Description

Under direction, to perform complex professional level accounting and fiscal work in the administration of the County's financial transactions, programs, and budget, and may provide supervision to technical and support staff.

*   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *  *    IMPORTANT    *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   * 

This is a Promotional Opportunity open only to employees of the County of Santa Clara.

This recruitment is for one (1) full-time (1.0) Accountant III position available with the Department of County Counsel. The eligible list established may be used to fill other vacancies as they occur.
Note: Applicants who meet the employment standards will be invited to take the in-person written examination.

Typical Tasks

• Plans and supervises a major segment of a department or the County's accounting functions;
  
   
  
• Establishes and maintains a system of accounting controls for revenue and expenditure accounts;
  
   
  
• Establishes County-wide and departmental cost allocations;
  
   
  
• Prepares periodic and special financial reports and analyses of operations;
  
   
  
• Coordinates the preparation of a segment of the County's budget; makes necessary computations to ensure that individual budgets are correct;
  
   
  
• Prepares revenue and expenditure forecasts;
  
   
  
• Administers the County's legal responsibility in relation to fiscal matters;
  
   
  
• Reviews and approves documents authorizing financial transactions, assures the availability of funds, and encumbers funds;
  
   
  
• Coordinates or prepares State mandate claims; and various State and Federal grants and revenue sharing reports; maintains accurate records and reports required for this function;
  
   
  
• Advises management as to the financial status of projects and programs;
  
   
  
• Reviews and reconciles computer-generated financial reports and makes required adjustments;
  
   
  
• Develops accounting procedures for departmental functions;
  
   
  
• Coordinates accounting with auditors and vendors;
  
   
  
• Assigns and reviews the work of subordinate personnel;
  
   
  
• May select, train, assign, and evaluate staff, including professional accountants who are responsible for the full range of fiscal duties, and paraprofessional staff;
  
   
  
• Analyzes and evaluates changes in laws, legislation and departmental policies, and recommends an effective course of action;
  
   
  
• Acts as liaison with other County departments and various governmental agencies in matters concerning fiscal operations;
  
   
  
• Prepares or verifies a variety of complex accounting and narrative statements and reports requiring extensive analysis and interpretation of data;
  
   
  
• Advises management on accounting standards and procedures and on a variety of accounting, internal control and budgetary problems;
  
   
  
• Reviews and analyzes accounting records and fiscal activities to ensure accuracy and compliance with accounting/program/legal requirements/internal controls, and identifies issues, trends, and patterns;
  
   
  
• Establishes and maintains general and subsidiary accounts and related ledgers, including revenue and disbursement, and reconciles various accounting reports to the County's general ledger;
  
   
  
• Gathers, compiles, and prepares financial and statistical reports to County, State, and Federal agencies;
  
   
  
• Reviews financial documents such as vouchers, purchase orders, and invoices;
  
   
  
• Makes verbal presentations and conducts training on accounting policies and procedures; explains the implications of complex accounting matters to non-financial managers and decision makers;
  
   
  
• May be assigned as a Disaster Service Worker, as required;
  
   
  
• Performs related work as required.
  
   

Employment Standards

Sufficient education, training and experience to demonstrate the possession and direct application of the following knowledge and abilities.



Training and Experience Note: The knowledge, skills and abilities required to perform this function are acquired through possession of a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance, Auditing, Economics or closely related field; 

And

Three (3) years of professional experience in accounting or auditing work.

 

Possession of a Master's Degree in Accounting, Master's Degree in Business Administration with emphasis in Accounting, or Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license, may substitute for one (1) year of experience.

 

- OR -

 

Possession of sixty (60) semester units or ninety (90) quarter units of college of which twelve (12) semester units or fifteen (15) quarter units must be in accounting and/or auditing;

 

And

 

Five (5) years of experience compiling and maintaining a wide variety of fiscal, accounting, financial or statistical data, at least three (3) years of which should be at a level equivalent to an Accountant II with the County of Santa Clara.





Special Requirements
 

• Possession of a valid California Driver's License prior to appointment and the ability to obtain and maintain a County driver authorization.
  
