Job Description

Posting number: E011AJ

Department: Human Services Agency

Job classification: Accountant II

Posting type: Promotional

Categories: Accounting and Finance

The County of San Mateo is conducting a recruitment for Accountants I/II

Human Services Agency, Financial Services Branch, and Claiming section are seeking qualified candidates for the Accountant I/II position. In general, accountants perform complex professional accounting work relative to departmental procedures and records and exercise independent judgment on financial transactions and processes. Under the direction of the Senior Accountant, the Accountant I/II will independently perform the full range of Accountant I/II’s duties, including:

• Perform complex professional accounting work relative to either centralized and/or departmental County accounting procedures and records.
• Review claiming and accounting documents to ensure accuracy, examine supporting documentation to establish proper authorization, review invoices, reconcile information from various sources, review and reconcile accounting reports.
• Prepare and maintain control and subsidiary accounting records involving a variety of transactions and accounts, as well as provide assistance to senior fiscal staff.
• Review accounting documents for conformance with local, state and federal regulations.
• Preparing journal entries and reconciliation.
• Planning, directing, reviewing and evaluating the work of fiscal office support staff.
• Create & maintain complex automated financial worksheets.
• Acting as liaison with other County fiscal divisions.

The ideal candidate will have the skill/ability to:

• Review, analyze, post, balance, interpret and reconcile complex financial data and accounts.
• Verify the accuracy of financial data and information.
• Prepare and direct the preparation of clear, concise and complete financial reports and statements, audit reports, and audit work papers.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel is a must. Develop reports using spreadsheet applications (i.e., Excel) is highly desirable.
• Train others in work procedures.
• Develop and implement accounting systems and procedures.
• Ensure proper authorization and documentation for disbursements.
• Interpret and apply complex financial procedures and legal documents.
• Exercise sound independent judgment within established policy guidelines.
• Make accurate mathematical and statistical calculations.
• Establish and maintain effective working relations.
• Prioritize assignments and meet time-sensitive deadlines and submission.
• Demonstrate attention to detail.
• Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Develop and maintain professional working relationships (i.e., with community providers and state staff).
• Principles, practices, and terminology of general and cost accounting.
• Business data processing, mainly as related to the processing of accounting information.
• General and subsidiary ledger maintenance.

Qualifications

This is a Departmental Promotional Only recruitment: Only current County of San Mateo employees in the Human Services Agency with at least 6 months (1040 hours) of continuous service in classified regular, probationary, or extra-help/limited-term positions prior to the final filing date may apply.

Requirements: This classification requires the successful completion of a minimum of twelve (12) "semester" units of college-level accounting coursework. NOTE: To convert quarter units, divide by 1.5; eighteen (18) quarter units are equivalent to twelve (12) semester units.

Experience and Education: Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and skills is qualifying. A typical way to qualify is:

• Accountant I Equivalent to graduation from a four-year college or university in accounting, finance, business administration, economics, or a closely related field. Sub-professional accounting support work may be substituted for education on a year-for-year basis to a maximum of two years.
• Accountant II Two years of accounting experience, preferably in a governmental or public agency.

Supplemental information

Departmental Promotional Only. Only current employees of the Human Services Agency with at least six months (1040 hours) of continuous service in a classified regular, probationary, or extra-help/limited term position prior to the final filing date may apply.A resume will not be accepted as a substitute for the required employment application and supplemental questionnaire.

Important information about the Examination

The examination process will consist of an application screening (pass/fail) based on the candidate's application and responses to the supplemental questions. Candidates who pass the application screening will be invited to take a standard, multiple-choice Civil Service Computer-Based Written Examination (weight:100%). Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement through any subsequent phase of the examination. All examinations will be given in San Mateo County, California, and applicants must participate at their own expense.

Qualified applicants will be notified via email, which will include the link to take the Computer-based Written Exam. Please make sure to read your notices carefully.Applicant requests for alternate test dates will not be granted. Accommodations for special medical conditions will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

IMPORTANT: Applications for this position will only be accepted online. If you are currently on the County's website, you may click the "Apply" button. If you are not on the County's website, please go to https://jobs.smcgov.org to apply.

RECRUITMENT SCHEDULE:
Final Filing Date: Monday, August 31, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. PST
Application Screening: Monday, September 1, 2026
Combined Panel Interviews: Tuesday, September 8, 2026

About the County
San Mateo County is centrally located between San Francisco, San Jose, and the East Bay. With over 750,000 residents, San Mateo is one of the largest and most diverse counties in California and serves a multitude of culturally, ethnically, and linguistically diverse communities.

The County of San Mateo, as an employer, is committed to advancing equity to ensure that all employees are welcomed in a safe and inclusive environment. The County seeks to hire, support, and retain employees who reflect our diverse community. We encourage applicants with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to apply. Eighty percent of employees surveyed stated that they would recommend the County as a great place to work.