Accountant

Job Description:

Accountant

Description

Description

Important Information: Tentative Recruitment Timeline


MQ Screening: 03/09/2026 - 03/23/2026
Screening for Best Qualified: 03/24/2026 - 03/27/2026
1st Round Interviews: Week of 04/06/2026
2nd (Final) Round Interviews: Week of 04/13/2026

The Accountant performs professional accounting work including the examination, maintenance, verification, analysis, and reconciliation of financial records; assists in developing and installing accounting systems; and prepares accounting and auditing reports.

Examples of Duties

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

• Prepare journal entries and maintain the general ledger; post, balance, and reconcile the general ledger and subsidiary accounts; prepare and review all journal vouchers for correctness and accuracy.
• Prepares a variety of bank reconciliations, claims, reports, and schedules for accuracy and completion; verify, approve, and audit fiscal documents such as warrants, requisitions, and purchase orders.
• Review entries made to various financial records for proper coding and maintenance of proper accounting procedures.
• Maintain and update records for the City’s fixed asset group of accounts in accordance with Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) valuation, quality assessment, and reporting requirements.
• Perform various payroll, accounts receivable, and accounts payable activities, including providing technical and functional supervision to lower level accounting personnel engaged in these areas.
• Participate in operating an automated office and computerized financial and information system; identify, develop and implement new automated applications as needed to facilitate operations.
• Interpret grant award agreements and monitor for compliance; provide grant accounting and prepare required financial reports; maintain complete accounting record keeping and documentation related to State, Federal, and other funding sources.
• Performs professional accounting and analytical work in the areas of general ledger, fund accounting, asset management and preparation of Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR).
• Compiles and prepares financial statements, general and subsidiary ledgers and supporting schedules.
• Prepares a substantial number of year-end work papers to be used in the annual audits.
• Prepare technical and narrative reports, including customized accounting and payroll reports.
• Assist with a variety of audit functions and special reviews and studies.
• May assist in Finance Department and City-wide budget activities, including preparation, monitoring, and reporting.
• Answer questions and provide information to the public and City departments; make recommendations for improvements related to accounting and payroll processing.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other City employees and the public using principles of good customer service.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Typical Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• Generally accepted accounting principles and practices.
• Governmental accounting principles and practices, including fund accounting.
• Principles and practices of business data processing systems, especially as related to the processing, storage, and transmittal of accounting information.
• Principles of budget monitoring, preparation, and reporting.
• Pertinent laws, rules, and regulations related to public finance and fiscal operations.
• Equipment, tools and materials, computer equipment and software used in modern accounting office operations.
• Basic principles of supervision and training.
• Techniques and principles of effective interpersonal communication.
• Principles and practices of good customer service.
• Principles and methods of report preparation and writing.
• Principles and practices of working safely.

Ability to:

• To independently perform a variety of professional and technical accounting duties, especially as related to accounts payable, payroll, and accounts receivable functions.
• On a continuous basis, know and understand all aspects of the job; intermittently analyze work papers, reports and special projects; identify and interpret technical and numerical information; observe and problem solve operational and technical policy and procedures.
• Provide technical and functional supervision and training to lower level accounting personnel.
• Analyze, understand, explain, and apply accounting and auditing principles, techniques and procedures.
• Examine and verify financial data, documents, and reports; ensure proper authorization and documentation for disbursements and other transactions.
• Prepare clear, complete, concise financial reports and statements and various written reports.
• Utilize computerized spreadsheet and word processing systems; operate personal computer with proficiency and familiarity.
• Understand the organization and operation of the City and of outside agencies as necessary to assume assigned administrative responsibilities.
• Interpret and explain pertinent City and department policies and procedures.
• Provide high quality, economical services to the Citrus Heights community, placing emphasis on responsive customer service.
• Demonstrate a civic entrepreneurial spirit by generating new, innovative ideas and development of better methods to accomplish tasks and complete projects.
• Foster an environment that embraces diversity, integrity, trust and respect.
• Be an integral team player, which involves flexibility, cooperation and communication.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and effective manner.
• Use principles of effective office safety including use of equipment in a proper and safe manner, use of preventative personal ergonomic techniques, and maintenance of safe housekeeping in personal and common work spaces.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Operate a personal computer with proficiency and familiarity.

Experience and Training

Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience :

Two years of responsible professional accounting experience (of which, one year of governmental accounting is highly desirable).

Training :

Equivalent to the completion of a bachelor’s degree with major course work in accounting, finance, or a closely related field.

License or Certificate :

May need to possess a valid California driver’s license and proof of automobile liability insurance as required by the position.

Supplemental Information

On a continuous basis, sit at desk for long periods of time; intermittently twist to reach equipment surrounding desk; perform simple grasping and fine manipulation; use telephone, and write or use a keyboard to communicate through written means; and lift or carry weight of 10 pounds of less.

The City offers a complete benefits package to full-time employees including health care, dental, vision, retirement, deferred compensation plans, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, long-term disability, holidays, vacation, and sick leave.

The City’s first-class benefits include:

• RETIREMENT- CalPERS retirement (employee pays full member contribution).
  • Classic member 2.7% @ 55 (Employees hired with the City of Citrus Heights before 08/14/2011)
  • Classic member 2% @ 55
  • PEPRA member 2% @ 62
• LEAVE - the City’s time off options.
  • 136 hours of Annual Leave (to be used for vacation or sick time)
  • 40 hours of Long Term Medical Leave
  • 16 hours of Floating Holiday beginning Jan 1st each year
• HEALTH INSURANCE - monthly City contribution toward health insurance ($2375contribution for Family coverage, $1850 contributionfor Employee + 1 person & $925 contribution for Employee only), or a $700/month stipend if alternative group health care coverage is demonstrated. City also provides Flexible Spending and Dependent Care Account options.
• DENTAL/VISION - fully paid family dental & family vision.
• LIFE INSURANCE - City pays $50,000life & accidental death & dismemberment for employees, and long-term disability insurance. Optional life is available to employees at their expense.
• DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN - Optional enrollment in a pre-tax payroll deducted 457 plan (Mission Square).

SOCIAL SECURITY - The City does not participate in Social Security but does participate in Medicare and State Disability Insurance (SDI).

Closing Date/Time: 3/23/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$80,350.40 - $100,360.00 Annually