City of El Centro, CA is hiring: ACCOUNTANT in El Centro

Overview

Salary: $5,308.00 - $6,635.00 Monthly
Location : El Centro, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 202400147
Department: Finance
Opening Date: 09/15/2025
Closing Date: 9/29/2025 5:00 PM Pacific

Job Description

Summary: Under administrative direction performs a variety of professional accounting duties involved in reviewing, analyzing, auditing, reconciling, maintaining and adjusting City accounts and budgets; establishes, analyzes, audits, reconciles and maintains a variety of financial records; prepares and audits a variety of financial, statistical and budgetary reports and statements; and performs related responsibilities as required.

Distinguishing Characteristics: This is the mid-level administrative classification assigned to the Finance Department. This position receives general supervision from the Finance Director and may provide work direction to regular or temporary clerical employees. Work assignments require frequent interaction with department heads, supervisors and other employees.

Essential Job Functions

Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following tasks, knowledge, skills and other characteristics. The list that follows is not intended as a comprehensive list; it is intended to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed, and may be required to perform additional, position-specific tasks.

• Performs a variety of professional, advanced and complex accounting duties involved in reviewing, analyzing, auditing, reconciling, maintaining and adjusting City accounts and budgets, assures financial activity of assigned accounts complies with applicable standards, requirements, laws, codes, rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Reviews, audits, analyzes, reconciles and adjusts bank, accounts payable, payroll, general ledger and other City accounts; calculates, posts, audits, code and adjust journal entries; updates accounts to reflect revenue and expenditures; balances accounts, audits for errors and makes appropriate adjustments; processes account and budget transfers, deposits, adjustments and other transactions as needed.
• Prepares, maintains analyzes and reviews a variety of financial and statistical reports, statements and records related to income, expenditures, accounts, budgets, transfers, reconciliations, benefits, daily cash, returned checks and assigned duties; prepares the quarterly financial report for the City Council.
• Reviews, analyzes and audits financial statements, records, reports and related documents to assure accuracy, completeness and compliance with established guidelines, requirements, procedures and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP); analyzes, verifies and audits cash accounts against the general ledger.
• Researches, reviews, compiles, prepares, calculates, analyzes and revises financial and statistical data related to City accounts, budgets, programs and activities; compares and reconciles ledgers, statements, records, documents and reports to identify errors and discrepancies; participates in the research, investigation and resolution of financial issues, errors and discrepancies.
• Reconciles banking and various other fiscal statements to assu re accurate fund accounting; assures financial statements, transactions and account balances match City records and reports as assigned, receive, audit and process checks and other revenue; process and maintain returned checks; monitor and control periodic loan payoffs.
• Provides consultation to administrators and personnel concerning city accounting and budgetary functions, responds to inquiries and provide detailed and technical information concerning related accounts, budgets, standards, practices, transactions, records, reports, requirements, laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures, advise management concerning material variations to GAAP.
• Provides administrative support in the review, preparation and development of the City's annual budget as directed; prepares income, expenditure and cash flow projections to assists with budget preparation, analyzes costs and provides recommendations concerning budgetary allocations.
• Trains and provides work direction and guidance to designated personnel, assigns employee duties and reviews work for accuracy, completeness and compliance with established requirements.
• Coordinates and provides grant and loan program accounting and monitoring, oversees the recording and monitoring of long-term debt transactions for the City; assists in debt issuance and the review of bond documents, processes and records capital assets including inventory verification and projects cost analysis and verification.
• Assures mandated reports, records and data are completed and submitted to appropriate agency or personnel according to established time lines.
• Inputs a wide variety of financial and statistical data into an assigned computer system; establishes and maintains automated records and files; initiates queries, manipulates data, develops spreadsheets and generates a variety of computerized reports and documents; assures accuracy of input and output data.
• Communicates with administrators, personnel and various outside organizations to exchange information, coordinates activities and programs and resolves issues or concerns; composes, distributes and responds to a variety of correspondence.
• Performs a variety of special accounting projects in support of assigned functions as required.
• Confers with independent auditors and provides documentation and information related to financial statements; performs internal audits as requested.
• Coordinates and performs work related to the formation and administration of Community Facility Districts and Landscaping and Lighting Districts.
• Prepares analysis of receipts and daily bank balances to provide Finance Director and City Treasurer with the data necessary to make investment decisions.
• Manages and oversees departmental Grants and Projects.
• Monitors and tracks Transient Occupancy Tax.
• Maintains fixed asset listings, schedules and performs inventory control.
• Evaluates and monitors internal control procedures for cash, payroll, accounts payable and customer service.
• Prepares, reviews and submits a variety of financial reports to local, state and federal regulatory agencies and government offices.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