  
  
   
  
• Some positions may require Live Scan screening as part of the background check process.
  
   

Knowledge of:
 

• Theory, principles and practices of accounting and auditing, along with their application to governmental accounting and budgeting;
  
   
  
• Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and specifically Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) Statements, Interpretations, and Technical Bulletins;
  
   
  
• County financial policies and procedures and applicable departmental policies and procedures;
  
   
  
• Laws and regulations governing the financial operation of the County and the assigned department; 
  
   
  
• Office management practice and procedures, including recordkeeping systems;
  
   
  
• Principles and practices of supervision and training;
  
   
  
• Concepts, systems and terminology of accounting and budget systems;
  
   
  
• Accounting systems, software applications, and spreadsheets.
  
   

 Ability to: 
 

• Effectively communicate verbally and in writing with subordinates, co-workers, management, the public and others contacted in the course of work;
  
   
  
• Identify, analyze and evaluate complex problems and propose solutions;
  
   
  
• Prepare clear and concise reports;
  
   
  
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work;
  
   
  
• Plan and direct the work of others;
  
   
  
• Exercise independent judgment;
  
   
  
• Understand and apply relevant principles, laws, rules, regulations and procedures;
  
   
  
• Audit, analyze and evaluate complex financial and statistical data;
  
   
  
• Prepare, maintain and reconcile a variety of complex accounting and financial records, documents and reports;
  
   
  
• Use various computer applications and software in support of accounting activities.
  
   

Benefits

The County offers comprehensive first-class medical, dental, and vision benefits plans for County employees and their dependents, including plans with no deductibles, no co-pays, no co-insurance, and no prescription drug co-pays. Learn more here.

The County also offers generous paid time off with significant vacation, sick time, and 13 paid County holidays annually! Details are included in the Memorandum of Understanding/Agreement with the bargaining unit applicable to the job classification.

In addition to the amazing perks above, the County also offers the additional benefits below.

Retirement Benefits
The County offers robust retirement plans including a 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan (similar to the private sector’s 401(k) plan) and the CalPERS pension plan. In addition to lifetime retirement income available through the CalPERS pension plan, the 457(b) Deferred Compensation plan provides a great way to save for retirement and supplement the defined benefit pension available to employees. These plans help our employees build a plan for their future and contribute to their family’s long-term financial well-being.

Health Flexible Spending Account
The Health Flexible Spending Account (HFSA) empowers employees to manage healthcare expenses efficiently with tax-free contributions (up to $3,200 for the 2024 calendar year). Secure tax-free solutions for your healthcare expenses and enjoy the flexibility to manage your healthcare finances effectively with the HFSA.

Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP)
The Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP) enables employees to utilize tax-free funds for dependent care services, facilitating a convenient and cost-effective approach for managing your dependent care expenses.  The County also offers the Employee Childcare Assistance Plan, an employer-funded DCAP, for employees with annual income under $120,000.

Life and AD&D
The County offers life and disability benefits including Life Insurance, Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance, Long-Term Disability insurance, California State Disability Insurance, and Integration with Leave. These benefits ensure financial security and income support when you and your family need it most.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
The County prioritizes employee mental health and well-being and offers a top-tier Employee Assistance Program (EAP) through Concern providing confidential counseling sessions covering stress, anxiety, relationships, grief, as well as financial/legal services, personal coaching, child and elder care referrals, and comprehensive crisis support.

Employee Wellness
The Employee Wellness Program offers free wellness programing, fitness classes and resources; including Elevate My Wellness an all-in-one platform designed to elevate your well-being journey.

Education Reimbursement
A generous Learning and Employee Development program is available, including Education Reimbursement for employees seeking additional training and professional development.

NOTE: Benefit and Retirement information may vary from bargaining unit to bargaining unit.  Due to changes in State Law, current pension provisions described in the union contracts are not automatically applied.  Specific pension benefits for new hires who start on or after January 1, 2013 may be different than indicated in the union contracts.

Click here to access all Memoranda of Understanding and most recent Summary of Changes.

