Exam Bulletin - Accountant I (Specialist)

State of California

Exam Code: EX-1480

Examination Plans Included:

  • ACCOUNTANT I (SPECIALIST) - Open

Final Filing Date: Applications are accepted on a continuous basis.

Classification Details

ACCOUNTANT I (SPECIALIST): $3,708.00 - $4,641.00 (A) per Month

View the ACCOUNTANT I (SPECIALIST) classification specification.

Application Instructions

This is not a timed examination. If you request a Reasonable Accommodation, your account will be locked and you will not be able to proceed with the examination until the request is processed.

Applications are accepted on a continuous basis.

Who Should Apply:

The information below will help you determine which classification(s) is(are) appropriate for you. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications as stated on this bulletin to compete in this examination.

Open and Open, Non-Promotional Examination(s):

  • ACCOUNTANT I (SPECIALIST) - Open

For all Classifications, once you have participated in any of the following examinations, you may not recompete for 6 months:

Exam Code(s):

    1480

For ACCOUNTANT I (SPECIALIST), once you have participated in any of the following examinations, you may not recompete for 6 months:

Exam Code(s):

  • EX-01480

How To Apply:

Submit an Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) to apply for this examination.

Electronic applications can be submitted through your account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov.

Special Testing Arrangements:

If you require assistance or alternative testing arrangements due to a disability, indicate on your application that you need reasonable accommodation. You will be contacted by a representative of the testing department to make the necessary arrangements. If you have not been contacted by the time you receive notification of testing, please contact the testing department listed in the Contact section of this bulletin.

If you are unable to submit your application or complete the test due to a disability, please contact the testing department listed in the Contact section of this bulletin.

Minimum Qualifications

All applicants must meet the education and/or experience requirements as stated on this exam bulletin to be accepted to the examination.

00104177 - ACCOUNTANT I (SPECIALIST)

Experience: One year of bookkeeping or accounting experience performing duties comparable in level to those of an Accounting Technician in the California state service.

and

Education: Completion of at least 12 semester hours of a professional accounting curriculum.

Position Description

00104177 - ACCOUNTANT I (SPECIALIST)

Makes journal entries, posts ledgers, takes trial balances, audits claims, and performs preliminary reconciliations and adjustments of financial records and reports; gathers data for a variety of financial reports requiring the application of accounting principles and judgment; compiles the less difficult financial reports; compiles and analyzes workload and other budget data; reviews deposit receipts submitted by field offices; prepares remittance advise to the State Controller's Office; keeps track of interest due on stocks, bonds and other securities; maintains follow-up and collection of dishonored checks; prepares and/or reviews invoices for contracts, interagency agreements, and billings by the department; issues invoices to departmental employees for overpayment or misuse of departmental equipment; maintains unclear collection account; makes progress payments to contractors on a monthly basis based on work completed by the contractor; and reviews and schedules payment for leases for office space and consultant contracts.

Special Personal Characteristic

Ability to qualify for a fidelity bond.

For information regarding position location(s), please refer to the Eligible List Information section.

Examination Information

We recommend using Chrome, Firefox, or Edge for optimal performance when accessing the examination.

This examination consists of the following components:

  • CalHR Online Exam : 100% of the final score.

A final score of 70% must be attained to be placed on the eligible list.

In addition to evaluating the applicant's relative knowledge, skill and ability as demonstrated by quality and breadth of education/experience, emphasis in each test component will be on measuring competitively, relative to job demands, each applicant's:

Knowledge of:
  1. Principles and practices of financial record keeping
  2. Basic principles of accounting
  3. Office methods, procedures, and equipment
  4. Governmental accounting principles and procedures
Ability to:
  1. Apply rules and regulations to specific cases
  2. Operate common office appliances used in financial record-keeping work
  3. Analyze and draw logical conclusions
  4. Dictate correspondence

Eligible List Information

A Servicewide Open eligible list for the ACCOUNTANT I (SPECIALIST) Classification will be established for:

  • State of California

The names of successful competitors will be merged onto the eligible list(s) in order of final score regardless of test date. Eligibility expires 12 months after it is established. Applicants must then retake the examination to reestablish eligibility.

Resulting Eligibility List(s) will be used to fill vacancies throughout the State of California.

Veterans' Preference will be granted for this examination. Veterans' Preference is an assistance program for veterans, veteran widows and widowers, and spouses of 100% disabled veterans who seek employment with the state. Veterans' Preference is also extended to currently serving military members nearing their retirement or separation date.

You are not eligible for Veteran's Preference if you are:

  • A veteran who has been dishonorably discharged or released.
  • A veteran, widow or widower of a veteran, or spouse of a 100 percent disabled veteran who currently has permanent civil service status. (Permanent civil service status is the status of an employee who is lawfully retained in his/her position after completion of the applicable probationary period. This does not include limited term).

Veterans' Preference is codified in Government Code Sections 18973 – 18979.

Veteran status is verified by the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR). Directions to apply for Veterans' Preference are on the Veterans' Preference Application (Std. Form 1093), which is available at www.CalCareers.ca.gov, and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Career Credits are not granted for examination(s) administered on an Open basis or a Promotional basis.

Accountant I (Specialist) Training and Experience Examination Preview

Section 1: Tasks

Instructions:

Using the rating scale(s) provided below, you will rate your knowledge and experience performing specific job-related tasks.

Respond to each of the following statements by indicating how the statement applies to you. You are required to respond to every statement by marking one option from the scale(s) provided.

