Department Fiscal Officer

County of San Benito, CA

$94K — $126K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 3+ years of progressively responsible accounting experience in government finance, ideally focusing on social services or public health.
  • 1+ year in a supervisory role, overseeing accounting staff.
  • Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field preferred.
  • Advanced accounting coursework completion is a plus.
  • Knowledge of federal, state, and county financial regulations essential.

Responsibilities

  • Plan and coordinate accounting and budgetary activities for the department.
  • Provide expert consultation on complex technical accounting issues.
  • Prepare and oversee departmental budgets with program divisions.
  • Conduct analytical reviews of costs and fiscal data; prepare detailed financial reports.
  • Monitor compliance of departmental fiscal activities with relevant regulations.
  • Develop and implement new accounting systems to improve efficiency.
  • Facilitate communication with County, State, and Federal officials regarding fiscal matters.

Benefits

  • Bi-weekly pay schedule.
  • Potential for higher vacation accrual based on prior public sector experience.
  • 80 hours of administrative leave per year, with extra hours payable as cash-out.
  • Comprehensive CalPERS medical plan options for full-time employees.
  • Up to 15 days of sick leave per year, with maximum accruals.
Full Job Description
Salary : $94,536.00 - $126,713.60 Annually
Location : 481 Fourth Street - Hollister, CA. 95023, CA
Job Type: Regular, F-T
Job Number: 02222
Department: Public Works
Division: Engineering
Opening Date: 09/10/2026
Closing Date: 10/10/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

Description

Definition
Under general direction, the Department Fiscal Officer is responsible for technical accounting functions related to the establishment and maintenance of accounting and fiscal records; budgetary and statistical evaluations and analyses; direction of staff engaged in accounting, budgetary statistical work; and performs related work as required/assigned.

Distinguishing Characteristics
This is a single position class where the volume and complexity of the accounting, budgetary, and statistical work make it advisable to utilize a trained accountant in developing systems and fiscal controls in accordance with accepted professional accounting techniques. Incumbents in this class are fiscal experts who analyze and interpret fiscal rules and regulations and who install, modify, or reconcile accounting systems. The Department Fiscal Officer is distinguished from the Accountant and other analyst classifications by its primary responsibility for overseeing fiscal operations, whereas the latter classes typically support specific fiscal functions under the direction of a higher-level Department Fiscal Officer. This position may oversee professional and technical accounting/fiscal staff. Incumbents report to the Department Head or designee

Example of Duties

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES:
Duties include but are not limited to those described below. Reasonable accommodation will be made when requested and determined by the County to be appropriate under applicable law.
• Plans, organizes, directs, and coordinates a staff engaged in accounting, budgetary and statistical work;
• Provides consultation advice and guidance on more difficult technical accounting issues;
• Prepares and monitors departmental budget; coordinates budget planning and collaboration with departmental program divisions; supports departmental program divisions on grant development and monitoring.
• Performs analytical review of costs and fiscal data; prepares complex and difficult financial statements or reports;
• Analyzes periodic complex reports and/or fiscal problems involving accounting related to department programs, monitors fiscal activity department-wide to ensure compliance with program regulations;
• Reviews and presents to management monthly financial and statistical analyses on status of funds showing expenditures, balances, and relationship to allotments;
• Studies and evaluates accounting procedures of the department and develops and installs new and improved systems in accordance with modern accounting principles and practices;
• Evaluates adequacy of fiscal controls in accurately reflecting actual fiscal condition of operations;
• Provides leadership in modifying controls to meet record keeping needs;
• Reviews laws, legislation, and policies for guidance in performing accounting and fiscal operations especially those related to social services, public health, and other departmental functions;
• Coordinates the methods, procedures, and work of the accounting section;
• Coordinates accounting practices and tasks with the County Auditor-Controller;
• Confers with County, State, and Federal officials related to interpretation of laws, rules, and regulations concerning the Department's programs related to fiscal, budget, and accounting functions;
• Participates in management staff meetings to interpret laws, rules, and regulations concerning the Department's programs related to fiscal, budget, and accounting functions;
• Performs other related duties as required/assigned.
Minimum Qualifications

