Accountant I Trainee

Accountant I/II Opportunity

Stanislaus County is looking for enthusiastic professionals to join our team. The Accountant I/II classification can be found throughout our 27 departments. This recruitment is being conducted to fill immediate full-time vacancies throughout Stanislaus County.

Application Deadline: June 11, 2026 at 5pm

Oral Examination: Tentatively the week of June 22, 2026

About the Trainee Designation

• Trainees are part of the unclassified service of the County;
• All trainees will be appointed to the first step of the salary range for the appropriate position, and will be compensated 15% below the range established for the Accountant I classification;
• Trainee appointments are not to last longer than one (1) year. However, appointments are able to be extended up to a maximum of two (2) years where minimum qualifications are involved;
• Upon completion of the training period and the acquisition of minimum qualifications, and on passing the Accountant written exam the individual may be upgraded to a probationary appointment at step 1 of the Accountant I salary range. (An approximate 15% increase in salary).

Typical Tasks

• Ensures accurate financial statements in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP);
• Determines appropriate allocation basis, identifying accounting methodology alternatives and selecting the most appropriate method, ensuring the departments are following basic concepts of conservatism and consistency, reconciliation of sub-ledgers to the general ledger, analyzing the budget and projecting actual revenues and expenditures;
• Assists in budget preparation, recording, reporting and monitoring of fiscal and financial data;
• Reviews, monitors and evaluates the Monthly Financial Reports and coordinates regular meetings with the managers to discuss financial reports and program fiscal operations;
• Gathers, prepares and tabulates fiscal data for use by staff, management and auditors;
• Analyzes and determines appropriate distribution of departmental expenses;
• Designs, enhances, and prepares spreadsheets as needed for Accounting systems and documentation;
• Reconciles General Ledger accounts;
• Assists with Annual Financial Statement and Cost Report Audits;
• Performs professional level work in auditing, general, grant and cost accounting;
• Participates in difficult and complex studies for special districts, funds or trusts, agency accounts, and traveling as necessary;
• Provides assistance in the preparation of the County budgets, annual audits and internal controls;
• Consults with administrative and program managers on financial data;
• Consults with program managers and supervisors on budget and monitor financial reports;
• Provides technical and functional supervision over clerical and paraprofessional accounting staff;
• Compiles data, prepares reports, prepares financial statements, and conducts special studies as directed;
• Prepare and submit financial reports to Federal and State agencies;
• Responds to inquiries and works directly with program management to provide accurate and complete information for program and agency planning;
• Analyzes and evaluates accounting problems, and develops appropriate data and recommendations in the preparation of reports and statements;
• Researches, studies and applies various Federal, State and local codes and ordinances to assure legal compliance;
• Utilize the Internal Auditing and Consulting standards;
• Interprets and analyzes computer data and material, defines problem areas and draws logical conclusions; and
• Uses critical thinking skills.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education/Experience)

Accountant I

• Analyze data, define problem areas and draw logical conclusions;
• Perform mathematical calculations;
• Understand and apply the principles, laws, and procedures involved in accounting and auditing functions;
• Examine, verify and maintain records;
• Perform entry level professional accounting work;
• Supervise and train clerical/technical employees;
• Prepare and complete accounting statements and statistical and narrative reports;
• Learn and apply the more difficult accounting/financial monitoring and auditing principles and procedures;
• Establish and maintain effective internal and external working relationships;
• Focus on the customer, budget, and processes, while building partnerships and driving innovation; and
• Communicate well both orally and in writing, and interpret fiscal policies, practices and methods to governmental officials and department heads.

Knowledge:

• Basic governmental, auditing, accounting and budgeting methods principles and practices;
• Fiscal record keeping systems and functions;
• Principles of supervision and training;
• Financial management systems and management information systems and principles;
• Computer systems and their application to accounting and reporting functions; and
• Working knowledge of the laws, ordinances and regulations governing the financial operation of the County and its departments.

We recognize your time is valuable, please only apply if you will meet the following required qualifications within one year.

Education/Experience for Accountant I Pattern I:

• Bachelor of Arts degree with major or work in Accounting, Public Administration, Business Administration, or Economics.

Education/Experience for Accountant I Pattern II:

• The equivalent of 24 semester units of college coursework in Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, or Economics; AND
• Two (2) years experience equivalent to an Accounting Technician performing complex and highly responsible technical clerical accounting work required in the maintenance of fiscal and statistical records.

The Accountant I classification is a Veterans' Preference Program eligible job classification. For more information please download the PDF reader.

Proof of education (transcript) is required for verification purposes at the time of application. Applicants who are unable to submit proof must call View phone number on click.appcast.io to make other arrangements before 5 pm on the final filing date. Failure to submit proof or make other arrangements before the final filing deadline will result in disqualification.

Application and Selection Procedures

Application Procedures/Final Filing Date: Applications cannot be submitted later than 5:00 p.m. on the final filing date. Make your online application as complete as possible so a full and realistic appraisal may be made of your qualifications. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application. Attaching your resume and cover letter are an optional feature for those who wish to do so in addition to completing the required application. Information on your resume and cover letter will not substitute for the education, work experience and required fields on the County application. The online County application is the primary tool used to evaluate your job qualifications.

Examination Process: Most County recruitments consists of the steps detailed below and are governed by Merit Principles. The examination process ensures that all applicants are given the same opportunity to gain employment within Stanislaus County.

• Application Review and Screening. Applications are carefully screened based on information provided. Those who submit incomplete applications that lack relevant qualifications or do not submit all required documents will not be invited to move on.
• Written Examination. Applicants will be invited to participate in a written exam that tests knowledge for the position.
• Oral Examination. Applicants are invited to a panel interview in which they will be evaluated by County subject matter experts.
• Eligible Lists. Candidates who pass the examination will be placed on an eligible list for that classification. Eligible lists are effective for six months but may be extended up to eighteen months.

General Information:

Classification Information: Unless otherwise provided, this position is part of the Classified Service of the County and is assigned to the Mid-Management/Supervisory bargaining unit for labor relations purposes.

The Job Task Analysis provides information detailing the physical and functional demands of the classification. For the complete job task analysis, visit the Risk Management website at under the "Disability" tab.

Note: The eligible list generated from this recruitment may be used to fill future extra-help, part-time and full-time vacancies throughout Stanislaus County.

Incumbents may also be subject to overtime, standby, callback, weekend, holiday and shift assignments as identified in their MOU (Memorand