The preceding activities have been provided as examples of the types of work performed by positions assigned to this job classification. The City reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind work assignments as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education, Experience, Certifications and Licenses:

• Bachelor Degree in Accounting.
• Three (3) years of progressively responsible accounting experience performing varied financial analysis, record-keeping, report preparation duties and grant accounting work.
• Possession of a valid California Driver's license and acceptable driving record must be maintained.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of governmental reporting principles, practices and procedures.
• Knowledge of laws, rules and regulations related to financial accounting, auditing, budgeting and reporting for City government.
• Knowledge of methods, procedures and terminology used in professional accounting work.
• Knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.
• Knowledge of analysis of complex financial statements and reports.
• Knowledge of payroll accounting and treasury management accounting methods, practices and procedures.
• Knowledge of preparation of financial statements and comprehensive accounting reports.
• Knowledge of preparation, review and control of assigned accounts.
• Knowledge of general accounting, budget and business functions of city government.
• Knowledge of policies and objectives of assigned programs and activities.
• Knowledge of budgeting practices regarding monitoring and control.
• Knowledge of financial analysis and projection techniques.
• Knowledge of research and statistical evaluation techniques.
• Knowledge of business correspondence, letter writing and format.
• Knowledge of proper English grammar, spelling and punctuation.
• Skill in the operation of a personal computer and related software to perform word processing, spreadsheet operations, data base operations and other related areas.
• Skill in the operation of modern office equipment.
• Ability to organize own work, coordinate projects, set priorities, meet deadlines and follow-up on assignments.
• Ability to perform a variety of professional accounting duties involved in reviewing, analyzing, auditing, reconciling, maintaining and adjusting City accounts and budgets.
• Ability to prepare and analyze comprehensive financial statements and accounting reports.
• Ability to provide support in the review, preparation and development of the City's annual budget, as directed.
• Ability to calculate, post, audit and adjust journal entries including income and expenditures.
• Ability to reconcile various fiscal statements to assure accurate fund accounting as assigned.
• Ability to evaluate financial and budgetary data and prepare forecasts and recommendations.
• Ability to interpret, apply an explain rules regulations, policies and procedures.
• Ability to prepare accounting summaries and governmental reports.
• Ability to prepare audit, balance and reconcile accounting records and journal entries to ensure completeness and accuracy.
• Ability to administer cash management and treasury accounts as assigned.
• Ability to establish effective working relationships with City personnel, employees, vendors, contractors and the general public.
• Ability to communicate effectively with others, orally and in writing.
• Ability to work independently or as a team member.

Special Requirements

Environmental Factors and Conditions/Physical Requirements:

• Work is routinely performed in office environments with minimal exposure to inclement weather, and varying temperatures.
• Required to sit, stand or walk for extended periods.
• Required to use hands to finger, handle, grip, grasp or feel objects.
• Required to hear and speak to exchange information in person and on the telephone.
• Required to communicate verbally and in writing.
• Required to interact with a variety of people.
• May be required to bend, stoop, kneel, crawl and crouch.
• May occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

Equipment and Tools Utilized:

• Personal computer, copier, fax and other standard office equipment.

If you have a disability that requires assistance at any point in the recruitment process (for example, filling out applications, testing, interviewing), please notify the Human Resources Department. The City of El Centro performs job-related medical/physical evaluations and pre-employment/promotional drug screening. EEO/ADA.

The City of El Centro offers a competitive compensation package which include medical, dental vision, life insurance, mental health counseling, short-term and long-term disability. Total compensation includes not only your salary, but also the benefits paid by the City on your behalf. These City provided benefits add significantly to the overall value of your compensation.

Benefits

• Health Insurance is available at a shared cost. The City will subsidize a percentage of the medical premium and employee is responsible for the rest. The percentage subsidized by the City depends on coverage plan chosen
• All plans include vision and dental insurance
• Basic life Insurance is fully subsidized by the City. (The coverage amount varies depending on the position classification and resolution with the City)
• Optional Supplemental Life and Dependent Insurance is available at the employee's expense.
• Worker's Compensation is paid by the City
• Deferred Compensation (457b Plan) is available at the employee's expense
• Tuition Reimbursement up to $1,000 per calendar year subject to pre-approval and availability of funds

Pay Practices: This position is paid on a biweekly basis.

Retirement: CalPERS - Employee/Employer contributions.

Holidays: 15 paid holidays per year. The City recognizes the following holidays:

• New Year's Day
• Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
• President's Day
• ½ Good Friday
• Memorial Day
• Juneteenth
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Veteran's Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Friday after Thanksgiving
• ½ December 24th
• Christmas Day
• ½ December 31st
• Birthday Holiday