles Available:

• Fiscal Department
• 1.0 FTE 40hrs./wk
• 12 month
• 8:00am-5:00pm (with 1 hour lunch)

SB 848 Child Safety & Employment Disclosure Requirement

Effective January 1, 2026, in accordance with California Senate Bill 848 (School Employee Misconduct/Child Abuse Prevention Act), applicants for employment with San José Unified are subject to enhanced child safety, training, and employment disclosure requirements.

Under SB 848, schools are required to strengthen background vetting procedures and obtain employment history information related to allegations of egregious misconduct involving students. Former employers may be contacted to release records regarding substantiated findings of misconduct as permitted by law. Failure to provide complete and accurate information regarding prior educational employment or relevant misconduct findings may result in disqualification from the hiring process or withdrawal of an offer of employment.

SB 848 also expands mandated reporter requirements and requires annual child abuse prevention training for employees and certain volunteers by July 1, 2026. All employees must comply with district-adopted child safety policies, including procedures for supervising and protecting students.

San José Unified is committed to maintaining a safe and supportive learning environment for all students and will review all disclosures and employment records in accordance with state law.