Supplemental Questions

01

Please answer the following questions. Completion of the following supplemental questions is REQUIRED and is an integral part of the evaluation process. Initially, it will be used to determine minimum qualifications. For those applicants meeting the employment standards, this information will be critical in the subsequent competitive assessment to identify those candidates to be invited to continue in the examination process. Your responses to the questions may also be reviewed and scored in a Competitive Rating evaluation process based on pre-determined rating criteria. Your answers should be as complete as possible, as no additional information will be accepted from applicants once the Competitive Rating evaluation has begun. A response of "see resume" or "see application" will deem your application incomplete.
Include a detailed description of your work experience in the following format for EACH employer referenced, in each answer:
a) Employer name(s)
b) Job title(s)
c) Start/end dates of employment
d) Total hours worked per week
e) Description of task(s) performed
Do you understand the requirement to provide complete answers in order to determine relevant experience for each area in question?

• Yes
• No

02

Promotional opportunities are limited to current permanent or probationary County employees and current temporary County employees (extra help, provisional, sub-provisional, or unclassified who have a favorable promotional rating form and passed the applicable qualifying exam).

Please indicate if you are a current County employee and your employment status.

• Current Regular County Employee - Permanent Status (1D)
• Current Regular County Employee - Probationary Status (1B)
• Current Extra Help Employee - Extra Help (2C) (attach approved promotional rating form)
• Current Provisional or Sub-Provisional County Employee – Other (1c or 1E) (attach approved promotional rating form)
• Current Unclassified County Employee (2A or 2B) (attach approved promotional rating form)
• Current Regular County Employee who wants to Return to Former Classification
• Left the County within the last 2 years and wants to Reinstate
• Not a Current Eligible County Employee

03

What is your Santa Clara County Employee ID number? If you do not have a Santa Clara County Employee ID number, type "N/A".

04

What is the highest level of education you have completed?

• High School or GED equivalent
• College (1 to 29 semester units / 1 to 44 quarter units)
• College (30 to 59 semester units / 45 to 89 quarter units)
• College (60 to 89 semester units / 90 to 134 quarter units)
• College (90 to 119 semester units / 135 to 179 quarter units)
• College (120 or more semester units / 180 or more quarter units)
• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree
• Doctoral Degree
• None of the above

05

Do you possess a Bachelor's or higher-level degree in any of the following fields?

• Accounting
• Auditing
• Business Administration (with an emphasis in Accounting, Finance, or Economics)
• Economics
• Finance
• Closely Related Field
• None of the above

06

Please indicate the degree you possess for "Closely Related Field". If none, type N/A.

07

Do you have a Master's Degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Accounting?

• Yes
• No

08

Please list all courses completed in accounting and auditing. For each course indicate if semester or quarter units and total units completed. If none, please indicate N/A.

09

Are you a Certified Public Accountant (CPA)? If you answer "Yes", please attach a copy of your CPA license.

• Yes
• No

10

How many years of professional experience in accounting or auditing work do you possess?

• No experience
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five to less than six years
• Six to less than seven years
• Seven to less than eight years
• Eight to less than nine years
• Nine or more years

11

Please describe your experience performing professional accounting and/or auditing work.

Responses must include the following required information:
- Your job title(s)
- Dates of employment
- Hours worked per week
- Detailed description of tasks performed

If none, type "N/A".

12

How many years of work experience do you have compiling and maintaining a wide variety of fiscal, accounting, financial or statistical data?

• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five to less than six years
• Six to less than seven years
• Seven to less than eight years
• Eight or more years
• None

13

Please describe your experience compiling and maintaining a wide variety of fiscal, accounting, financial or statistical data.
Responses must include the following required information:
- Your job title(s)
- Start/end date(s)
- Hours worked per week
- Detailed description of tasks performed.

If none, type "N/A".

Required Question

Agency Information

Employer

County of Santa Clara

Address

70 W. Hedding Street

8th Floor, East Wing






San Jose, California, 95110

Phone

(408) 299-6816

Website

http://www.sccjobs.org/