Accountant I

Accountant I's perform basic accounting work in various areas of general accounting at a large public water utility. As experience and proficiency are gained, assignments become progressively more diversified and complicated, involving increased independent judgment. After two years of successful performance, incumbents may advance to the journey level, Accountant II.

Duties may include:

* Preparing invoices and other correspondence for amounts due for disbursement requests.

* Preparing and processing journal entries, including edit checks, budget checks, and postings.

* Reconciling ledger accounts and preparing financial reports.

* Preparing and analyzing accounting systems input/output data.

* Monitoring project costs and working with Project Managers to create assets and maintain construction work-in-progress (CWIP) for all East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) facilities (Plant & Utilities) and land.

* Analyzing and reconciling construction, maintenance, plant, and equipment retirement work orders.

* Analyzing costs attributable to land transactions, completed job costs for billing purposes, equipment records, depreciation records, insurance reports, and inventory control records.

* Maintaining records and preparing statistical and cost reports on equipment operating costs, water treatment costs, pumping costs, and other EBMUD functions.

* Taking and assisting in reconciling physical inventories of materials or equipment.

* Operating accounting systems for data entry and financial analysis.

* Answering questions from EBMUD staff, contractors, and other outside agencies regarding construction or repair costs, capital investments, and depreciation of facilities and equipment, invoices, inventory, unit prices of materials, etc.

* Preparing statistical analysis for internal rates and financial planning.

* May direct the work of clerical employees and others.

* Creating ad hoc reports for higher level management.

* Assisting other Accounting Division staff with questions, report requests, and adjustments.

* Interpreting, explaining, and applying related EBMUD accounting policies, procedures, and standards.

* Answering questions from EBMUD staff, contractors, retirees, and other outside agencies.

* Maintaining effective communication channels with internal and external EBMUD staff.

* Analyzing and recommending improvements to methods and procedures to develop and modify existing accounting systems.

Knowledge of:

* Accounting and bookkeeping principles, practices, procedures, and terminology.

* Basic electronic data processing principles as applied to general, cost, payroll, accounts payable, and managerial accounting.

Ability to:

* Learn and apply general accounting principles in a public utility.

* Read and interpret complex reports, orders, and legal forms.

* Analyze, pre-audit, and verify accounting records and documents.

* Prepare financial statements, schedules, and input data for a computer system.

* Communicate effectively on the telephone and in person on technical subjects with EBMUD staff and outside agencies or contractors.

* Proofread the work of accounting and clerical employees.

* Make arithmetical calculations with speed and accuracy.

* Prepare neat, clear, accurate, and concise reports and correspondence.

The ideal candidate will have some coursework and/or work experience performing accounting and reporting duties, be a team player with the ability to positively interface with other departments, be able to multi-task proficiently, and have excellent oral and written communications.

The Accountant I is the entry-level position in the professional Accountant series. Following successful performance and supervisor approval, an Accountant I may be eligible to advance to the Accountant II level after two years.

The salary range is $8,335 per month increasing to $8,752, $9,190, $9,650, and $10,133 after 6, 18, 30, and 42 months, respectively.

EBMUD is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender, gender identity (including transgender status), gender expression, marital or registered domestic partnership status, age for individuals age forty or older, national origin, ancestry, disability (mental or physical), medical condition (cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, sexual orientation, military and veterans status, family or medical leave status, pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation or related medical condition), pregnancy disability leave status, domestic violence victim status, political affiliation, and other categories protected by federal, state and/or local laws.

1. A bachelor's degree* in Accounting or a closely-related field which has included courses in Accounting.

2. A valid California driver's license and satisfactory driving record.

3. Willingness to work overtime as needed.

4. Physical ability to perform the critical and important duties of the position including strength sufficient to lift and carry over a short distance up to 30 pounds; stamina to sit for prolonged periods of time; dexterity to click a mouse; and hearing to communicate over the phone.

* Additional years of experience (beyond the minimum requirement) may be substituted for the education on a year for year basis, only if the experience is at the level of the job for which the applicant is applying.

Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered. To be considered under the "equivalent combination of education and experience" provision, it is your responsibility to include in your application materials written evidence of employment performed at the level of the typical duties of this position and/or coursework in subject areas directly related to this position. For more information, see our FAQ page at http://www.ebmud.com/jobs/job-resources/job-faqs-frequently-asked-questions/.

1. Submit a completed EBMUD application online at www.ebmud.com by 4:30 p.m., Friday, March 7, 2025. Only the first 200 qualified application materials submitted online during the filing period will be accepted.

2. Candidates must achieve a passing score on each test part in order to advance to the next step in the selection process.

3. All qualified applications will be competitively evaluated, with those candidates demonstrating the strongest qualifications to be invited to a written exam expected to be held in late March or early April 2025.

4. Those candidates scoring highest on the written exam will be invited to a panel interview expected to be held in April.

5. Successful candidates will be placed on the hiring list, based on rank, for further consideration to fill the current regular vacancy, as well as others occurring over the next 12 to 24 months.

6. The probation period for this position is 12 months. For those holding civil service status the probation period is 6 months.

7. All employment offers are conditional, pending the results of a Live Scan background screening. All selected finalists must participate in the Live Scan background screening process to remain in consideration for EBMUD employment.