[READ CAREFULLY - Instructions to Apply further down in the posting]
San Francisco is a vibrant and dynamic city, on the forefront of economic growth & innovation, urban development, arts & entertainment, as well as social issues & change. This rich tapestry of culture and ideas is sustained by our City's commitment to heighten the quality of life for the diverse population of San Franciscans and residents of the greater Bay Area. Our employees play an important role not only in making our City what it is today, but also in shaping the future of San Francisco.
Appointment Type: Permanent Exempt - This position is excluded by the City Charter from the competitive Civil Service examination process and shall serve at the discretion of the Appointing Officer.
Application Opening: January 12, 2026
Application Deadline: February 6, 2026 5:00pm PST
Compensation Range (https://careers.sf.gov/classifications/?classCode=1649) : $88,998 to $93,418 Annually
Recruitment ID: PEX-1649-EXEMPT
Tentative Program Start Date: June 22, 2026
Fostering Future Financial Leaders
As the demand for transparency and accountability in government spending and allocation increases, so does the need for accounting professionals with specialized expertise in governmental financial management. The 1649 Accountant Trainee Program, also known as the 1649 Accountant Intern Program, was established to ensure excellence in the City and County of San Francisco's Accountant Series. This program provides trainees with a strong foundation in governmental accounting policies, procedures, and best practices through a blend of workshop training and hands-on experience.
Trainees receive mentorship from experienced accountants and cover essential topics like Peoplesoft Financials, General Ledger, Budget Process, Purchasing, Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable, Financial Analysis and Reporting, and Vouchers and Expenses. In addition to technical knowledge, the program enhances communication and presentation skills through workshops and professional development opportunities, including sessions with the Treasurer/Tax Collector, Civil Service Commission, and Office of Public Finance.
Participants are paired with seasoned supervisors and mentors for support and coaching throughout their training, with progress evaluated through regular performance reviews. The 18-month program includes two 9-month rotations in different City departments, preparing trainees for professional-level accounting positions. By the end of the program, participants will have expanded their formal education, gained hands-on experience, developed strong analytical and communication skills, and become proficient with technology and financial information systems.
Upon completing the 18-month program, successful trainees are promoted to the Permanent Civil Service 1652 Accountant II classification. Assignment locations may vary for each rotation and for the 1652 Accountant II placements.
Program Advantages:
Earn while you learn as a full-time City employee with comprehensive benefits, including medical, dental, and retirement.
Cohort experience and opportunity to develop a professional network throughout the City.
Practical knowledge and experience in the relationship between governing bodies and strategic partners.
Support and mentorship from accounting professionals and Program alumni.
A comprehensive understanding of governmental financial management and how to support the operational needs of the governmental entity of San Francisco.
A working knowledge of accounting topics and City processes to become fully functional well-rounded accountants with the City upon successful completion of the 1649 Program.
To successfully complete the 18-month training program, 1649 Program participants will present self-chosen topics to the 1649 Steering Committee.
Essential duties include, but are not limited to, the following:
Participate in structured job training experiences.
Attend classroom-style workshops and complete online training programs related to citywide accounting functions during the training program.
Perform a variety of work in the following fields:
Record and process a variety of accounting data into accounting systems;
Analyze transactions to insure proper recordation;
Prepare and maintain expenditures and budgetary control accounts;
Prepare reports on status of such accounts;
Maintain accounting records relative to payroll accounts, processes rate changes and payroll deductions;
Distribute personnel service costs to appropriate accounts;
Assist in the maintenance of accounting systems;
Reconcile internal departmental records with Controller's and other agency reports;
Process and clear encumbrance documents and vendor payment documents, assists in external reporting projects/requirements as assigned.
The incumbent must be able to communicate all phases of the Accounting Cycle to a variety of audiences clearly and effectively, and they will also perform related duties as assigned.
Overtime may be required.
Make formal presentations to City departments and the Steering Committee.
