Accountant - Promotional

City of Hercules•Hercules, CA

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The City of Hercules is seeking to fill a Full-Time Accountant position. This is an internal promotional recruitment, open only to current City of Hercules employees. The application window closes at 11:59 p.m. on Friday, September 4, 2026. The City of Hercules is a vibrant community located between San Francisco and Napa, offering safe neighborhoods, scenic trails, and a multicultural waterfront. With a population of over 26,000, the city focuses on smart growth while preserving its charm. The Finance Department is responsible for fiscal oversight, budgeting, accounting, revenue collection, and asset protection, ensuring sound financial management through prudent resource management and annual external audits. The department also provides internal support and reporting services to enhance accountability and aid strategic decision-making, committed to timely financial information and positive customer service.

Requirements

Principles and practices of general, fund, and governmental accounting including financial statement preparation and methods of financial control and reporting.
Principles and practices of cost accounting.
Internal control and audit principles and practices.
Laws and regulations relating to the financial administration of public agencies.
City functions, including assessment and maintenance districts, grant-supported programs and capital improvement projects, and associated financial management and reporting issues.
Principles and practices of information technology related to the processing of accounting and financial information.
The operations, requirements and codes of the City’s general ledger system.
City personnel rules, policies and labor contract provisions.
Principles and practices of the CalPERS reporting system.
Principles and practices of effective supervision.
Office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.
Act as lead to direct and coordinate the work of lower level staff.
Analyze and make sound recommendations on complex financial data and operations.
Understand, interpret, explain and apply City, State, and Federal laws regulating City financial accounting, reporting and recordkeeping.
Understand and accurately use the City’s Chart of Accounts system of accounting for special districts and funds and oversee the maintenance and reconciliation of all general ledger accounts.
Develop and implement financial procedures and controls.
Perform complicated mathematical calculations and analyses.
Prepare clear, concise and comprehensive financial statements, reports and written materials.
Exercise sound independent judgment within general policy guidelines.
Function appropriately during stressful situations.
Complete assignments in an accurate and timely manner.
Plan and evaluate financial procedures and systems and make sound recommendations for improvement.
Understand and interpret MOUs and personnel and CalPERS rules.
Operate office equipment including computers and supporting word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications.
Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
Four years of professional accounting experience including two years of administrative and lead responsibility.
A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in accounting, finance, business administration or a related field.

Nice To Haves

Some experience in a public agency or governmental entity is desirable.

Responsibilities

Participates in performing professional accounting duties in the analysis, preparation, and maintenance of financial records and reports.
Performs payroll functions and reporting.
Provides lead support for accounts payable, business licenses, cash deposits, revenue accounting, and receivables.
Participates in accounting for special funds.
Maintains fixed asset records.
Performs difficult and detailed accounting analyses.
Contributes to the development of and monitors performance against the annual citywide budget.
Participates in developing, implementing and evaluating plans, work processes, systems and procedures to achieve annual goals, objectives and work standards.
Maintains the City's general ledger and special funds, including setting up accounts and preparing and processing standard monthly and special journal entries.
Reviews entries for accuracy of account numbers and answers staff and department questions about appropriate accounts for charges of expenses.
Analyzes, verifies and reconciles accounts and records and processes adjusting entries.
Performs the reconciliation of City bank accounts and the resolution of discrepancies.
Provides backup for accounts payable, business licenses, cash deposits, revenue accounting and receivables.
Reviews and approves all source documents to ensure accuracy of account numbers, authorizations, and adequate account balances.
Participates in the resolution of any accounting and operational problems, as necessary.
May provide backup for payroll processing functions and reporting.
Participates in the annual close of the City’s financial records.
Reviews and analyzes relevant spreadsheets and the accuracy and appropriateness of adjusting and closing entries.
Assists during the annual audit by the City’s outside auditors.
Assists in the preparation of all City required financial reports.
Prepares statements and schedules.
Participates in preparation of the State Controller’s Reports.
Assists in the development and preparation of all Citywide budgets, providing information, projecting budget expenditures, and performing financial analyses.
Publishes the approved budget and distributes to City Council, City Manager, Departments, and the general public.
Participates in accounting for the City’s special assessment bonds, including the preparation of all appropriate tax roll billings, monitoring of receipts and delinquencies, calculation of amortization, accruals for payment of principal, interest and supporting fees and the reconciliation of accounts.
Provides support in maintaining and ensuring Citywide adherence to internal control procedures and accounting standards.
Processes and maintains Citywide Developer deposits on a regular and timely basis.
Identifies and reports any negative balance conditions to the appropriate department for resolution.
Follows up and reports on status of resolution efforts.
Performs and maintains the accounting and financial reporting for the Citywide lighting and landscape, and all special districts.
Performs and maintains inventory on all City fixed assets and the systems and reports connected with fixed assets.
Provides information and assistance to departments on accounting and financial reporting issues.
Assists in the resolution of computer and systems related problems.
Prepares a variety of special financial reports as needed and performs research studies, account analysis and special projects as assigned by management.
Provides training to lower level staff.
Maintains citywide purchasing cards and fleet fuel cards.
Performs related duties as required.