What are the responsibilities and job description for the ACCOUNTANT TRAINEE position at Department of Education?
This position provides professional accounting work in the establishment and maintenance of accounts and records while receiving training; learn agency activities, departmental systems, and central fiscal control activities; and develop interpersonal skills by contact with program personnel and control agencies in fiscal control activities.
This position is responsible for preparing delinquent account receivables. Process items which includes keying appropriate transactions into FI$CAL, the Financial Information System for California. Update logs and electronic files including maintaining and updating EXCEL spreadsheets to track Cancellations and Refund Requests. Process monthly past-due letters. Provide customer service to internal and external customers to perform accounting and collections activities.
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.
Working Conditions
HYBRID
This position is headquartered in Sacramento and may be eligible for a hybrid telework schedule for eligible applicants residing in California. A hybrid telework schedule includes working remotely and working a minimum of 2 days per week in the office.
Minimum Requirements
You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.- ACCOUNTANT TRAINEE
Additional Documents
- Job Application Package Checklist
- Duty Statement
Position Details
Department Information
The California Department of Education (CDE) oversees the state's diverse and dynamic public school system, which is responsible for the education of more than six million children and young adults in more than 10,000 schools with 295,000 teachers. The CDE and the State Superintendent of Public Instruction are responsible for enforcing education law and regulations; and for continuing to reform and improve public elementary school programs, secondary school programs, adult education, some preschool programs, and childcare programs. The CDE's mission is to provide a world-class education for all students, from early childhood to adulthood. The CDE serves our state by innovating and collaborating with educators, schools, parents, and community partners, preparing students to live, work, and thrive in a highly connected world.
http://www.cde.ca.gov/
Special Requirements
To be considered for this job opportunity, applicants must be reachable on an employment list, have transfer eligibility, or have reinstatement eligibility. If you are new to California State service and you do not have list eligibility, you must take the exam for this classification.
Please note: A separate application is required for the examination and must be submitted to the address on the examination bulletin.
The examination bulletin(s) may be viewed on the California Department of Education Web page at: Examinations Bulletins - Exams & Jobs (CDE Intranet) or at the link below:
Accountant Trainee:
https://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Exams/ExamBulletin.aspx?ExamControlId=3039
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: 12/5/2025Who May 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
Address for Mailing Application Packages
You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:
Address for Drop-Off Application Packages
You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:
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 -
Interested individuals MUST submit a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) with their application. Resumes, letters, and other materials do not take the place of the SOQ. The SOQ should have a title of “Statement of Qualifications, Your Name,” be no more than 2 pages, no smaller than 12-point font, and address the following:
Describe how your accounting background makes you a good fit for this position.- Describe (3) strengths that make you the best candidate for this position.
- Describe your career goals and where you see yourself in the next (5) years.
Desirable Qualifications
- Knowledge of personal computer software and ten key.
- Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
- Ability to analyze issues and problem solve.
- Effective leadership skills.
- Positive interpersonal skills and ability to interact with a wide range of people.
- Comprehensive knowledge of FI$Cal, State Administrative Manual, Government Codes, and the California Department of Human Resources rules and regulations.
Benefits
Medical benefits, including health, dental, and vision insurance- Paid holidays: 11 paid State holidays, 1 personal paid holiday, and 2 professional development days
- 401(k) and 457(b) Plans (Savings Plus)
- Employee Assistance Program
- Commute Program
More benefit information can be found on CalHR’s website: Benefits Summary
Contact Information
The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.
Hiring Unit Contact:
Deborah Carriker
(916) 322-5111
decarriker@cde.ca.gov
Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.
EEO Contact:Randi Thompson, EEO Officer
(916) 445-9174
oeoinfo@cde.ca.gov
California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.
Important Application Instructions
- How to Apply for state jobs: https://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHRPublic/Landing/Jobs/Steps.aspx
- Electronic applications submitted through your CalCareer account are highly recommended.
- DO NOT include any confidential information on any documents you submit for this job vacancy. Confidential information that should be excluded or removed from these documents includes, but is not limited to, your Social Security Number (SSN), birthdate, age, student identification number, driver license (unless required), examination results, LEAP status, and marital status.
- Incomplete or late application packages will NOT be considered.
- For experience to be considered, your STD 678 (state application) must be complete and include dates, accurate hours per week, total time worked, duties and responsibilities, and contact names and phone numbers of supervisors. Applications that are submitted blank or with “see resume” in place of duties performed will be considered incomplete.
- For civil service classifications, do not use working titles.
- If you choose not to submit electronically and are mailing or dropping off your hard copy State Application (STD. 678), use the revised 06/2024 version.
- If you are using education to meet the minimum qualifications, you must submit a copy of your transcripts or diploma. Foreign transcripts must be accompanied by an academic credential evaluation. List of approved agencies: Foreign Transcript Evaluation (CL-635)
- Please note that the CalCareer system will not allow you to make changes to your application once it is submitted.
- Candidates who reside outside of the State of California may be admitted to the job interview but must provide proof of residence in California prior to being eligible for appointment.
For general information about getting a job with the state, please view the job series videos here: Work4CA:How to Get a State Job Series
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.
