Accounting Specialist Series

Job Description:

Accounting Specialist Series

Description

Description

Are you looking to be part of a dynamic and fast paced environment, tackling engaging challenges that require your financial skills? The City of Costa Mesa has exciting opportunities to join our talented team as an Accounting Specialist. You’ll work alongside dedicated professionals who are passionate about serving the public and making a positive impact in shaping our community's future.

WHY WORK FOR COSTA MESA:

The City of Costa Mesa, with the motto "City of the Arts", is one of California's most eclectic and vibrant cities. Located just one mile from the Pacific Ocean and in the heart of Orange County, Costa Mesa is a great place to live , work and play. The City offers exceptional employee benefits, opportunities for training and development, and prides itself on its Core Values of Integrity, Sustainability, Compassion, Innovation, Inclusion and Collaboration.

We are accepting applications for the following vacancies:

1 Full-Time Accounting Specialist I assigned to the Finance Department, Treasury Division

1 Full-Time Accounting Specialist II assigned to the Police Department*

1 Part-time Accounting Specialist II assigned to the Finance Department, Accounting Division

THE POSITIONS:

ACCOUNTING SPECIALIST I:

Performs specialized clerical work in connection with the preparation, validation, examination, coding, and reconciliation of fiscal, financial, and statistical records; and related duties as required. Collects and accounts for money; maintains petty cash; operates cash register, balances cash receipts and prepare deposits. Work requires the performance of moderately difficult tasks using working knowledge of fiscal and financial record keeping practices, auditing and checking warrants, and accounts payable. Incumbents are typically responsible for a routinized segment of the accounting/record keeping system. Work generally involves assignments requiring occasional choices in the application of standard procedures and understanding of the record keeping system and related transactions. Please see link below under "Essential Functions" for complete job description.

ACCOUNTING SPECIALIST II:

Performs a variety of specialized and technical accounting and financial work of average difficulty in connection with the preparation, review, and maintenance of financial records; and related duties as required. Incumbents are responsible for varied and complex segments of the accounting or record keeping system. Work generally involves assignments requiring frequent choices in the application of a variety of procedures, as well as thorough understanding of accounting principles, internal controls, and the record keeping system. Please see link below under "Essential Functions" for complete job description.

SALARY RANGE:
ACCOUNTING SPECIALIST I: $53,424 - $71,604 annually ($25.68 - $34.43 per hour)

ACCOUNTING SPECIALIST II: $61,740 - $82,740 annually ($29.68 - $39.78 per hour)

*Police Department employees are required to successfully pass a thorough background check which includes, but is not limited to, a comprehensive investigation, fingerprinting, polygraph examination and credit check. Recent drug usage, theft, or other illegal activity may disqualify you. Record must be free from any felony conviction and/or any misdemeanor conviction involving moral turpitude and excessive traffic violations.

APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS:
Applications must be completed and submitted online. This recruitment will remain open until filled and may close without prior notice, therefore prompt application is encouraged.

First application review date: September 25, 2024

Candidates are requested to provide specific information regarding their education and experience as it relates to the position by completing all fields of the application. Applications may be rejected if incomplete . Do not include "see resume" in your responses, as they will not be accepted or reviewed in the application process. It is recommended you use a personal email address on your application instead of a work email address . Notifications during this recruitment will be sent by email only (regardless of the notification preference selected during the online application process).

Based upon the information presented on the application, a limited number of candidates who possess qualifications most pertinent to the position will be invited to participate in the selection process. The selection process may include, but is not limited to the following components: application review and evaluation, written examination or exercise, physical examination, practical exercise and interview evaluation. Please notify the Human Resources Division 72 hours in advance of the test date if you have a disability which requires accommodation for the testing process. The eligibility list will be in effect for one (1) year, unless exhausted sooner. The eligibility list established from this recruitment may be utilized to fill future Accounting Specialist vacancies that may occur during the life of the list.

All employment offers made by the City are contingent upon establishing proof of a prospective candidate's legal authorization to work in the United States and successfully passing all components of the pre-employment process which may include, but is not limited to: comprehensive background check, criminal history check (Live Scan fingerprint check), polygraph examination, post-offer psychological evaluation and post-offer medical evaluation (may include drug screen).

Note: The provisions of this job bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provisions contained within may be modified or revoked without notice.

Essential Functions

To view the complete job description for each position and a list of essential functions, please click on the links below:

ACCOUNTING SPECIALIST I
ACCOUNTING SPECIALIST II

Qualification Guidelines

A typical way to obtain the requisite knowledge and abilities to perform the duties and responsibilities of these classifications are as follows:

ACCOUNTING SPECIALIST I:

EDUCATION, TRAINING AND/OR EXPERIENCE:
Education and/or experience equivalent to graduation from high school and successful completion of high school level bookkeeping or accounting coursework; and two years of accounting or bookkeeping clerical experience which included routine account record keeping; public contact, and the application of policies and procedures in the performance of assigned tasks.

An equivalent combination of education and relevant experience that provides the desired knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform essential functions may also be considered.
LICENSE AND/OR CERTIFICATE:
Class C California Driver's License. Revocation of license during employment may result in disciplinary action or reassignment.

ACCOUNTING SPECIALIST II:

EDUCATION, TRAINING AND/OR EXPERIENCE:
Education and/or experience equivalent to graduation from high school and completion of college level coursework in basic accounting, bookkeeping, or finance; and three years of experience in accounting or related field, which involved maintaining financial records.

An equivalent combination of education and relevant experience that provides the desired knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform essential functions may also be considered.

LICENSE AND/OR CERTIFICATE:

Class C California Driver's License. Revocation of license during employment may result in disciplinary action or reassignment.

To view the Requisite Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities for each position, click on the following links:

ACCOUNTING SPECIALIST I
ACCOUNTING SPECIALIST II

Supplemental Information

PUBLIC EMPLOYEE DISASTER SERVICE WORKER:
In accordance with Government Code Section 3100 - all City of Costa Mesa employees are required to perform assigned disaster service worker duties in the event of an emergency or a disaster.

PHYSICAL TASKS AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:
Please contact Human Resources for a summary of the essential tasks and environmental factors for this classification.

Employee accommodations for physical or mental disabilities will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:
The City of Costa Mesa is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

To view 2024 benefit information for all groups, Click Here
To view 2025 benefit information for all groups, Click Here

New Full-Time employees contribute 9% of their salary on a pre-tax basis towards the 2%@60 or 2%@62 CalPERS retirement formula depending on eligibility.

Full-Time employeesreceive the following health insurance flexible benefits contribution:

• Current: $1,600monthly
• Effective January 2025: $1,650monthly

New Part-Time employees are appointed by and serve at the will of the Department Director. They are reviewed for merit salary advancement on a periodic basis. Generally, part-time employees are limited to no more than 1,000 hours of work per fiscal year (July 1 - June 30). Certain part-time employees, however, are permitted to exceed this limit.Part-time employees participate in either the Public Agency Retirement System (PARS) or the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) depending on eligibility. Employees enrolled in PARS contribute 3.75% of salary with a matching City contribution. Employees enrolled in CalPERS contribute 7% - 9% of salary depending on eligibility. Part-time positions are eligible to receive general leave benefits. General leave can be used for sick, vacation, or holiday time.

The City does not participate in the Social Security system; however, federal mandate requires all new employees to contribute 1.45% of wages to Medicare. As a condition of employment, all new employees are required to enroll and participate in the direct deposit program.

Closing Date/Time: Continuous

Salary:

See Position Description