Accountant III

Job Description:

Accountant III

Description

Position Description

Accountant III

$8,295 - $11,329 per Month

Final Filing Date: November 13, 2026

Exam #: 26/20B12/10GM

The County of Monterey is a diverse community set in a picturesque coastal location and offers tourists and residents alike the comfort of a moderate, Mediterranean climate, miles of beautiful beaches, spectacular mountain ranges, groves of redwoods, low-rolling foothills, and scenic valleys. Boasting such world-renowned attractions as the spectacular Big Sur Coast, Laguna Seca Raceway, 17-Mile Drive, Monterey Bay Aquarium, Cannery Row, the Steinbeck Center, the Monterey Jazz and Blues Festivals and Pebble Beach - possibly the world’s most famous golf course, it’s easy to see why over 450,000 residents choose to live here and an estimated four million visitors a year make the County of Monterey their destination of choice.

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 Monterey County Water Resources Agency (MCWRA or Agency) is an independent, special purpose public agency staffed with dedicated employees and focused on water resources management in Monterey County. The Agency was created via a California Water Code Appendix in a statute known as the Monterey County Water Resources Agency Act. The Agency is governed by the Monterey County Water Resources Agency Board of Supervisors for larger policy matters and a nine-member Board of Directors for more in-depth oversight.

The Agency provides the following services: control of flood and storm waters, flood warning and monitoring, water conservation, protection of water quality, reclamation of water and the exchange of water. Fundamental to the Agency’s mission to sustainably manage water resources while minimizing impacts from flooding, the MCWRA owns and operates the Nacimiento and San Antonio reservoirs and dams, a hydroelectric facility at Nacimiento Reservoir, the Salinas River Diversion Facility, the Castroville Seawater Intrusion Project, the Salinas Valley Reclamation Project, various drainage facilities, and numerous wells.

MCWRA executes long-term groundwater and surface water monitoring programs throughout the Salinas Valley Groundwater Basin and provides technical expertise on water resource management and planning throughout Monterey County.

SUMMARY OF POSITION

The Accountant III of the Monterey County Water Resource Agency performs complex accounting, budgeting, and financial reporting functions. The position ensures the accuracy and integrity of financial records, prepares and monitors budgets, performs advanced reconciliations, and manages grant and contract billing activities. The Accountant III analyzes financial data, prepares comprehensive reports, and ensures compliance with GAAP, governmental accounting standards, and County policies.

This role also provides technical guidance to departments, resolves accounting issues, and supports process improvements to enhance financial accuracy and operational efficiency. The Accountant III may lead and review the work of accounting staff and collaborates with Agency staff, external agencies, auditors, and grantor partners to support transparent and effective financial operations.

The ideal candidate for the Accountant III position is a highly skilled, detail-oriented financial professional who demonstrates strong analytical abilities and a deep understanding of governmental accounting principles. They are adept at managing complex financial operations, including fund accounting, grant billing, budgeting, and financial reporting, while maintaining accuracy, compliance, and operational efficiency.

Examples of Duties

• Performs professional accounting and budgetary duties involved in establishing, analyzing, reviewing, reconciling, monitoring, and maintaining financial records and reports; ensures financial activity of assigned accounts.
• Prepares, analyzes, evaluates, and monitors a program, a division, or the department’s budget, and other designated budgets; prepares income and expenditure projections for budget preparation; analyzes program and project costs; provides recommendations.
• Prepares or verifies a variety of simple to complex accounting, statistical, and narrative statements or reports, requiring analysis and interpretation of data.
• Monitors cash flow from enterprise funds, internal service funds, special revenue, and special district funds; prepares cash flow analyses and funding requirements for various funds and projects.
• 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; 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 recordkeeping systems.
• Prepares, reviews, and monitors grants, contracts, claims, and other financial agreements and proposals; prepares financial statements, balance sheets, income and expense reports, and cash flow analysis.
• 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.
• 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.
• Provides specific accounting and budgetary consultation to departments, divisions, or programs; 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.
• Identifies, develops, and recommends implementation procedures, and techniques to enhance fiscal accuracy, operational efficiency, financial effectiveness, and compliance with established requirements.
• Assigns, directs, and reviews the work of professional and para-professional staff; interviews and selects employees; provides training; reviews work for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with established requirements; evaluates work performance; and recommends transfers, reassignment, and discipline.
• Communicates with County staff and governmental agencies to exchange information, coordinate activities, resolve issues and concerns; prepares and submits mandated reports within established timeframes.
• Performs other related duties as required.

To view the complete job description, please visit the Monterey County website: Accountant III

THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE

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

Thorough Knowledge of:

• Methods, procedures, and terminology used in professional accounting.
• Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.
• Principles and practices of governmental accounting.
• Analysis of complex financial statements and reports.
• Principles and practices of financial and statistical recordkeeping.
• Principles and practices of financial statement preparation and comprehensive accounting reports.
• Principles and practices of budget preparation, monitoring, and controlling.
• Applicable laws, codes, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Principles, practices, and techniques of financial analysis and forecasting.

Working Knowledge of:

• Related computer hardware and applicable software
  
  

Skill and Ability to:

• Perform complex professional accounting and budgetary work involved in preparing, analyzing, reconciling, and maintaining financial records and reports
• Prepare, analyze, and monitor funds, budgets, and accounts.
• Reconcile internal financial reports.
• Interpret, apply, and explain financial rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Maintain accounting systems and prepare accounting reports.
• Analyze financial data and draw logical conclusions; prepare reports, forecasts, and recommendations.
• Detect possible weaknesses in internal controls or standard accounting procedures and recommend corrective action.
• Understand administrative policies and their impact on complex accounting functions.
• Perform complex mathematical calculations.
• Meet schedules and timelines.
• Operate standard office equipment, including a computer and associated software.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Provide excellent and courteous customer service and establish and maintain effective working relationships.

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;

AND

Experience:
Three years of experience performing full working-level accounting duties with a CPA firm, or four years of experience performing full working-level accounting duties in the public or private sector or two years of experience at a level equivalent to an Accountant II for the County of Monterey.

Additional Information

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

• Successfully complete a background check to include fingerprinting.
• Possess and maintain a valid California Class C driver’s license or the ability to provide suitable transportation that 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.

BENEFITS:
The County of Monterey offers an excellent benefits package. Please visit our website to view the Bargaining Unit X 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 & SELECTION PROCEDURES

Apply on-line at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/montereycounty

by the final filing date of Friday, November 13, 2026, at 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
County of Monterey Human Resources Department
Attn: Gabriela Munoz, Human Resources Analyst

Email: [email protected] | Phone: (831) 755-5899

168 W. Alisal Street, 3rd Floor
Salinas, CA 93901

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: 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 date of Friday , November 13, 2026 , at 11:59 PM (PST) to [email protected] .
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AND REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION:
Monterey County 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. Monterey 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 Gabriela Munoz Human Resources Analyst I, at [email protected].

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

Closing Date/Time: 11/13/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$8,295.21 - $11,329.24 Monthly