Senior Accountant

Senior Accountant

The City of Pleasanton is excited to announce an opportunity for two dedicated financial professionals to join our Finance Department as a Senior Accountant with one position in the Budget, Revenue & Treasury Division and one position in the Accounting & Payroll division. In these roles, you will support the City's financial planning and decision-making through budget development and monitoring, general accounting, financial reporting, revenue analysis, contract and procurement review, treasury-related work and payroll processing in the Accounting & Payroll division. These are dynamic positions for someone who enjoys solving problems, interpreting financial information, and helping identify practical solutions that support effective municipal operations!

We're Looking for Someone Who Is

• Analytical and curious, with strong problem-solving skills and an interest in understanding how financial decisions affect City operations.
• Comfortable working across a broad range of finance assignments rather than in a narrowly defined accounting role.
• Skilled at organizing complex information, identifying trends, and communicating findings clearly.
• Collaborative and customer service-minded when partnering with departments, management, and the public.
• Adaptable and dependable, able to manage recurring budget and financial reporting deadlines while responding to emerging priorities.
• Interested in public-sector finance and the opportunity to contribute to responsible stewardship of public funds.

In This Role, You Will

• Serve as a lead staff member handling and coordinating tasks associated with the month- and year-end close, as well as the interim and annual audits.
• Assist with the development, administration, monitoring, and analysis of the City's operating and capital budgets.
• Prepare expenditure and revenue projections, historical comparisons, trend analyses, employee-benefit cost analyses, and personnel tracking.
• Research and analyze budget variances, prepare budget amendments, and balance budgetary spreadsheets to financial records.
• Partner with City departments to provide guidance, training, and assistance in preparing and monitoring departmental budgets.
• Prepare spreadsheets, tables, charts, graphical presentations, and financial reports for City management, public meetings, and other stakeholders.
• Perform general accounting activities, including complex general ledger entries, reconciliations, account analysis, and financial reporting.
• Support treasury functions, including cash-flow analysis, investment-related work, and required reporting.
• Assist with reviews of contracts, procurements, and related financial information.
• Prepare reports required by other public agencies and provide information and schedules for internal and external audits.
• Evaluate financial processes and internal controls, identify opportunities for improvement, and recommend practical solutions.
• Respond to financial and budget-related questions from City departments, management, and the public.
• Assist in processing payroll for city staff

A Few Reasons You'll Love Working With Us

• You will have a direct role in helping the City plan, monitor, and responsibly manage the financial resources that support services for the Pleasanton community.
• You will work on a diverse mix of budget, revenue, treasury, accounting, reporting, analytical assignments and payroll processing
• You will gain broad exposure to municipal finance and work with departments across the organization.
• You will have opportunities to turn financial data into useful recommendations that inform City operations and decision-making.
• You will join a team that values thoughtful analysis, collaboration, service, and continuous improvement.

A Few Challenges You Might Face

• Balancing long-term budget planning and analytical work with recurring deadlines, financial reporting needs, and time-sensitive requests.
• Moving between budget, accounting, treasury, contract, procurement, and revenue assignments that may fall outside a traditional accountant role.
• Explaining complex financial information clearly to audiences with varying levels of financial expertise.
• Identifying and recommending solutions when information is incomplete, priorities shift, or a financial issue requires further analysis.

The Ideal Candidate Will Be

• Experienced in one or more public-sector finance functions, such as budgeting, accounting, financial reporting, revenue analysis, treasury, procurement and payroll processing.
• Skilled in analyzing financial data, identifying trends and variances, evaluating alternatives, and recommending solutions.
• Knowledgeable in generally accepted accounting principles and practices; governmental accounting and budgeting experience are highly desirable.
• Proficient with financial systems and advanced electronic spreadsheet preparation.
• Comfortable working independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced municipal environment.
• An effective verbal and written communicator who can develop clear reports, presentations, and responses to financial questions.
• Familiar with local government, special district, or other public-agency operations.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Four-year college degree in Business, Accounting, or closely related field.

Experience: Four years responsible experience in accounting financial systems, in either the public or private sector, is required. Public sector experience is desirable. CPA is desirable.

Recruitment Process

Application: To be considered for this position, please submit your application through our online application process at Click on "Job Opportunities". SELECTION PLAN Applicants will be informed via email with reasonable notice in advance of any examination process which will require their attendance. The following dates are tentative and subject to change based on the need of the Agency:

TENTATIVE SELECTION PLAN

Application Filing Deadline: - 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, November 3, 2026

Review of Minimum Qualifications: - Week of November 9, 2026

Phone Screens: - Friday, November 20 and Tuesday, November 24, 2026

Virtual Panel Interview: - Wednesday, December 4, 2026

Benefits

• Choice of One of Four Comprehensive Health Plans
• Dental and Vision Coverage Plans
• Life Insurance and AD&D Coverage of $35,000
• 11 Paid Holidays
• Floating Holidays
• Paid Sick Leave
• Short/Long Term Disability Plans
• Annual Vacation Beginning with 10 Days
• Education Incentive Pay
• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan, City Contribution - no required employee contribution
• Section 125 Flexible Spending Account
• Employee Assistance Program
• CalPERS Retirement