Accountant I Specialist

Job Description and Duties

THIS POSITION MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR A HYBRID WORK SCHEDULE. THE AMOUNT OF TELEWORK IS AT THE DISCRETION OF THE DEPARTMENT AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AS BUSINESS NEEDS ARISE.

Would you like to use your accounting background in a meaningful way? Great news! We are seeking professionals who can apply both their accounting experience and Bilingual-Spanish skills to join our team as an Accountant I Specialist!

Under the direct supervision of the Senior Accounting Officer (Supervisor), the Accountant I Specialist performs routine and complex semi-professional accounting work and account maintenance functions related to the Claims Processing and Benefit Payment Control activities that include fraud prevention and detection, establishment of overpayments, employer and claimant assistance and maintenance of employer and claimant accounts to ensure the integrity of the Unemployment Insurance (UI) Trust Fund.

The incumbent makes more difficult monetary eligibility determinations and adjustments as they relate to the various Claims Processing and Benefit Payment control workload processes, and utilizes a variety of databases, analyzes information obtained from a variety of Federal, State and Departmental sources in determining the appropriate action to take as it relates to the Unemployment Insurance (UI) and Disability Insurance (DI) programs.

The incumbent needs to be flexible and adaptable to frequent workload changes based on organizational workload priorities.

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 here to visit the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) website.

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

Visa Sponsorship

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the US without the need for visa sponsorship by the start date of employment.

Special Requirements

• The position(s) require(s) fluency in the Spanish language. If the State of California does not have a current record documenting your fluency in this language, you will be required to successfully pass an approved language fluency test prior to being hired.

It is strongly encouraged to apply through your CalCareer Account at .

Please only submit ONE application. Electronic applications submitted through your CalCareer Account are highly recommended and will be received/processed faster than other methods of filing.

If you are unable to apply electronically through your CalCareer account, please mail a completed and signed State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 and application package to the mailing address provided in the “Application Instructions’ section below and ensure the following:

• Clearly indicate the Job Code #, Position Number and the Classification Title of this position in the “Examination or Job Title(s) For Which You Are Applying” section located on Page 3 of your State Examination/Employment STD Form 678.

• Clearly indicate the basis of your eligibility (list, transfer, reinstatement, etc.) in the “Explanations” section located on Page 3 of your State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678.

• Remove and do not submit the “Equal Employment Opportunity” questionnaire (Page 10) with your completed State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678. This page is for examination use only.

• Do not include your full Social Security Number on your documents and/or do not provide any LEAP information.

Examination/Assessment

If selected for hire , you must obtain list eligibility by taking and passing the examination. If you already have list eligibility for this classification, you do not need to retake the examination unless your list eligibility has expired.

Click the examination link below for more information and to take the exam:

Accountant I (Specialist) Bulletin

For more information about the State hiring process, click here . To watch tutorials on how to apply for a State job, click here .

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:

• Bilingual English/Spanish verbal and written skills required.
• UI or social benefit program administration knowledge. 
• Experience in a call center and/or a production-oriented environment.
• Demonstrates excellent analytical skills and ability to pay attention to details.
• Proven proficiency in Microsoft Office and web-based applications.
• Ability to remain flexible and adapt with changing priorities.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Benefits

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

Statement of Qualifications Requirements

A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is Required . The SOQ serves as documentation of each candidate’s ability to present information clearly and concisely in writing. The SOQ is not a resume or cover letter. Resumes and/or Cover Letters  DO NOT take the place of the SOQ. Applications received without an SOQ or an SOQ submitted without following instructions may not receive further consideration and may be excluded from the hiring process.

A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is REQUIRED and must be submitted with your Employment Application (STD. 678).

Applications received without an appropriate SOQ based on the instructions below will be rejected for being incomplete and will not be considered. Resumes, cover letters, and other documents will not be considered as a response to the SOQ.

The SOQ serves as documentation of each candidate's ability to present information clearly and concisely in writing and must be typed, not more than two pages in length, must include the applicant's name in the header, and must clearly address all parts of each question in a numbered format. 

1. Describe a time you assisted someone by phone with an accounting-related issue. 
a. What did they need?
b. What steps did you take to help? 
c. What was the result?

2. Describe your experience communicating with others in Spanish and English. 

Please include examples of speaking, reading, and writing in Spanish, as well as any translating or interpreting you have done. You may include communication or customer service experience from work, school, volunteer activities, or your community.

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.
• School Transcripts
• Statement of Qualifications - A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is Required. Please see “Statement of Qualifications Requirements” section for more information about the SOQ.