Accountant Trainee

Job Description and Duties

Do you enjoy working in a fast-paced remote-centered environment with variety in your work? The California Department of Insurance (CDI) is seeking a dynamic Accountant Trainee with experience in State accounting principles, methods, and procedures. 

If this is you, then CDI may be the employer for you! 

Under close supervision of the Accounting Administrator I (Supervisor), the Accountant Trainee performs professional accounting duties of average difficulty in the maintenance and reporting of financial records for the Financial and Business Management Division – Accounting Services Bureau – Expenditure Section – Office of Revolving Fund and Travel Unit (ORF). The incumbent will assist with the review, analysis, and research of accounts and records as they relate to Office of Revolving Fund and Travel Unit. The incumbent will assist in reconciliations, maintenance, and review of travel advances and expenditures, audit travel claims, process payments. The incumbent can occasionally rotate amongst the different areas in ORF for cross-training, knowledge retention, and absence coverage purposes.

Basic responsibilities include analyzing, researching, evaluating, and performing corrective actions or entries into several Accounts Receivable accounting systems (Oracle Financials, Expense Tracking System, and Accounting Financials) as well as FI$CAL.

Effective July 1, 2025, the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) implemented the Personal Leave Program (PLP) 2025 and related Pay Differential 386. PLP 2025 requires employees to receive a reduction in pay in exchange for monthly hours of PLP 2025 leave credits. The salary range(s) included on this job posting do not reflect the reduction in pay. For more information, visit the CalHR website ().

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Working Conditions

• Overtime may be required, if ordered and authorized by supervisor.
• The incumbent must be able to work in a high-rise building.
• The incumbent must be able to move large or cumbersome reports from one location to another with or without reasonable accommdations
• The incumbent must be able to work in a shared, internal office space.
• The incumbent may telework in accordance with CDI's Telework Policy. Teleworking employees may be required to report to their headquarters office location on designated telework days. Travel expenses are not reimbursed, however other authorized transit subsidies do exist for those who qualify.

Special Requirements

Please attach (upload) all the required documents to verify that you meet the minimum qualifications for this position (i.e., degree, transcript, license, certificate). If you fail to provide the required documentation, your application package will be marked as incomplete and not considered for an interview.

• Exam list eligibility - refer to exam link below.
• Transfer eligibility, if applicable, for current/former civil service employees
• Degree and/or School Transcripts 
• Statement of Qualifications

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 and experience with State accounting principles, methods, and procedures.
• Knowledge and experience using the Financial Information System for California (FI$Cal) system, Adobe Acrobat and Microsoft computer applications such as Excel, Word, Outlook, Teams, etc.
• Excellent oral and written communication and analytical skills.
• Ability to work under pressure and handle multiple assignments effectively and efficiently in a timely manner.
• Ability to be flexible and able to work in a fast-paced office environment. Ability to work independently as well as part of a team.
• Ability to handle multiple projects/assignments efficiently, accurately and in a timely manner in a fast-paced work environment.
• Must be dependable and reliable with great interpersonal skills and attendance. Be open-minded and flexible to other ideas and solutions.
• Ability to maintain a courteous and professional demeanor and exercise tact, diplomacy and good judgement.
• Ability to communicate effectively with a variety of customers and experience providing excellent customer service.

Benefits

• Flexible work hours
• Remote work options
• Medical Benefits - including health, dental, and vision insurance
• Employee Wellness Program
• Employee Assistance Program
• On the Job Training
• Career Services Program
• Recognition Program
• Paid Holidays and leave
• Defined benefit retirement program
• Savings Plus Program (401 (k), 457)
• Every 12 months, based on performance evaluation, employees may receive a 5% salary increase until they reach the maximum salary for the position.

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

Examination Information

Step 1 - If you have not taken the Accountant Trainee examination, or if your eligibility has expired, and/or you have no other type of eligibility, you MUST take the examination to be eligible for appointment. Please click the link provided below for the examination information and instructions.

Accountant Trainee: Accountant Trainee Exam Bulletin

Step 2 - Submit your application including all required documents, by using the "Apply Now" button found at the top of this bulletin.

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.
• Degree and/or School Transcripts
• Statement of Qualifications - Instructions may be found in the Statement of Qualifications Section of this job posting.