Accounting Specialist​/Accounting Technician

The City of Carpinteria is seeking applications for an Accounting Specialist/Accounting Technician.

We are looking for a skilled and customer‑focused accounting professional to join our Administrative Services Department. Whether you're building your career (Accounting Specialist) or bringing journey‑level expertise (Accounting Technician), this flexibly staffed position offers the opportunity to work on a variety of essential financial functions—from payroll and accounts payable to revenue tracking and audit support. If you enjoy collaborative work, problem‑solving, and contributing to the financial integrity of City operations, we encourage you to apply.

First Review of Applications:
March 18, 2026.

Interviews:
Week of March 23, 2026.

• Accounting Specialist ($27.63‑$38.00/hour)
• Accounting Technician ($30.47‑$41.89/hour)

plus, a generous benefits package.

This classification series is flexibly staffed. Positions may be filled at the Accounting Specialist or Accounting Technician level depending on City needs and/or the qualifications of the selected candidate. Advancement from Accounting Specialist to Accounting Technician requires demonstration of journey‑level competency, consistent performance, mastery of the more complex technical accounting duties, and a recommendation for advancement.

Incumbents may be assigned to functions including accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll support or payroll administration, business licensing, cash receipting, purchasing, capital asset, and revenue tracking. Assignments may rotate or expand based on operational needs and as directed.

Entry‑level class. Performs routine to moderately difficult accounting support duties and receives closer supervision while learning job tasks, procedures, financial systems, and internal controls.

Journey‑level class. Performs the full range of technical accounting duties with minimal supervision, including payroll administration, reconciliations, revenue tracking, and audit support. May provide basic training or technical guidance to lower‑level or assigned staff in accounting procedures and processes.

Include but are not limited to the following:

• Prepare, process, and verify financial transactions; maintain accounting logs, ledgers, and records.
• Reconcile accounts; research discrepancies, prepare supporting documentation, and propose correcting entries.
• Assist with month‑end and year‑end procedures and audit preparation.
• Provide customer service related to financial transactions, business licensing, and department procedures.
• Receive, review, and process invoices; verify coding, approvals, and supporting documentation.
• Maintain vendor files, purchasing documents, and assist with 1099 preparation.
• Receive and record cash receipts; prepare daily bank deposits and resolve discrepancies.
• Support business license billing and renewals.
• Parking and Business Improvement Area (PBIA) billing, reconciliation, and follow‑up.
• Prepare correspondence, reports, spreadsheets, and various financial documents.
• Maintain financial files and provide front counter and telephone support as needed.
• Provide assistance and procedural guidance to City staff, vendors, and members of the public regarding financial systems, transactions, payroll time entry, purchasing procedures, reimbursements, business licenses, payments, and related accounting processes.
• Work with departments to ensure collection efforts are timely.
• Assist with drafting, mailing and organizing corresponding letters.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

The Accounting Specialist may assist with selected Accounting Technician duties for training, development, and departmental coverage.

• Process bi‑weekly payroll including earnings, deductions, adjustments, and leave accruals.
• Prepare CalPERS, payroll tax, and 457 reports; reconcile benefit invoices.
• Ensure compliance with FLSA, MOUs, CalPERS rules, and applicable laws.
• Track and reconcile Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT), Parking and Business Improvement Area (PBIA), and business license revenues.
• Perfo…