Job Description:
Principal Account Clerk
Description
Position Description
Come and join the City of Fresno in achieving our mission of Building a Better Fresno!
Love numbers? Lead the way! The City of Fresno is looking for a sharp, motivated pro to step into the role of Principal Account Clerk -our top-tier accounting clerical position. If you're ready to take on complex financial work and help drive city operations forward, don't wait - apply now!
Duties may include but are not limited to the following:
-Assists in the implementation and maintenance of cost accounting systems; compiles new data and develops formulas.
-Develops, maintains and reconciles complex financial and statistical records, such as, journals, vouchers, ledgers, comparative income statements, depreciation schedules, asset listings, performance indicators, and budget estimates.
-Performs a variety of accounts payable and accounts receivable duties, including processing invoices, reconciling statements, and ensuring timely payments and collections.
-Processes and prepares the City payroll; verifies information on Employee Action Forms (EAF's) prepared by departmental accounting clerical staff; makes adjustments as appropriate; posts and balances City payroll; reconfirms payroll balance and prepares checks for distribution.
-Coordinates payroll activities with other City departments and divisions; assists Citywide accounting clerical staff in the preparation of departmental payroll documents including identifying appropriate format, codes and procedures.
-Audits appropriations expenditures and revenue printouts; researches and resolves discrepancies; monitors budget expenditures and income received; prepares balance sheet.
-Enters and verifies complex financial data using modern accounting systems and software.
-Assists in the development of the department budget; projects total expenditures for current year and recommends amounts needed for the new budget.
-Develops and maintains cash, invoice, disbursement and control accounts; accounts for monies, receipts, and tokens; balances accounts and prepares routine reports.
-Provides lead direction for an assigned clerical staff; ensures that work is handled on a priority basis and completed in a timely manner.
-Performs related duties as required.
Incumbents assigned to the Animal Center may be required to handle and restrain animals humanely and safely using approved protocols, personal protective equipment (PPE) and practices including assisting in cleaning and disinfecting kennel areas, food dishes and equipment along with feeding and exercising animals.
Duties and schedules may vary by assignment, please inquire about specific duties and/or schedules if called upon for an interview.
Full job specification available to be viewed at: https://www.fresno.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Principal-Account-Clerk-11_23.pdf
View "We Work For You" video to get an inside look at how rewarding it is to work for the City of Fresno: https://youtu.be/RjOUf52KPrk?si=NmkwtgYbTxdKcKOz
Multiple vacancies exist in the City of Fresno. Immediate and future vacancies will be filled from this eligible list for a period of three (3) months from the date the eligible list is created, with the option of extending that period at the City's discretion. If the examination process is suspended for this recruitment, the eligible list may be limited to three (3) months.
Pay,Benefits, & Work Schedule
UNIT 3 Classification - The Fresno City Employees Association, Inc. (FCEA)
HEALTH INSURANCE: The City contributes toward monthly premiums for PPO medical, dental and vision for employee and dependents.
FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNT: IRS 125 Plan for health and dependent care expenses.
DEFERRED COMPENSATION: Voluntary 457 plan with Fidelity Investments to increase your retirement savings.
VACATION LEAVE: Accrue 8 - 14.66 hours per month based on years of service.
SICK LEAVE: Eight (8) hours per month, available after 90 days
SUPPLEMENTAL SICK- 40 hours per fiscal year. 80 hours lifetime maximum
HOLIDAYS: Ten (10) City-observed annual holidays plus birthday and two (2) personal days.
SHORT TERM DISABILITY: Provided through California SDI program.
BILINGUAL PREMIUM: PAY: $100 per month
HEALTH REIMBURSEMENT ARRANGEMENT: Eligible retirees can use remaining Sick Leave balance at 80% of hourly rate and other leave balances, if applicable, to reimburse medical insurance and qualified medical expenses, tax free.
RETIREMENT: City of Fresno Retirement Systems, one of the best funded public systems in the state. Reciprocity with other CA public agencies. Vested in Retirement benefits after 5 years of service. City employees do not participate in Social Security.
DROP (Deferred Retirement Option Program): an optional, voluntary program that allows an employee to deposit retirement benefits in a special savings account within the Retirement System while continuing to work for the City of Fresno for up to 10 years. Participation minimum is age 50 and vested. Benefits includes ownership of accumulated funds, compound interest earnings, and alternative distribution options.
