Accounting Technician

About the role

The City of Laguna Beach is seeking an Accounting Technician (Payroll) to join the Finance Division of the Administrative Services Department. This position assists in the payroll process for City employees under the supervision of the Payroll Supervisor.

Responsibilities

• Coordinates daily operations of the City's full-cycle payroll system
• Compiles, reviews, and audits changes in payroll information for completeness and accuracy
• Reviews payroll records to ensure compliance with City policies, procedures, and regulations
• Reconciles California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) reports to payroll and verifies changes to earnings reported to CalPERS
• Documents payroll changes in payroll ledgers and master files

Requirements

• Education: Education and/or experience equivalent to graduation from high school and completion of college-level coursework in basic accounting, bookkeeping, or finance. An Associate’s Degree from an accredited college or university with coursework in accounting is highly desirable.
• Experience: Three years of full-time progressively responsible accounting experience in an accounting environment, preferably in a municipal setting; or two years of full-time experience with the City as an Office Specialist. One year of technical and clerical accounting experience, preferably processing accounts payable transactions in a fast-paced, high-volume organization is highly desirable.

Qualifications

• Professional integrity and ethics
• Technical expertise
• Customer focus
• Self-management
• Planning and prioritizing
• Administrative skills and attention to detail
• Responsibility and dependability
• Strong organizational skills

Skills

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite
• Knowledge of payroll systems and software
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information

Benefits

• Competitive compensation and benefits package
• City paid health insurance for employees
• Retirement plans
• Paid time off

Pay

This position is compensated at a rate of [insert pay details here].

Schedule

This position works on-site and has a 9/80 work schedule. The work hours are 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on alternating Fridays. City Hall is closed on alternating Fridays.

Supplemental Information

To apply, please submit a completed online city application. Applications will be accepted on a continuous basis with the first review on May 20, 2026. Applicants will be invited to undergo a Structured Panel Interview to evaluate their knowledge, skills, and abilities. The appointing hiring authority will further review the job-related qualifications of applicants deemed eligible before making selection decisions and may require a written exam. The selection process may be modified based on the needs of the City.

Pre-employment Process

Selected candidates must successfully pass a fingerprint check with the State Department of Justice. Education and employment verification and reference check(s) will also be conducted.

Why work for Laguna Beach?

Laguna Beach offers a beautiful coastal location with a vibrant art scene and cultural events. It provides competitive compensation and benefits packages, including City paid health insurance for employees, retirement plans, and paid time off. The City has a strong commitment to its employees, offering opportunities for professional growth and development through training and education programs.

Department

The Finance Department performs all finance, accounting, business licensing, and cashiering functions for the City. The department currently has thirteen (13) positions, including the Accounting Technician (Payroll) position.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The City of Laguna Beach is an Equal Opportunity Employer and provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. For more information, click here for the link to the MOUs.