Salary: $118,460.16 - $144,318.72 Annually
Location : San Jose
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number:
DEPART: Finance
Opening Date: 07/24/2026
Closing Date: 8/10/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

About the Department
The Finance Department is currently seeking to fill one (1) full-time Senior Accountant vacancy in the Accounting Division. If you are interested in this position, please apply!

The mission of the Finance Department is to manage, protect, and report on City of San José financial resources to enhance the City's financial condition for residents, businesses, and investors.

The Finance Department has five core divisions:

• Accounting
• Administration
• Debt & Treasury Management
• Purchasing & Risk Management
• Revenue Management

The Finance Department works in partnership with the departments of Human Resources, Information Technology, and Public Works as the City's Strategic Support City Service Area to effectively develop, manage, and safeguard City fiscal, physical, technological, and human resources to enable and enhance the delivery of City services and projects. The Finance Department has a $27.6 million operating budget and 126 budgeted full-time equivalent (FTE) positions.

Position Duties
This position performs critical supervisory, operational, compliance, reporting, and system-coordination functions that are essential to maintaining accurate and timely accounts payable processing, financial reporting support, and Citywide compliance requirements. This position also serves as a key liaison between cross-departmental fiscal staff.

The main duties include, but are not limited to the following:

• Lead and oversee the daily operations of the Accounts Payable (AP) section.
• Supervise, train, and provide guidance to Accounts Payable staff.
• Ensure all City payments are processed accurately, timely, and in compliance with City policies, accounting standards, and internal controls.
• Review and approve complex accounts payable transactions and resolve escalated payment issues.
• Manage and oversee month-end close activities related to Accounts Payable to ensure accurate and timely financial reporting.
• Monitor and strengthen internal controls to safeguard City assets and maintain the integrity of financial records.
• Coordinate and respond to Public Records Act requests related to Accounts Payable records.
• Prepare and review Proof of Payment documentation and other financial records.
• Provide support for internal and external audits by preparing documentation, responding to inquiries, and implementing audit recommendations.
• Research, analyze, and resolve complex vendor payment issues, invoice discrepancies, and departmental concerns.
• Collaborate with City departments, vendors, and external stakeholders to improve Accounts Payable processes and ensure efficient service delivery.
• Develop, implement, and maintain Accounts Payable policies, procedures, and best practices to improve operational efficiency and compliance.
• Monitor Accounts Payable performance metrics and identify opportunities for process improvements and automation.
• Ensure compliance with applicable governmental accounting standards, laws, regulations, and City policies.
• Perform financial analysis, prepare reports, and present recommendations to management regarding Accounts Payable operations and process improvements.

Minimum Qualifications
(These qualifications are typically required. An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to satisfactorily perform the duties of the job may be substituted.)
Education

Completion of a Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university in Accounting, Business Administration, or related field, including at least 18 semester units in accounting subjects.
Experience

Four (4) years of experience at the working level of a professional accountant.
Acceptable Substitution

None

Other Qualifications
Competencies:

The ideal candidate will possess the following competencies, as demonstrated in past and current employment history. Desirable competencies for these positions may include:

Job Expertise - Demonstrates knowledge of and experience with applicable professional/technical principles and practices, Citywide and departmental procedures/policies and federal and state rules and regulations related to accounts payable.

Analytical Thinking - Approaches a problem or situation by using a logical, systematic, sequential approach

Communication Skills - Effectively conveys information and expresses thoughts and facts clearly, orally and in writing; demonstrates effective use of listening skills; displays openness to other people's ideas and thoughts.

Fiscal Management - Understands the relationship of the budget and resources to the strategic plan.

Planning - Acts to align own unit's goals with the strategic direction of the organization; Defines tasks and milestones to achieve objectives, while ensuring the optimal use of resources to meet those objectives.

Problem Solving - Approaches a situation or problem by defining the problem or issue; determines the significance of problem; collects information; uses logic and intuition to arrive at decisions or solutions to problems that achieve the desired outcome.

Supervision - Sets effective long and short-term goals based on a good understanding of management practices; establishes realistic priorities within available resources; provides motivational support; empowers others; assigns decision-making and work functions to others in an appropriate manner to maximize organizational and individual effectiveness.

Teamwork & Interpersonal Skills - Develops effective relationships with co-workers and supervisors by helping others accomplish tasks and using collaboration and conflict resolution skills

Social Awareness - Demonstrates the ability to read or sense other people's emotions and how they influence the situation of interest or concern; demonstrates empathy and organizational awareness.

