Consulting Analyst

Job Description and Duties

Under the general supervision of the Financial Accountant II, the Associate Accounting Analyst (AAA) utilizes the knowledge of Government Codes, fiscal accounting rules and regulations contained in the State Administrative Manual, the Uniform Codes Manual, governmental accounting principles and procedures, and procedures prescribed by the State Controller's Office (SCO) or as required by law. The incumbent will be responsible for complex technical and professional accounting activities related to establishing new appropriation accounts, analyzing appropriateness of transactions, approving expenditures, certifying availability of funds, reporting of accounting records, and maintaining control records of the State’s Central Control Accounting System, the SCO Fiscal System (Legacy) and/or the Financial Information System for California (FI$Cal). Operating at the full journey level, the incumbent exercises a high degree of independence and performs a full range of professional accounting duties including, but not limited to, the following:

Duties Performed:

(Candidates must perform the following functions with or without reasonable accommodations.)

• Read, review, and interpret laws and legislation and prepare the necessary accounting transactions to implement the provisions.

• Evaluate and perform analyses of accounting documents issued by staff to ensure that accounting documents are processed and issued per governmental accounting practices and statutory authorization, and they are posted to the proper accounts and are processed within the timeframe specified within the bureau’s guidelines and procedures.

• Maintain accounting control records in dual systems (Legacy and FI$Cal) by establishing, processing, and maintaining funds, general ledger accounts, accounts receivable and payable records, appropriations, receipts, disbursements, and other financial records.

• Review and analyze complex transaction requests from state agencies requesting transfers between or within agencies’ funds and accounts. Determine the legality of requests and sufficiency of cash and appropriation.

• Provide analytical assistance in state accounting areas within the bureau.

• Communicate with accounting personnel from state agencies and the Department of Finance to resolve specific accounting issues and explain rules and procedures.

• Advise state agencies by providing solutions to specific accounting problems that result when an agency’s request cannot be honored due to existing laws and regulations, accounting rules and procedures, or a deficiency in cash or appropriation balances.

• Ensure that all documents are sent timely to all affected agencies.

• Perform analyses of the bureau's processes and forms to identify problems.

• Ensure that the existing procedures meet the requirements of the Legacy System, FI$Cal, and specialized fiscal control accounting records.

• Identify system improvements and errors related to data input.

• Identify discrepancies and/or program deficiencies.

• Meet with bureau management to present findings of analyses and provide recommendations of how specific processes can be improved and operational tasks streamlined.

• Assess training needs of the bureau by evaluating current training materials and resulting products.

• Report findings, recommend changes to bureau management, and revise training materials.

• Develop, schedule, and provide staff training, as needed.

• Per division or section management's request, give presentations and perform special projects by applying accounting and auditing principles and SCO procedures.

• Prepare and present informative updates and training to various groups within and outside the agency.

• As workload permits, participate in discussion and work in other units within the bureau.

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

This position is located at The Park, a quaint and historical campus environment two blocks from McKinley Park, in the heart of residential East Sacramento. Easily accessible from US 50 and I-80, The Park offers free parking, quick walks to local restaurant favorites, and countless lunchtime strolling opportunities through the quiet East Sacramento neighborhood. 

This position is eligible for hybrid telework under California Government Code Section 14200 for eligible applicants residing in California. All telework schedules are subject to change and may be reevaluated at any time. Specific telework arrangements may be discussed in more detail with the respective hiring manager. Telework does not change the terms and conditions of employment, the essential functions of job duties, or required compliance with the State Controller's Office policies. Applicants must reside within California at the time of appointment. 

In July 2025, the State of California implemented the Personal Leave Program (PLP) 2025. This program temporarily reduces employees’ monthly base pay in exchange for paid leave credits. This position is subject to PLP 2025 and will have a monthly base pay reduction of 3% in exchange for 5 hours of leave credits through June 2027. The salary ranges shown on this job posting do not reflect the salary reduction.

Special Requirements

A resume is required. 

A copy of your degree, transcripts, or degree evaluation is required. 

Take the required examination here: Associate Accounting Analyst Examination

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:

• Excellent attendance, time management and dependability.

• Excellent communication skills.

• Strong analytical, problem solving, critical thinking, attention to detail and team-building skills.

• Ability to interpret and apply laws, rules, standards, and procedures.

• Demonstrate a high degree of initiative and analytical ability to research and analyze data, present ideas, and draw sound conclusions effectively.
• Ability to apply accounting principles and procedures, draw sound conclusions, analyze situations accurately, and adopt an effective course of action.

• Knowledge of Governmental accounting, State Legacy Fiscal System and PeopleSoft.

• Knowledge and experience with data proficiency and software mastery such as Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel (advanced Excel functions), Access, Power BI, Peoplesoft, etc.

• Ability to multi-task, establish workload priorities, work well under pressure, and exercise initiative and flexibility.

• Establish and maintain cooperative relationships and professionalism with those contacted in the work place internally and externally, and be courteous and respectful.

• Degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting.

• Self-motivated, dependable, and a positive attitude.

Benefits

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

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 required and must be included.
• Degree/Diploma