Financial Accountant III - Fiscal (2026-27)

Financial Accountant III

Independently perform a wide variety of complex district-wide analyses and complex professional and technical accounting duties as assigned.

The Accountant III position is distinguished from the Accountant II in that the latter requires more experience, performs more difficult and complex budgetary and accounting duties and works independently and is required to demonstrate computer-related and accounting skills at a higher proficiency.

Essential functions include preparing financial reports and evaluations, preparing and submitting district-wide fiscal reports, schedules, statements, forecasts and claims as required by State, Federal, County and District guidelines, including those for specially funded educational programs; providing reporting to the State on attendance accounting; maintaining general and/or subsidiary ledgers and accounts; reconciling balance sheet accounts as well as health and welfare benefits; preparing monthly cash flow for Controller's review; managing accounts receivable funding; analyzing cash balances and fund requirements, preparing detailed cash forecasts; advising and assisting the Controller in the financial administration of projects or accounts; providing information regarding the interpretation of laws, rules and regulations; conducting regular, internal audits to ensure that expenditures comply with contracts; identifying and resolving discrepancies; preparing documentations and audit schedules for State Controller's Office, Federal Compliance auditors, as well as other local, state, and federal external auditors; assisting in establishing and implementing financial policy revisions as necessary; coordinating with Financial Services Associates, Payroll Assistants, Accounts Payable Clerks, and Human Resources Generalists and Special Program administrators; assisting with preparation of fiscal reports, including creation and analysis of financial schedules, notes to financials, and tables for "Management Discuss & Analysis" section of unaudited actual reports; performing independent analysis of highly complex accounting functions, including income and expenditure projections of various funds; assisting Accounting Manager and Controller with reviewing, revising and maintaining various service contracts, including Mandated Cost, E-rates and Medi-Cal Billing; analyzing revenues and expenditures for accounting implications; preparing and maintaining various statistical fiscal and financial data; assisting with the creation and publication of annual financial statements and reports; assisting Accounting Manager and Controller with year-end closing process; preparing an accounting operating manual providing technical accounting advice; reviewing revenues and expenditures for all grants and entitlements to ensure reports are prepared in accordance with grantor requirements; aggregating site-level data on attendance accounting, instructional minutes, class size reduction, student body accounting, bank accounts and audit prior to reporting; providing cross-training to other staff members within the department; and performing related duties as assigned.

Minimum qualifications include a Bachelor's degree with a major in accounting and five years full-time, progressively responsible experience in accounting. Masters in Business Administration, or Masters of Public Policy, preferred. Supplemental coursework in use of computer-based accounting applications desirable. California school district accounting preferred. Customer service experience preferred.

Licenses and other requirements include Certified Public Accountant preferred, Valid California Driver's license, Employment eligibility will include fingerprints, Tuberculosis and/or other employment clearance.

Knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles and auditing standards, laws, policies and procedures governing California public school finance, public school accounting procedures and protocols, encumbrance based budgeting, use and leverage computer-based accounting applications. Ability to work with paperless financial services systems, exercise sound judgment and initiative in an environment of rapid change, consistently meet and/or exceed client expectations, build highly-functioning relationships with managers both inside and outside of the Financial Services Division, perform advanced quantitative analysis.

Indoor office environment; fast-paced work, constant interruptions. Hearing and speaking to exchange information in person and on the telephone; seeing to read, prepare, and proofread documents, perform assigned duties; sitting or standing for extended periods of time; dexterity of hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard and other office equipment; kneeling, bending at the waist, and reaching overhead, above the shoulders and horizontally, to retrieve and store files and supplies; lifting light objects.

The Oakland Unified School District does not discriminate in any program, activity, or in employment on the basis of actual or perceived race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, veteran status, gender, sex, or sexual orientation.