Accountant II - Human Services Agency (Limited Term)

County of San Mateo•San Mateo, CA

About The Position

The Human Services Agency of the County of San Mateo is hiring an Accountant II for a limited-term, at-will assignment. The role provides accounting and financial support for special projects and grants, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and compliance with grant requirements and applicable accounting standards. The successful candidate will be self-motivated, experienced, detail-oriented, organized, and able to communicate effectively while handling multiple tasks in a fast-paced, high-volume environment. The position performs grant accounting and financial activities, including expenditure tracking and verification, financial data compilation, grant reporting and close-out, revenue and expenditure reconciliations, and trust fund analysis. It reviews invoices, contracts, and agreements; prepares encumbrance and reimbursement requests; maintains financial records and documentation; and coordinates with analysts, internal stakeholders, and external partners. The Accountant II also supports budgeting and monitoring, month-end general ledger close, audits, and governmental program audits, and helps maintain or improve accounting systems and procedures, including automation. This is a limited-term recruitment. Assignments may not exceed three years. Limited-term employees receive medical and dental benefits similar to regular employees and a defined contribution retirement plan. The recruitment may also be used to fill future limited-term positions. Applicants must submit a supplemental application in addition to the regular employment application. Examinations are conducted in person at applicants’ own expense.

Requirements

Two or more years of accounting, finance, or related experience; the typical qualifying path is two years of accounting experience.
Knowledge of principles, practices, and terminology of general, fund, and governmental accounting.
Knowledge of business data processing as it relates to accounting information.
Knowledge of laws regulating public fiscal operations and of budgeting principles and terminology.
Knowledge of basic auditing and financial reconciliation principles and methods.
Ability to review, analyze, interpret, and reconcile financial reports and transactions and verify financial data.
Ability to prepare clear, concise, and complete financial reports and statements.
Ability to ensure proper authorization and documentation for disbursements and other transactions.
Ability to exercise sound independent judgment within established procedural guidelines.
Ability to make accurate mathematical and statistical calculations.
Ability to maintain accurate records and files and establish effective working relationships.
Strong Excel skills, attention to detail, numerical aptitude, analytical skills, and understanding of accounting principles and financial processes.
Ability to manage multiple priorities accurately in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment, communicate financial information clearly, and demonstrate adaptability, ownership, accountability, and a team-oriented approach.
Any combination of education and experience likely to provide the required knowledge and skills is qualifying.
Ability to balance detailed work with an understanding of the broader picture.

Nice To Haves

Experience with grant accounting and reporting.
Experience preparing account reconciliations and analysis.
Experience reviewing or working with contracts and billing documentation.
Experience in a public-sector or government environment; governmental or public-agency accounting experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide accounting and financial support for special projects, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and compliance with grant requirements and applicable accounting standards.
Track and verify grant expenditures; compile financial data; prepare grant reports; perform grant close-out activities, revenue and expenditure reconciliations, and trust fund analysis.
Ensure required financial documents are complete and properly retained.
Review invoices, contracts, and agreements for accuracy and compliance; prepare encumbrance and reimbursement requests.
Coordinate with analysts and internal stakeholders and participate in meetings related to grant administration and special projects.
Communicate clearly and professionally with internal teams and external partners.
Track and meet deadlines for grant reporting, budget development and monitoring, and month-end general ledger close.
Prepare and maintain control and subsidiary accounting records for a variety of transactions and accounts.
Prepare journal entries and reconcile general ledger accounts, journals, subsidiary accounts, and trust accounts.
Review and recommend changes to existing accounting systems and procedures or the creation of new ones; assist with or coordinate automation of accounting processes.
Provide technical support for internal and external audits and governmental program audits.
Perform related duties as assigned.
Review, analyze, interpret, and reconcile financial reports and transactions; verify the accuracy of financial information.
Prepare clear, concise, complete financial reports and statements, and ensure proper authorization and documentation for disbursements and other transactions.
Maintain accurate records and files and establish effective working relationships.
Direct the work of others on a project or day-to-day basis.