Accountant II - Human Services Agency (Departmental Promotional Only)

Description

The Human Services Agency of the County of San Mateo is seeking well-qualified and highly motivated candidates with high standards of accuracy and exceptional attention to detail and organizational skills for the position of Accountant II. Successful candidates will be self-motivated, experienced, and effective communicators; with the ability to work effectively in a high-volume and fast-paced environment while managing multiple tasks simultaneously.

Primary responsibilities will include:

• Process and review accounting transactions, including invoice verification, payment processing, deposit review, payroll processing, charge account maintenance, and following procedures on cash & cash equivalent assets
• Analyze and interpret contract language to ensure accurate billing and compliance
• Review invoices, exhibits, and supporting documentation for completeness, accuracy, and alignment with all policies and procedures
• Coordinate with vendors and internal stakeholders to resolve discrepancies
• Perform detailed checks to identify and correct errors prior to payment in financial systems (e.g., OFAS, Coupa, or similar review processes)
• Maintain accurate financial records and documentation in accordance with public sector standards
• Support all general accounting functions, and perform advanced reconciliations, maintain accurate tracking excels, and provide high level reporting as needed
• Communicate clearly and professionally with internal teams and external partners
• Actively track and meet deadlines such as invoice net terms and invoice generation dates, including identifying and retrieving missing invoices
• Work closely with Fiscal Office Specialists to review their submitted work, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and alignment with current policies/procedures, and provide training and guidance as needed

The ideal candidate for this position will possess:

• Two (2) or more years of experience in accounting, finance, or a related field
• Experience with accounts payable, invoicing, and vendor coordination
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to identify discrepancies and errors
• Solid understanding of accounting principles and financial processes
• Experience reviewing or working with contracts and billing documentation
• Strong numerical aptitude and analytical skills
• Experience working in a public sector or government environment
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, deadline-driven setting
• Strong communication skills with the ability to articulate financial information clearly
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining accuracy
• A proactive, team-oriented mindset with a strong sense of adaptability, ownership, and accountability
• Ability to balance detailed work with an understanding of the big picture

Qualifications

Department Status : Applicant must be a current Human Services Agency employee with at least six months (1040 hours) of continuous service in a classified regular, probationary, or extra-help/limited term position prior to the recruitment closing date.

Knowledge of:

• Principles, practices and terminology of general, fund and governmental accounting.
• Principles and practices of business data processing, particularly as related to the processing of accounting information.
• Applicable laws regulating public fiscal operations.
• Budgeting principles and terminology.
• Basic auditing and financial reconciliation principles and methods.

Skill/Ability to:

• Review, analyze, interpret and reconcile financial reports and transactions.
• Verify the accuracy of financial data and information.
• Prepare clear, concise and complete financial reports and statements.
• Ensure proper authorization and documentation for disbursements and other transactions.
• Direct the work of others on a project or day to day basis.
• Exercise sound independent judgment within established procedural guidelines.
• Make accurate mathematical and statistical calculations.
• Maintain accurate records and files.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships.

Experience and Education :

Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and skills is qualifying. A typical way to qualify is:

• Two (2) years of accounting experience, preferably in a governmental or public agency.

Application/Examination

Departmental Promotional Only. Only current employees of the Human Services Agency with at least six months (1040 hours) of continuous service in a classified regular, probationary, or extra-help/limited term position prior to the final filing date may apply.

The examination process will consist of an application screening based on the candidates' application and responses to the supplemental questions (weight: pass/fail). Candidates who pass the application screening may be invited to a panel interview (weight: 100%). Depending on the number of applicants, an application appraisal of education and experience may be used in place of other examinations or further evaluation of work experience may be conducted to group applicants by level of qualification . Applicants meeting the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement through any subsequent phase of the examination. All examinations will be given in San Mateo County, California and applicants must participate at their own expense.

IMPORTANT : Applications for this position will only be accepted online. If you are currently on the County's website, you may click the "Apply" button. If you are not on the County's website, please go to https://jobs.smcgov.org/ to apply . Responses to the supplemental questions must be submitted in addition to our regular employment application form. A resume will not be accepted as a substitute for the required employment application and supplemental questionnaire.

TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT SCHEDULE
Final Filing Date: Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. PST
Application Screening: Thursday, May 21, 2026
Civil Service Panel/Departmental Interview: Week of May 25, 2026

About the County

San Mateo County is centrally located between San Francisco, San Jose, and the East Bay. With over 750,000 residents, San Mateo is one of the largest and most diverse counties in California and serves a multitude of culturally, ethnically, and linguistically diverse communities.

The County of San Mateo, as an employer, is committed to advancing equity to ensure that all employees are welcomed in a safe and inclusive environment. The County seeks to hire, support, and retain employees who reflect our diverse community. We encourage applicants with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to apply. Eighty percent of employees surveyed stated that they would recommend the County as a great place to work.

The County of San Mateo is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion at all levels.







Analyst: Arlene Cahill (Accountant II - E011)

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• County of San Mateo Human Resources Department

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