Accountant I

Salary : $76,937.54 - $98,486.70 Annually

Location : City of Brea-Civic Center

Job Type : Full-Time

Job Number : 2025-00012

Department : Administrative Services

Opening Date : 02 / 13 / 2025

Closing Date : 3 / 3 / 2025 5 : 00 PM Pacific

Description

To perform professional accounting work, recording and reporting of financial transactions and budgetary control for assigned funds and City departments; review fiscal records; prepare financial report statements and analyses, and perform related duties, as assigned.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

A ccountant I

This is the entry level class for professional accounting work. Incumbents work under close supervision while being trained and gradually work more independently as knowledge and skills increase.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Accountant I

Direction is provided by the Accounting Services Manager.

Responsibilities may include functional supervision of technical and clerical personnel

Examples of Duties

Essential job functions include, but are not limited to, the following : (These functions may not be present in all positions in this classification. When a position is to be filled, the essential functions will be noted in the announcement of position availability. Management reserves the right to add, modify, change or rescind work assignments as needed.)

Participate in the posting, balancing and reconciliation of the General Ledger and subsidiary accounts.

Control budget for various City departments and projects determining if funds are available and expenditures properly classified; research and analyze transactions to resolve budget problems; provide analysis of available funds at management request.

Prepare work papers, financial statements and various reports for Federal, State and other outside agencies as well as for internal accounting.

Prepare fund balance projections and review with operating departments.

Audit and process payments for various contracts and miscellaneous expenses.

Monitor and report on the status of State and Federal grants; review and audit grant contracts, amendments and other documents to ensure grant compliance.

Responsible for a variety of personnel decisions, including selection, training, promotions, performance evaluations, disciplinary measures, and dismissals.

Administer contracts with private contractors and outside agencies.

Click for additional information on the Accountant I job description.

Typical Qualifications

Knowledge of

Accounting principles and practices.

Ability to

Examine and verify financial documents and reports. Prepare a variety of financial statements, reports and analyses.

Experience and Education

To qualify for this classification, an individual must possess any combination of experience and education that would likely produce the required knowledge and abilities.

A typical combination is :

Experience

No directly related experience required.

Education

Equivalent to a Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in accounting or business administration.

TO BE CONSIDERED

If you are interested in this outstanding opportunity, please visitto submit a City of Brea electronic employment application.

Applicants are encouraged to apply early. Resumes cannot be accepted in lieu of a City of Brea employment application. The City of Brea cannot accept responsibility for notifying candidates of incomplete applications. It is the candidate's responsibility to make sure the application is properly submitted.

THE SELECTION PROCESS

Shall consist of three phases : (If you should need assistance in completing the employment application or in participating in the selection process, please notify Human Resources prior to the filing deadline or as soon as possible).

Phase One - Application Review : The first phase of the selection process shall be a detailed review and appraisal of each candidate's application. Those candidates determined to be most qualified on the basis of education and experience, as submitted, may be invited to participate in the next phase of the selection process. No weight shall be assigned to this phase of the selection process.

Phase Two - Written Exam : (Weighted 50%) : Candidates who receive a minimum score of 70% on this phase, may be invited to participate in the third phase, the oral appraisal.

Phase Three - Oral Appraisal Interview : (Weighted 50%) : Candidates who receive a minimum score of 70% on this phase shall have their name placed on the Eligibility List for Accountant I. Eligibility Lists are generally valid for one year. Once the list is established, the Administrative Services Department may conduct follow-up assessments.

Prospective candidates must successfully complete a thorough background review. Upon a contingent offer of employment, prospective candidates must successfully complete a medical examination and provide proof of legal work status. All new employees will be fingerprinted as a part of the employment process and a criminal history check will be conducted with the Department of Justice and Federal Bureau of Investigation.

In accordance with Government Code Section 3100, City employees, in the event of a disaster are considered disaster service workers and may be asked to respond accordingly.

THE CITY OF BREA RECRUITS, PROMOTES, AND HIRES WITHOUT REGARD TO RACE, COLOR, RELIGION, PHYSICAL DISABILITY OR CONDITION, GENETIC INFORMATION, SEX, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, AGE OR NATIONAL ORIGIN, EXCEPT IN THOSE SPECIFIC INSTANCES WHEREBY A BONA FIDE OCCUPATIONAL QUALIFICATION DEMANDS OTHERWISE. THE CITY OF BREA HIRES ONLY UNITED STATES CITIZENS OR LAWFULLY AUTHORIZED ALIENS.

The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute a contract, expressed or implied, and any provisions contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice.

The City of Brea offers a comprehensive benefit package for eligible employees and their dependents for the Brea City Employees' Association (BCEA) members, including :

SALARY RANGE : Composed of eleven (11) steps. Merit step increases are based on satisfactory performance.

RETIREMENT : Membership in CalPERS. Classic CalPERS members will be enrolled in the 2% @ 55 retirement formula and pay the employee's 7% share. New CalPERS members, or returning CalPERS members with a break in service greater than six months, will be enrolled in the 2% @ 62 retirement formula and will be required to pay 50% of the normal CalPERS cost (currently 6.25%). The City does not participate in Social Security; however, employees pay the cost to participate in Medicare.

HEALTH INSURANCE : The City provides up to $1,550 per month towards health insurance for employee and dependents through the CalPERS Health Benefit program. Alternatively, there is a $325 medical opt out payment for employees who are insured outside the City's insurance coverage.

GROUP INSURANCE PROGRAMS : Available to eligible City employees and qualified dependents. These programs include dental, vision, supplemental life and accidental death and dismemberment insurances.

FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNTS : Available where employees use pre-tax salary to pay for regular child care, adult dependent care and / or medical expenses.

RETIRMENT SAVINGS ACCOUNT : The City offers a voluntary 457 (b) Deferred Compensation Plan for an additional tax-deferred savings option.

WELLNESS REIMBURSEMENT : Up to $500 per fiscal year to be paid out second pay in July for employees who are on payroll on July 1.

BILINGUAL PAY : $100 per month for eligible languages in addition to English.

TUITION / CERTIFICATE REIMBURSEMENT : Employees are eligible for tuition reimbursement / certificate reimbursement based on their bargaining group.

HOLIDAYS : Twelve (12) designated holidays provided per year.

GENERAL LEAVE : Employees shall earn and accrue vacation and sick leave time based on their bargaining group.

UNIFORM ALLOWANCE : Employees under the eligible classifications shall earn a lump sum uniform allowance up to $700 per fiscal year.

For a more detailed overview of the benefits, review the Memorandum of Understanding at : Click on the links under "General Employees Unit".

Did you retire from an agency under the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS)?

Please select your level of experience in performing general accounting duties, including working with accounting software, spreadsheets, and analyzing financial data.

• I do not have any experience in this field.
• I have some training / exposure, but have not yet performed this job function on the job.
• I have performed this task on the job, but my work is monitored closely by a supervisor or senior employee.
• I have performed this task on the job independently and normally without review by a supervisor or senior employee.
• I am considered an expert in performing this task. I have supervised performance of this task or am normally theperson who is consulted by other employees.

What is your highest level of education?

Please indicate your degree, field of study and university / college. For example, Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from CSU Fullerton. If you do not have a degree, please type "N / A."

Describe your experience with audits, including internal and external audits. Have you conducted or participated in audits for a government agency? If so, explain your role, the scope of the audit, and how you ensured compliance with governmental accounting standards and regulations. If no experience, please state "N / A."

Describe your experience with the bank reconciliation process. If no experience, please state "N / A."

Describe your understanding and experience of government accounting. If no experience, please state "N / A."

Required Question

Salary : $76,938 - $98,487