What are the responsibilities and job description for the Accountant I position at City of Pittsburg, CA?
Position Information
The City of Pittsburg is seeking a detail-oriented and motivated Accountant I to join our Finance team. This is an excellent opportunity for someone starting their professional accounting career and looking to grow in a supportive and dynamic municipal environment.
The Accountant I performs a variety of professional accounting duties, including the preparation of financial statements, review and reconciliation of fiscal records, monitoring financial transactions, general ledger, cash dispersements and receipts, preparing financial statements, and balancing financial accounts. The role ensures compliance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and auditing standards while supporting sound financial practices throughout the organization.
Ideal Candidate for Accountant I/II:
- Experience in preparing balance sheet reconciliations, bank reconciliations, fund accounting, reviewing budgets, and compiling financial statements (three years or more of experience is desirable for the higher level)
- Ability to interpret financial data and track trends and patterns
- Ability to prepare clear, concise and complete reports and other written materials
- Self-starter; problem solver and embraces challenges; strong attention to detail
- Knowledge and experience with Microsoft Office Suite tools (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint)
- Great interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively with other City Departments/Divisions, and outside agencies
- Excellent written/oral communication and customer service skills
- Flexible and adaptable to change; able to prioritize and efficiently manage multiple assignments for self
- Possess exceptional management and organizational abilities to adhere to strict deadlines and provide timely response to request
- Prior governmental accounting and thorough knowledge of governmental accounting systems and procedures is desirable
- Relevant office/computer skills to use a variety of equipment such as computers, fax, and software programs
- CPA is desirable but not required
- Eagerness to learn assigned job tasks and various software
- Previous work on ERP finance related projects is desirable
About the Finance Department
The Finance Department is responsible for accounting operations, payroll, utility billing, budget, financial reporting, debt issuance and management, risk management programs and investments for all of the City departments and agencies within the framework of City policies and procedures. The Finance team strives for progressive investment in our community's future, as well as in our organization and staff, so that the City of Pittsburg can operate efficiently and effectively.
About Pittsburg
The City of Pittsburg is a culturally rich and diverse community of over 74,000 residents and expected to grow to 90,000 in the next 20 years. Pittsburg is located in the Bay Area Region of Northern California and is perfectly situated for easy access to San Francisco, Napa Valley, Sacramento, the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, and Lake Tahoe. Pittsburg City Hall is also conveniently located a short walk from the Pittsburg Center Station of the Bay Area Rapid Transit System (BART), making a commute from cities throughout the Bay Area very easy. Pittsburg has waterfront homes, a performing arts theater, a variety of seasonal events, an extensive park system, a large public-school system, and a variety of shopping centers. The recently renovated Marina is also an ideal place to visit and is located within steps of the Old Town shopping district and downtown living, with nearly 600 boat slips, a free public boat launch, fuel dock, café, bait shop, and the Pittsburg Yacht Club. Pittsburg has featured such events as the Seafood and Music Festival, car shows, movies in the park, kayaking, and fishing derbies. With its commitment to a quality community environment, Pittsburg is an ideal city in which to live, work and recreate.
The City of Pittsburg is a full-service city following the council-manager form of government. We have about 290 full time employees and about 350 employees total (depending on the season). Pittsburg is currently organized into the following departments: City Management, Community and Economic Development (Building, Economic Development, Code Enforcement, and Planning), Community Services (Housing Authority, Pittsburg Power Company, and the Successor Agency to the former Redevelopment Agency), Recreation, Human Resources, Finance, Police, and Public Works (Engineering, Operations/Maintenance, Utilities, Facilities, Parks, and Water Treatment). Fire Protection services are provided by the Contra Costa County Consolidated Fire Department.
Benefits for regular employees include location, salary increases, CALPERS retirement, medical/dental insurance, paid life insurance, retirement health saving account, deferred compensation plan with employer match, paid time off, tuition reimbursement, wellness activities, employee assistance program, employee development courses, and career opportunities.
About Pittsburg
The City of Pittsburg is a culturally rich and diverse community of over 74,000 residents and expected to grow to 90,000 in the next 20 years. Pittsburg is located in the Bay Area Region of Northern California and is perfectly situated for easy access to San Francisco, Napa Valley, Sacramento, the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, and Lake Tahoe. Pittsburg City Hall is also conveniently located a short walk from the Pittsburg Center Station of the Bay Area Rapid Transit System (BART), making a commute from cities throughout the Bay Area very easy. Pittsburg has waterfront homes, a performing arts theater, a variety of seasonal events, an extensive park system, a large public-school system, and a variety of shopping centers. The recently renovated Marina is also an ideal place to visit and is located within steps of the Old Town shopping district and downtown living, with nearly 600 boat slips, a free public boat launch, fuel dock, café, bait shop, and the Pittsburg Yacht Club. Pittsburg has featured such events as the Seafood and Music Festival, car shows, movies in the park, kayaking, and fishing derbies. With its commitment to a quality community environment, Pittsburg is an ideal city in which to live, work and recreate.
The City of Pittsburg is a full-service city following the council-manager form of government. We have about 290 full time employees and about 350 employees total (depending on the season). Pittsburg is currently organized into the following departments: City Management, Community and Economic Development (Building, Economic Development, Code Enforcement, and Planning), Community Services (Housing Authority, Pittsburg Power Company, and the Successor Agency to the former Redevelopment Agency), Recreation, Human Resources, Finance, Police, and Public Works (Engineering, Operations/Maintenance, Utilities, Facilities, Parks, and Water Treatment). Fire Protection services are provided by the Contra Costa County Consolidated Fire Department.
