Junior Accountant Contract Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The City of Pleasanton is looking for a detail-driven, team-oriented Junior Accountant to join the Public Works Department and help keep essential City projects moving forward. This is not your typical desk-bound accounting role-you'll support everything from invoices and budgets to grants, contracts, and project funding for the infrastructure and services our community relies on every day. If you enjoy meaningful work, variety, and seeing how your accuracy and follow-through make a real impact, this is a great opportunity to build your public sector finance career.

We're Looking for Someone Who Is A detail-oriented accounting professional who can review, code, process, reconcile, and track financial transactions accurately and in accordance with City policies and procedures. A collaborative team member who can work effectively with Public Works staff, Finance, division managers, project managers, vendors, contractors, other departments, governmental agencies, and the public. An organized multitasker who can balance competing priorities, manage multiple deadlines, maintain accurate records, and support both strategic planning efforts and daily operations.

A strong communicator who can prepare clear written materials, explain processes, provide status updates, and maintain positive working relationships with coworkers, departments, vendors, contractors, and the public. An analytical problem-solver who can collect and analyze information, research discrepancies, reconcile accounting data, review account balances, and make sound recommendations. A public service-oriented professional who understands the importance of accuracy, accountability, confidentiality, discretion, and customer service in local government operations.

In This Role, You Will Process and track invoices, purchase orders, payments, revenues, and contractor progress payments that support Public Works operations and projects. Maintain and reconcile accounts, ledgers, and financial records, while researching and resolving discrepancies along the way. Prepare journal entries, budget uploads, financial summaries, reports, and monthly and year-end closing support.

Gain hands-on experience supporting Capital Improvement Program projects by helping track expenditures, prepare reports, and support project financial analysis. Support budget preparation and monitoring, including projections, trend analysis, budget amendments, salary and benefit costing, and variance review. Assist with grant reporting, reimbursement requests, Water Bond-funded project tracking, encroachment billing, and other specialized public-sector funding processes.

Review and support the financial and administrative processing of contracts, agreements, purchase orders, change orders, task authorizations, retention releases, and bond release documents in line with City policies. Serve as a helpful resource to City staff by answering questions and providing guidance on purchasing, contracts, and financial procedures. Help improve internal processes while supporting Public Works leadership, division managers, and the broader administrative team.

A Few Reasons You'll Love Working With Us You'll work with a talented, supportive, and mission-driven team dedicated to maintaining the City's daily operations and planning for future improvements. You'll be part of a collaborative environment where you work closely with staff at all levels and contribute to transparency, public engagement, and community-focused outcomes. You'll gain valuable experience in local government finance, accounting, purchasing, contract administration, budgeting, grants, and Public Works operations-skills that can support long-term career growth in public service.

You'll have the opportunity to understand the full breadth of services Public Works provides, how those services impact daily life in Pleasanton, and how your contributions support plans and projects that shape the City. You'll see how accurate financial and administrative work directly supports infrastructure maintenance, construction projects, public facilities, and long-term community investment. A Few Challenges You Might Face Successfully balancing competing priorities while managing multiple deadlines and supporting both strategic planning and daily operations.

Staying organized while managing a diverse workload that may include financial tasks, project tracking, administrative responsibilities, contract documents, analytical assignments, and coordination with multiple departments or vendors. Researching and resolving discrepancies across invoices, purchase orders, contracts, project records, ledgers, reimbursements, reports, and financial systems. Adapting to changing priorities in a fast-paced municipal environment where operational needs, project timelines, payment processing, and reporting deadlines may shift quickly.

The Ideal Candidate Will Be Knowledgeable in fundamental finance and accounting principles, with hands-on experience in accounts payable, accounts receivable, financial systems, or other accounting processes. Comfortable analyzing and reconciling accounting data, understanding general ledger accounting structure, and preparing accurate financial information. Skilled in collecting and analyzing information, preparing clear written materials, identifying discrepancies, and making sound recommendations.

A strong communicator who can communicate effectively both verbally and in writing and maintain positive working relationships with coworkers, other departments, governmental agencies, vendors, contractors, and the public. Highly organized, accurate, and dependable, with strong attention to detail and the ability to work independently while exercising good judgment. Comfortable with change and able to perform effectively in a fast-paced environment.

Experienced with financial management systems, Microsoft Office Suite, and spreadsheet preparation; advanced electronic spreadsheet preparation is highly desirable. For more information about the position, please refer to the job description by visiting the following link Junior Accountant. Minimum Qualifications Education: Associate's degree or equivalent in Business, Accounting, Finance, or closely related field Experience: Two (2) years of experience in accounting financial systems Desirable Qualifications: Tyler MUNIS Experience Governmental accounting experience Public Works governmental accounting experience Knowledge of: Current accepted accounting principles and procedures.

Governmental accounting desirable. Budgeting desirable. Advanced electronic spreadsheet preparation highly desirable.

Skill to: Analyze and reconcile accounting data. Understand the general ledger accounting structure. Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.

Recruitment Process Application: To be considered for this position, please submit your application through our online application process at www.cityofpleasantonca.gov. Click on "Job Opportunities". SELECTION PLAN Applicants will be informed via email with reasonable notice in advance of any examination process which will require their attendance

The following dates are tentative and subject to change based on the need of the Agency: TENTATIVE SELECTION PLAN Application Filing Deadline: 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, August 12, 2026 Review of Minimum Qualifications: Week of August 13, 2026 Phone Screens: Week of August 19, 2026 Panel Interview: Week of August 26, 2026.