Additional information regarding the City of Fresno benefits is available at
https://www.fresno.gov/personnel/human-resources-support/#tab-1
The Requirements
Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications on or before the posted filing deadline in order to qualify for the examination and does not assure a place on the eligibility list.
Four (4) years of increasingly responsible clerical experience involving the maintenance and development of complex accounting and recordkeeping systems.
Additional Requirements
The work experience section MUST be completed with detailed duties, dates and weekly hours worked for each title held. Please SPECIFY WORK DUTIES related to increasingly responsible clerical experience involving the maintenance and development of complex accounting and recordkeeping systems. Please provide specific examples for each job title rather than general statements.
Possession of a valid California Driver's License may be required at time of appointment. Candidates considered for hire must provide proof of a valid driver's license and current copy of their driving record.
Eligibles certified for consideration for hire will be required to successfully pass a department interview and a Department of Justice fingerprint prior to employment with the City of Fresno.
For assignments to the Airports Department, eligibles certified for consideration may be required to successfully complete a polygraph test, extensive background investigation and a department interview.
For assignments to the Fire or Police Departments certified for consideration may be required to successfully complete a polygraph and/or computer voice stress analyzer (CVSA) exam and an in-depth background investigation prior to appointment.
How To Apply
APPLICANTS MUST COMPLETE AN ON-LINE APPLICATION. PLEASE VISIT WWW.FRESNO.GOV/JOBS TO APPLY. For information on how to complete an on-line application, please view "Instruction Guide" on the City's website, Personnel Services Career Opportunities page, or call (559) 621-6950 for assistance. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed employment application.
ALL CORRESPONDENCE regarding this recruitment and exam process will be sent via e-mail. All applicants will acknowledge such understanding when they complete their on-line application. Verify we have your correct e-mail address before you submit your application. It is an applicant's responsibility to check their email frequently to ensure they receive all pertinent communication from the Personnel Services Department on a timely basis. Applicants will receive an automatically generated confirmation e-mail upon a successful application submittal. The e-mail is the only proof of submittal.
It is an applicant's responsibility to check their email account and to ensure it is set up to accept emails from the City of Fresno. Dependent upon your settings, notices from the City of Fresno may be directed to the "junk mail" or "spam" folders. It is the applicant's responsibility to check these folders.
Applications must be submitted by midnight on the filing deadline, or they will not be accepted for any reason. FOR THIS RECRUITMENT, IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT PERMANENT FRESNO CITY EMPLOYEES APPLY THROUGH PEOPLESOFT SELF SERVICE.
Selection Process
The selection process may consist of the following:
Written Exam - 100% - A multiple-choice job-related written examination may be administered to assess a candidate's knowledge in the following areas: knowledge of principles and practices of bookkeeping and governmental accounting, payroll requirements, accounting procedures, personal computers and business software, spreadsheet interpretation, business arithmetic, interpersonal skills, and leadership skills, and/or other job-related items.
Candidates must achieve a passing score in order to qualify for the eligible list.
Written exam is tentatively scheduled the week of October 13th, 2025.
Veteran Preference Regulations
Qualified veterans who pass the examination may obtain five (5) additional points.
Candidates applying for veteran's preference are required to submit a copy of their DD214 with their application during the specified filing period. Evidence must be presented to indicate that the candidate was discharged honorably from the military service. Veterans, including City employees, must resubmit proof of honorable service for every examination for which veteran's preference credit is requested.
Additional Information
HOW TO ATTACH DOCUMENTS TO YOUR ONLINE APPLICATION:
- From the Careers Home page, under "My Career Tools" section on the top right, select "Cover Letters & Attachments," then click "Add Attachments"at the bottom.
- For Attachment Type, select the relevant option and enter a description under Attachment Purpose.
- Click "Add Attachment," then "Browse" to locate your file.
- After selecting the file, click "Open," then "Upload," and finally "Save & Return." then proceed to submit your application using the steps and helpful tips provided.
Equal Opportunity Employer
The City of Fresno is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Should you need a special accommodation due to a qualifying disability, please contact the Personnel Service Department at (559) 621-6950 in advance of the examination.
Closing Date/Time: 09/25/2025
Salary:
4103.00 - 4928.00