Accountant I/II (20547433)

Job Description:

Accountant I/II (20547433)

Description

Do you have a passion for helping others? Do you want to make a meaningful impact in a charming and diverse community? Turn your passion into a career in public service with the City of Menlo Park!

The City of Menlo Park is excited to invite applications for the position of Accountant I/II. Finance is seeking a passionate, detail-oriented individual who wants to provide exceptional customer service to their fellow employees, as we all work together to serve our community.

Here in Menlo Park, we believe that people are our most important asset. As a service organization, we seek to recruit team-oriented individuals who are dedicated to public service. Under direct or general supervision, the Accountant I/II performs a variety of professional accounting duties, including auditing, analyzing, and verifying fiscal records and reports; preparing financial and statistical reports; providing information to City staff regarding accounting practices and procedures; reconciling general ledger accounts; assisting in preparing the City’s annual budgets; preparing year-end audit reports and schedules; performing related work as required.

Accountant I

This is the entry-level classification in the Accountant Series. Initially under close supervision, incumbents perform a variety of professional accounting duties while learning City policies and procedures. As experience is gained, assignments become more varied, complex, and difficult and close supervision and frequent review of work lessen as an incumbent demonstrates skill to perform the work independently. Positions at this level usually perform most of the duties required of the positions at the II level, but are not expected to function at the same skill level and usually exercise less independent discretion and judgment in matters related to work procedures and methods. Work is usually supervised while in progress and fits an established structure or pattern. Exceptions or changes in procedures are explained in detail as they arise.

Accountant II

This is the full journey-level classification in the series. Positions at this level are distinguished from the I-level by the performance of the full range of duties as assigned, working independently, and exercising judgment and initiative. Positions at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the work unit. Successful performance of the work requires thorough knowledge of governmental accounting practices and procedures, fund accounting, and fiscal management.

The positions in the Accountant class series are flexibly staffed. Accountant I positions have the opportunity to advance to the Accountant II level, subject to management approval and the employee’s ability to (i) perform the full range of duties assigned to the Accountant II level, and (ii) acquire the knowledge, skills, and experience necessary to meet the minimum qualifications for the Accountant II level of the series.

A job description, including examples of typical job functions and qualifying knowledge, skills, and abilities, is available by clicking on the Job Description link.

Job Description URL:

https://menlopark.gov/files/sharedassets/public/v/1/administrative-services/documents/human-resources/job-classifications/seiu/accountant-i-ii.pdf

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate will have an interest in and aptitude for dealing with numbers and finances; a strong attention to detail; a passion for providing excellent customer service; and a desire to serve the community and ensure that public funds are properly utilized. The ideal candidate is familiar with all Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, governmental accounting, general ledger maintenance, and comfortable and proficient with financial software. In addition, the ideal candidate will be able to seamlessly move between competing priorities, adapt to rapidly changing conditions, and learn quickly from coworkers as well as independent research. Finally, the ideal candidate will constantly seek to improve the productivity of the entire finance and City team, strive to keep a positive attitude, and will take pride in work done well.

Minimum Qualifications

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Accountant I

• Equivalent to graduation from a four-year college or university with major coursework in accounting or a closely related field
• One (1) year of experience in governmental accounting is highly desirable
• Previous experience with processing payroll, particularly in a unionized environment, is a plus.

Accountant II

• Equivalent to graduation from a four-year college or university with major coursework in accounting or a closely related field
• Three (3) years of experience in governmental accounting or two (2) years of experience at a level equivalent to the classification of Accountant I with City of Menlo Park.

Benefits

Salary:

Accountant I: $92,352 to $112,255 Annually
Accountant II: $99,840 to $121,357 Annually

The City offers an excellent benefit package consisting of:

• Health Insurance: City contribution up to $2,655 per month towards a Cafeteria Plan which can be used to purchase medical insurance and participate in a flexible spending account for health care and/or child care reimbursement
• Dental: City-paid coverage for employee and dependents
• Vision: City-paid coverage for employee and dependents
• Vacation: 88 - 176 hours of vacation leave accrual each year, depending on length of service
• Sick Leave: 96 hours of sick leave accrued each year
• Holidays: 11 official holidays; 34 hours of floating holiday time per year; 8 “Day of Reflection” hours per year in recognition of holidays of individual and community importance
• Retirement: CalPERS: For classic members 2.0% @ 60 formula. For all others, 2.0% @ 62 formula
• Deferred Compensation: Voluntary participation in City Plans.
• Life Insurance: City-paid policy equal to 1.5 times regular annual wage
• Long Term Disability: City-paid coverage
• Educational leave and tuition reimbursement
• A City-paid Caltrain GoPass. The Menlo Park campus is centrally located within walking distance from Caltrain and downtown Menlo Park.
• A City-paid BayPass. This pilot program offers employees unlimited travel in 2024 for both work and personal trips on 25 Bay Area transit agencies that use the Clipper card.
• A transportation allowance program provides employees with $1.50 per day when they walk, bicycle or carpool to work at least once per week.
• Employees are provided with access to an on-site gym at no cost

For additional benefit information, visit
www.menlopark.gov
and review the City of Menlo Park and SEIU Memorandum of Understanding.

Special Instructions

IMPORTANT: Please be sure to fill out the required City application completely, including all relevant work experience. Applications with “See Resume” as a substitution for the work experience description and/or unclear past employment information will not be considered.

Applications will be screened according to the qualifications outlined in this announcement. If 25 or fewer qualified applications are received, the eligibility list will be established based on application review. If 26 or more qualified applications are received, candidates will be invited to participate in a Oral Board Panel Examination tentatively scheduled for the week of October 14, 2024. All applicants will be notified by email as to whether or not they are invited to participate further in the selection process.

An Eligible List will be established as a result of this examination process and will be valid for a period of six (6) months. The list may be extended up to a maximum of two (2) years. The hiring department will review the Eligible List to determine which candidates will be invited to the department selection process.

The City of Menlo Park is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of the City of Menlo Park not to discriminate against all qualified applicants or employees. We will make reasonable efforts in the selection process to accommodate persons with disabilities. Please contact Human Resources at (650) 330-6670 or
jobs@menlopark.gov
prior to the closing date for accommodation requests.

Before receiving an offer of employment, the candidate will be required to successfully complete a criminal conviction history questionnaire, DOJ fingerprinting, and an Occuscreen background check.

Applicants must be successful in all phases of the selection process to be considered for this position.

In accordance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act, all potential employees are required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship or authorization to work in the United States.

Closing Date/Time: 10/11/2024 at 5pm

Salary:

$92,352.00-$121,357.00 Annually