Financial Accountant I

Under the general direction of a Financial Accountant II, the incumbent will utilize knowledge of complex governmental financial accounting and financial reporting principles and procedures to analyze, evaluate, and prepare the State's most complex financial accounting transactions and financial reports. The incumbent will perform complex analytical, mathematical, and technological duties; act as a Section expert; and serve as a lead to direct, train, and assist financial accounting staff involved in the preparation of the State of California's Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) prepared in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and, to a limited degree, the Budgetary/Legal Basis Annual Report (BLBAR) and various other statewide financial reports published by the State Controller's Office.

This position resides within the Bureau of State Government Reporting in the Budgetary Legal Reporting Unit.

Duties and Responsibilities:
(Candidates must perform the following functions with or without reasonable accommodations.)

• Lead and assist professional financial accounting staff that prepare complex financial accounting transactions and compile, analyze, and prepare statewide financial statements and note disclosures in compliance with the budget or other legal requirements and, on a limited basis, statements in compliance with GAAP.

• Work with the Department of Finance, multiple state agencies/departments, and the CA State Auditors' Office on Proposition 98 reconciliation and reporting.

• Resolve complex problems with financial statements and GAAP or Budgetary/Legal basis transactions submitted by state agencies.

• Act as a lead in preparing, reviewing, submitting, and receiving annual Budgetary/Legal basis transactions and financial reports requested from state agencies.

• Lead and assist to prepare the BLBAR and, to a limited degree, the ACFR and other statewide financial reports that includes the compilation of 2,000+ annual financial reports received from state commissions, boards, universities, agencies and departments, and the analysis, review, and preparation of complex statewide calculations, transactions, and schedules.

• Assist with all activities required to produce the BLBAR and other financial reports, including but not limited to the General Fund preliminary Statements used by the Department of Finance; financial information included in Appendix A of the State Treasurer's Official Bond Offering Statements; Budgetary Comparison Schedules, Supplement, and Statistical Schedules for the ACFR; and Accounts Receivable reports.

• Communicate annual financial reporting requirements to state agencies, component units, and other entities. Communicate with management, other SCO staff, and personnel at the CA State Auditors' Office, the Department of Finance, and other state agencies to properly report financial information and to resolve financial accounting and reporting problems related to the application of GAAP and other legal requirements.

• Provide training and guidance to state accounting personnel on year-end financial accounting and reporting requirements. Work with state agencies and their external auditors to devise procedures to properly document information provided in various financial statements. Notify state agencies about various problems with their financial reports and provide direction in correcting them.

• Work with programming, data systems, and project staff to develop and maintain a variety of automated and complex financial accounting and reporting systems and tools used to record and analyze financial accounting transactions and to generate, analyze, and publish financial reports.

• Assist with evaluating existing statewide financial accounting and reporting policies, controls, procedures, and processes and develop, recommend, formulate, and implement revisions required by changes in legislation, state policies, and financial accounting and reporting standards.

• Assist with evaluating existing staff training materials, procedure manuals, and on-the-job reference materials and work with other Bureau management to revise these materials as needed.

• Participate in or serve as lead for special projects or ad hoc reports as required by management.

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement .

Working Conditions
The option for Hybrid telework is available upon completion of training period.

Free Parking

Minimum Requirements You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• FINANCIAL ACCOUNTANT I

Additional Documents

• Job Application Package Checklist
• Duty Statement

Position Details Job Code #:
JC-448676

Position #(s):
051-420-4191-024

Working Title:
Financial Accountant I

Classification:
FINANCIAL ACCOUNTANT I $7,310.00 - $9,080.00

# of Positions:
1

Work Location:
Sacramento County

Telework:
Hybrid

Job Type:
Permanent, Full Time

Facility:
State Accounting and Reporting Division

Department Information The Office of the State Controller (SCO) is the destination employer within the State of California. As California's chief fiscal officer, the Controller's Office ensures accountability and transparency of California's financial practices while promoting fairness and opportunity for all. Here, you'll work in a collaborative and supportive environment with diverse opportunities for professional growth and development. A career with the SCO offers meaningful work that directly impacts the state's future.

The State Accounting and Reporting Division (SARD) of the California State Controller's Office plays a crucial role in ensuring the transparency, accuracy, and efficiency of the state's financial operations. As the backbone of California's financial reporting, SARD is responsible for preparing and publishing essential financial statements, overseeing the state's budgetary control, and providing vital fiscal information to policy decision-makers and the public. Working in this division means contributing to the financial stability and integrity of the fifth-largest economy in the world with opportunities to engage in meaningful work, learn from seasoned experts, and grow your career in public finance.

Take the next step in your career with an organization that values innovation, integrity, and the well-being of its employees. Apply today and build a California where everyone thrives! To learn more about the SCO, visit: https://www.sco.ca.gov/index.html

How did you hear about us? Take our survey here:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SCOJOBS

Special Requirements

A copy of your degree, transcripts, or degree evaluation is required.

A Statement of Qualifications is required; please see 'Required Application Package Documents' for instructions.

Take the Financial Accountant I examination here:
https://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Exams/ExamBulletin.aspx?ExamControlId=1701

Application Instructions
Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.
Final Filing Date: 9/19/2024
Who May Apply
Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply.

Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).

How To Apply
Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included. If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below:

Address for Mailing Application Packages

You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:

State Controller's Office
Attn: Human Resources Office - A.M.
300 Capitol Mall 3rd Floor, Ste 300

Sacramento , CA 95814

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:

State Controller's Office
Human Resources Office - A.M.
300 Capitol Mall 3rd Floor, Ste 300

Sacramento , CA 95814
Applications dropped off in person must be received by 5 p.m. in HR, by the final filing date.
08:00 AM - 05:00 PM

Required Application Package Documents

The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

• Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
• Resume is optional. It may be included, but is not required.
• Degree and/or School Transcripts
• Statement of Qualifications - The SOQ must be typed in Arial font, 12-point size, and be single-spaced on 8.5" x 11" paper with one-inch margins. The SOQ can be no more than two pages in length, must indicate "Statement of Qualifications" at the top of the page, must identify the candidate's name at the top of the page, and must specifically address the topics listed below. Resumes are not acceptable as a substitute for the SOQ.
  
  
  • Please describe your experience preparing, reviewing, and/or analyzing governmental financial statements.
  • Please describe your experience performing, analyzing, and reconciling complex financial accounting transactions within a robust accounting system and your ability to utilize advanced formulas in an excel workbook.
  
  

Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.

Desirable Qualifications In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:

• Solid knowledge of accounting principles and financial statement preparation.
• Ability to supervise professional accounting staff and train staff on accounting matters.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, initiative, dependability, and ability to communicate diplomatically and effectively.
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Expertise in MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to multi-task, work in a team environment, and lead others effectively.
• Degree in Accountancy or Business Administration.
• Certified Public Accountant.

Benefits Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.

Contact Information
The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.
Hiring Unit Contact:
Lucy Xiong
(916) 323-6455

Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.
EEO Contact:
EEO Officer
(916) 324-2223

California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

Equal Opportunity Employer
The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.