FINANCIAL ACCOUNTANT I

State of California; California (MO); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 112,000; Full time

Job summary

State Controller’s Office, Sacramento, seeks a Financial Accountant I to support FI$Cal implementation and statewide financial reporting. The role involves reconciling data between legacy systems and FI$Cal, developing training materials, and ensuring GAAP-compliant reporting across departments.

The incumbent will collaborate with the FI$Cal team, SCO divisions, and partner agencies to deliver accurate financial statements and respond to technical inquiries. Hybrid work and state benefits apply.

Qualifications

• FI$Cal/PeopleSoft experience in a governmental environment.
• Solid knowledge of governmental accounting principles and financial statement preparation.
• Ability to train staff on accounting matters.
• Excellent communication skills and initiative.
• Degree in Accountancy or Business Administration; CPA preferred.

Responsibilities

• Perform reconciliations of financial information between SCO legacy system and FI$Cal for financial reporting.
• Assist with development of training materials on statewide accounting policies.
• Lead and assist staff in preparation of statewide financial reports per GAAP.
• Provide guidance on year-end financial accounting and reporting requirements.
• Act as liaison to FI$Cal, Department of Finance, and SCO divisions in accounting and reporting.

Skills

FI$Cal knowledge

PeopleSoft

Governmental accounting

Training staff

Communication skills

MS Word

MS Excel

PowerPoint

Education

Degree in Accountancy or Business Administration

Certified Public Accountant

Tools

MS Word

MS Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Financial Accountant I
FINANCIAL ACCOUNTANT I

$7,529.00 - $9,352.00 per Month
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

Final Filing Date: 10/7/2026

Under general direction of a Financial Accountant II or Financial Accountant III, the incumbent will act as a staff specialist performing technical and professional financial accounting activities for the purpose of implementing SGR’s statutory control agency functions and financial reporting functions within the Financial Information System for California (FI$Cal). The incumbent will actively participate in numerous Project activities with the State Controller’s Office, FI$Cal Functional Service Office team members, Project staff, Partner Agencies, and state departments.

This position resides within the Bureau of State Government Reporting, and will perform duties associated with the implementation of the statewide FI$Cal initiative which is replacing the State’s current financial accounting and reporting systems.

Duties Performed

(Candidates must perform the following functions with or without reasonable accommodations.)

• Perform reconciliations of financial information between the SCO’s legacy system and FI$Cal for financial reporting usage.
• Attend FI$Cal system trainings and meetings to understand the FI$Cal system and facilitate development of the system for the bureau’s reporting use.
• Assist with the transition of current State Government Reporting policies and desk procedures to the FI$Cal equivalent.
• Work with departments to understand how they are reporting in the FI$Cal system and the impact to departmental financial reporting deliverables to SCO.
• Understand and validate system fail-safes to ensure the required information can be obtained for financial reporting purposes and attend and contribute at Fl$Cal group meetings.
• Assist with the development of training materials and instructions for staff on statewide accounting policies and procedures, and assist with peer reviews of staff work.
• Consult with management, other organizations, or third parties as necessary to ensure the accuracy and timeliness of developing and implementing financial accounting and reporting requirements.
• Evaluate current procedures and policies for business improvement opportunities and coordinate with other SCO divisions to effect changes to business processes.
• Assist in the development of financial-related training curriculum on financial accounting and reporting for SGR and state agencies.
• Monitor the flow of financial reporting deliverables from state FI$Cal agencies to support SGR’s financial reporting publications.
• Research issues, perform analyses, and write issue papers and reports.
• Provide state financial accounting and fiscal policies expertise to staff in the design, development, and workflow processes necessary to prepare statewide financial statements and reports out of FI$Cal.
• Brief division and executive management on various projects and make presentations to external groups when needed.
• Draft responses to correspondence and legal opinion requests, including responses to highly technical and sensitive correspondence. Provide division and executive management with information for decision support.
• Operate as a liaison to the Department of FI$Cal, Department of Finance, and other SCO divisions involved in statewide accounting and reporting.
• Lead and assist financial accounting staff involved in preparation of the BLBAR and, to a limited degree, the ACFR and other financial reports prepared in accordance with Governmental Accounting Standards and GAAP.
• Lead and assist staff involved in preparation of other statewide financial reports that include the compilation of annual financial reports received from state commissions, boards, universities, agencies and departments.
• Review, analyze, prepare, and record complex statewide calculations, transactions, reconciliations, and schedules for financial reporting purposes.
• Act as a lead in assessing, recording, and analyzing complex financial reporting tasks.
• Provide training and guidance to state accounting personnel on year-end financial accounting and reporting requirements.
• Notify state agencies about various problems with their reports and provide direction in correcting them.
• Participate in or serve as a lead for special projects or ad hoc reports as required by management.