Education/Experience:
Three years of full time increasingly responsible accounting experience performing functions relating to the accounting of local, State, and Federal requirements related to social services and public health or community programs; one year of the required experience must be in a supervisory capacity; preferably in a California county; and equivalent to graduation from college with specialization in accounting, business administration, or a closely related field;

OR

Four years of full time increasingly responsible accounting experience performing functions relating to the accounting of local, State, and Federal requirements related to social services and public health or community programs; one year of the required experience must be in a supervisory capacity; preferably in a California county; and completion of a prescribed curriculum in advanced accounting at an accredited college or school of accountancy including courses in elementary and advanced accounting, cost accounting, and business law

Knowledge Of/Ability To

Knowledge of:
Generally accepted accounting principles, practices, theories, procedures, laws, rules, and regulations including internal controls systems and automated accounting systems; governmental accounting and budgeting principles and practices; Federal, State, and County laws pertaining to accountability of department funds; principles of business management, office methods, and procedures; personnel management and supervision.

Ability to:
Plan, organize, direct, and coordinate work of an accounting section with the Health and Human Services Agency; interpret and apply legal and procedural requirements; interpret and apply professional accounting principles and standards; analyze complex fiscal data and operating procedures of and make projections and recommendations; explain Department, County, State, and Federal processes and systems to others; prepare clear and concise fiscal statements and reports; train others in accepted general governmental accounting principles, procedures, rules, and regulations; establish and maintain working relationships with vendors, County staff, State employees, and general public; maintain impartiality and objectivity; communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; compose correspondence and reports independently.
Physical Requirements/Work Environment:
Sit for extended periods; frequently stand and walk; normal manual dexterity and eye-hand coordination; lift and move objects weighing up to 25 Ibs.; corrected hearing and vision to normal range; verbal communication; use of office equipment, including computer, telephone, calculator, copiers, and FAX. Work is performed in an office environment; continuous contact with other staff.
Disaster Service Workers:
All San Benito County employees are designated "Disaster Service Workers" through state and local laws (CA Government Code Sec. 3100-3109 and Emergency Services Chapter 6 via adoption of local Ordinance No. 361 1, 2-25-75). As Disaster Service Workers, all County employees are expected to remain at work, or to report for work as soon as practicable, following significant emergency or disaster
SAN BENITO COUNTY BENEFITS FOR MANAGEMENT EMPLOYEES
(This is meant to be an overview of benefits only. For full benefit terms and conditions, please see MOU)

Employees in regular, full-time positions will be eligible to participate in the following employee benefits:

Pay Day: Employees are paid bi-weekly.

Insurance Deductions: The insurance and benefits deductions will take place bi-monthly, normally the first two pay periods of the month. Bank/Credit union and 457 Retirement Deferrals deductions will take place bi-weekly.

Vacation: Based on continued years of service. Newly hired MEG employees may be eligible for higher vacation accrual rate for previous public sector experience (verification required). Maximum accruals may apply depending on the bargaining unit.
  • < 4 years of service = 10 days per year
  • 5 to 9 years of service = 15 days per year
  • 10 to 14 years of service = 18 days per year
  • 15 + years of service = 20 days per year
Administrative Leave: Management employees receive 80 hours of administrative leave per calendar year. Forty (40) unused hours can be paid out at the end of the calendar year. Administrative leave is pro-rated.

Holidays: 13.5 holidays (including 3 floating) for most employees. Safety officers and dispatchers receive approximately 5% holiday pay in addition to their base pay in lieu of paid holidays off.

Sick Leave: 15 days per year. Maximum accruals apply.

Medical Plan: Comprehensive CalPERS medical plans available for full-time employees. Employees appointed to a regular position at a time base of 50% or higher are eligible to participate.

