Accountant I/II (20784545)

Description

ACCOUNTANT I/II

Level I: $7,268 - $8,835 monthly (DOE/DOQ)

Level II: $7,632 - $9,277 monthly (DOE/DOQ)

Plus excellent benefits

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Apply by Wednesday, November 11, 2026 @ 5:00 PM

THE CITY is focused on enhancing our community members' quality of life through well-designed services and a positive workplace culture. San Rafael is the economic and cultural heart of Marin County, and its high quality of life is centered on its commercial districts, engaged neighborhoods, active lifestyle, and natural environment. San Rafael, with a population of approximately 60,000, is a full-service city with a City Council/City Manager form of government with 12 departments, more than 400 employees, and a fiscal year 2026-2027 annual budget of approximately $208 million. The City's vision is to be a vibrant economic and cultural center reflective of its diversity. The City Council is engaged and seeks to strengthen the urban and commercial areas as well as sustain the beautiful natural environment.

San Rafael's Organizational culture framework is an initiative called "Together San Rafael." City employees are our greatest asset, and we seek talented individuals with diverse backgrounds who are creative, curious, and excited about a challenge. We are a results-driven team focused on the needs of community members. The Together San Rafael initiative is focused on modernizing City services and increasing the engagement of employees. This initiative recognizes the interconnectedness of the customer and employee experience.

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT

The Finance Department provides financial information, policy analyses, and recommendations that help the City Council and all City Departments make decisions about how to allocate resources.

Our department accounts for those resources and discloses the financial condition of the City and the results of its operations in the year-end Comprehensive Annual Financial Report. The department also prepares an annual budget.

Other administrative duties covered by the Finance Department include:

• Business Licenses (Business Tax)
• Transient Occupancy Tax (Hotel Tax)
• Cashiering
• Accounts Payable
• Payroll
• Budgeting and Financial Reporting
• Master-Fee Schedule (fee-based services)

THE POSITION

The City of San Rafael is seeking an Accountant I/II for the Finance Department. The Accountant I/II performs complex accounting functions to maintain the City''s financial records and internal controls, including journal entries, general ledger reconciliations, fixed assets, payroll, accounts receivable, and month- and year-end closing activities. You will prepare and analyze financial, budgetary, and statistical reports; review expenditures for accuracy and budget compliance; and assist with budget development, audit preparation, and financial reporting. The Accountant I/II coordinates and monitors City-wide procurement policies and practices to ensure compliance with established procedures, authorized spending limits, contract and purchase order requirements, and competitive bidding regulations. This position will also provide up to 50% of payroll support/backup.

This is NOT a hybrid position - employee is required to be in office.

IDEAL CANDIDATE

The ideal candidate for the Accountant I/II role is a detail-oriented, analytical, and highly organized accounting professional with a strong foundation in accounting principles, financial reporting, auditing, budgeting, and internal controls. You will have the knowledge, technical skills, and professional judgment necessary to maintain accurate financial records, prepare standard and adjusting journal entries, reconcile bank and general ledger accounts, support month-end and year-end closing activities, and prepare clear, accurate, and timely financial and statistical reports. You are capable of analyzing account balances and expenditures, identifying discrepancies, maintaining fixed asset and accounts receivable records, assisting with payroll processing, and supporting budget preparation and audit activities while ensuring compliance with applicable laws, regulations, accounting standards, and City Policies.

The ideal candidate demonstrates a thorough understanding of financial administration, budgetary controls, and procurement procedures, including the review of purchase orders, contract approvals, authorized spending limits, and competitive bidding requirements. They are proficient in automated financial management systems and related software, possess strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, and can interpret complex financial data to identify trends, resolve accounting issues, and recommend improvements to financial processes and internal controls.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (Including but not limited to)

This list is meant to be representative, not exhaustive. CLICK HERE for the full job description.

• Coordinates and participates in accounting tasks related to the maintenance of the City''s financial record keeping, reporting, and control system.
• Prepares for approval, standard and adjusting journal entries.
• Assists with month and year-end closing including account analysis and report distribution.
• Reconciles bank accounts.
• Audits and reviews operation and project account expenditures for accuracy and budgetary control.
• Maintains detailed fixed asset records, including categories, useful lives, costs and vehicle registration information where appropriate.
• Assists in calculating and processing payroll, determines tax deposits, benefit and other deductions and related adjustments, tracks accrual, and processes direct deposit. Serves as a backup for payroll processing.
• Maintains general ledger control account of accounts receivable system and prepares aging reports.
• Assists with the development of budget work papers and final document preparation.
• Reviews and monitors City-wide adopted policies and practices related to contract and purchase orders, verifies authorized limits, approvals, processing and formal bidding.
• Performs related duties as required.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Any combination of education and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skill, and ability is qualifying. A typical way to obtain such knowledge, skill, and ability is: (Please see job spec for additional details):

• Bachelor''s Degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in accounting, finance or a related field, AND
• Three (3) years of increasingly responsible accounting experience preferably working in government or with government clients.
• Master''s Degree in finance, accounting, public or business administration or a CPA may be substituted for one year of experience.