Accountant I - Technology Services Department (Open and Promotional)
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Accountant I - Technology Services Department (Open and Promotional)
Salary
$6,581.47 - $8,229.87 Monthly
Location
County of San Mateo, CA
Job Type
Regular
Job Number
NEW 20260302
Department
Technology Services
Opening Date
03/03/2026
Closing Date
3/16/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Bargaining Unit
35
Description
Benefits
Questions
Description
The Technology Services Department (TSD) of the County of San Mateo is seeking well-qualified and highly motivated candidates with high standards of accuracy and exceptional detail-oriented and organizational skills for the position of Accountant I. Successful candidates will be self-motivated, experienced, and effective communicators - candidates with the ability to work effectively in a high-volume and fast-paced environment and the ability to multi-task.
Primary responsibilities will include:
Review and process vendor invoices, including processing invoices in COUPA for payment, and communicate with vendors regarding invoices, payments, and any issues that may arise
Manage external agency accounts receivable by ensuring timely and accurate invoicing, tracking outstanding balances, following up on overdue payments, and processing and depositing checks received from external agencies
Prepare routine, monthly, month-end, and year-end close journal entries using the ITFM tool
Maintain capital assets and tech replacement fund schedules and co-ordinate with other divisions for decommissioning of fixed assets
Ensure department-wide monthly service charge allocations and revenue collections and project cost reimbursements are processed timely and accurately
Maintain division-specific expenditure and budgetary control accounts
Assist management in reviewing general ledger and cost accounting data to ensure the accuracy of information and calculations, and make any necessary correcting entries
Respond to service requests and assigned tasks in a timely, professional, and efficient manner
Actively participate in regular team meetings and maintain clear, timely communication with team members and leadership
Perform other related duties as assigned by management in support of department operations and goals
The ideal candidate for this position will possess:
Previous work experience in a large, complex office, preferably in the public sector and within an accounting function
Ability to work effectively in a high-volume and fast-paced environment and ability to multi-task
Self-starter mentality with ability to excel in a professional environment with limited supervision
Ability to work well both independently and in a team environment to complete projects, contributing ideas and collaborating to problem solve and find solutions to issues that arise
Ability to manage a large and varied workload with changing and conflicting deadlines
High standards of accuracy of financial data and information, excellent detail-oriented and organization skills
Competency to review, analyze, post, balance, interpret and reconcile complex financial data and accounts
Knowledge of principles, practices, and terminology of general and cost accounting
Strong interpersonal skills, through experience in participating on or working with cross-departmental teams, with proven ability to develop and maintain effective business partner relations at all levels of the organization
Intermediate to advanced Excel and PowerPoint skills
Proficient Office 365 and Microsoft suite of services skills
Excellent verbal and professional writing and communication skills
Excellent customer service skills
Be able to interpret, apply, explain, and ensure compliance with policies.
Qualifications
Knowledge of:
Principles, practices and terminology of general, fund and governmental accounting.
Principles and practices of business data processing, particularly as related to the processing of accounting information.
Applicable laws regulating public fiscal operations.
Budgeting principles and terminology.
Basic auditing and financial reconciliation principles and methods
Skill/Ability to:
Review, analyze, interpret and reconcile financial reports and transactions.
Verify the accuracy of financial data and information.
Prepare clear, concise and complete financial reports and statements.
Ensure proper authorization and documentation for disbursements and other transactions.
Direct the work of others on a project or day to day basis.
Exercise sound independent judgment within established procedural guidelines.
Make accurate mathematical and statistical calculations.
Maintain accurate records and files.
Establish and maintain effective working relations.
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 the education on a year for year basis to a maximum of two years. This classification requires the successful completion of a minimum of twelve semester units of college level accounting coursework.
Application/Examination
Open & Promotional. Anyone may apply. Current County of San Mateo and County of San Mateo Superior Court of California employees 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 will receive five points added to their final passing score on this examination. Responses to the supplemental questions must be submitted in addition to our regular employment application form..
Depending on the number of applicants, a screening committee may select those candidates whose education and/or experience appear to best meet the needs of the position based solely on the information provided in the application documents. Because of this screening process, not all applicants who meet the minimum qualifications are guaranteed advancement to the next phase of the examination process. All examinations will be given in San Mateo County, California, and all applicants must participate at their own expense.
A resume will not be accepted as a substitute for the required application materials.
Applications for this position will only be accepted online. If you are currently on the County's website, you may click the "Apply Online" button. If you are not on the County's website, please go to https://jobs.smcgov.org to apply.
Tentative Recruitment Schedule
Application Deadline: Monday, March 16, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. PST
Application Screening: Tuesday, March 17, 2026
Panel Interview Dates: Wednesday, April 8, 2026 and Thursday, April 9, 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.
The County of San Mateo is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion at all levels.
Analyst: Arlene Cahill (Accountant I - E030)
We invite you to explore our Benefits-at-a-Glance (https://www.smcgov.org/sites/default/files/2025-05/Benefits%20at%20a%20Glance%204.29.25.pdf) page for a snapshot of the comprehensive and competitive benefits available to eligible employees of the County of San Mateo. From health and wellness to financial security, our benefits are designed to support you at every stage of your career. (Please note that benefits are subject to change.)
In addition to core benefits, the County is proud to offer a variety of wellness and professional development programs to help you grow both personally and professionally. Most of these enriching opportunities are available during work hours and come at no cost to you.
As a County employee, you'll also be covered by the federal Social Security system, earning valuable retirement benefits based on your salary and years of service.
01
IMPORTANT: Applicants for this position are required to submit responses to the supplemental questions below. Your responses will provide detailed information about your background and experience related to this position. This information will weigh heavily in the application screening by the subject matter experts and will also be used in the selection process. Answer the questions completely, paying attention to the multi-parts of the questions. While being thorough and detailed, also be concise. Your strategic use of language as well as neatness, clarity of expression, attention to detail, proper use of grammar and the ability to follow instructions will be considered in the evaluation process. A resume will not be accepted as a substitute for your responses. I have read and understand this information.
Yes
No
02
IMPORTANT: This classification requires the successful completion of at least twelve (12) semester units of college-level accounting coursework. Do you have 12 college level units of accounting coursework? (A "No" answer will disqualify you from this recruitment.) Yes
Yes
No
03
This classification requires the successful completion of at least twelve (12) semester units of college-level units of accounting coursework. Please provide the following information regarding your course work: Course Title, Units received, Institution, Completion date. (Failure to list information regarding your coursework may disqualify you from this recruitment.)
04
Describe your background and experience in accounting and other fiscal work, particularly in performing accounting close processes (month, quarter, and year-end). Explain where this experience was gained, the level of your experience, the systems you have used, and your responsibilities. Be clear, specific, and complete in your response.
05
Describe your approach to managing the end-to-end process of vendor invoice handling - from receipt to resolution? Describe a situation where you identified and resolved a payment issue, and how you ensured the problem did not recur.
06
Describe your experience with preparing routine, monthly, and year-end close journal entries? Provide an example of how you ensure accuracy during the month-end and year-end close processes.
07
Describe your approach to managing the end-to-end accounts receivable process from issuing invoices to receiving and reconciling payments. Describe a situation where you identified and resolved a receivable or collection issue. How did you ensure the issue did not recur?
08
Describe your experience with capital asset management. How do you ensure schedules are up to date, and how have you handled the disposal or decommissioning of assets?
Required Question
Employer
County of San Mateo
Address
County of San Mateo Human Resources Department 500 County Center, 4th Floor Redwood City, California, 94063-1663
Phone
(650) 363-4343
Website
https://jobs.smcgov.org
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