Travel Accountant

State of California; California; Hybrid; USD 44,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation is seeking an Accountant I (Specialist) to audit, analyze, and approve travel expense claims. The role supports planning and directing the statewide travel program and ensures compliance with state policies and MOUs.

The position is hybrid with in-person and telework options, offering a monthly salary between $3,934 and $4,923. Final filing date is 10/23/2026.

Qualifications

• Auditing and approving travel expense claims.
• Understanding of California travel policies and SAM guidance.
• Experience with accounting principles and state procedures.
• Proficiency in Excel for data analysis and reporting.
• Ability to work in a team and independently.

Responsibilities

• Audit, analyze and approve travel expense claims.
• Assist in planning and directing the statewide travel program.
• Ensure compliance with CalHR guidance, MOUs, and SAM requirements.
• Collaborate with the Supervisor I and other staff to improve processes.

Skills

Auditing travel expenses

Travel policy compliance

Analytical thinking

Team collaboration

Independent work

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting or related field

Tools

Fi$Cal

Microsoft Excel (Pivot, VLOOKUP)

Job description

Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation

JC-535058 -

JC-535058 - Travel Accountant
ACCOUNTANT I (SPECIALIST)

$3,934.00 - $4,923.00 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: 10/23/2026

Under the direct supervision of the Supervisor I, the Accountant I serves as the Travel Accountant, responsible for auditing, analyzing and approving travel expense claims. The incumbent assists the Supervisor I with planning, organizing and directing the department’s statewide travel program. This position ensures compliance with statewide travel policies, the State Administrative Manual (SAM), CalHR guidance, MOUs, Statewide Travel Program requirements, and departmental procedures.

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

Working Conditions

Persons appointed to this position must be reasonably expected to lift, carry, pull, or otherwise move objects up to 10 lbs. of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects with or without a reasonable accommodation. Involves sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time. Occasional/overnight travel up to 15% may be required.

Telework

This position is eligible for hybrid work in accordance with the Governor’s Executive Order N-22-25 and at the sole discretion of LCI/GO-Serve under California Government Code Section 14200. The incumbent is required to report in-person and site-based a minimum of four days per week. All telework schedules are subject to change and may be re‑evaluated at any time. The incumbent will be expected to report for in office work and attend work related in‑person events as deemed operationally necessary. Telework does not change the terms and conditions of employment, the essential functions of job duties, or required compliance with LCI/GO-Serve policies.

CA residency

Candidates who reside outside of the State of California may be admitted to the job interview. However, upon job offer, candidates must provide proof of residence in California prior to their appointment becoming effective, or the offer may be rescinded.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• ACCOUNTANT I (SPECIALIST)

# of Positions:

1

Work Location:

Telework:

Hybrid

Job Type:

Permanent, Full Time

Work Shift:

8:00 am to 5:00 pm

Work Week:

Monday to Friday

Department Information

The Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation (LCI) serves the Governor and his Cabinet as staff for long-range planning and research and constitutes the comprehensive state planning agency. LCI assists the Governor and the Administration in planning, research, policy development, and legislative analysis. LCI formulates long-range state goals and policies to address land use, climate change, population growth and distribution, urban expansion, infrastructure development, groundwater sustainability and drought response, and resource protection. LCI’s programs include State Planning and Policy Development, Strategic Growth Council, and Racial Equity Commission. LCI is a fast-paced, creative work environment that requires staff to have strong collaboration skills, an ability to quickly respond to changing policy needs, and a positive attitude and sense of humor. This position is in the Policy Unit of LCI, which includes the CEQA Policy, Policy Innovation, and Planning Teams. Proven commitment to creating a work environment that celebrates diverse backgrounds, cultures, and personal experiences.

Person Leave Program Reduction

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. For more details, please click her e to visit the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) website.

• This position requires the Accountant I to maintain consistent and regular attendance, communicate effectively (orally and in writing) in dealing with the public and/or other employees.
• Develop and maintain knowledge and skills related to specific tasks, methodologies, tools, and equipment.
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment.
• Ability to demonstrate punctuality, initiative, and dependability.

Who May Apply

Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply.

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:

• Financial: Experience in accounting/financial record keeping, and knowledge of accounting principles and procedures associated with California accounting structure.
• Accounting Systems: Experience with Fi$Cal.
• Microsoft: Experience with Microsoft Outlook, Excel, Word, and Adobe Acrobat. Must have intermediate MS Excel skills with experience using pivot table and common functions, such as vlookup, if, sumif.
• Power Query: Ability to use Power Query for data extraction and transformation.
• Problem solving: Critical thinking to solve complex data-related challenges.
• Communication: Effective Communication skills to understand business requirements and present findings.
• Continuous learning: Stay up-to-update with Power Bis evolving features and best practices.
• Time Management: Excellent time management, with the ability to meet deadlines and be flexible with changing priorities.

There are many benefits to joining our team! We offer competitive pay, advancement opportunities, upward mobility, work-life-balance, and for many positions, flexible hours and remote work options. The State of California offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits package, subject to eligibility, such as:

The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.

Department Website: https://lci.ca.gov/

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.

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.

Statement of Qualifications

STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS
ACCOUNTANT I

A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required and must be submitted with your application. The SOQ is a narrative discussion of how the candidate’s education, training, experience, and skills meet the desirable qualifications and demonstrate the candidate’s ability to perform the job duties listed in this bulletin. The SOQ serves as a documentation of each candidate’s ability to present information clearly and concisely in writing.

When completing the SOQ, you must title the page "Statement of Qualifications" and include your name and the Job Control number on the first page. You must list and provide your answer below each question. When completing the SOQ please include all relevant experience, education, and training for each question and explain your answers thoroughly. Responses should be no longer than two pages in total length, single-spaced, and 12-point Arial font. Your SOQ must address the following:

• Describe your experience updating and maintaining CalATERs Tables. What steps did you take to update and validate data? What resources did you use?

Describe in detail how you identified a break in Travel Policy, the steps you took to analyze and research the issues, how you resolved them and lessons learned.

Describe