Benefits for regular employees include location, salary increases, CALPERS retirement, medical/dental insurance, paid life insurance, retirement health saving account, deferred compensation plan with employer match, paid time off, tuition reimbursement, wellness activities, employee assistance program, employee development courses, and career opportunities.
Check out Pittsburg's Facebook Page to see more about what the City offers: https://www.facebook.com/CityOfPittsburgCa/
Join Team Pittsburg to do meaningful work that will shape the community and make a positive difference.
Examples of Duties
Duties include, but are not limited to:
- Participates in the posting, balancing, and reconciliation of the general and subsidiary accounts; controls budget for the various funds and projects determining if funds are available and expenditures properly classified; researches and analyzes transactions to resolve budget problems; provides analysis of available funds at management's request; analyzes budget transactions.
- Participates in the maintenance and analysis of all General Ledger Accounts, and other account subsystems such as accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, inventory, fixed assets, revenues, and utility billing systems.
- Participates in the preparation of financial statements, schedules, budget for the City and its affiliated organizations, and other statistical and financial reports; prepares work papers, financial statements and various reports for federal and state agencies as well as for internal accounting; prepares fund balance projections and reviews with management.
- Participates in central accounting functions such as preparing adjusting entries, fiscal year closing adjustments, and documents for auditors.
- Coordinates accounting related activities with other divisions and/or City programs; answer questions and develops procedures for preparing accounting transactions pursuant to GAAP and procedures.
- Prepares analysis and work papers in preparation for audit examination pursuant to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), and Generally Accepted Auditing Standards (GAAS).
- Examines, reconciles, balances, and adjusts accounting records; reconciles, and prepares bank reconciliation for multiple accounts on an all funds basis.
- Explains charges to customers for City-provided services as needed.
- Prepares a variety of state, federal, and local claims, statements and reports from a variety of sources including computerized data, accounting records, and other source documents.
- Interprets data and generates related statistical and fiscal reports; prepares and submits accounting information for data processing and inputs data into the computer.
- Prepares a variety of correspondence relating to accounting activities.
- Establishes positive working relationships with representatives of community organizations, state/local agencies and associations, City management and staff, and the public.
Qualifications
Knowledge of:
- Principles and practices of generally accepted accounting practices including generally accepted accounting principles, Governmental Accounting Standards Board standards, and grant guidelines.
- Modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment including relevant software programs.
- Oral and written communication skills; business English including vocabulary, spelling, and correct grammatical usage and punctuation.
- Safe work practices.
- Principles and practices of excellent customer service.
Ability to:
- Learn and apply governmental accounting principles and practices to the performance of accounting transactions and financial reporting.
- On a continuous basis, know and understand all aspects of the job; intermittently analyze financial data, workpapers, reports and special projects; identify and interpret technical and numerical information; observe and problem-solve operational and technical policy and procedures.
- 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 or less.
- Learn to use automated financial systems.
- Learn applicable local, State, and Federal laws, rules and regulations related to accounting and auditing.
- Accurately examine and verify a wide variety of financial documents and reports.
- Analyze data, draw logical conclusions, and make independent decisions.
- Perform accounting transactions pursuant to GAAP and procedures; prepare a variety of financial statements, reports, and analyses.
- Understand and carry out oral and written instructions and prioritize workload to meet deadlines.
- Read, write and comprehend the English language at a level necessary for effective job performance exercising correct English usage, vocabulary, spelling, grammar and punctuation.
- Communicate effectively, tactfully and positively in both oral and written form.
- Operate and use modern office equipment and technology, including computers and applicable software.
- Maintain regular attendance and adhere to prescribed work schedule to conduct job responsibilities.
- Utilize appropriate safety procedures and practices for assigned duties.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
- Contribute effectively to the accomplishments of City goals, objectives and activities.
Any combination of education, experience, and training that would provide the best qualified candidates. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
Education: Possession of the equivalent of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in finance, accounting, public administration, business administration or another field of study applicable to the responsibilities and requirements of this job class.
Selection Process
Applications should be submitted online at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/pittsburg. The City of Pittsburg utilizes a merit-based selection system. Such a system is competitive and based on broad outreach efforts and equal opportunity for qualified applicants to take part in a process designed to determine the qualifications, fitness and ability of competitors to perform duties of the vacant position. Although, a resume and cover letter provide helpful added detail in reviewing qualifications, the job application may be rejected if the sections are considered to be incomplete. You will be notified of the next steps in the process via email! In the meantime, Let’s stay in touch through social media. Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.
What Happens Next?
- We will review your application and all supplemental materials to select the best qualified applicants to continue in the process. Screening will include a review of qualifications, application appraisal rating of education, training and experience and relevance of background qualifications related to the target job as well as supplemental questions if applicable.
- Applicants selected to move forward in the process may be asked to participate in any combination of the following (at any phase of the selection process): a written examination, job related exercise, physical test or job simulation, phone interview, in-person or video interview(s), and/or web-based testing.
- All offers of employment are conditional and new hires are subject to complete a pre-employment background screening that will consist of reference checks, livescan/fingerprint check and a civil check. Some positions require a medical examination, psychological examination, credit check, polygraph, drug testing, and full background investigation depending on the job characteristics. All new hires are required to show that they are eligible to work in the United States. All of these processes must be successfully completed before employment begins.
- The final phase of the selection process is the probationary period, which in most cases is twelve months.
The City of Pittsburg is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) and provides equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, ancestry, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws in its employment actions, decisions, policies and practices.
The City of Pittsburg Human Resources Department will make reasonable efforts in the selection process to accommodate disabled applicants. Individuals with disabilities who would like to request an accommodation in the process must inform the Human Resources Department by the final filing date.
Regular employees receive benefit.
