Junior Accountant

Job Description:

Junior Accountant

Description

Description

The City of San Clemente invites the application for:

JUNIOR ACCOUNTANT

The City of San Clemente is excited to introduce a brand-new opportunity to join our Finance team as a Junior Accountant. This professional accounting position is a wonderful opportunity for someone who is ready to build their skills, expand their knowledge of municipal finance, and contribute to meaningful public service in one of Southern California’s most beautiful coastal communities.

As a Junior Accountant, you will gain hands-on experience in a variety of financial areas, including general ledger support, account reconciliations, financial reporting, budget monitoring, audits, grant accounting, fixed assets, serve as a payroll back up and other core accounting functions that help keep City operations moving. This position is ideal for someone who is detail-oriented, curious, dependable, and excited to grow within a supportive team environment.

If you are looking for a role where you can learn, contribute, ask questions, develop your technical skills, and see how your work supports the community, this may be the perfect opportunity to begin or grow your career in public sector finance.

DEFINITION

Under general supervision, performs a variety of professional accounting, financial, auditing, and analytical duties in support of City financial operations; assists with account reconciliations, financial reporting, budget monitoring, audits, grant accounting, fixed asset accounting, and general ledger activities; enhance existing knowledge of governmental accounting principles, procedures, and systems; and performs related duties as assigned.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is a mid-level classification in the professional Accountant series.

Incumbents perform routine to moderately complex accounting assignments while learning City financial operations, governmental accounting practices, applicable regulations, and financial systems. As experience and proficiency are gained, employees are assigned increasingly complex accounting responsibilities and are expected to exercise greater independence and judgment.

The Junior Accountant is distinguished from Accountant by the limited complexity of assignments performed, closer supervision received, and emphasis on building upon existing knowledge of governmental accounting principles, procedures, and financial systems.

Essential Functions

Essential duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Assist in maintaining and reconciling general ledger accounts
• Prepare routine journal entries and supporting documentation
• Assist in reviewing financial transactions for accuracy, completeness, and proper account classification
• Assist with account reconciliations including cash, investments, receivables, payables, grants, and special funds
• Review and verify accounting records, reports, and supporting documentation
• Assist in preparing monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports
• Participate in month-end and year-end closing activities
• Assist in maintaining fixed asset records and depreciation schedules
• Assist external and internal auditors by gathering records, preparing schedules, and responding to routine requests
• Research accounting issues and compile supporting financial information
• Review expenditures and revenues for accuracy and proper coding
• Assist departments with financial inquiries and accounting-related questions
• Maintain accounting records, files, and financial documentation
• Participate in special projects and financial analyses
• Assist with payroll-related reconciliations, reporting, and financial recordkeeping activities as assigned
• Learn payroll processes to function as the primary back up
• Perform related duties as assigned

Typical Qualifications

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

The ideal candidate will be a motivated accounting or finance professional who is eager to learn, highly organized, and committed to accuracy. They will have a strong foundation in accounting principles, be comfortable working with spreadsheets and financial records, and have the ability to review information carefully while meeting deadlines. We are looking for someone who is coachable, professional, analytical, and genuinely interested in growing their knowledge of governmental accounting and City operations.

Coursework, internships, public sector exposure, bookkeeping, payroll, accounts payable, accounts receivable, auditing, or other related financial experience are all valuable.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of :

• Basic accounting principles and practices
• Financial recordkeeping procedures
• Basic payroll processing principles, procedures, and payroll-related recordkeeping requirements
• Principles of auditing and internal controls
• Spreadsheet, database, and financial software applications
• Business mathematics
• Modern office procedures and technology
• Governmental accounting principles and practices
• Government Accounting Standards Board (GASB) requirements
• Public sector budgeting and financial reporting
• Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)

Ability to:

• Build upon existing governmental accounting principles, procedures, and regulations
• Learn and apply payroll processing procedures, payroll regulations, and related internal controls
• Analyze financial information and identify discrepancies
• Prepare accurate financial records and reports
• Perform mathematical calculations accurately
• Understand and apply accounting procedures and internal controls
• Organize and prioritize work assignments
• Operate financial and accounting software systems
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships
• Exercise sound judgment and attention to detail

Experience

Three (3) years of accounting, bookkeeping, financial analysis, auditing, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll processing, or related financial experience is desirable.

