ACCOUNTANT I

Job Description:

ACCOUNTANT I

Description

Position Description

Final Filing Deadline: Sunday, May 24, 2026

Exam #: 26/20B10/05CC

The County of Monterey is committed to honoring the service and sacrifice of veterans and eligible military spouses and awards veterans’ preference points for this recruitment. To learn more about the eligibility requirements and the process, be sure to read the Hiring Preference for Veterans and Eligible Military Spouses section located towards the end of this job flier.

The County of Monterey Treasurer-Tax Collector's Office seeks dedicated and customer service-oriented individuals to fill current and future vacancies throughout the County.

The County of Monterey Treasurer-Tax Collector is an elected officer of the County. Operating under statutes of the State of California, the Treasurer-Tax Collector performs a variety of functions which collectively contribute to the financial management network of the County, the County's school districts, and many of the County's special districts. The primary responsibilities of the Treasurer-Tax Collector include the billing, collection, reporting and accounting for all property, transient occupancy tax, and commercial cannabis business tax levied in the County; banking and investment of county, school and special district funds; issuance of business licenses and collection enforcement for Superior Court fines. The Treasurer-Tax Collector department consists of 3 divisions: Property Tax, Treasury, and Revenue. Our current open position resides in the Property Tax Division.

This is the entry level classification in the professional accounting series. Incumbents work under general supervision. Within this setting, the Accountant I learns to and performs various technical and professional accounting, statistical, and budgetary duties involved in establishing, maintaining, analyzing, reconciling, and verifying financial records in support of designated programs; provides financial administrative support in preparing, analyzing, and monitoring designated annual budget and accounts; learns to prepare and review a variety of factual, analytical, narrative, financial, statistical, and budgetary reports, statements, and records utilizing GAAP; and does other work as required.

The current vacancy is located in the Treasurer-Tax Collector's Office.

The Eligible List established by this recruitment process may be used County-wide to fill current and future vacancies on a regular full-time, part-time, or temporary basis.

This classification is part of a flexible series. Incumbents appointed at the lower level of the career series may be promoted up to the higher level of the career series subject to their meeting the employment standards for the higher class and a recommendation for their promotion by the appointing authority.

We are looking for someone who is:

• Attentive to details and ensures accuracy of results.
  
• Self-motivated and goal driven.
  
• Committed to demonstrate the highest degree of integrity and ethics.
  
• Focused and productive while handling diverse responsibilities.
  
• Able to navigate complex situations using effective communication and conflict resolution skills.
  

A few reasons you might love this job:

• You will work in a dynamic environment with others who have strong values and integrity.
  
• You will contribute to and benefit from a team culture that values support and collaboration.
  
• You will learn and grow professionally while using technology to process payments for Real and Personal property taxes.
  
• You will play a vital role in delivering services that directly support the County’s mission and commitment to the community.
  

A few challenges you might face with this job:

• You may interact with some dissatisfied or challenging customers.
  
• You will need to stay current on policies and demonstrate mastery of processes and procedures.
  
• You will be expected to work cooperatively within a team environment and adapt to business needs.
  
• You will be expected to learn terminology related to taxes.
  

Examples of Duties

Reviews, analyzes, and documents a variety of accounts and transactions; reconciles general ledger, cash, and other designated accounting reports and statements with financial records; compares manual and automated records and transactions; identifies errors; verifies account balances; adjusts accounts; initiates transfers; and makes corrections.Responds to inquiries, resolves issues and conflicts, and provides detailed and technical information concerning related standards, practices, pending legislation, laws, codes, regulations, polices, and procedures; attends and participates in various meetings, committees, and professional groups.Learns to and/or performs professional accounting and budgetary duties involved in establishing, analyzing, reviewing, reconciling, monitoring, and maintaining financial records and reports; ensures financial integrity of assigned accounts.Calculates, posts, and adjusts journal entries; updates accounts to reflect revenue and expenditures; audits accounts for errors and makes appropriate adjustments; coordinates and reconciles different computer financial systems statements; reconciles various financial statements to ensure accurate fund accounting; matches financial statements with cash amounts; initiates account transfers and other transactions as needed; utilizes manual and computerized record keeping systems.Communicates with County staff, governmental agencies, and outside organizations to exchange information, coordinate activities, resolves issues and concerns; prepares and submits mandated reports within established time frames.Maintains current knowledge of and complies with applicable laws, codes, rules, regulations, established policies and procedures, and with generally accepted accounting principles; ensures accuracy of input and output data. To view the complete job description, please visit the Monterey County website: Accountant I

Examples of Experience/Education/Training

THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE
Will have a proven track record demonstrating the following knowledge, skills and abilities:

