Accountant II

The City of Oakland is an equal opportunity employer that values workforce diversity inclusion and equity. Oakland has a long history of activism around issues of justice and equity. Both oppression and this resistance to oppression have shaped the citys historical roots and the lives of its residents to this day. As public servants in one of the most diverse cities in the nation we strive to develop employees who understand the harm and impacts of systemic inequity to create lasting meaningful outcomes for everyone. Oakland strives to establish an environment that embraces the richness of culture community and individualism of employees.

Why join the City of Oakland

The City of Oakland is recruiting Accountant IIs to fill multiple current and future vacancies across the organization. This is a citywide classification with current openings in the following departments: Economic & Workforce Development Human Services Oakland Public Works and Police. The eligible list established from this recruitment will be used to fill Accountant II vacancies citywide for the duration of the list.

As an Accountant II with the City of Oakland you will support the financial operations of one of the nations most diverse and dynamic cities. Positions may become available in a variety of departments including Finance the Office of the City Attorney Police Fire Public Works Transportation Violence Prevention Human Services Economic & Workforce Development and Housing & Community this role you may perform essential accounting functions such as payroll and retirement reconciliation CALPERS and tax reporting notes and loans management transaction recording financial reporting compliance and year-end processes. This position offers the opportunity to collaborate across departments contribute to transparent and accountable financial practices and build a strong foundation for a rewarding career in public service with the City of Oakland.

We are looking for someone who is:

• Experienced in accounting and skilled in general ledger reconciliation and core accounting principles.
• Analytical and detail-oriented with the ability to interpret complex regulations contracts and policies.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office especially Excel functions like VLOOKUP pivot tables and workbook reconciliation.
• An excellent communicator both in writing and verbally who can collaborate effectively across teams.
• Highly organized able to manage multiple priorities and meet tight deadlines.
• Independent yet collaborative thriving in both autonomous and team-oriented environments.
• Adaptable and driven a quick learner with a strong work ethic and positive attitude.

• Reconciling payroll to the general ledger.
• Reconciling CALPERS with payroll.
• Supporting fiscal and year-end tasks overpayment reconciliations taxes and annual reports CALPERS tasks and requests and EDD overpayments.
• Assisting with voluntary deductions and W4 changes.
• Conducting a thorough examination and analysis of a range of financial documents.
• Ensuring the accuracy and integrity of financial schedules and subsidiary ledgers through the process of reconciliation and maintenance.
• Aiding in the preparation of comprehensive fiscal reports.
• Compiling and submitting reports in a timely and accurate manner.

Working for the City of Oakland

• You will have a highly impactful role in helping support system operations for all of the City of Oaklands employees.
• You will have the ability to help improve and innovate processes.
• You will have extensive interactions and a high level of visibility with numerous employees in many departments.
• You will have the opportunity to think outside the box and problem-solve daily.
• You will collaborate and work within a team-oriented setting.

• You will need effective time management skills and adherence to reporting deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• You will face system limitations.
• You will need to navigate how to partner with a diverse set of stakeholders.

• Adaptability: Responding positively to change and modifying behavior as the situation requires.
• Analyzing & Interpreting Data: Drawing meaning and conclusions from quantitative or qualitative data.
• Attention to Detail: Focusing on the details of work content work steps and final work products.
• Building & Maintaining Relationships: Establishing rapport and maintaining mutually productive relationships.
• Decision Making: Choosing optimal courses of action in a timely manner.
• Displaying Ownership and Accountability: Holding self and others accountable for measurable high-quality timely and cost-effective results.
• Innovative Problem Solving: Identifying and analyzing problems in order to propose new and better ways of doing things.
• Legal & Regulatory Navigation: Understanding interpreting and ensuring compliance with laws and regulations.
• Mathematical Facility: Performing computations and solving mathematical problems.
• Professional & Technical Expertise: Applying technical subject matter to the job.
• Professional Integrity & Ethics: Displaying honesty adherence to principles and personal accountability.
• Teamwork: Collaborating with others to achieve shared goals.
• Writing:Communicating effectively in writing.

Any combination of education and experience that is equivalent to the following minimum qualifications is acceptable.

• Municipal government and organization experience.
• Knowledge of Oracle E-business versions R12 payroll system.
• Knowledge of CALPERS or other retirement systems.
• Knowledge of retroactive calculations.
• Payroll experience.

Possession of a Certified Public Accountant Certificate is desirable.

Other requirements
May be required to pass a background investigation.

Flexible Staffing
Incumbents in the Accountant I classification are eligible to promote to the Accountant II classification in accordance with established City policy related to flexible staffing.

The Recruitment Process:

Candidates who demonstrate that they meet the minimum qualification requirements are then invited to participate in an assessment process (or testing) to measure their knowledge skills and abilities in job-related areas.

Candidates who do not demonstrate that they meet the minimum qualification requirements will have an opportunity to request a final review. Candidates must request a final review within 5 business days of being notified that they did not meet the minimum qualifications.

In the final review candidates may clarify information already provided on their application. No additional work history education or certifications will be accepted. Any decisions made during this review process will be final.

The City of Oakland reserves the right to modify the selection process and date of examination as necessary to conform to administrative or business necessity. The information contained in this announcement is subject to change and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

• Work/Life Balance: 37.5 hour work weeks and a flexible/hybrid schedule (depending on department)
• 15 paid holidays
• Vacation: 2 weeks per year minimum with the ability to accrue more depending on public sector years of service
• Retirement: CalPERS (California Public Employees Retirement System) with a pension formula of 2.5% @ 55 (for Classic CalPERS members) and 2% @ 62 for new CalPERS members. Classic Employees contribute 8% of pre-tax wages. The City of Oakland does not participate in Social Security
• Health: The City of Oakland pays the full cost of employee and eligible dependent coverage at the Kaiser rate. Other plans include Anthem Blue Shield United Health Care and other HMO and PPO plans
• Dental: Delta Dental full premium for employees and eligible dependents
• Vision: VSP full premium for employees and eligible dependents
• Sick leave: Employees accrue 12 days per year
• Deferred Compensation: 457(b) pre-tax plan and an after-tax ROTH 401(k)plan
• Other benefits include a Flexible Spending Account Wellness Program Employee Assistance Program Tuition Reimbursement Life Insurance up to $200k & Employee Training.

*Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice. Additional information can be found here: Working for Oakland City of Oakland CA

Applicants are required to submit criminal history information upon request after receiving a conditional offer of employment. If the requested information is not furnished in a timely manner applicants will not qualify for further consideration and will be removed from the eligible list.

Disaster Service Workers

All employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

How to Apply

Apply prior to the closing time of the job announcement and allow at least two to three hours to submit your application if you are a new user of the system. APPLICATIONS ARE ACCEPTED ONLINE ONLY. You may apply and view current openings by visiting our employment opportunities webpage at:

you do not have access to a computer there are computer stations available at any City of Oakland Public Library. There are also workstations at the Human Resources Management Department 150 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza 2nd Floor Oakland CA 94612. Workstations are available during regular business hours (normally 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.).

Our online application system is provided by GovernmentJobs. If you have problems while applying online please contact GovernmentJobs Live Applicant Support at between 6:00 AM and 5:00 PM Pacific Time Monday - Friday. You may also call the City of Oakland Human Resources Management Department during regular business hours at for information; however we are unable to provide technical support for the online application system. For recruitment-specific questions please contact Will Sun Human Resources Analyst at .