Increase County contributions to medical effective January 2024.

a. Employee Only: $750.00, which would include the PEMHCA Minimum
b. Employee Plus One: $1,250.00, which would include the PEMHCA Minimum
c. Family: $1,515.00, which would include the PEMHCA Minimum

The County's contribution above shall be prorated for positions that are less than .90 FTE rounding to the nearest one-quarter time.

HRA: Employee Only Medical Plan: $1,500 maximum
Employee Plus One Medical Plan: $3,000 maximum.
Employee Plus Family Medical Plan: $4,000 maximum.

Employees who are eligible to receive a "cash in lieu of" enrollment in the County's medical plan shall receive a taxable payment of $150 monthly (pro-rated into biweekly installments of $69.23).

Dental Plan: County contributes $30 to Delta Dental plan for full-time employees and their families.

Vision Plan: The County pays for employee coverage and the employee can pay for dependent coverage. This benefit is available to full-time employees only.

Employee Assistance Program: The County provides confidential short-term counseling services to employees and dependents.

Life Insurance/AD&D: County pays for a $20,000 BASIC life insurance policy for each employee. Voluntary life insurance plans available.

Disability Insurance: Confidential and Management groups participate in the State Disability Insurance.

Credit Union: Membership to the Santa Clara Federal Credit Union is available to San Benito County employees.

Deferred Compensation: Employees may participate in tax-deferred retirement savings. Three 457 plans are available. Employees may rollover funds from prior 401k or 457 accounts. IRS limits apply.

Retirement: Regular employees will be enrolled into the CalPERS retirement system in accordance with the Public Employees' Retirement Law. Employee contributions vary according to bargaining unit.

All New Miscellaneous (non-Safety) employees enrolled into the CalPERS retirement system participate in the full formula of 2% at 62. Miscellaneous employees participate in Social Security in addition to CalPERS.

Supplemental Insurance: Employees may participate in various AFLAC plans such as accident, disability, and cancer insurances.

Flexible Spending Accounts: Health and Dependent Care available, pre-tax deductions.
01

I understand all County employees will be required to take an Oath of Office and will be called upon to act as Disaster Service Workers, when needed.
  • Yes

02

Please be sure to answer the supplemental questions thoroughly and accurately. Applicants are responsible for clearly, completely, and accurately identifying their qualifications. Your responses to the questions must be supported by both the work experience listed on your application as well as your resume. The rating of the supplemental questions may determine your application status and/or rank on the eligible list. Answers such as "see resume" or "see above" will remove you from consideration. I have read and understand the statement above concerning submission of supplemental questionnaire responses.
  • Yes
  • No

03

Which best describes your highest level of education?
  • Bachelor's degree or higher with a major/specialization in Accounting, Business Administration, Finance, or a closely related field
  • Associate degree or completion of college-level accounting coursework
  • Completed advanced accounting curriculum at an accredited college or school of accountancy, including elementary and advanced accounting, cost accounting, and business law
  • Some college coursework, but none of the above
  • High school diploma/GED only

04

How many years of full-time, increasingly responsible accounting experience do you possess?
  • Less than 3 years
  • 3-4 years
  • 4-5 years
  • 5-7 years
  • More than 7 years

05

How many years of your qualifying accounting experience have included responsibility for supervising, directing, or overseeing accounting/fiscal staff?
  • None
  • Less than 1 year
  • 1-2 years
  • 2-4 years
  • More than 4 years

06

Have you performed accounting or fiscal functions related to social services, public health, behavioral health, human services, or other community programs?
  • Yes- extensive experience
  • Yes- some experience
  • Limited exposure
  • No

07

Which types of funding or fiscal requirements have you directly worked with? Select all that apply.
  • Local/county government funds
  • State-funded programs
  • Federal grants or federally funded programs
  • State or federal contracts
  • Grant accounting and reporting
  • Program-specific fiscal requirements
  • None of the above

08

Please describe your experience with claims reimbursement and/or financial reporting to a State or Federal Agency.
09

Please provide any other relevant information that would demonstrate your qualifications for this position.
Required Question

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