Perform related duties and responsibilities as assigned.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university AND eighteen (18) semester units or twenty-four (24) quarter units of coursework in Accounting.
Only classes that are 3 units or more will be counted towards coursework requirement. One to two-unit accounting electives will NOT be considered qualifying coursework, and neither will adjacent coursework (e.g. finance, economics, math, QuickBooks/Excel courses).
Desirable Qualifications
Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
Proficiency in various computer software programs, including Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Word.
Experience establishing, promoting and maintaining professional, cooperative-working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
Ability to communicate complex financial information to diverse audiences effectively.
INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLY
Complete the 1649 Accountant Trainee Program job application; AND
Please include the following items with your online application:
All University transcripts with University Letterhead (official or unofficial) Applicants who possess a degree that is from a foreign college or university will be required to provide an equivalency certification of the degree. You will be able to upload transcripts to the online application OR email to nancy.giang@sfgov.org and include 1649 2026 in subject line of email.
Updated Resume Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed City and County of San Francisco application.
Cover Letter
You may use the 'upload resume' feature at the top of the application page to pre-fill your application. Please review the content as not all information may transfer properly.
Only individuals who submit a completed job application and attach their college transcripts will be considered.
Notes regarding Verification of Education:
A degree from a U.S. or foreign college or university not currently listed on accreditation websites may require that an evaluation of the degree must be received before placement on the eligible list. The evaluation must state that the degree has equivalency as described in the minimum qualifications. For information on "How to obtain equivalency certification", please visit: NACES | Credentials Evaluations Provided by NACES Members (https://www.naces.org/members)
The selection process consists of the following three (3) components:
Written Examination: Candidates will be tested to determine relative knowledge, skill and ability levels in job-related areas, including but not limited to: Knowledge of accounting principles (including government accounting) and practices; Ability to make accurate mathematical calculations; Ability to analyze data; Reading comprehension and grammar & spelling. Admittance to previous examination administrations is no guarantee of admittance to the current process. Candidates who are invited to in the written exam are not guaranteed advancement to the next phase of selection, as the written exam will be evaluated on a pass/fail basis.
Performance Exercise: Qualified candidates who receive a passing score in the written examination may be invited for Performance Exercise. Candidates will be tested on Ability to use personal computers (including Microsoft Excel and Word); Knowledge of accounting principles (including government accounting) and practices; Ability to analyze data; and Written communication skills. Candidates who are invited to participate in the performance exercise are not guaranteed advancement to the next phase of selection, as the performance exercise will be evaluated on a pass/fail basis.
Oral Interview: After completing and passing the performance exercise, candidates will be interviewed and evaluated by the Steering Committee, who will determine final selection in the Program.
Tentative Remote Testing Schedule:
Written Exam: Saturday, March 14, 2026 (3 hours)
Performance Exercise: Wednesday, March 25, 2026 (2.5 hours)
Oral Interview: March 26-27, 2026
The target Program start date is June 2026
I. Advancement to 1652 Accountant II: After successful completion of 1649 Accountant Trainee (Intern) Program, qualified candidates will apply to participate in the selection process for Class 1652 Accountant
II. Promotion to Class 1652 Accountant II is not automatic and may be affected by the availability of open requisitions or other factors.
Additional Information Regarding Employment with the City and County of San Francisco:
Information About The Hiring Process (https://sfdhr.org/information-about-hiring-process)
Conviction History
Employee Benefits Overview (https://sfdhr.org/benefits-overview)
Equal Employment Opportunity (https://sfdhr.org/equal-employment-opportunity)
Disaster Service Worker (https://sfdhr.org/disaster-service-workers)
ADA Accommodation
Right to Work (https://sfdhr.org/information-about-hiring-process#identification)
Copies of Application Documents
Diversity Statement (https://sfdhr.org/information-about-hiring-process#diversitystatement)
Exam Analyst Information: If you have any questions regarding this recruitment or application process, please contact the exam analyst at nancy.giang@sfgov.org.
The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.
The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.
The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.
