Accountant

Salary : $79,020.00 - $112,116.00 Annually

Location : 33282 Golden Lantern Suite #203 Dana Point, CA 92629

Job Type : Full-Time

Job Number : 202500031

Department : Administrative Services

Opening Date : 12 / 04 / 2025

ABOUT THE POSITION

The City of Dana Point is seeking a talented, highly motivated, and customer-oriented individual to join the Administrative Services Department.

The ideal candidate will be a proactive team player with strong communication skills and a commitment to providing excellent service in a positive and collaborative work environment. Candidates with governmental accounting experience are strongly encouraged to apply.

Note : The City of Dana Point observes a holiday shutdown from December 24, 2025 - January 2nd, 2026. The City will resume normal operations on January 5, 2026.

First Review of Applications : Monday, January 5, 2026

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Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

DEFINITION

Under general supervision, perform a full range of professional accounting functions including analyzing accounts, posting to the general ledger, preparing and monitoring budget activities and reconciling bank statements; prepare a variety Track of financial reports and records; assist with technical and clerical accounting functions; and perform other related duties as assigned.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

The incumbent is expected to perform a full range of complex accounting duties with only minimal direction and supervision. Judgment is required in interpreting established policies, procedures, and guidelines. General supervision is provided by assigned supervisory or management staff. The position may provide direct supervision of technical and clerical positions.

This position is at-will and exempt under FLSA standards.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Essential job functions may include, but are not limited to, the following : (Management reserves the right to add, modify, change or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job).

• Perform professional accounting work including preparing a variety of financial and statistical reports, reconciling bank accounts, and preparing cash control.
• Audit and analyze accounting transactions; post receipts to the general ledger including accounts payable and receivable, employee payroll, fringe benefits, and fixed assets; audit journal entries.
• Assist with annual audit; provide financial statements and records.
• Prepare year-end financial reports; analyze revenue and expenditure reports; summarize discrepancies.
• Assist in the development, implementation and modification of accounting and auditing systems and programs; recommend modifications as appropriate.
• Participate in the development of the City's budget and assist in compiling the departmental bi-annual budget.
• Maintain and oversee administration of the fixed asset program.
• Perform comprehensive financial activity studies as directed; prepare monthly reports on investment performance.
• Attend and participate in professional group meetings; stay abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of accounting and finance.
• Participate in a variety of clerical and technical accounting functions; provide assistance to City staff and the public as necessary.
• Research and audit a variety of reports, records and documents to reconcile ledgers and journals and to produce a variety of specialized reports; may develop report formats and utilize varied databases.
• Perform accounts payable check processing; verify and answer questions related to proper coding, proper authorizations and available budget.
• Record interest revenue and prepare interest allocations for distribution of pooled revenue; post year-end revenue accruals; analyze and reconcile City revenues such as property taxes, transient occupancy taxes, and sales taxes.
• Assist with preparing the year-end close of City books; assist in preparing annual audit book containing all schedules requested by auditors.
• Assist with fixed assets accounting procedures, contract procedures, miscellaneous holding accounts and purchasing requirements consistent with public contract code.
• Assist in monitoring various accounts, verifying availability of funds and classification of expenditures; research and analyze transactions to resolve concerns.
• Oversee reconciliation of City bank accounts to the general ledger on a monthly basis, inclusive of providing support for fiscal agent and investment reconciliation; monitor cash flow and make banking transfers as necessary; may monitor and coordinate City investments.
• Record and verify a variety of complex financial transactions; prepare and maintain records and a variety of periodic and special financial, accounting and statistical reports.
• Assist with updating City records and procedures in assigned areas pursuant to changes in law, City policies and procedures, Memoranda of Understanding, and other pertinent rules and regulations.
• Identify and recommend opportunities for improving service delivery methods, procedures, and effectiveness of City financial operations.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and / or be learned within a short period of time to successfully perform the assigned duties.

Knowledge of :

Ability to :

Education and Experience :

Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain knowledge and abilities would be :

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT

The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

Physical Requirements :

Position requires the ability to perform light to moderate lifting and carrying of items such as computer hardware; sitting for prolonged periods of time; frequent walking and occasional standing and / or bending. Continuous hand use and finger dexterity needed to use computer keyboard and operate standard office equipment; and occasional pushing and pulling. This position also requires the ability to have near vision for reading correspondence, reports, contracts and other records. Good hearing is required when communicating on the telephone or in person.

Work Environment :

Primarily office environment with controlled temperature conditions and exposure to environmental factors and hazardous physical substances are minimal and pose little to no risk of injury. Occasional driving to meetings and / or events may be required.

Note : All employees of the City of Dana Point are designated by both State law and City ordinance to be "Disaster Service Workers." In the event of a declared emergency or an undeclared emergency or natural disaster that threatens the life, health and / or safety of the public, employees may be assigned to assist rescue and relief workers. Such assignments may be in locations, during hours and performing work significantly different from the employees' normal work assignments and may continue through the recovery phase of the emergency.

The City of Dana Point prides itself on hiring qualified individuals who enjoy working in a challenging, yet pleasant environment. We hope you consider joining the Dana Point Team!

COMPREHENSIVE ANNUAL LEAVE (CAL) - Based upon years of service, employees accrue a specified number of hours per year to use for personal leave, sick leave, and / or vacation leave. The annual CAL accrual schedule currently is as follows : Years 1-3 : 120 CAL hours, Years 4-6 : 160 CAL hours, Years 7-9 : 200 CAL hours, Years 10+ : 240 CAL hours.

PAID HOLIDAYS - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, President's Day, Friday before Easter, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving Day, day after Thanksgiving, and Holiday Closure, Christmas Eve through New Year's Day.

ALTERNATIVE WORK SCHEDULES - Employee may have the option of working a 5 / 40 or alternatively a 9 / 80 work schedule with supervisor and department head approval.

RETIREMENT - The City is a member of the California Public Employees Retirement System (CALPERS). The City's contract provides a 2%@55 formula for Classic Members and 2%@62 for New Members. Employees are responsible for paying the full employee contribution toward the retirement system, which is currently 7%, plus an additional 2.00% for Classic Members; and for New Members, 7.75%.

HEALTH BENEFITS - The City has a cafeteria-style benefit program. This position is currently provided a $1,848 monthly benefit allowance to use toward monthly insurance premiums. The options include medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance. A 457 deferred compensation plan, and a Section 125 / 129 flexible spending account program is also available. A small gym is located onsite at City Hall and is available for use by employees.

EDUCATION REIMBURSEMENT - The City may reimburse eligible employees for eligible education expenses, up to the cost of FT, in-state course work at a California State University

To learn more details, visit our benefits page

01

How many years of increasingly responsible experience do you have in accounting?

02

What financial management systems (ERP, payroll, budgeting, reporting) have you used in your prior roles?

03

Please describe your experience with Microsoft Excel (e.g., pivot tables, VLOOKUP, macros).

04

The City of Dana Point values teamwork and a positive workplace culture. What qualities do you bring to support a collaborative and customer-service-oriented environment?

Required Question