Internship experience, public sector experience, and coursework in governmental accounting are highly desirable.

Education / Training

Bachelor’s degree (or higher) from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Public Administration, Economics, or other closely related field.

Licenses or Certifications

• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California driver’s license

Supplemental Information

SELECTION PROCESS

• Applications and Supplemental Questions will be reviewed and evaluated for relevant education and experience.
• Candidates considered to have the best qualifications will be invited to participate in the selection process.
• The selection process will consist of a 10-question Accounting Assessment (20%) and an oral interview (80%) for a weighted total of 100%.
• An eligibility list will be established and may be used to fill future vacancies.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work Environment:

Work is primarily performed in an office environment involving frequent use of computers, financial software systems, and other standard office equipment. Duties require interaction with City staff, auditors, vendors, outside agencies, and the public.

Physical Requirements:

Essential functions require:

• Sitting for prolonged periods of time while performing accounting and financial analysis work
• Operating computers, calculators, and standard office equipment
• Reading financial reports, spreadsheets, and accounting records
• Communicating effectively in person, virtually, and by telephone
• Lifting and carrying files, records, and office materials
• Maintaining sufficient physical, mental, visual, and hearing capability to safely and effectively perform assigned duties

For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact Cara Morin at (949) 361-8203 or [email protected] .

As an equal opportunity employer, the City strongly encourages people with disabilities and people from historically marginalized communities to apply.

The City of San Clemente provides excellent benefits which include:

FLEXIBLE WORK SCHEDULE - Most positions work a 9/80 work schedule.

HOLIDAYS - The City presently recognizes 12 regular holidays, plus two floating holidays.

VACATION - Employees accumulate vacation at the rate of 104 hours per year increasing to a maximum of 176 hours based on years of service.

SICK LEAVE - Accrual of 8 hours per month.

INSURANCE - The City provides a comprehensive benefit package including employee medical, dental, vision.

LIFE INSURANCE - Value equal to two times annual earnings up to a maximum of $100,000.

DEFERRED COMPENSATION - Employees may elect to enroll in a voluntary plan and defer up to the IRS permitted annual maximum. Employees may defer up to a maximum of $24,500 annually in 2026. Individuals aged 50 and older can contribute up to $8,000 in catch-up contributions to these plans.

FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNT - Employees may participate in either or both of the Health Care or Dependent Care programs.

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM - The City offers full-time employees and their dependents an EAP program which provides a variety of professional services.

ON-SITE FITNESS CENTER - The City provides a no fee on-site fitness center with state of the art equipment located in City Hall.

RETIREMENT - The City of San Clemente is a member of the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS), and is subject to the Public Employees' Pension Reform Act (PEPRA). The retirement formula for new employees is based on the category below that the new employee falls under. Employee contribution rates will be determined by the employee's classification and requirements under PEPRA.
NOTE: The City is also a member of the Social Security system. As such, Full Time employees make contributions to Social Security in addition to their CalPERS contributions.

Classic Member:

Retirement Formula: 2% @ 55

Definition:

CalPERS refers to all members that do not fit within the PEPRA definition of a "new member" as "classic members" who are subject to the Public Employees' Retirement Law (PERL). PEPRA allows a member after January 1, 2013, to retain his/her classic member retirement benefit status if the member continues his/her membership in all previous California Public Retirement System(s) by leaving his/her service credit and contributions (if any) on deposit, and the member enters into employment that results in CalPERS membership within six months of separating from the most recent California Public Retirement System. Classic member status also requires the membership date to be on or before December 31, 2012, in a California Public Retirement System in which reciprocity is established.

New Member:

Retirement Formula: 2% @ 62

Definition: A new member is defined in PEPRA as any of the following:

• A new hire who is brought into CalPERS membership for the first time on or after January 1, 2013, who has no prior membership in any California Public Retirement System.
• A new hire who is brought into CalPERS membership for the first time on or after January 1, 2013, who has a break in service of greater than six months with another California Public Retirement System that is subject to Reciprocity.
• A member who first established CalPERS membership prior to January 1, 2013, who is rehired by a different CalPERS employer after a break in service of greater than six months.

Closing Date/Time: 7/27/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$82,503.82 - $100,264.32 Annually