Working Knowledge :
Methods, procedures, and terminology used in professional accounting.Financial and statistical record keeping techniques.
Some Knowledge :
Internal control practices.Principles and practices of financial statement preparation and comprehensive accounting reports.Analysis of basic accounting and budgeting internal reports.
Skill and Ability to :
Learn to and /or accurately perform professional accounting and budgetary work involved in preparing, analyzing, reconciling, and maintaining financial records and reports.Reconcile various statements.Interpret, apply, and explain rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.Prepare accounting reports.Analyze financial reports and prepare reports, forecasts, and recommendations.Understand administrative policies and their impact on routine accounting functions.Perform mathematical calculations.Meet schedules and timeliness.Operate standard office equipment, including a computer and associated software.Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
Examples of Experience/Education/Training:
Any combination of training, education and/or experience which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities and required conditions of employment is qualifying. An example of a way these requirements might be acquired is:

Education: Completion of the requirements for a bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration or related field from an accredited college or university;

OR
Experience: Four years of experience performing paraprofessional-level accounting duties, or two years of experience at a level equivalent to an Accounting Technician for the County of Monterey.

Additional Information

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
The required conditions of employment include, but are not limited to the following:

• Possess a valid California Class C driver license at the time of appointment and possess and maintain a satisfactory driving record or provide evidence of suitable transportation which is approved by the appointing authority.
• Be available to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and during times of disaster and/or emergency; travel out of County to attend meetings.
• Prospective employees for the Treasurer-Tax Collector will be required to submit to a background review which may include a review of information concerning present and/or prior employment, driving record, credit record and record of criminal conviction.

BENEFITS:

The County of Monterey offers an excellent benefits package. Please visit our website to view the Unit J Benefit Summary Sheet. This information is not legally binding, nor does it serve as a contract. The benefits listed in the Monterey County Personnel Policies and Practices Resolution or Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) prevail over this listing.

NOTES:

• As a condition of employment, prospective employees may be required to submit to a background review which may include a review of information concerning present and/or prior employment, driving record, and record of any criminal convictions.
• Employment is contingent upon acceptable documentation verifying identity and authorization for employment in the U.S.; a list of acceptable documents is available on the USCIS Form I-9.
• If you are hired into this classification in a temporary position, your rate of pay will be hourly, and you will not be eligible for the benefits listed in the summary.

Application and Selection Procedures

Apply On-Line at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/montereycounty

by Sunday, May 24, 2026, 11:59 PM(PST)

or

Hard copy applications may be obtained from and submitted during normal business hours

Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM by contacting:

Treasurer-Tax Collector

Attn: Human Resources

168 West Alisal Street, 1st Floor

Salinas, CA 93901

Phone: (831) 759-6602 Fax: (831) 759-6628

The selection process is tentative, and applicants will be notified if changes are made. To assess applicants' possession of required qualifications, the examination process may include an oral examination, pre-examination exercises, performance examination, and/or written examination. The competitive examination process includes submittal of required application materials. A complete application package will include:

• A completed County of Monterey Employment Application

• Responses to the Supplemental Questions

Applicants who fail to provide all required materials by the final filing deadline will not be considered. Resumes, cover letters, letters of interest, and other correspondence will not be accepted as a substitute for required application materials. All required application materials will be competitively evaluated. Those applicants that are determined to be the most appropriately qualified will be invited to participate further in the selection process.

HIRING PREFERENCE FOR VETERANS AND ELIGIBLE MILITARY SPOUSES
The County of Monterey is committed to honoring the service and sacrifice of veterans and eligible military spouses (i.e., surviving spouses of veterans, spouses of totally disabled veterans, and spouses of active-duty service members) and awards veterans’ preference points for this recruitment. To obtain a Veterans and Eligible Military Spouse Preference Application, please visit the Human Resources website or click on the following link: Click Here to View the Veterans and Eligible Military Spouse Preference Application .

To apply for veterans’ preference points, veterans or eligible military spouses must complete and email a Veterans and Eligible Military Spouse Preference Application with supporting documentation of their eligibility by the final filing deadline to VeteransPreferencePoints@countyofmonterey.gov .

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AND REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

The County of Monterey is a drug-free workplace and an equal opportunity employer. The County seeks candidates who can make contributions in an environment of cultural and ethnic diversity. The County is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation, contact Julie James, Senior Human Resources Analyst, at (831) 759-6602, or ARCTTCHR@countyofmonterey.gov .

http://www.co.monterey.ca.us/government/departments-a-h/human-resources/human-resources/benefits/benefit-summary-sheet

Closing Date/Time: 5/24/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$5,332.60 - $7,283.29 Monthly