Accountant II - Human Services Agency (Departmental Promotional Only)
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Accountant II - Human Services Agency (Departmental Promotional Only)
Salary
$92,352.00 - $115,440.00 Annually
Location
County of San Mateo, CA
Job Type
Full-Time
Job Number
E011AG
Department
Human Services Agency
Opening Date
05/07/2026
Closing Date
5/20/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Bargaining Unit
35
Description
Benefits
Questions
Description
The Human Services Agency of the County of San Mateo is seeking well-qualified and highly motivated candidates with high standards of accuracy and exceptional attention to detail and organizational skills for the position of Accountant II. Successful candidates will be self-motivated, experienced, and effective communicators; with the ability to work effectively in a high-volume and fast-paced environment while managing multiple tasks simultaneously.
Primary responsibilities will include:
Process and review accounting transactions, including invoice verification, payment processing, deposit review, payroll processing, charge account maintenance, and following procedures on cash & cash equivalent assets
Analyze and interpret contract language to ensure accurate billing and compliance
Review invoices, exhibits, and supporting documentation for completeness, accuracy, and alignment with all policies and procedures
Coordinate with vendors and internal stakeholders to resolve discrepancies
Perform detailed checks to identify and correct errors prior to payment in financial systems (e.g., OFAS, Coupa, or similar review processes)
Maintain accurate financial records and documentation in accordance with public sector standards
Support all general accounting functions, and perform advanced reconciliations, maintain accurate tracking excels, and provide high level reporting as needed
Communicate clearly and professionally with internal teams and external partners
Actively track and meet deadlines such as invoice net terms and invoice generation dates, including identifying and retrieving missing invoices
Work closely with Fiscal Office Specialists to review their submitted work, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and alignment with current policies/procedures, and provide training and guidance as needed
The ideal candidate for this position will possess:
Two (2) or more years of experience in accounting, finance, or a related field
Experience with accounts payable, invoicing, and vendor coordination
Strong attention to detail with the ability to identify discrepancies and errors
Solid understanding of accounting principles and financial processes
Experience reviewing or working with contracts and billing documentation
Strong numerical aptitude and analytical skills
Experience working in a public sector or government environment
Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, deadline-driven setting
Strong communication skills with the ability to articulate financial information clearly
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining accuracy
A proactive, team-oriented mindset with a strong sense of adaptability, ownership, and accountability
Ability to balance detailed work with an understanding of the big picture
Qualifications
Department Status: Applicant must be a current Human Services Agency employee with at least six months (1040 hours) of continuous service in a classified regular, probationary, or extra-help/limited term position prior to the recruitment closing date.
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 relationships.
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:
Two (2) years of accounting experience, preferably in a governmental or public agency.
Application/Examination
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.
The examination process will consist of an application screening based on the candidates' application and responses to the supplemental questions (weight: pass/fail). Candidates who pass the application screening may be invited to a panel interview (weight: 100%). Depending on the number of applicants, an application appraisal of education and experience may be used in place of other examinations or further evaluation of work experience may be conducted to group applicants by level of qualification . Applicants meeting 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.
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 . Responses to the supplemental questions must be submitted in addition to our regular employment application form. A resume will not be accepted as a substitute for the required employment application and supplemental questionnaire.
TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT SCHEDULE
Final Filing Date: Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. PST
Application Screening: Thursday, May 21, 2026
Civil Service Panel/Departmental Interview: Week of May 25, 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 II - E011)
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 following supplemental questions. Your responses will give us additional information about your background and experience related to this position and will be used in the selection process. Be concise and specific. Neatness, clarity of expression, grammar, spelling and ability to follow instructions will be considered in the evaluation process. A resume will not be accepted as a substitute for your responses to these questions.
I have read and understand these instructions.
02
This recruitment is Departmental Promotional Only. Only current County of San Mateo employees in the Human Services Agency with at least six months (1040 hours) of continuous service in a classified regular, probationary, Confidential and Management extra-help/limited term, and SEIU or AFSCME represented extra help/limited term positions prior to the final filing date may apply. Are you currently a Human Services Agency employee in a classified regular, probationary, Confidential and Management extra-help/limited term, and SEIU or AFSCME represented extra help/limited term positions prior to the final filing date with at least 1040 hours of continuous service? (A "No" answer will disqualify you from this recruitment.)
Yes
No
03
IMPORTANT: This classification requires the completion of at least 2 years of accounting experience. Do you have at lease 2 years of accounting experience? (A "No" answer will disqualify you from this recruitment.) If yes, please ensure that you have listed your minimum of 2 years of accounting experience in your employment history.
Yes
No
04
Describe your experience processing accounts payable and invoices. What steps do you take to ensure accuracy and identify errors before payments are issued?
05
Provide an example of a time you reviewed contract language or supporting documentation (e.g., exhibits, scopes of work) to verify billing. How did you ensure the invoice aligned with the terms of the contract?
06
This role requires managing multiple priorities while working with vendors and internal stakeholders. Describe how you stay organized, communicate effectively, and maintain ownership of your work in a fast-paced environment.
07
How did you learn about this position?
County of San Mateo Website
County of San Mateo Job Interest Card Notification
County Hosted Virtual Event
County Hosted Job Fair
CalOpps.org
College/University Career Center
Community-based Organization Posting
Facebook/Instagram
Friend or Relative
GovernmentJobs.com
Indeed
Job Fair
LinkedIn
Professional Publication/Website (Please specify in next question)
X (formerly called Twitter)
Zip Recruiter
Other (Please specify in next question)
08
If you answered, "Professional Publication/Website" or "Other" to the above question, please indicate below how you learned about this position. Your response to this question will help us in better marketing County jobs. Type NA if not applicable.
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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