Job Description

Job Description and Duties

We offer a hybrid work schedule with a minimum of 2 days in-office, consistent with the department's telework policy. If you're motivated, analytical, detailed, and looking for a career in government finance with plenty of opportunity for advancement, this is the job for you.

Under close supervision of a Senior Accounting Officer (Supervisor), the Accountant Trainee, as a learner is responsible for audit, payment, and reconciliation of encumbrances and invoices in accordance with Government Codes, State Administrative Manual, Department procedures and the Prompt Payment Act. The incumbent researches and learns encumbrances and payment procedure problems and reviews and analyzes Financial Information System for California (FI$Cal) financial reports.

Those interested in in obtaining employment with the Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) must apply and compete through the State recruitment process. Applicants who successfully pass the examination will be placed on an eligibility list used to recruit for positions.

Please review the Classification Specifications to ensure possession of the Minimum Qualifications of the classification. Possession of Minimum Qualifications will be verified prior to appointment. If you are meeting Minimum Qualifications with education, you are encouraged to upload and submit your unofficial transcripts/diploma for verification in your application packet. Official transcripts may be required upon appointment.

An applicant with a college degree obtained outside the United States that does meet accreditation standards must have education records evaluated by a credentials evaluation service. Evaluation of education records will be due during final minimum qualification evaluation of candidate(s). A link of accepted evaluation agencies can be found here: 

This posting may be used to fill future vacancies in accordance with 2 CCR §249.3

To be considered for this Accountant Trainee job opportunity, applicants must be either reachable on an employment list, have transfer eligibility or have reinstatement eligibility. To take the exam and gain employment list eligibility, please click here to access the exam bulletin:

Effective July 1, 2025, specific Bargaining Units and associated Excluded State employees are subject to a salary reduction between 2% - 4.62% in exchange for hours in the Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025) per month. For more details, please click  e to visit the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) website.

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

The position is located in:
Sacramento, CA

This office will be relocating in December 2025, to the renovated New Labor Agency Building in Downtown Sacramento, at 1416 9th Street.

The incumbent works 40 hours per week in a cubicle in an office setting that is air-conditioned with elevator access and natural and artificial lighting. Typical work requires prolonged use of a computer, calculator, and telephone, as well as interaction with co-workers. Travel may occasionally be required for meetings, training, etc. Partial telework is available as approved by the Department.

Special Requirements

A STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS (SOQ) IS REQUIRED. The SOQ must be in 12 pt. Arial font; have 1" margins; be limited to no more than two (2) single-spaced pages and be in narrative form (no bullet points). Only complete applications that include an SOQ will be reviewed and only the most qualified candidates will be interviewed. Resumes and Cover Letters do not take the place of the Statement of Qualifications. The SOQ must address the following:

Entry-level accounting roles involve ongoing training and learning new processes. How has your experience and education prepared you for this? Provide an example of a situation where you had to quickly learn a new skill or system. How did you approach learning the new process?

Desirable Qualifications

In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:

• Knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
• Knowledge of accounting and budgeting principles, methods and procedures.
• Knowledge of and experience performing year-end close activities, and Financial Reporting.
• Knowledge and experience with other Automated Accounting Financial Systems.
• Knowledge and experience with systems development, process automation and improvement.
• Ability to audit financial information and verify accuracy.
• Ability to research, analyze situations, solve complex problems, and adopt an effective course of
• action to make decisions or recommendations.
• Ability to synthesize information from various sources to identify trends, patterns, and/or
• relationships.
• Ability to conduct reconciliations and make appropriate recommendations and/or corrections.

Benefits

Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.

Health, Dental, and Vision Benefits, Paid Sick and Vacation leave, 11 paid holidays, Flexible Work Schedule, 401(k) & 457 plans (Savingsplus), Retirement (CalPERS), Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Optional Group Legal

Additional Information

Preference will be given to persons with State Restriction of Appointments (SROA) or Surplus status. Applicants must attach a copy of their most recently dated letter that specifies their designation as either SROA or surplus candidate as proof.

Qualified candidates must have eligibility in State employment, be in a reachable rank on an employment list for this classification, be currently in this classification, or have transfer eligibility to this classification.

If you do not hear from us in 4-6 weeks, you may assume the position has been filled by another applicant. Please note that all additional vacancies that become available may be added to this advertisement.

Please note that the Exam and Certification Online System (ECOS) does not allow you to resubmit your application once you withdraw it. If you have any updates to your online application, please contact the Personnel, Recruitment, & Hiring Unit at (800) 564-0771.

Please let us know how you heard about our position by taking this brief survey:  DIR Applicant Survey

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 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.
• Statement of Qualifications - Please see Special Requirements section of the posting for instructions on the Statement of Qualifications.

Job Tags

Permanent employment, Full time, Traineeship, Work at office, Remote work, Relocation, Flexible hours,

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