- Notice of change: This recruitment is open until filled, with first review of applications on Friday, July 17, 2026.
Salary: $94,621.28 - $113,842.56 Annually DOE/DOQ*
Uniform and bilingual allowance when applicable
The County of Santa Barbara is currently accepting applications to fill Accountant III vacancies. The current vacancies are in the Behavioral Wellness, Public Works, and Social Services Departments.
Although the current vacancies listed are in Santa Barbara, the established employment list may also be used for future Full-Time, Part-Time, and Extra-Help Accountant III vacancies in Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, Carpinteria, and Lompoc. This position is utilized by 11 departments in the County of Santa Barbara. Each Accountant III's duties may vary from one department to another, depending on the needs of the department and the nature of the work that you will be performing. The work schedule for this position will depend upon the needs of the Department.
Please select the departments and location(s) you would like to be considered for current and future vacancies. If you qualify for this position and pass the required selection steps your name will be sent to the hiring manager(s) of the vacancy location(s) where you have expressed that you are willing to work.
THE POSITION: Under direction, the Accountant III performs complex professional accounting duties; supervises clerical, paraprofessional, and professional staff involved in accounting and fiscal recordkeeping work; and performs related duties as required. The candidate selected for this position will be expected to provide professional accounting services and advice to the managers of their respective department(s) and division(s).
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS: The class of Accountant is found in various County departments and divisions. The Accountant series is distinguished from the Accountant-Auditor class series in that the work of the Accountant series is limited in scope to the finances of a department or division. Further, the Accountant-Auditor class series is found only in the Auditor-Controller's Office.
Accountant III is the advanced journey level in the professional accounting series. Incumbents independently perform complex professional accounting responsibilities and/or supervise a major accounting function in a large department under the supervision of a division head or department head.
Responsibilities will include collecting and analyzing historical data to project future expenditures, reviewing actual expenditures against budget in order to anticipate problems and prepare budget adjustments. In addition, this position is also responsible for developing the department's annual budget, conducting required contract reviews, and completing special projects that may be assigned based on requests from department management, the Auditor-Controller's Office, and/or the CEO's office.
BENEFITS: For more information on County benefits, please visit here. In addition, applicants from other public sector employers may qualify for:
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Retirement reciprocity
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Time and service credit towards an advanced vacation accrual rate
The Ideal candidate will possess:
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5 or more years of professional accounting experience, with knowledge of Governmental Accounting and more specifically in Enterprise Fund Accounting.
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Ability to work independently, organize and prioritize work, and meet critical deadlines.
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Excellent interpersonal skills in working with employees/management at all levels; ability to handle difficult situations with tact and diplomacy.
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Excellent communication skills, ability to exchange information in a clear, concise and organized manner to diverse groups of people to help them understand process objectives and priorities.
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Ability to process, interpret and document fiscal/accounting information, write clear and concise reports and organize records accordingly.
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Ability to multi-task, handle high stress situations, thrive under pressure and adapt to change.
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Proven successful budget analysis experience.
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Microsoft Office Suite products (Excel, Word, Access, Outlook, and PowerPoint) skills and experience.
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Experience researching and preparing reports to assist external and internal auditors; and generating periodic accounting or statistical reports to management or regulatory agencies.
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The ability to analyze expenditure trends and assist in monitoring departmental operating or capital improvement budgets.
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The ability to work successfully in a team environment, make positive contributions and assist others as necessary.
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Experience in working on department driven projects and presenting ideas to senior management.
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Capable of making informed decisions based on data and using metrics to evaluate success.
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Ability to maintain confidentiality.
- Prepares or verifies a variety of complex accounting, statistical, and narrative statements or reports requiring extensive analysis and interpretation of data.
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Establishes and maintains new departmental accounting processes and procedures; makes recommendations on the implementation of departmental accounting system improvements to increase efficiency and effectiveness; establishes and maintains effective accounting controls.
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Participates in the preparation, evaluation, justification, and maintenance of budgets and budgetary controls; confers and cooperates with Auditor-Controller staff and systems analysts to implement and improve automated fiscal systems.
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Prepares, reviews, and monitors grants, contracts, claims and other fiscal agreements and proposals.
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Prepares financial statements, balance sheets, income and expense reports, and cash flow analyses for general funds, internal service funds, or major programs.
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Trains, supervises, and evaluates clerical and paraprofessional staff; may supervise professional staff.
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Recommend rates and fees based on cost accounting analysis.
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Reviews and analyzes proposed and new regulations and legislation impacting revenues; prepares recommendations regarding alternatives available to minimize fiscal impact.
- Possession of a bachelor’s degree in accounting, business administration, or related field, and two years of professional accounting experience; OR,
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One year of experience performing duties equivalent to the class of Accountant II with Santa Barbara County; OR,
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A combination of training, education, and experience that is equivalent to one of the employment standards listed above and that provides the required knowledge and abilities.