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement .

Working Conditions

This position is located at The Park, a quaint and historical campus environment two blocks from McKinley Park, in the heart of residential East Sacramento. Easily accessible from US 50 and I-80, The Park offers free parking, quick walks to local restaurant favorites, and countless lunchtime strolling opportunities through the quiet East Sacramento neighborhood.

This position is eligible for hybrid telework under California Government Code Section 14200 for eligible applicants residing in California. All telework schedules are subject to change and may be reevaluated at any time. Specific telework arrangements may be discussed in more detail with the respective hiring manager. Telework does not change the terms and conditions of employment, the essential functions of job duties, or required compliance with the State Controller's Office policies. Applicants must reside within California at the time of appointment.

In July 2025, the State of California implemented the Personal Leave Program (PLP) 2025. This program temporarily reduces employees’ monthly base pay in exchange for paid leave credits. This position is subject to PLP 2025 and will have a monthly base pay reduction of 3% in exchange for 5 hours of leave credits through June 2027. The salary ranges shown on this job posting do not reflect the salary reduction.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• FINANCIAL ACCOUNTANT I

FINANCIAL ACCOUNTANT I $7,529.00 - $9,352.00 New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

# of Positions:

1

Work Location:

Telework:

Hybrid

Job Type:

Permanent, Full Time

Facility:

State Accounting and Reporting Division

Department Information

The Office of the State Controller (SCO) is the destination employer within the State of California. As California’s chief fiscal officer, the Controller’s Office ensures accountability and transparency of California’s financial practices while promoting fairness and opportunity for all. Here, you’ll work in a collaborative and supportive environment with diverse opportunities for professional growth and development. A career with the SCO offers meaningful work that directly impacts the state’s future.

The State Accounting and Reporting Division (SARD) of the California State Controller’s Office plays a crucial role in ensuring the transparency, accuracy, and efficiency of the state’s financial operations. As the backbone of California’s financial reporting, SARD is responsible for preparing and publishing essential financial statements, overseeing the state’s budgetary control, and providing vital fiscal information to policy decision-makers and the public. Working in this division means contributing to the financial stability and integrity of the fifth-largest economy in the world with opportunities to engage in meaningful work, learn from seasoned experts, and grow your career in public finance.

Take the next step in your career with an organization that values innovation, integrity, and the well-being of the employee. Build a California where everyone thrives!

Visit our website to learn more about the State Controller’s Office.

A resume is required.

A copy of your degree, transcripts, or degree evaluation is required.

A Statement of Qualifications is required; please see ‘Required Application Package Documents’ for instructions.

Desirable Qualifications

In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:

• Experience in implementing or operating in FI$Cal, PeopleSoft, or similar large governmental ERP system.
• Solid knowledge of governmental accounting principles and financial statement preparation.
• Ability to train staff on accounting matters.
• Excellent communication skills, initiative, dependability, and ability to communicate diplomatically and effectively.
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Expertise in MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to work in a team environment.
• Ability to multi-task and lead others effectively.
• Degree in Accountancy or Business Administration.
• Certified Public Accountant.

Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.

Contact Information

The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.

Hiring Unit Contact:
Lucy Xiong
[phone]
[e-mail]

Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.

EEO Contact:
SCO EEO Officer
[phone]

California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.