The salary range for a Senior Accountant is $118,460.16 - $144,318.72 Annually. The actual salary shall be determined by the final candidates' qualifications and experience. Employees in the Senior Accountant classification receive an approximate five percent (5%) ongoing non-pensionable compensation pay, which is included in the range above.

Selection Process:

The selection process will consist of an evaluation of the applicant's training and experience based on the application and responses to all the job specific questions. You must answer all the following supplemental questions to be considered, or your application may be deemed incomplete and withheld from further consideration. Only those candidates whose backgrounds best match the position will be invited to proceed in the selection process. Additional phases of the selection process will consist of one or more interviews. For questions, please reach out to Michelle R. Harrison at
Additional Information:

Employment Eligibility: Federal law requires all employees to provide verification of their eligibility to work in this country. Please be informed that the City of San Jose will NOT sponsor, represent or sign any documents related to visa applications/transfers for H1-B or any other type of visa which requires an employer application.

You must answer all job-specific questions to be considered for this vacancy or your application will be deemed incomplete and withheld from further consideration. Applicants are expected to write their own essays/responses.

Please note that applications are currently not accepted through CalOpps or any other third party job board application system.

This recruitment may be used to fill multiple positions in this, or other divisions or departments. If you are interested in employment in this classification, you should apply to ensure you are considered for additional opportunities that may utilize the applicants from this recruitment.

Please allow adequate time to complete the application and submit before the deadline or the system may not save your application. If your online application was successfully submitted, you will receive an automatic confirmation email to the email address you provided. IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE THE CONFIRMATION, please email and we will research the status of your application.

AI and the Hiring Process

We recognize that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming part of daily life and can be a valuable tool for learning, research, and professional growth. We encourage candidates to use AI responsibly as a support in preparing application materials, live assessments, and interviews. However, we value authenticity, accuracy and truthfulness. Application responses and interview answers must reflect your own knowledge, skills, and experiences. While AI can supplement preparation, it cannot replace the originality and judgment we look for in our employees. This ensures fairness, transparency, and equity for all applicants in the hiring process.
The City of San Jose offers a wide range of core health benefits including Medical, Dental, Vision, Employee Assistance Program, Life Insurance, Disability, and Savings Plans. Please visit the City's for detailed information on coverage, cost, and dependent coverage.

For information on the City's Retirement Plan(pension for full-time employees), please visit the Office of Retirement Services You will be able to view information based on different Sworn/Federated job classification.

In additional to the benefits above, there is an to explore further benefits of working for the City of San Jose like paid leave, educational reimbursements, and holiday pay are specific to the job classification and union membership.
01

We recognize that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming part of daily life and can be a valuable tool for learning, research, and professional growth. We encourage candidates to use AI responsibly as a support in preparing application materials, live assessments, and interviews. However, we value authenticity, accuracy and truthfulness. Application responses and interview answers must reflect the candidate's own knowledge, skills, and experiences. While AI can supplement preparation, it cannot replace the originality and judgment we look for in our employees. This ensures fairness, transparency, and equity for all applicants in the hiring process.

• Yes, I acknowledge that I have read and understand the above statement regarding the use of AI in the application and interview process.

02

What is the highest level of education you have completed?

• High School Diploma or the equivalent (GED)
• College (1 to 29 semester units/ 1 to 44 quarter units)
• College (30 to 59 semester units/ 45 to 89 quarter units)
• College (60 to 89 semester units/ 90 to 134 quarter units)
• College (90 to 119 semester units/ 135 to 179 quarter units)
• College (120 or more semester units/ 180 or more quarter units)
• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree
• Doctoral Degree
• Other
• None of the above

03

The minimum qualifications are a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Accounting, Business Administration, or related field. What is the field of study for your bachelor's degree?
04

How many semester units have you completed in accounting coursework?

• Fewer than 18 semester units
• 18 or more semester units

05

Please list each accounting course and the number of semester units earned for each.
06

How many years of experience do you have at the working level of a professional accountant.

• Fewer than 4 years
• 4 years or more

07

Describe your experience with Cayenta Financial Management System (FMS) or other fiscal management system(s). Please specify which systems you have used and provide detailed examples of your level of expertise, including the functions you performed, modules utilized, and how you applied the system in your work.
08

The Accounts Payable team frequently collaborates with other divisions during audits, year-end reporting, or system changes. Can you provide an example of a successful cross-functional project you participated in or led?
09

Please describe your experience processing and issuing Form 1099s and include the volume you have processed.
10

Please describe your experience with California sales and use tax compliance and monitoring, including your specific responsibilities and the types of compliance activities you have performed.
Required Question