Salary : $62,067.20 - $107,244.80 Annually
Location : All Locations - San Luis Obispo County, CA
Job Type: Permanent - Hourly
Job Number: 0725PM-000905-01
Department: Social Services
Division: DSS Administration Services
Opening Date: 07/14/2025
Closing Date: 8/3/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

About the Position
The County of San Luis Obispo Department of Social Services is seeking an ambitious and experienced Accountant I/II/III to serve in the Fiscal Division. The Accountant I/II/III will be heavily involved with all Fiscal Division operations, grant management, and a high volume of state and federal reporting and large expenditure claims.
Successful candidates will have experience in budget and finance, be self-motivated, highly analytical strategic thinkers, and be detail oriented with the ability to solve business problems and deliver insights that enable timely and effective operational decision-making.

Accountant is part of a career series for Accountant I, II and III. Under direction, performs professional accounting and budgetary work involved in establishing, analyzing, auditing, reconciling and maintaining financial records in support of designated programs or an assigned division or department; provides fiscal administrative support in the preparation, analysis and monitoring of the departmental annual budget and designated budgets and accounts; prepares and audits a variety of financial, statistical and budgetary reports, statements and records; and does other related work as required.

to view the full job description for Accountant I.
to view the full job description for Accountant II.
to view the full job description for Accountant III.
This recruitment may be used to fill future permanent, substitute, limited term, and temporary positions, both full-time and part-time throughout the County.

The Ideal Candidate
Knowledge of:

Methods, procedures and terminology used in professional accounting work
Principles and practices of governmental accounting
Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
Analysis of complex financial statements and reports
Financial and statistical record-keeping techniques
Preparation of financial statements and comprehensive accounting reports
Budgeting practices regarding preparation monitoring and control
Financial analysis and projection techniques
Research and statistical evaluation techniques
Applicable laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures
Operation of a computer and assigned software
Effective oral and written communication and interpersonal skills

Ability to:

Accurately perform professional accounting and budgetary work involved in preparing, analyzing, auditing, reconciling and maintaining financial records and reports
Prepare, analyze and monitor budgets
Provide consultation concerning assigned accounting and budgetary activities and related functions
Reconcile various fiscal statements to assure accurate fund accounting as assigned
Supervise, train and evaluate the performance of designated personnel as assigned by the position
Communicate effectively both orally and in writing
Interpret, apply and explain rules, regulations, policies and procedures
Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others
Add, subtract, multiply and divide quickly and accurately
Analyze financial data and prepare reports, forecasts and recommendations
Meet schedules and timelines
Operate standard office equipment including a computer and assigned software

Education and Experience:
A combination of education, training, and experience resulting in the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. An example of qualifying education and experience includes:

Accountant I: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor's degree in accounting or a related field, including 12 semester units or 18 quarter units of accounting. (Job-related experience may substitute for the required education, except for the required accounting units, on a year-for-year basis.)
Accountant II: The same as above plus one year of experience at a level equivalent to Accountant I.
Accountant III: The same as above plus two years of experience at a level equivalent to Accountant II.
How to Apply

Applications, including answers to supplemental questions, must be submitted online by the final filing date. To apply for this position, click "apply" at the top of this page. Most County recruitments require you to respond to supplemental questions as part of the application process. We recommend that you review these questions prior to beginning your application.
An initial application review will be conducted. Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications and are best qualified will be invited to participate in selection activities which may include online assessments, performance exams, written exams, and interviews.

Final candidates will be required to have an in-depth background review performed before proceeding in the process. Please note that references will not be contacted until the end of the process.

If you have questions or would like to discuss the opportunity further, please contact Human Resources at hr@co.slo.ca.us. Confidential inquiries are welcomed.

For further information regarding the County of San Luis Obispo, visit our website at .
Reasonable Accommodation Notice
Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job or to perform your job. Examples of reasonable accommodation include making a change to the application process or work procedures, providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment. Please call 805-781-5959 for assistance or e-mail hr@co.slo.ca.us for more information.

Veteran's Preference Points
If you are applying for employment with the County of San Luis Obispo and you served in the United States Armed Forces, you may be eligible for veteran's preference points as part of the recruitment process. Some dependents and survivors of eligible veterans may also be eligible for preference points. for more information and to learn how to apply for this benefit. Please note that Veteran's credits must be on file with the County of San Luis Obispo Veterans Services Office prior to the recruitment closing date indicated on the job announcement.

