Job Information
City of Palo Alto Accounting Specialist in Palo Alto, California
Accounting Specialist
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Accounting Specialist
Salary
$84,864.00 - $103,646.40 Annually
Location
Palo Alto, CA
Job Type
Regular Full-Time
Job Number
202501291
Department
Administrative Services Department
Opening Date
04/20/2026
Closing Date
5/4/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Description
Benefits
Questions
Description
Support the Financial Operations That Keep the City Running
The Opportunity
The City of Palo Alto is seeking a detail-oriented and highly motivated Accounting Specialist to join the Administrative Services Department in the Accounts Payable Division.
This role performs advanced accounting clerical and technical work supporting high-volume financial operations, including recordkeeping, reconciliation, and transaction processing. It requires strong analytical skills, sound judgment, and a consistent commitment to accuracy and internal controls in a public sector environment.
As an Accounting Specialist, you will play a key role in supporting core accounting functions and ensuring financial activities are completed accurately and in compliance with City policies, procedures, and applicable regulations. You will collaborate with internal departments, vendors, and the public to resolve issues, respond to inquiries, and help ensure processes run efficiently and effectively.
Depending on assignment, you may support functional areas such as accounts payable, accounts receivable, general ledger, or financial reporting, gaining exposure to a range of Citywide financial operations.
This role is best suited for someone who enjoys working with detailed financial data and takes pride in producing accurate, reliable work.
What You’ll Do
In this role, you will:
Process a high volume of financial transactions, including invoices, payments, and journal entries
Reconcile accounts, identify discrepancies, and research issues to resolution
Review financial documents for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with City policies and internal controls
Maintain organized, auditable records to support reporting and audit requirements
Assist with month-end and year-end close processes, including preparing reports and summaries
Support accounts payable, accounts receivable, and general ledger activities as assigned
Respond to inquiries from departments, vendors, and the public, including resolving complex or sensitive issues
Support audit requests by gathering and preparing required documentation
Review travel and expense reports for policy compliance
Maintain vendor records and support data integrity within financial systems
Assist with sales and use tax reporting and related filings, as needed
Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate brings experience in full-cycle accounts payable and thrives in a fast-paced, detail-driven environment where accuracy and follow-through are critical.
They are:
Highly organized with strong time management skills
Detail-oriented, with a sharp eye for accuracy and consistency
Comfortable managing high volumes of transactions while meeting deadlines
Able to work independently, using sound judgment to research and resolve issues
Proactive, with a strong sense of ownership and follow-through
Skilled at communicating clearly and professionally with internal teams, vendors, and the public
Able to balance independent work with collaboration across teams
Technical Skills:
Proficiency in Microsoft Excel
SAP experience is preferred
About the Administrative Services Department (ASD)
The Administrative Services Department (ASD) provides proactive financial and analytical support to City departments and decision-makers across Palo Alto. Our team safeguards public resources and helps ensure they are used effectively to support City services.
ASD is a transparent, innovative, and service-oriented organization that partners across departments to deliver accurate, timely, and reliable financial support. We are committed to strong internal controls, continuous improvement, and being a trusted resource to those we serve.
The Accounting division processes, records, reports, and analyzes Citywide financial transactions that keep operations running smoothly.
Why Work for the City of Palo Alto?
The City of Palo Alto offers the opportunity to do meaningful work in service of a vibrant and engaged community—while building a stable and rewarding career.
As part of ASD, you will support the responsible stewardship of public resources and the financial operations that enable City services.
The City offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package, including CalPERS retirement, health coverage, and opportunities for professional growth. Employees are part of a collaborative, mission-driven organization that values accountability, innovation, and public service.
Join Us
If you’re someone who takes pride in accurate, detail-driven work, we encourage you to apply!
Join a team that plays a vital role in supporting City operations.
Essential Duties
Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
Computes data or figures using arithmetic operations including addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, percentages, and fractions with use of business machines.
Compiles, tabulates, verifies, interprets and adjusts data from a variety of source documents and arrays data in presentable or prescribed format
Checks data in documents against source materials for accuracy and reconciles errors.
Records or posts information, data or figures, maintains a variety of manual and automated records.
Prepares batch-entry materials for automated data processing of accounting or payroll-related systems by coding worksheets according to established processes.
Prepares monthly or quarterly reports using prescribed formats.
Provides training and guidance to other employees related to payroll or accounting processes.
Types letters, memos, brief reports according to standard format.
Discusses problems, conducts research in files and records to trace sources, and resolves problems using independent judgment.
May interact with public or employees in resolving sensitive problems or issues.
Handles money transactions, accepts payments, consolidates and prepares bank deposits, and responds to inquiries.
Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.
Minimum Qualifications
Sufficient education, training and/or work experience to demonstrate possession of the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:
Ability to use independent and sound judgment to resolve problems; communicate effectively and tactfully verbally and in writing; follow verbal or written instructions.
Ability to operate office machines; prepare, adjust, and close journal entries.
Ability to communicate with others and to assimilate and understand information, in a manner consistent with the essential job functions.
Knowledge of basic arithmetic, bookkeeping, accounting principles and practices; banking procedures; ten-key, calculator or adding machines.
Ability to verify or post, compile, reconcile, balance, and interpret data.
Ability to maintain physical condition appropriate to the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities which may include sitting for extended periods of time and operating assigned office equipment.
Supplemental Information
The Selection Process:
Applicants will receive recruitment status notifications via email. Governmentjobs.com account also has notification status updates.
Applicants will be screened throughout the posting process and highly qualified candidates may be invited to interview at any time after the posting closes.
The screening process for this position typically may include a virtual recorded interview and/or panel interviews preceding final interviews with the hiring manager or their designee.
Our online application system is provided byNeoGov. If you have problems while applying online, please contactNeoGov'sLive Applicant Support at (855) 524-5627 between 6:00 AM and 5:00 PM Pacific Time, Monday - Friday.
This position is represented by Service Employee International Union (SEIU).
Compensation (SEIU) :Comprehensive compensation plan, to learn more clickHERE. (https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/Departments/Human-Resources/Labor-Agreements-and-Salary-Schedules)
The City of Palo Alto is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.