FINANCIAL ACCOUNTANT I

California State Controller's Office; Sacramento (CA); Hybrid; USD 84,000 - 104,000; Full time

Job summary

The California State Controller's Office in Sacramento is seeking a Financial Accountant I to support the State's FI$Cal financial reporting initiatives within the State Accounting and Reporting Division.

Under general supervision, the incumbent will perform technical and professional accounting activities, including reconciliations, reporting, and collaboration with multiple agencies to ensure accurate statewide financial statements.

Qualifications

• A resume is required.
• A copy of your degree, transcripts, or degree evaluation is required.
• A Statement of Qualifications is required.

Responsibilities

• 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$Cal system and the impact to departmental financial reporting deliverables to SCO.
• Understand and validate system fail-safes to ensure the required information can be obtained for financial reporting purposes and attend and contribute at FI$Cal group meetings.

Job description

Work Location: Sacramento County

Position Details

Job Code #: JC-533162

Position #(s): 051-420-4191-032

Working Title: Financial Accountant I

Classification: 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

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 its employees.

Job Description And Duties

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:

• 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.

Special Requirements

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.

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.