What are the responsibilities and job description for the FINANCIAL ACCOUNTANT I position at California State Controller's Office?
Position Details
Job Code #:
JC-517348
Position #(s):
051-420-4191-010
Working Title:
Financial Accountant I
Classification:
FINANCIAL ACCOUNTANT I
$7,529.00 - $9,352.00
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.
# 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!
Visit our website to learn more about the State Controller’s Office.
How did you hear about us? Take our survey!
Job Description And Duties
Under the general direction of the Treasury Services Section (TSS) Manager, a Financial Accountant III, the Financial Accountant I, is responsible for performing technical and professional statewide financial accounting and reporting activities on a Cash basis and modified accrual basis in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). The incumbent performs as a lead to other professional financial accounting staff and is responsible for the most fiscally complex, highly technical, sensitive, and critical assignments related to the State’s Bond Accounting, Pooled Money Investment Account (PMIA) Loan program, and Discharge from Accountability program.
Duties Performed:
(Candidates must perform the following functions with or without reasonable accommodations).
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 required examination here: Financial Accountant I Examination
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: 5/19/2026
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
Human Resources
Attn: Human Resources Office, C.B.
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
Attn: Human Resources Office, C.B.
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:
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.
Job Code #:
JC-517348
Position #(s):
051-420-4191-010
Working Title:
Financial Accountant I
Classification:
FINANCIAL ACCOUNTANT I
$7,529.00 - $9,352.00
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.
# 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!
Visit our website to learn more about the State Controller’s Office.
How did you hear about us? Take our survey!
Job Description And Duties
Under the general direction of the Treasury Services Section (TSS) Manager, a Financial Accountant III, the Financial Accountant I, is responsible for performing technical and professional statewide financial accounting and reporting activities on a Cash basis and modified accrual basis in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). The incumbent performs as a lead to other professional financial accounting staff and is responsible for the most fiscally complex, highly technical, sensitive, and critical assignments related to the State’s Bond Accounting, Pooled Money Investment Account (PMIA) Loan program, and Discharge from Accountability program.
Duties Performed:
(Candidates must perform the following functions with or without reasonable accommodations).
- Analyze complex proposed bond measures, review Bond Official Statement and Indenture and related legislation for fiscal impact and implement provisions when passed into law. Develop, coordinate, and implement procedures of policy issues, new bond programs, legislative mandates and special projects. Research industry practices and regulations to identify the potential impact, conduct risk assessments, make recommendations to management, and implement financial management controls.
- Establish and maintain accounts in the State’s financial accounting system to accurately record all bond financial activity including receipt of proceeds, transfers of cash for project expenditures, investment earnings, administrative costs, and debt service payments and provide reporting data for inclusion in the State’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Statement.
- Provide analytical assistance to agency accounting personnel to resolve specific financial accounting issues and explain rules and/or procedures. Prepare and process financial accounting instruments for fiscally sensitive documents to support transaction requests. Analyze and provide solutions to complex financial accounting problems that result when an agency’s request cannot be processed due to deficiencies in cash, appropriation balances, or legal authority.
- Develop and maintain reconciliation of bonds authorized, detailed appropriation status report, and management of cash availability to ensure spending does not exceed bonds authorized.
- Perform activities necessary to process bond sales and the associated financial accounting and reporting of bond funds. Establish bond expenditure and proceeds accounts. Ensure that bond proceeds are remitted to the appropriate bond funds and tied to the related expenditure accounts.
- Coordinate with state agencies and work with the STO to ensure accurate and consistent financial reporting of bond proceeds, issuance costs, underwriter fees, premiums, and discounts. Serve as an expert representative for financial accounting on state agencies, various committees, and workgroups. Provide input related to fiscal controls, applicable regulations and requirements, and feasibility of operations. Participate in conferences with other agencies on preliminary bond issues.
- Organize, create, and maintain centralized files for each bond for easy-to-use and relevant information extraction, including flow charts, summaries, background, accounts, bond structure, bond propositions, reconciliation reports, analysis, and other pertinent information.
- Serve as a back-up in processing new PMIA loans as authorized by bond propositions and subsequently approved by the Pooled Money Investment Board (PMIB). Establish PMIA loan accounts and provide analytical services necessary to close out or renew PMIA loans. Ensure that loan proceeds are transferred from the PMIA to loan accounts, and that cash is transferred from the loan account to cover expenditures. Calculate loan interest due at closing date of loans. Maintain database of existing and new PMIA loans. Reconcile PMIA loans and commercial paper authorized with STO’s records.
- Serve in a lead capacity over the bond accounting, PMIA loan, and discharge of accountability areas, oversee financial accounting staff work assignments, assist financial accounting staff with technical aspects, and provide training and technical expertise to financial accounting staff. Serve as a back-up to other financial accounting staff.
- Participate in Division level policy development and perform special assignments. Review and evaluate current process and procedure documents to develop new and/or revise existing processes and procedures. Assist in conducting ongoing risk assessments, monitor, and verify adequacy of internal controls in compliance with the State Leadership Accountability Act.
- Participate in the agency’s development of a new financial accounting system (FI$Cal) as a subject matter expert. Meet with the division’s IT team, division management, and FI$Cal project team staff to discuss the replacement of the current financial accounting system.
- Assist with giving oral presentations and participate in meetings to represent the Bureau of Cash Management and its functions. Provide assistance to other sections of the Bureau to meet business needs.
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 required examination here: Financial Accountant I Examination
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: 5/19/2026
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
Human Resources
Attn: Human Resources Office, C.B.
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
Attn: Human Resources Office, C.B.
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 Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) must be typed in Arial font, 12-point size, single-spaced, on 8.5" x 11" paper, one-inch margins, no more than two pages in length, indicate "Statement of Qualifications" at the top of the page, identify candidate's name on each page, and answer the following prompt below. Resumes are not an acceptable substitute for the SOQ.
- Please describe your experience preparing or leading the preparation of complex financial accounting analyses and reports and communicating results to management or other stakeholders.
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.
Salary : $7,529 - $9,352