Accounting Technician - Confidential

Accounting Technician (Confidential)

The City of La Mesa has an exciting opportunity for an Accounting Technician (Confidential) in the Finance Department!

This is an in-person position, located in La Mesa City Hall. The position works a 9/80 schedule:
Monday-Thursday, 7:30 a.m. 5:30 p.m. and alternating Fridays 7:30 a.m. 4:30 p.m. La Mesa City Hall is closed on alternating Fridays.

Future Scheduled Salary Increases:

5% increase effective July 2026

5% increase effective July 2027

About the Department:

The Finance Department is a collaborative and service-oriented team comprised of the Finance Director, three managers, and six professional staff members dedicated to supporting the City's financial operations and long-term financial health. The department provides a wide range of high-quality services to internal City departments, City employees, and members of the public, with a strong commitment to responsive and excellent customer service.

Core responsibilities include accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, purchasing, business licensing, general accounting, budget monitoring, financial planning and forecasting, preparation of the City's annual operating and capital budgets, and preparation of the annual comprehensive financial report.

About the Position:

The Accounting Technician (Confidential) performs specialized technical and administrative support with work focused primarily on payroll processing and payroll related accounting functions within the Finance Department. Responsibilities include processing and reviewing payroll transactions, maintaining payroll records, preparing and reconciling quarterly and annual payroll tax returns, balancing payroll reports, ensuring compliance with applicable laws, regulations, policies, and labor agreements.

The position works closely with Human Resources, department representatives, employees, retirement agencies, and benefit providers to support accurate and timely payroll operations. The Accounting Technician (Confidential) is also responsible for maintaining confidentiality of sensitive employee and payroll information and exercising discretion and sound judgement in daily work activities.

The Ideal Candidate:

The City of La Mesa is seeking a dependable, detail oriented, and collaborative professional with at least 4 years of experience in payroll processing, payroll accounting, and related financial reconciliations and reporting. The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of payroll procedures, payroll related journal entries, benefit and deduction processing, and account reconciliation practices.

Successful candidates will demonstrate the ability to analyze and resolve discrepancies, maintain accurate financial records, and communicate effectively with employees and departments regarding payroll matters. Experience preparing payroll journal entries, reconciling payroll accounts, and working with payroll and financial software systems is highly desirable. Public sector payroll experience, including familiarity with retirement reporting, labor agreements, and governmental accounting practices is preferred.

The ideal candidate is organized, proactive, customer service oriented, and able to maintain confidentiality while handling sensitive payroll and employee information.

Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

To perform difficult and complex technical accounting work in the preparation, maintenance, and processing of accounting records and financial transactions; to prepare and process the City payroll and various fiscal reports; to verify, balance and adjust accounts and journal entries; to provide information and assistance to employees and City departments; and to perform a variety of tasks related to assigned area of responsibility.

Positions assigned to this class may perform specialized or generalized duties depending on departmental needs.

Supervision Received and Exercised:

Receives general supervision from the Finance Manager.

May exercise technical and functional…