Knowledge of: generally accepted accounting principles, practices and procedures including cost accounting; application of computer software to accounting operations.
Ability to: plan, initiate and complete work assignments with a minimum of direction; understand and apply legal requirements and administrative policies to departmental accounting functions; interpret and analyze complex fiscal data and draw logical conclusions; detect possible weaknesses of internal control of standard accounting procedures and recommend revisions; verbally communicate accounting procedures and policies to staff and others; write memos and reports clearly and concisely; use personal computer applications including spreadsheet software; establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
Additional Qualifications: Possession of a valid California Class C Driver’s License may be required for some positions.
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:
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Knowledge of: principles and practices of governmental accounting; and principles and practices of supervision and training.
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Ability to: use personal computer applications including word processing and database software.
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Possession of a valid certificate as a Certified Public Accountant.
APPLICATION & SELECTION PROCESS
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Review application and supplemental questionnaires to determine those applicants who meet the employment standards.
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Supplemental Questionnaire Ranking. Responses to the required supplemental questionnaire will be evaluated and scored. Candidates' final score and rank on the eligibility list will be determined by their responses to the supplemental questionnaire.
Candidates must receive a percentage score of at least 70 on the supplemental questionnaire to be placed on an employment list. An adjustment may be made to raw scores based on factors listed in Civil Service Rule VI. Those candidates who are successful in the selection process will have their names placed on the employment list for a minimum of three months. At the time the employment list is established, all candidates will receive an email notice of their score on the exam(s), rank on the employment list, and exact duration of the employment list.
Conditional Offer: Once a conditional offer of employment has been made, candidates will be required to successfully complete a background check, which includes a conviction history check, and satisfactory reference checks. Appointee will be subject to a post-offer medical evaluation or examination. The appointee must satisfactorily complete a one-year probationary period.
The County Health Department (CHD) requires all employees working in direct contact with patients or clients in a high-risk environment to comply with the CHD Employee Immunizations policy. This can be accomplished by providing documentation of immunizations, submitting laboratory immune titers demonstrating adequate immunity, or obtaining required vaccinations. A list of requirements, based on the specific program, will be sent at the time an offer letter is presented to the selected candidate(s) and initial documentation will be required at this time.
The following process is only used for the Sheriff's Office and the Probation Department:
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Personal History Questionnaire (PHQ). Once candidates are placed on the employment list, the Human Resources Department will email candidates a notice regarding completion of a Personal History Questionnaire (PHQ).
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If candidates pass and are in the top group, they will be sent to the hiring department for consideration. Those that are interviewed and are still being considered for a position will advance to the next step in the hiring process, which includes the following:
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Polygraph Examination: measures the accuracy of information disclosed on the PHQ and during the background investigation.
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Background Investigation: includes an interview and in-depth background investigation of arrest records, personal, military, credit, and employment history; inquiry of persons who know you and evaluate whether you respect the law and rights of others; are dependable and responsible; have demonstrated mature judgment in areas such as the use of drugs and intoxicants; are honest; and a safe driver.
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After a conditional offer of employment has been accepted, appointee must successfully complete the following:
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Medical Examination
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Submit written documentation of his/her LEGAL RIGHT TO WORK in the United States.
The appointee must satisfactorily complete a probationary period. It should be noted that the wearing of a uniform is required for employees of the Probation Department.
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS: The County of Santa Barbara is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants. Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should contact the recruiter listed on the job posting. We require verification of needed accommodation from a professional source, such as a Medical Provider or a learning institution.
Recruiters will correspond with applicants by e-mail during each step in the recruitment process. Applicants are reminded to check spam filters continuously during the Recruitment & Selection Process steps listed above to ensure they do not miss required deadlines.
Disaster Service Workers: Pursuant to Governmental code section 3100, all employees with the County of Santa Barbara are declared to be disaster service workers subject to such disaster service. Activities as may be assigned to them by their superiors or by law.
This position may be subject to State Health Officer Orders (SHOOs) or County policy regarding vaccine verification and/or testing. Please contact the hiring department for more information.
Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement
The County of Santa Barbara provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants and prohibits discrimination, harassment, and retaliation of any type with regard to any characteristic or status protected by any federal law, state law, or Santa Barbara County ordinance. The County continues to be committed to a merit-based selection process and to eliminating barriers to attracting and retaining top qualified candidates. The County has a long-standing practice of providing a work environment that respects the dignity of individual employees and values their contributions to our organization.
APPLICATION AND SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE DEADLINE: Open until filled, with first review of applications on Friday, July 17, 2026.
Applications and job bulletins can be obtained 24 hours a day at www.sbcountyjobs.com.
