Accountant I/II (Payroll)

Accountant I/II (Payroll)

Salary

See Position Description

Location

5750 Almaden Expressway, San Jose, CA, CA

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

02013-E

Division

Financial Planning and Management Services

Unit

General Accounting

Opening Date

08/24/2026

Closing Date

9/5/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Description

Accountant I: $104,499.20 - $133,744.00 Annually

Accountant II: $121,201.60 - $155,168.00 Annually

Overview:

Are you an accounting professional who thrives on accuracy, deadlines, and keeping critical financial processes running smoothly? Join Valley Water as an Accountant I/II and play an important role in supporting payroll, account reconciliation, financial reporting, and general ledger activities that help keep the organization moving.

The Accountant I/II performs professional accounting work in support of Valley Water's centralized accounting operations, with an emphasis on payroll processing, account reconciliation, financial reporting, and general ledger activities. This position helps ensure that employee payroll, benefit deductions, retirement contributions, payments, journal entries, and related accounting records are processed accurately, timely, and in compliance with applicable requirements.

Our Commitment:

We are committed to building and sustaining a working environment where all individuals are respected and valued. We believe every member of our team brings unique perspectives that enhance our ability to serve the public effectively. By fostering a workplace with employees from the communities we serve, we broaden our collective understanding of the world around us and strengthen our mission to equitably provide safe, clean water, natural flood protections, and environmental stewardship.

About Valley Water:

Valley Water's mission is to provide Santa Clara County with safe, clean water for a healthy life, environment, and economy. The FY 2026-27 Adopted Budget of $1.284 billion supports approximately 876 employees. With headquarters in San José, Valley Water provides water supply, enhances streams and watersheds through creek restoration and habitat protection, provides flood protection for homes, schools, businesses and roadways, and partners with other agencies to provide trails and open space for the community.

Who We Are:

To learn how Valley Water provides safe, clean water and environmental stewardship for the Santa Clara community, please click here

Key Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Processing the District's biweekly payroll.
• Reviewing and establishing payroll information for new employees.
• Reconciling and interfacing data for CalPERS retirement, Nationwide, and BRI programs.
• Processing leave payout checks for separating employees.
• Preparing and posting payroll-related payments and journal entries.
• Monitoring CalPERS deductions for compliance with annual contribution limits.
• Validating payroll and time-entry transactions.
• Reconciling funding, settlement claims, and other assigned accounts.
• Providing payroll coverage as needed.
• Assisting with recording fixed assets in Infor.
• Ensuring payroll, benefit deductions, retirement contributions, payments, journal entries, and related accounting records are processed accurately, timely, and in compliance with applicable requirements.

Ideal Candidate's Background Includes:

Applicants whose experience and background best match the ideal experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, and education are considered ideal candidates for the position. To determine the top candidates, each applicant will be assessed based on the ideal candidate criteria as listed below.

Ideal Experience:

Accountant I: 1 year of experience in processing payroll

Accountant II: 4 years of experience in processing payroll

Ideal experience for both levels:

• Experience using automated financial systems such as Infor, PeopleSoft, SAP.
• Experience with payroll processes.
• Experience working with employees and vendors in resolving payroll-related inquiries and providing excellent customer service.
• Experience working in a government agency is desirable.

Ideal Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to independently perform the full range of professional accounting functions.
• Ability to prepare a variety of clear and concise financial summaries and accounting reports.
• Ability to use Microsoft Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and web-based programs proficiently.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to provide excellent customer service through all levels of the organization and external parties.

Ideal Knowledge:

• Knowledge of accounting principles, payroll processing and reconciliation.
• Knowledge of enterprise-level payroll systems such as PeopleSoft, SAP, Oracle, or Infor.

Ideal Training and Education:

Training: Equivalent to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in accounting or a related field.

Substitution: Directly related experience may be substituted for the college requirement on the basis of one and one-half years of experience for one year of education to a maximum of four years.

Required License or Certificate

To review the Classification Specification, please click here

General Accounting Unit (Position Code 528)

Valley Water Telework Program: Eligibility for telework will depend on the type of work performed, operational needs, and the ability for the employee to perform the essential functions of their job duties while teleworking. Employment with Valley Water requires employees to live within 150 miles of their primary physical work location located in San Jose, California by their start date.

This position is eligible for a hybrid telework schedule, typically working 40% remote and 60% onsite, after completing 6 months of employment.

Selection Process

(1) The selection process may include one or more of the following: application review, application assessment, performance exercise, written exercise and/or interview.

(2) The Employment Application, Qualifying Information Questions and/or Supplemental Questions will be evaluated based on the ideal candidate criteria listed above. Resumes are highly recommended.

NOTE: Position and start date are subject to availability of funds. Valley Water retains the right to repost this position as deemed necessary.

Consideration may be given to existing applicant pools within the same classification.

Valley Waters Equal Opportunity Non-Discrimination Policy is available for review upon request.

Valley Water will make reasonable efforts in the examination process to accommodate persons with disabilities. Please advise Human Resources in advance of any special needs by calling 408-630-2260.

Please be aware that once submitted all application materials become the property of Valley Water and will not be returned. Human Resources staff are not authorized to make copies of application materials for applicants.

The Santa Clara Valley Water District, now known as Valley Water, offers a comprehensive benefit package including, vacation, holidays, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, EAP, life and disability insurance. In addition, Valley Water participates in the California Public Employees Retirement System (PERS). To view a summary of benefits, click here

01

I acknowledge that I have entered my Work Experience and Education on the employment application, and I am aware these are required fields. If they are not completed, the application is considered incomplete, and I will be disqualified as an applicant for the position.

• Yes
• No

02

Please answer the supplemental questions thoroughly, clearly, and concisely as the responses provided (along with the application) will be carefully reviewed to determine which candidates will move forward in the recruitment process. Responses that refer to attachments (e.g., "see resume") will not be considered. Each question must be answered in full to ensure a fair and complete evaluation. I have read this information and am aware of the importance of responses to the supplemental questions.

• Yes
• No

03

Please list the highest degree of education achieved.

04

How many years of experience do you have in processing payroll?

• 0 - 2 years
• 2 - 4 years
• 4 plus years

05

How many years of accounting experience do you have?

• 0 - 2 years
• 2 - 4 years
• 4 plus years

06

Please list your level of experience in using Excel as a reconciliation tool.

• Beginner
• Intermediate
• Expert

07

How many years of experience do you have processing payroll in a public sector environment?

• 0 - 2 years
• 2 - 4 years
• 4 plus years

08

Describe your experience with Payroll processing. What was your role and how frequently were you a part of this process?

09

Describe your experience in providing customer service in troubleshooting and providing technical assistance to users of the enterprise-level financial and payroll systems. What challenges have you encountered?

10

Please describe your experience preparing accounting journal entries and reconciling the subsidiary ledger to the general ledger. What steps do you take when the subsidiary ledger and general ledger do not agree?

11

Employment with Valley Water requires employees to take an Oath as a Disaster Service Worker within California and to live within 150 miles of Valley Water Headquarters in San Jose, California by the start date. Valley Water does not cover relocation costs. If you live further than 150 miles from Valley Water Headquarters, please discuss your willingness to relocate if offered the position. If this does not apply to you, write "N/A".

12

Please list the full name of the regular/permanent Valley Water employee who referred you to this position (only one name will be accepted, so if multiple are listed, the first name provided will be documented as the referring employee). If this does not apply to you, write "N/A".

Required Question

Employer Santa Clara Valley Water District (CA)

Address 5750 Almaden Expressway

San Jose, California, 95118

Phone 1-408-630-2260

Website https://www.valleywater.org