Equal Employment Opportunity
The County is an equal opportunity employer. Objectives are directed toward assuring equal opportunity in selection / promotion, pay, and job assignments. Recruitment and selection procedures have been established to ensure non-discrimination on the basis of political or religious opinions or affiliations, age, sex, race, color, national origin, marital status, disability, sexual orientation or other non-merit factors. In addition, the County complies with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act in hiring and retaining employees. For more information contact the Human Resources Department at (805)781-5959.
Make a Difference
Employees of the County of San Luis Obispo are public servants who impact the lives of our community every day. From supporting efforts to reduce homelessness, keeping our drinking water clean, or serving the families in need in the community, County employees make a difference.
Compensation and Benefits
Your annual salary is supplemented by a generous benefit package.

For additional information regarding the benefits listed that may be available to you, visit the associated Benefits-At-A-Glance webpage (click here for link).

Some benefits include:
- Medical (PPO, EPO, HDHP), Dental (HMO, PPO) and Vision Insurance
- Health enhancing programs such as Hinge Health, GIThrive and Carrum Health for medical enrollees.
- Cafeteria (County contribution to pay for insurance premiums)
- Free visits to the employee health clinic
- Mental Health resources/benefits including Headspace
- Voluntary insurance plans (life insurance, disability, critical illness and many more)
- A lifelong retirement benefit through the San Luis Obispo County Pension Trust
- Optional deferred compensation plan with up to $500 per year match (depending on bargaining unit)
- Tax savings accounts (medical and dependent care)
- Paid personal, sick and vacation days
- 12 paid holidays
- Employee Assistance Program
- Education and Wellness Allowance
- Post Employment Health Plan
- Family Friendly workplace policies
- Flexible work schedule options
- Rideshare commuter benefits
- Pet Insurance
The County of San Luis Obispo has been recognized as a Diamond Level Family Friendly Workplace by San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce. We support our employees through: childcare assistance, flexible scheduling practices, paid and unpaid leave, comprehensive health benefits, flexible spending accounts, and employee assistance programs.

Pension Benefit and Employee Contribution Rates:
The County's pension is a defined benefit plan that provides a guaranteed monthly pension payment for life based on your time in service, wages, and other factors. The County is the primary contributor to the pension fund, but the health of the pension fund also depends on mandatory employee contributions. Employees are required to pay a percentage of their base pay towards the pension fund, ranging from 5% to 19%. This amount is deducted from your paycheck pre-tax every pay period. To find out how much will be deducted from your paycheck should you be hired for this position, please contact Pension Trust at (805) 781-5465.

Healthcare Benefits and Cafeteria Contributions:
The County offers comprehensive medical coverage to you and your family, along with two dental plan options and vision coverage. All permanent employees receive a monthly employer contribution (or 'cafeteria' contribution) to help them pay for their portion of the medical, dental, and vision insurance premiums. The amount of the cafeteria contribution varies by Bargaining Unit (BU) and the extent to which employees enroll their dependents. If the cafeteria amount is greater than your selected premiums, the remainder of the cafeteria is paid out to you in your paycheck as taxable income. If the cafeteria amount is less than your monthly premiums, you pay the remainder of the premiums with pre-tax wages.

To estimate your out-of-pocket costs (or cashback from extra cafeteria),

Learning and Development
The County prioritizes your learning, personal and professional development, and career growth. Employees have access to over 1500 on-demand courses, instructor led courses, and job-specific trainings.

Employees can take courses to upskill to make themselves more competitive for promotional opportunities and further their career growth. Examples of courses include:

- Emotional Intelligence
- Supervisor/Manager academies
- Microsoft Suite courses
- Defensive Driving
- Financial management
- Retirement preparedness
- Teambuilding
- Written Communication
- Conflict Management
- Clifton StrengthsFinder and DISC
- Job specific conferences/trainings

Student Loan Forgiveness
Did you know that if you are employed by a government agency you may be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program
County employees also have access to GotZoom, a program that offers tools and support to navigate your federal student loans.

Homebuyer assistance program
Employees have access to the "Assist-to-Own" program sponsored by to get a loan for the down payment.
01

Please describe your experience in bookkeeping, accounts payable, accounts receivable and similar accounting and fiscal functions.
02

Please describe any experience you have with SAP or other enterprise wide financial systems
03

Please describe your experience with state and federal reporting.
Required Question

County of San Luis Obispo, CA jobs

Accountant I/II/III- Dept of Social Services

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