Accountant II - Controller's Office (Departmental Promotional Only)

Salary : $8,042.67 - $10,053.33 Monthly
Location : County of San Mateo, CA
Job Type: Regular
Job Number: E030AK
Department: Controller's Office
Opening Date: 10/27/2026
Closing Date: 11/10/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Bargaining Unit: 35

Description
The Controller's Office is currently seeking well-qualified candidates for the position of Accountant II.

Under general supervision, performs professional accounting work relating to both centralized and departmental County accounting procedures and records.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
Accountant II is the journey-level class in this series, competent to independently perform the full range of accounting duties. Successful performance requires a thorough knowledge of governmental accounting procedures, the ability to exercise sound independent judgment within established guidelines, and may involve skill in directing the work of support staff. The use of computer technology and/or automated input and output documents varies with the department to which assigned. This class is distinguished from Senior Accountant, which is either the supervisory and/or advanced specialist level in the professional accountant series. The classes are distinguished from the fiscal office support classes in that the work requires not only process knowledge, but also analytical and systems development skills in addition to strong accounting theoretical knowledge. They are further distinguished from the Internal Auditor series in that the latter classes perform internal and external audits in addition to performing accounting duties.

NOTE: This position is based entirely on-site and does not include remote work options.
Examples Of Duties

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Review accounting documents to ensure accuracy of information and calculations, and make correcting entries.
• Examine supporting documentation to establish proper authorization and conformance with agreements, contracts, and state and federal regulations.
• Prepare and maintain control and subsidiary accounting records involving a variety of transactions and accounts.
• Prepare trial balances; coordinate and calculate periodic closings.
• Prepare journal entries and reconciliation of general ledger, journals, subsidiary accounts, and bank statements.
• Compile and prepare general and subsidiary ledgers and supporting schedules.
• Assist in and/or coordinate the preparation and analysis of budgets for departmental and County funds.
• Maintain expenditure and budgetary control accounts; prepare and coordinate budget appropriation transfers.
• Confer with departmental representatives and provide information regarding budgeting and accounting processes.
• Analyze and prepare varied financial statements and reports.
• Apportion monies, including secured, unsecured, impounded, redeemed, and other taxes.
• Review and approve claims for referral of tax, grant, or other monies and prepare claims for reimbursement from various state or funding agencies and/or programs.
• Maintain varied departmental cost accounting records, disbursing funds to various accounts and/or billing for reimbursements as required.
• Analyze programs and legislation to determine fiscal and budgetary impact; prepare budgetary appropriation transfers and supplemental budgets.
• Review and recommend modifications to existing or creation of accounting systems and procedures; may assist with or coordinate the automation of manual accounting systems.
• Provide technical support to internal and outside auditors and governmental program auditors.
• May plan, direct, review, and evaluate the work of fiscal office support staff on a project or day-to-day basis; may train staff in work procedures.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

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 II: Two years of accounting experience, preferably in a governmental or public agency. This classification requires the successful completion of a minimum of twelve semester units of college-level accounting coursework.

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.

Application/Examination
Departmental Promotional Only. Only current County of San Mateo employees in the Controller's Office with at least six months (1040 hours) of continuous service in classified regular, probationary, or extra-help/limited term positions prior to the final filing date may apply.

The examination process will consist of an application screening (weight: pass/fail) based on the candidates' application and responses to the supplemental questions. Candidates who pass the application screening will 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. All applicants who meet the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement through any subsequent phase of the examination. All examinations will be given in the County of San Mateo, 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, please 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: Tuesday, November 10, 2026, by 11:59 PM PST
Application Screening: November 12 - 13, 2026Panel Interviews: November 17 and/or 18, 2026

We invite you to explore our 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

NOTE: Applicants for this position are required to submit a cover letter, resume, and responses to the supplemental questions below. Your responses will give us additional and important information about your background and experience related to this position and will weigh heavily in the Application Screening. This information will also be used in the selection process. Your responses should be well-crafted using proper English grammar, punctuation, and spelling. Be thorough, complete, and specific, yet concise. Neatness, clarity of expression, 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 these instructions.

02

This is a Departmental Promotional Only recruitment. Only current County of San Mateo employees in the Controller's Office with at least six months (1040 hours) of continuous service in classified regular, probationary, or extra-help/limited term positions prior to the final filing date may apply. Do you meet this requirement? (A "No" answer will disqualify you from this recruitment.)

• Yes
• No

03

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
• No

04

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 coursework: a) Course Titlesb) Units received c) Institution d) Completion date(Failure to list information regarding your coursework may disqualify you from this recruitment.)
05

Describe your experience working with computers to prepare spreadsheets and budgetary reports. Indicate the types of accounting software programs you have used. Be clear, specific, and complete in your response.
06

Describe your experience in completing a reconciliation. Indicate what you reconciled, the challenges you encountered, and the outcome.
07

Describe your knowledge and experience in the area of accrual accounting. Discuss the duties and responsibilities you performed that are related to accrual accounting, and explain where this experience was gained.
08

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
• Civic Match
• 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)

09

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