Accountant II

Salary: $121,201.60 - $155,168.00 Annually
Location : 5750 Almaden Expressway, San Jose, CA, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 01995-E
Division: Financial Planning and Management Services
Unit: General Accounting
Opening Date: 06/23/2026
Closing Date: 7/6/2026 11:59 PM Pacific


Description
Overview:

Accountant II position plays a critical role in maintaining the integrity, accuracy, and timeliness of departmental financial operations. By performing core accounting functions-such as recording journal entries, reconciling accounts, processing P-Card reports, and preparing financial schedules-the position ensures compliance with policies, supports transparent reporting, and enables informed decision-making. Their work directly supports the Quarterly Board of Directors' Expense Report and the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report, both essential for governance and external accountability.

Additionally, the Accountant II strengthens operational stability by assisting with month-end close, preparing audit schedules, and serving as backup to the Senior Accountant, ensuring continuity of the General Ledger function. Through technical assistance and training, they build team capacity and resilience, helping the department meet deadlines, reduce risk, and achieve its financial management goals.
Our Commitment:
We are committed to building and sustaining a working environment where all individuals are respected and valued. We believe every member of our team brings unique perspectives that enhance our ability to serve the public effectively. By fostering a workplace with employees from the communities we serve, we broaden our collective understanding of the world around us and strengthen our mission to equitably provide safe, clean water, natural flood protections, and environmental stewardship.

About Valley Water: Valley Water is a public agency with an operating and capital budget of $964 million, and over 900 employees. With headquarters in San José, Valley Water provides water supply, enhances streams and watersheds through creek restoration and habitat protection, provides flood protection for homes, schools, businesses and roadways, and partners with other agencies to provide trails and open space for the community.

Who We Are:
To learn how Valley Water provides safe, clean water and environmental stewardship for the Santa Clara community, please click here

Key Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Perform a wide range of professional accounting duties, including analyzing and maintaining accounting records, auditing check payments, and preparing financial reports. Record monthly and annual journal entries for benefit and cost allocations, revenue and expense accruals, and reclassifications. Reconcile asset and liability accounts, as well as subsidiary transactions and reports, to the Infor General Ledger.
• Process employee Purchasing Card (P-Card) expense reports by reviewing transactions for accuracy, ensuring receipts and documentation are complete, checking for proper coding of expenses, compliance with policies and spending limits, reconciling charges, and checking for supervisor approvals and authorization before expenses are recorded. Process claims and fees reimbursements for the Board of Directors. Provide assistance to P-Card users of Infor XM.
• Prepare diverse financial summaries, schedules, footnote disclosures, and reports, ensuring data accuracy and completeness. Examples include the Quarterly Board of Directors' Expense Report and supporting schedules and footnote disclosures for the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR).
• Enter the Board of Directors' timesheets biweekly.
• Assist in recording collections and cash receipts.
• Assist with the fiscal period/month-end close procedures to identify inconsistencies, errors, or unusual activities. Prepares audit schedules and responds to audit inquiries.

Ideal Candidate's Background Includes:

Applicants whose experience and background best match the ideal experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, and education are considered ideal candidates for the position. To determine the top candidates, each applicant will be assessed based on the ideal candidate criteria as listed below.

Ideal Experience: .

Four (4) years of professional accounting experience involving transactions analysis, journal entry preparation, maintenance of accounting records, account reconciliation, and preparation of financial reports.

Ideal Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to independently perform the full range of professional accounting functions.
• Ability to prepare a variety of clear and concise financial summaries and accounting reports.
• Ability to proficiently use Microsoft Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and web-based programs or equivalent.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to provide excellent customer service through all levels of the organization and external parties.

Ideal Knowledge:

• Knowledge of governmental accounting and financial management practices in compliance with the Governmental Accounting Standards Board.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of financial analysis and auditing.
• Knowledge of automated financial systems such as Infor, PeopleSoft, SAP or equivalent.

I deal Training and Education:

Equivalent to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in accounting or a related field.

Or

Directly related experience may be substituted for the college requirement on the basis of one and one-half years of experience for one year of education to a maximum of four years.

Required License or Certificate

To review the Classification Specification, please click
General Accounting Unit (Position Code 120) Valley Water Telework Program: Eligibility for telework will depend on the type of work performed, operational needs, and the ability for the employee to perform the essential functions of their job duties while teleworking. Employment with Valley Water requires employees to live within 150 miles of their primary physical work location located in San Jose, California by their start date.

This position is eligible for a hybrid telework schedule, typically working 40% remote and 60% onsite, after completion of the probationary period (one year).

Selection Process
(1) The selection process may include one or more of the following: application review, application assessment, performance exercise, written exercise and/or interview.
(2) The Employment Application, Qualifying Information Questions and/or Supplemental Questions will be evaluated based on the ideal candidate criteria listed above. Resumes are highly recommended.


NOTE: Position and start date is subject to availability of funds. Valley Water retains the right to repost this position as deemed necessary.
Consideration may be given to existing applicant pools within the same classification.
Valley Water's Equal Opportunity Non-Discrimination Policy is available for review upon request.

Valley Water will make reasonable efforts in the examination process to accommodate persons with disabilities. Please advise Human Resources in advance of any special needs by calling View phone number on click.appcast.io.

Please be aware that once submitted all application materials become the property of Valley Water and will not be returned. Human Resources staff are not authorized to make copies of application materials for applicants.
The Santa Clara Valley Water District, now known as Valley Water, offers a comprehensive benefit package including, vacation, holidays, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, EAP, life and disability insurance. In addition, Valley Water participates in the California Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). To view a summary of benefits, click
01


I acknowledge that I have entered my Work Experience and Education on the employment application, and I am aware these are required fields. If they are not completed, the application is considered incomplete, and I will be disqualified as an applicant for the position.

• Yes
• No

02


Please answer the supplemental questions thoroughly, clearly, and concisely as the responses provided (along with the application) will be carefully reviewed to determine which candidates will move forward in the recruitment process. Responses that refer to attachments (e.g., "see resume") will not be considered. Each question must be answered in full to ensure a fair and complete evaluation. I have read this information and am aware of the importance of responses to the supplemental questions.

• Yes
• No

03


Do you have a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in accounting or a related field?

• Yes
• No

04


How many years of accounting experience do you have in the government sector?

• None
• 0-2 years
• 2+ years or more

05


Please indicate the years of experience you have in working with the general ledger using an enterprise-level financial system.

• 0-4 years
• 4+ years or more

06


Please indicate your experience with high-volume processing of journal entries, cost allocation, accruals and reclasses.

• 0-4 years
• 4+ years or more

07


Please describe your experience with the general ledger, month-end, and year-end close. What was your role and how frequently were you a part of this process?
08


Please describe your experience with government accounting, general ledger account reconciliation, bank reconciliation, state controller's reporting, and the annual comprehensive financial report.
09


Describe your proficiency in using an ERP, Microsoft Outlook, Excel, Word, and web-based programs, or equivalent. Please provide examples of how you have used these programs in your current or previous position.
10


Employment with Valley Water requires employees to take an Oath as a Disaster Service Worker within California and to live within 150 miles of Valley Water Headquarters in San Jose, California by the start date. Valley Water does not cover relocation costs. If you live further than 150 miles from Valley Water Headquarters, please discuss your willingness to relocate if offered the position. If this does not apply to you, write "N/A".
11


Please list the full name of the regular/permanent Valley Water employee who referred you to this position (only one name will be accepted, so if multiple are listed, the first name provided will be documented as the referring employee). If this does not apply to you, write "N/A".
Required Question