Accountant III

County of Monterey•Salinas, CA

About The Position

The Accountant III for the Monterey County Water Resources Agency performs complex accounting, budgeting, and financial reporting functions. The role ensures the accuracy and integrity of financial records; prepares and monitors budgets; performs advanced reconciliations; and manages grant and contract billing activities. It analyzes financial data, prepares comprehensive reports, and ensures compliance with GAAP, governmental accounting standards, and County policies. The position also provides technical guidance to departments, resolves accounting issues, and supports process improvements to improve financial accuracy and operational efficiency. The Accountant III may lead and review accounting staff work and collaborates with Agency staff, external agencies, auditors, and grantor partners. The Agency is an independent, special-purpose public agency focused on water resources management in Monterey County. Its services include flood and stormwater control, flood warning and monitoring, water conservation, water-quality protection, water reclamation, and water exchange. Its facilities and programs include reservoirs and dams, a hydroelectric facility, diversion and reclamation projects, drainage facilities, wells, and long-term groundwater and surface-water monitoring. The successful candidate will have strong analytical abilities and a thorough understanding of governmental accounting principles, with the ability to manage complex financial operations while maintaining accuracy, compliance, and efficiency. The position requires a bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or a related field, along with qualifying professional accounting experience. Employment requires successful completion of a background check, including fingerprinting, and a valid California Class C driver's license or suitable transportation approved by the appointing authority. The employee must be available for a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and disaster or emergency periods.

Requirements

Completion of a bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or a related field from an accredited college or university.
One qualifying experience pathway: three years of full working-level accounting duties with a CPA firm; four years of full working-level accounting duties in the public or private sector; or two years at a level equivalent to Accountant II for the County of Monterey.
Thorough knowledge of professional accounting methods, procedures, and terminology; GAAP; governmental accounting; financial statement analysis; financial and statistical recordkeeping; financial statement and comprehensive report preparation; budget preparation, monitoring, and control; applicable laws and policies; and financial analysis and forecasting.
Working knowledge of related computer hardware and applicable software.
Ability to perform complex accounting and budgetary work; prepare, analyze, and monitor funds, budgets, and accounts; reconcile internal reports; interpret and explain financial rules and procedures; maintain accounting systems; analyze data and prepare reports, forecasts, and recommendations; identify internal-control weaknesses and recommend corrective action; perform complex calculations; meet schedules; operate standard office equipment and software; communicate effectively; provide courteous customer service; and maintain effective working relationships.
Successfully complete a background check, including fingerprinting.
Possess and maintain a valid California Class C driver's license or provide suitable transportation approved by the appointing authority.
Be available to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and during disasters or emergencies.

Responsibilities

Perform professional accounting and budgetary work, including establishing, analyzing, reviewing, reconciling, monitoring, and maintaining financial records and reports.
Prepare, analyze, evaluate, and monitor program, division, department, and other designated budgets; develop income and expenditure projections, analyze program and project costs, and make recommendations.
Prepare or verify accounting, statistical, and narrative statements and reports that require analysis and interpretation of data.
Monitor cash flow for enterprise, internal service, special revenue, and special district funds, and prepare cash-flow analyses and funding requirements.
Calculate, post, and adjust journal entries; update accounts; audit for errors; coordinate and reconcile financial systems and statements; and initiate transfers and other transactions.
Prepare, review, and monitor grants, contracts, claims, and other financial agreements and proposals; prepare financial statements, balance sheets, income and expense reports, and cash-flow analyses.
Review and document accounts and transactions; reconcile general ledger, cash, and other accounting records; identify errors, verify balances, adjust accounts, and make corrections.
Maintain compliance with applicable laws, codes, regulations, policies, procedures, and generally accepted accounting principles, and ensure the accuracy of input and output data.
Provide accounting and budgetary consultation, respond to inquiries, resolve issues and conflicts, explain applicable standards and requirements, and participate in meetings, committees, and professional groups.
Identify and recommend procedures and techniques to improve fiscal accuracy, operational efficiency, financial effectiveness, and compliance.
Assign, direct, and review professional and para-professional staff; interview and select employees; provide training; evaluate performance; and recommend transfers, reassignment, or discipline.
Communicate with County staff and governmental agencies to exchange information, coordinate activities, and resolve issues; prepare and submit required reports on time.
Perform other related duties as required.