Senior Accountant

Job Opportunity

The City of Berkeley is seeking a Senior Accountant to join the Finance Department! In this role, the incumbent will perform advanced accounting, financial analysis, and reporting. The position provides independent oversight of key accounting functions, including reconciliations, month- and year-end closing, grants, investments, audits, debt service, and regulatory reporting, and supervisory responsibility over more junior accounting staff. The role also supports the preparation of the City's annual financial report and provides technical accounting information to city executives.

Minimum Qualifications

A typical way of gaining the knowledge, skills, and abilities outlined above is: Possession of a Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university in accounting, or a closely related field, which included substantial accounting coursework (including successful completion of intermediate accounting, advanced accounting, governmental accounting, managerial accounting and cost accounting), and three (3) years of increasingly responsible professional accounting experience, preferably in a governmental or public agency setting. This experience should include a minimum of one-year supervising accountants. A Certified Public Accountant license is desirable.

Application Process

Applications must be received by 5:00 PM Pacific on September 14, 2026 and must include a completed application and answers to the supplemental questions. Please note that resumes are not a substitute for a completed application. Applications are available in alternative formats (audio-format, braille, large print, electronic text, etc.) upon request to ada@berkeleyca.gov. Please allow 10 days for production of the material in an alternative format.

Exam Process

The exam process will include, but may not be limited to:

• Application review for minimum qualifications (qualifying experience will be calculated based on the administrative review date)
• Oral Exam (tentatively scheduled for the week of October 5, 2026)

Tests may consist of any combination of written, oral or other exercises or assessment procedures that test content and may include, but are not necessarily limited to, typing, math, reading, writing and analytical skills; problem solving ability; computer and software proficiency, or any other job-related knowledge, skill, ability or qualification. The examination process and dates are subject to change. The City may, without notice, change or eliminate any assessment component as needs dictate. Applicants passing all examination phases will have their names placed on an employment eligible list that hiring departments will use to conduct final selection interviews. Reasonable Accommodations: The City is committed to making reasonable accommodations in the examination process and in the work environment. Individuals requesting reasonable accommodations in the examination process must submit a request in writing to hr@berkeleyca.gov at the time of application.

Benefits

Benefited employees receive a myriad of financial and other benefits, including CalPERS pension and other retirement plans, medical and dental coverage, tuition reimbursement, paid time off and more. Benefit-eligible employees include those with a regular work schedule of at least 20 hours per week. Employees working less than 30 hours per week may receive pro-rated benefits. Retirement CalPERS City employees are included in the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS). The retirement formula is either 2% at age 62 (PEPRA members) or 2.7% at age 55 (Classic members). Deferred Compensation The City offers voluntary 457 deferred compensation plans with CalPERS or Empower. Employees may contribute up to the IRS maximum on a pre-tax basis. Medical Plans Employees can choose coverage under Kaiser HMO or Sutter Health Plan HMO. The City contributes an amount equal to the cost of the Kaiser premium. Employees who have medical coverage under another group plan may choose to waive City-provided medical coverage and receive a monthly stipend. Dental Plan The City provides group dental benefits through Delta Dental of California. The City contributes up to the family coverage for the plan, which covers 90% of the dental charges up to $3,000 annually per person. Orthodontic benefits are offered at a $3,000 lifetime maximum per person. Employees who have dental coverage under another group plan may choose to waive City-provided dental coverage and receive a monthly stipend. Vision Plan The City provides vision benefits through Vision Service Plan. The plan covers 100% for eye exams and lenses every 12 months with $25 copays. The plan also provides an allowance for frames every 24 months. Life Insurance The City provides employees with a $50,000 Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment policy. Employees have the option to purchase additional term life insurance up to a maximum of $300,000. Sick Leave Employees earn one day of paid sick leave per month. Vacation New employees accrue 80 hours of vacation annually, with an increase to 120 hours annually after 3 or 4 years of service, depending on eligibility for Administrative Leave (see MOU). Holidays 15 paid holidays and 3 floating holidays annually