Accountant III

Salary : $76,814.94 - $93,616.81 Annually
Location : Visalia, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 27-000230
Department: Health and Human Services Agency
Opening Date: 09/19/2026
Closing Date: 9/26/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

This recruitment will establish an employment list to fill current and any future vacancies within the Health and Human Services Agency. The anticipated life of the employment list is six months. If interested in employment for this position for current or future vacancies, please submit an online application for consideration.

Current vacancy is with the Health and Human Services Agency located in Visalia. The anticipated life of the list is six months.

Typical Duties

• Assist in the review of budget controls for County funds and special districts.
• Assist in the planning, development, and preparation of the County Cost Plan.
• Review and study changes in legal and procedural requirements for preparation of the Cost Plan.
• Participate in the maintenance of general and special ledgers and other accounting records.
• Coordinate and participate in the classification and distribution of income and expenditures to the proper accounts.

For a full list of duties for this position, please click

Minimum Qualifications
Minimum qualifications are used as a guide for establishing the education, training, experience, special skills and/or license which are required and equivalent to the following.

Education:

• Equivalent to a Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university with major study in accounting or business administration including 15 semester hours in accounting.

Experience:

• Two (2) years of experience in accounting and financial records maintenance.

Knowledge of:

• Advanced accounting practices to design and review accounting systems.
• Cost accounting principles and practices to properly determine and allocate costs.
• Governmental accounting principles and practices to assist in preparing annual reports and financial statements.
• Budgeting principles and practices to assist in preparation of the annual budget.
• Business law and Government Code sections relevant to local government accounting.
• Intermediate math including basic algebra.

Skill/Ability to:

• Work and communicate effectively with people of various education and socioeconomic backgrounds by respecting beliefs, interpersonal styles and behaviors of both clients and co-workers.
• Operate contemporary office equipment inclusive of computer, keyboard, and all applicable electronic equipment.
• Analyze financial data and interpret results for management reports.
• Prepare complex, summary financial reports and statements accurately.
• Determine accounting problems, review factors and select alternatives, and take corrective action.
• Read, understand and interpret laws, regulations, agreements, ordinance codes, and resolutions.
• Write clear, concise reports, memos, and instructions with technical accuracy using correct grammar, punctuation and spelling.
• Develop and implement new manual and/or automated accounting systems.
• Negotiate with departments and agencies to effect appropriate accounting practices and procedures.
• Communicate verbally in a clear and concise manner to explain procedures to peers and lay persons.
• Retain and recall information regarding accounting systems and reporting requirements.
• Organize work to meet deadlines.

DESIRABLE EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

Knowledge of:

• Automated accounting systems to identify potential applications and maximize system benefits.
• Purchasing procedures and practices to assist with automated accounting sub-system.
• Investment procedures and practices to assist with automated sub-system.
• Principles of effective supervision.

Skill/Ability to:

• Assign, review, train, and evaluate professional accounting and clerical support staff.
• Analyze manual accounting systems to determine applications for automated system.

Additional Information
Conditions of Employment

Candidates selected will be required to pass a pre-employment drug and alcohol screening. Additionally, a background investigation may also be conducted, which may include a re-investigation every 10 years for some positions. An Employment Eligibility Verification using E-Verify may be required on the first day of employment for some positions. Some job classes may also require a physical exam.
College Cost Reduction Access Act

This may be a qualifying position for student loan forgiveness through the College Cost Reduction and Access Act (CCRAA). Only student loan payments made after October 1, 2007 and in a qualified repayment plan are eligible. For more information you are encouraged to speak with your student loan servicer or visit:

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Bargaining Unit 7

The information listed is a general summary of benefits. These provisions do not constitute an expressed or implied contract and are subject to change.

Benefit Amount: An annual benefit amount is provided and may be applied towards health insurance premiums (medical, dental, vision and life). This benefit is pro-rated and paid on a pay period basis (24 pay periods).

Health Insurance: A choice of PPO and HMO medical plans which include PPO and HMO dental plans and include dental and vision coverage. Dependent coverage is available. Providers include Anthem Blue Cross, Kaiser Permanente, Delta Dental, and Vision Services Plan (VSP) .

Retirement: The retirement plan is a defined benefit plan administered pursuant to the 1937 Act County Employees Retirement Act and integrated with Social Security. In addition to ordinary retirement benefits, the plan provides disability and death benefits. Retirement contributions are made by both the County and the employee. The County has reciprocity with the State of California, contracting PERS agencies, and all County 1937 Act Retirement Systems.

Paid Holiday Leave: 12 set days and 1 personal holiday .

Vacation Accrual:
2 weeks per year (0-3 years of service)
3 weeks per year (3-7 years of service)
4 weeks per year (7-11 years of service)
5 weeks per year (11+ years of service)
Limit of 300 hours.

FLSA exempt employees accrue an additional 5 days of vacation per year.

Sick Leave Accrual: 12 days per year with unlimited accumulation, 60 hours of which may be used toward family sick leave.


Career Incentive Pay
Employees who have completed five (5) or more Years of Service with Tulare County and meet the eligibility criteria described in Administrative Regulation - 52, earn additional pay according to the schedule below.
Years of Service

% Increase

Total

5

3%

3%

10

2%

5%

15

3%

8%

20

2%

10%
Group Term Life Insurance and AD&D: $10,000; Provided by Standard Insurance Company .

Disability Insurance: Employees are covered by State Disability Insurance. The premium is paid by the employee.

Deferred Compensation: A voluntary deferred compensation plan is available.
To view more detailed descriptions of Tulare County's benefits, please view the Benefits section of our Web site at


The Provisions Of This Bulletin Do Not Constitute An Expressed Or Implied Contract And Are Subject To Change.
01


The supplemental application form is an EXAMINATION. The supplemental application form will be used to select the most highly qualified candidates who will then advance to the next step in the selection process. All candidates are required to complete the questions at the end of the application. The supplemental application questions will be used to select the most highly qualified candidates who will then advance to the next step in the selection process. The questions that follow will be used to evaluate the extent to which a candidate has demonstrated and applied the knowledge, skills and abilities critical to successful performance for this position. You must respond to all required questions to be considered for this position. SPECIAL NOTE: All applications and supplemental questionnaires (if applicable) will be reviewed for minimum qualifications and must be fully completed to be considered. Resumes do not replace the information required. Applications or supplemental questionnaires that state refer to resume, lack clear employment information, or do not provide sufficient detail to evaluate minimum qualifications will not be considered. Missing information cannot be assumed.This position requires at least 15 semester units in accounting. Please list the accounting courses you have completed (course title, number of units, and the institution attended)
02


Describe your experience in the following areas:a. Accounts Payable and Receivableb. General Ledger and Bank Reconciliationc. Closing Booksd. Preparing Trial Balances, adjusting entries, and accrual entriese. Grant Accountingf. Payroll Processing g. 1099 Reportingh. Cash Flow Analysis i. Governmental Reporting j. Budgeting and Monitoring Budgets k. Debt and Bond Accounting
03


Describe your experience analyzing financial data and preparing financial reports or statements. Include what types of reports you worked on and your level of responsibility.
04


Describe your experience using accounting systems or automated financial systems. Include any experience testing system changes, implementing updates, or coordinating with IT/Data Processing.
05


Describe your experience providing lead direction, training, or technical guidance to accounting staff. Include the types of tasks you assisted with and how you supported accuracy and compliance.
06


Describe a complex accounting problem you identified and resolved. Explain the issue, steps you took to troubleshoot it, and the final outcome.
Required Question