Payroll Analyst (Auditor-Controller Analyst I)

Job Description:

Payroll Analyst (Auditor-Controller Analyst I)

Description

Position Description

Final Filing Date: Monday, September 22, 2025

Exam #: 25/20B24/08ND

Department
The Auditor-Controller is an elected official who provides the County of Monterey with financial leadership and expert advice on a wide range of fiscal matters and advocates financial integrity and accountability in all County business practices. The department consists of five divisions: Administration, Systems, General Accounting, Internal Audit, and Disbursements (Accounts Payable, Payroll, and Property Tax).

Position Summary - General Accounting and Payroll
Under general direction performs complex professional accounting and payroll functions, and financial analysis of the County’s fiscal operations for County-wide programs and systems; interprets and applies legal requirements and policies pertaining to payroll; and provides advice, consultation, and professional support on fiscal, accounting, and payroll procedures. This classification may supervise professional and/or technical staff, and performs other related work as required. The current vacancy is in Payroll.

The Eligible List established by this recruitment process may be used County-wide to fill current and future vacancies on a regular full-time, part-time, or temporary basis.

Examples of Duties

• Plans, organizes, coordinates, oversees and performs the complex accounting, fiscal, and/or audit work to prepare a variety of payroll reports and schedules that support payroll operations
• Prepares financial schedules, analysis, documentation, and a variety of complex accounting, tax, and financial reports that include payroll tax and wage reports
• Provides advice, assistance, and training to departments regarding year-end closing, payroll reporting, payroll accounting processes and compliance requirements, and/or payroll systems operations
• Supervises professional and/or technical accounting staff that may include: assigning, directing, training, and reviewing subordinates’ work for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with established requirements; manages work performance; and recommends transfers, reassignment, and discipline
• Establishes and maintains positive working relationships with departmental management and staff, other County departments, external agencies, community-based companies, vendors, and State and Federal program auditors
• Performs a variety of other complex accounting, auditing and financial analysis, operational issue resolutions, and monitoring to include: payroll regulations; systems operation and maintenance; data security; and payroll operations
• Plans, develops, coordinates, and implements fiscal management policies, goals, objectives, procedures, standards, and programs with the management team
• Reviews, analyzes, researches, interprets, and communicates legislation to ensure compliance with laws, rules, and regulations that fiscally impact County and departmental programs.

To view the complete job description, please visit the County of Monterey website: Auditor-Controller Analyst I

THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE
Will have a proven track record demonstrating the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:

Thorough knowledge of:

• Principles and methods of payroll operations and management, tax and financial reporting, financial analysis, and general accounting.

Based on divisional assignment:

• Enterprise and government accounting principles and practices
• Accounting and auditing principles and practices used in public finance, including third-party reimbursement principles, policies and procedures
• Government and non-government auditing and accounting principles and procedures
• Professional report writing techniques
• Accounting and payroll principles, practices, standards, and methods
• Laws, ordinances, terminology, processes, practices, and procedures governing payroll operations
• Automated payroll, timekeeping, and financial systems including ERP systems operations and maintenance
• Internal Revenue Code; California Public Employment Law; various benefit provider rules and regulations

Working knowledge of:

• Research and assessment techniques
• Quantitative analysis, and business statistical methods and techniques
• Principles and practices of supervision, including work planning, scheduling, reviewing, evaluating,
  training, and corrective action
• Related computer technology systems, hardware, and applicable software application and operations
• Governmental accounting, principles, and operational practices
• Business law applicable to financial operations.

Skill and Ability to:

• Plan, organize, direct, and coordinate the payroll, fiscal and accounting activities to support county operations
• Analyze, evaluate, and solve complex payroll, fiscal, accounting, and administrative problems
• Prepare clear and concise payroll, accounting, financial, statistical and narrative reports; present information to a group effectively
• Develop or revise accounting systems, processes, and activities to meet changing needs
• Assist in the design and implementation of computerized payroll and accounting systems
• Develop, implement, and administer automated data gathering, processing, and reporting systems
• Present technical and financial information, and reports effectively
• Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing
• Select, supervise, assign work, train, and evaluate the performance of others
• Properly interpret, determine, and apply appropriate laws, regulations, policies, and collective bargaining agreements to county operations
• Make accurate complex computations and reconciliations
• Meet schedules and timelines
• Provide excellent and courteous customer service and establish and maintain effective working relationships.

Examples of Experience/Education/Training

Any combination of training, education and/or experience which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities and required conditions of employment listed above is qualifying. An example of a way these requirements might be acquired is:

Education: Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Public or Business Administration, Economics, Finance or a closely related field with course work in Accounting, Finance and Business Administration.

Experience: Three (3) years of experience performing professional level accounting/auditing duties with a CPA firm, public or private agency or two (2) years of experience at a level equivalent to an Accountant-Auditor III in Monterey County.

Additional Information

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
The required conditions of employment include, but are not limited to the following:

• Successfully complete a background check to include fingerprinting
• Be available to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and during times of disaster and/or emergency.

BENEFITS:
The County of Monterey offers an excellent benefits package. Please visit our website to view the Unit X Benefit Summary Sheet. This information is not legally binding, nor does it serve as a contract. The benefits listed in the County of Monterey Personnel Policies and Practices Resolution or Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) prevail over this listing.

NOTES:

• As a condition of employment, prospective employees may be required to submit to a background review which may include a review of information concerning present and/or prior employment, driving record, and record of any criminal convictions.
• Employment is contingent upon acceptable documentation verifying identity and authorization for employment in the U.S.; a list of acceptable documents is available on the USCIS Form I-9.
• If you are hired into this classification in a temporary position, your rate of pay will be hourly, and you will not be eligible for the benefits listed in the summary.

APPLICATION & SELECTION PROCEDURES

Apply Online at http://agency.governmentjobs.com/montereycounty

by Final Filing Date of Monday, September 22, 2025, by 11:59 PM (PST)

Hard copy applications may be obtained from and submitted during normal business hours, Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM by contacting:

County of Monterey, Auditor-Controller’s Office

Attn: Nairi Davis, Senior Human Resources Analyst

168 W. Alisal Street, 3rd Floor, Salinas, CA 93901

Phone: 831-755-5092 Email: davisn@countyofmonterey.gov Fax: 831-796-6046

The selection process is tentative, and applicants will be notified if changes are made. To assess applicants' possession of required qualifications, the examination process may include an oral examination, pre-examination exercises, performance examination, and/or written examination. The competitive examination process includes the submittal of required application materials. A complete application packet will include:

• A completed County of Monterey Employment Application
• Responses to the Supplemental Questions

Applicants who fail to provide all required materials by the final filing deadline will not be considered. Resumes, cover letters, letters of interest, and other correspondence will not be accepted as a substitute for required application materials. All required application materials will be competitively evaluated. Those applicants who are determined to be the most appropriately qualified will be invited to participate further in the selection process.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AND REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION
The County of Monterey is a drug-free workplace and an equal opportunity employer. The County seeks candidates who can make contributions in an environment of cultural and ethnic diversity. The County of Monterey is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request a reasonable accommodation, contact Nairi Davis, Senior Human Resources Analyst, at (831) 755-5092 or email davisn@countyofmonterey.gov

http://www.co.monterey.ca.us/government/departments-a-h/human-resources/human-resources/benefits/benefit-summary-sheet

Closing Date/Time: 9/22/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$9,147.00 - $12,494.00 Monthly