In responding to each statement, you may refer to your FORMAL EDUCATION, FORMAL TRAINING COURSES, and/or WORK EXPERIENCE whether paid or volunteer.
  1. Creating tables of accounts to track progress and keep accurate records using spreadsheet and/or database software.
  2. Checking figures, postings, and documents for correct entry, mathematical accuracy, and proper coding to maintain accurate information.
  3. Analyzing and evaluating numerical and financial data to compile and keep financial records.
  4. Performing mathematical computations (e.g., addition, subtraction, multiplication, division) to reconcile and verify account balances.
  5. Assisting in the performance of reconciliations and adjustments of financial records and reports to determine accuracy.
  6. Providing accounting solutions to meet customer business needs.
  7. Writing letters, memoranda, and other correspondence using a word processor or other electronic means for the purpose of communicating with internal and external stakeholders.
  8. Reading and interpreting policy manuals, legislative guidelines, or other written materials to determine relevant facts.
  9. Conducting research using the Internet and databases to collect information.
  10. Analyzing receipts, expenditures, and encumbrances to ensure accuracy.
  11. Processing checks, payments, and accompanying documents in accordance with established procedures to meet daily deadlines and productivity measures.
Section 2: Knowledge and Abilities

Instructions:

Using the rating scale(s) provided below, you will rate your experience applying specific job-related knowledge and abilities.

Respond to each of the following statements by indicating how the statement applies to you. You are required to respond to every statement by marking one option from the scale(s) provided.

In responding to each statement, you may refer to your FORMAL EDUCATION, FORMAL TRAINING COURSES, and/or WORK EXPERIENCE whether paid or volunteer.
  1. Basic knowledge of the principles and practices of financial record keeping to conduct audits and perform accounting functions.
  2. Ability to apply accounting principles and procedures to work assignments.
  3. Ability to analyze data and draw logical conclusions to accurately process, provide, and implement accounting information.
  4. Ability to audit accounting information and verify its accuracy.
  5. Ability to use accounting database and spreadsheet software to input, organize, track, and retrieve data.
  6. Knowledge of computer software programs (e.g., Outlook, Excel, Power Point, Word) to facilitate accounting operations.
  7. Knowledge of internal control procedures to protect and safeguard organizational assets and resources.
  8. Knowledge of debits and credits of accounts to ensure correct payments and receipts are recorded.
  9. Ability to conduct basic research using databases, files, reference manuals, and other sources to perform accounting functions.
  10. Ability to identify appropriate resources for answering inquiries.
  11. Ability to analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action.
  12. Ability to solve accounting problems related to work assignments.
  13. Ability to use organizational filing systems to track accounting information.
  14. Ability to write clear and concise documents to communicate with internal and external stakeholders using correct grammar and spelling.
  15. Knowledge of the principles and processes for providing customer services (e.g., evaluation of customer needs and satisfaction, service assessment, meeting quality standards for services).
  16. Ability to use tact and diplomacy to establish and maintain cooperative relationships when dealing with the needs, problems, and/or concerns of employees, the public, and/or outside organizations.
  17. Ability to work on multiple tasks concurrently to ensure timely completion of projects and other work activities.
  18. Ability to prioritize assigned work to complete assignments on a timely basis.
  19. Ability to be flexible in adapting to changes in priorities, assignments, and other interruptions.
  20. Ability to work as part of a team to accomplish common goals.

Testing Departments

  • State of California

Contact Information

Questions regarding this examination should be directed to:

State of California
CalCareer Service Center
1810 16th Street
Sacramento, CA 95811
Phone: (866) 844-8671
CalCareer@calhr.ca.gov

California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice). TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

Drug Free Statement

It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free State work place. Any applicant for State employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective, because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing civil service, and the special trust placed in public servants.

General Information

Examination and/or Employment Application (STD 678) forms are available at the California Department of Human Resources, local offices of the Employment Development Department, and through your CalCareer Account (www.CalCareers.ca.gov).

If you meet the requirements stated on this examination bulletin, you may take this examination, which is competitive. Possession of the entrance requirements does not assure a place on the eligible list. Your performance in the examination described in this bulletin will be rated against a predetermined job-related rating, and all applicants who pass will be ranked according to their scores.

State of California reserves the right to revise the examination plan to better meet the needs of the service, if the circumstances under which this examination was planned change. Such revision will be in accordance with civil service laws and rules and all applicants will be notified.

General Qualifications: Applicants must possess essential personal qualifications including integrity, initiative, dependability, good judgment, the ability to work cooperatively with others, and a state of health consistent with the ability to perform the assigned duties of the class. A medical examination may be required. In open examinations, investigation may be made of employment records and personal history and fingerprinting may be required.

Eligible Lists: Eligible lists established by competitive examination, regardless of date, must be used in the following order: 1) sub-divisional promotional, 2) departmental promotional, 3) multi-departmental promotional, 4) service-wide promotional, 5) departmental open, 6) open. When there are two lists of the same kind, the older must be used first. Eligible lists will expire in one to four years unless otherwise stated on the bulletin.

High School Equivalence: Equivalence to completion of the 12th grade may be demonstrated in any one of the following ways: 1) passing the General Education Development (GED) Test; 2) completion of 12 semester units of college-level work; 3) certification from the State Department of Education, a local school board, or high school authorities that the competitor is considered to have education equivalent to graduation from high school; or 4) for clerical and accounting classes, substitution of business college work in place of high school on a year-for-year basis.

Accepted applicants must provide proof of identification at each in-person test session. Acceptable identification consists of a photo identification card or two forms of signed identification.
Application Methods:
Electronic (Your CalCareer Account)