Municipal Accountant & Payroll Specialist

Petaluma, California United States View Map

Accountant / Accounting Assistant II

The City of Petaluma is seeking qualified professionals to fill one (1) Accountant and one (1) Accounting Assistant II vacancy within the Finance Division of the Administrative Services Department. These positions offer an excellent opportunity to contribute to the City's financial stewardship by supporting essential accounting functions that help ensure responsible financial management and exceptional public service. This recruitment may also be used to fill additional vacancies that may occur within the next year.

Salary Ranges:

• Accountant: $87,588.80 - $ (+2% COLA in July 2027)
• Accounting Assistant II: $61,443.20 - $74,734.40 (+2% COLA in July 2027)

For your health and well being:

• Medical Insurance:
  Choice of CalPERS Health Plans. City pays ~95% of the Bay Area Kaiser premium for employee and eligible dependents; or option for Medical Cash Back if coverage is elsewhere.
• Dental & Vision Insurance:
  Coverage for employees and eligible family members.
• Life Insurance:
  Competitive life insurance and long-term disability benefits; option to purchase additional life insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program:
  Support and benefits for you and eligible family members.
• Wellness Benefit: $500 annual allowance (subject to budget approval and may change).

• For your financial future:
• CalPERS retirement package: 2% at 60 (Classic CalPERS); 2% at 62 (PEPRA CalPERS).
• Deferred Compensation Plan: voluntary participation in plan offerings.

For your work / life balance (annual amounts):

• Vacation: 80 hours, increasing with years of service (Accountant classification may qualify for up to 5 years of service credit toward vacation accrual).
• Sick Leave: 96 hours
• Holidays: 13 fixed days
• Personal Leave: 20 hours (per fiscal year)
• Other Benefits:
  Paid Parental Leave up to 8 weeks for qualifying family bonding;
  Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program Employer

The Accountant classification is represented by the Petaluma Professional and Mid-Managers Association. Please refer to the Memorandum of Understanding for Unit 4 and the Employee Benefits website for additional details.

The Accounting Assistant II classifications are represented by AFSCME. Please refer to the Memorandum of Understanding for Unit 3 and the Employee Benefits website for additional details.

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Examples of duties may include:

Accountant

• Participate in accounting tasks related to the maintenance of the City’s financial record keeping, reporting, and control systems.
• Reconcile and balance various records and ledgers, investigate discrepancies, and make appropriate adjustments according to existing policies and regulations governing the agency’s fiscal record-keeping systems.
• Perform a variety of accounting activities including the preparation of complex bank reconciliation, detailed calculations, record keeping, and reconciliation in various accounting areas.
• Prepare for approval standard and adjusting journal entries.
• Gather and compile numerical data and prepare statistical and financial reports for internal and external distribution (federal, state, and local agencies).
• Make recommendations regarding work processes and procedures in the area of assignment.
• Process and produce the City’s bi-weekly payroll and related activities, including reviewing payroll documents, data entry, maintenance of payroll records, and preparation of payroll reports.
• Monitor and ensure timely payment of mandated state and federal payroll taxes; process bi-weekly payments for automatic deposits, deferred compensation, and other benefit plan payments.
• Maintain payroll tables and databases; develop and maintain systems for monitoring payroll and employee benefits information.
• Monitor and ensure compliance with payroll policies, MOUs, compensation plans, and applicable state and federal laws.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Accounting Assistant II

• Process invoices for payment; match invoices with purchase orders or contracts; issue checks; review payment reports for accuracy and policy compliance.
• Prepare warrants or prepay non-purchase order expenditures (including utility and telephone payments).
• Reconcile and compute payments due for benefit program providers.
• Generate and process purchase orders; communicate with vendors regarding invoices and PO details.
• Receive and screen visitors and calls; assist the public with forms and information; route messages as needed.
• Research and compile information; organize mail and attach backing materials.
• Type and draft a wide variety of documents; use word processing tools; prepare reports; ensure accuracy, formatting, and policy compliance.
• Organize and maintain office files; manage projects and meetings; set priorities and meet deadlines; prepare meeting agendas and minutes as needed.
• Prepare meeting materials and…