Accountant III - San Francisco Arts Commission

Company Description

Application Opening:  Thursday, September 10, 2026
Application Closing: Thursday, September 24, 2026 – Applications must be submitted by 11:59 PM Pacific Time on September 24, 2026
Annual Salary: $126,126 – $153,296
Recruitment ID: REF60987H

The San Francisco Arts Commission (SFAC) is the City agency that champions the arts as essential to daily life by investing in a vibrant arts community, enlivening the urban environment and shaping innovative cultural policy. Learn more about our work at: Arts Commission | SF.gov

SFAC Racial Equity Statement

The San Francisco Arts Commission is committed to creating a city where all artists and cultural workers have the freedom, resources and platform to share their stories, art and culture and where race does not predetermine one’s success in life. We also acknowledge that we occupy traditional and unceded Ohlone land. Fueled by these beliefs, we commit to addressing the systemic inequities within our agency, the City and County of San Francisco and the broader arts and culture sector. This work requires that we focus on race as we confront inequities of the past, reveal inequities of the present and develop effective strategies to move all of us towards an equitable future.

Job Description

Be a part of the next chapter for the San Francisco Arts Commission!  As of July 1, 2026, the San Francisco Arts Commission has merged with Grants for the Arts (previously part of the City Administrator’s Office) and Film SF (previously part of the Office of Economic & Workforce Development.  As the same these three entities are coming together as a single agency, changes to financial aspects of the grant and film rebate programs administered by the merged department are taking place and SFAC’s Finance and Accounting team is growing to meet the needs of the newly expanded department.  The Accountant III position will be part of an effort to design and implement new financial policies, procedures, systems, and workflows in the context of an agency that is itself undergoing a significant evolution. 

Job Duties

The duties specified below are representative of the range of duties assigned to this class and are not intended to be an inclusive list.

• Perform complex accounting functions in connection with budget preparation, purchasing activities, payroll analysis, grants management, and Film SF rebate program.
• Process and pre-audit accounting documents and transactions in conformance with established procedures and controls.
• Review, prepare, reconcile, and supervise the preparation of complex financial reports.
• Review, reconcile, and audit accounting records of receipts, disbursements, and encumbrances in connection with over 500 grants to nonprofit arts organizations and individual artists, as well as the Film SF Scene in San Francisco Incentive Program.  This may include financial reviews of film production budgets, payroll records, invoices, receipts, and other supporting documentation and reconciling eligible San Francisco expenditures to ensure compliance with program guidelines.
• Work effectively with staff of the film, grant, public art, gallery, and other program teams, including both written and oral communication.
• Analyze, recommend new or updated financial policies, procedures, and internal controls, and re-align business practices to improve operations.
• Maintain current knowledge of applicable ordinances, rules, regulations, policies and standards. In addition to citywide accounting policies and procedures, these include but are not limited to: departmental accounting policies and procedures of the Arts Commission; departmental grant guidelines; Charter provisions relating to the Arts Commission; legislation and program guidelines relating to the Film Rebate Program; Business and Tax Regulations Code Section 515.01(Hotel Tax Allocations); and Administrative Code Chapter 68 (Cultural Equity Endowment).
• Perform fiscal year-end closing activities.
• May supervise subordinate staff by delegating, planning, directing and assigning accounting work, including training, coaching, and evaluating staff performance.
• Present and explain reports to financial and non-financial managers, co-workers, and clients.
• May coordinate, define, develop and maintain financial data extracts, reports and interfaces.
• Participate in the identification of functional processing and reporting requirements, end-users testing and documentation, implementation support for financial processing and reporting systems.
• Participate in the identification, creation and maintenance of accounting codes and structures to ensure accurate recording, reporting and control in financial systems.
• Perform special projects and other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university, preferably with major course work in accounting, finance, business administration, or related field. Such education must include eighteen (18) semester units or twenty-four (24) quarter units of coursework in accounting; AND
Four (4) years of professional accounting which includes analysis or problem solving. Experience must include: Working with an automated financial system, (preferably a government system) performing difficult and responsible accounting, as well as preparing financial records and reports; OR

2. City and County of San Francisco Employees with four (4) years of professional accounting experience including experience as a 1652 Accountant II.

Minimum Qualifications Substitution: A Master's degree in accounting, business administration, computer information systems, public policy, or a closely related field may be substituted for one year of work experience.

Applicants must meet the minimum qualification requirement by the final filing date unless otherwise noted.

Desired Qualifications
The stated desirable qualifications may be used to identify job finalists at the end of the selection process when candidates are referred for hiring.

• Ability to think creatively to solve problems and develop new and effective processes as need arises
• Sharp analytical, reconciliation, and organizational skill
• Ability to work effectively in multi-functional teams
• Demonstrated ability in handling a broad range of tasks in dynamic work environment
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Excel and Word
• Experience working with PeopleSoft Financial System and the flexibility and adaptability to use various software technology to carry out essential duties
• Strong Work ethic, interpersonal, oral and written communication skills

Verification of Education and Experience:
Every application is reviewed to ensure that you meet the minimum qualifications as listed in the job ad. Review SF Careers Employment Applications for considerations taken when reviewing applications.

Applicants may be required to submit verification of qualifying education and experience at any point during the recruitment and selection process. If education verification is required, information on how to verify education requirements, including verifying foreign education credits or degree equivalency, can be found at https://careers.sf.gov/knowledge/experience-education/.

Note:Falsifying one’s education, training, or work experience or attempted deception on the application may result in disqualification for this and future job opportunities with the City and County of San Francisco.

Additional Information

Supplemental Questionnaire:
Candidates will be required to also complete a Supplemental Questionnaire as part of the employment application. The Supplemental Questionnaire is designed to obtain specific information regarding an applicant's experience in relation to the minimum qualifications for this position. These responses will be used to evaluate if the applicant possesses the required minimum qualifications. Within a few days of the City’s receipt of a candidate’s completed application, the Supplemental Questionnaire will be emailed to the candidate and it must be completed by the deadline stated therein. Late submissions will not be accepted. 

Selection Process:
The selection process will include evaluation of applications in relation to the minimum qualifications. Applicants meeting the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement through all of the steps in the selection process. Depending on the number of applicants, the Department may establish and implement additional screening mechanisms to comparatively evaluate the qualifications of candidates. If this becomes necessary, only those applicants whose qualifications most closely meet the needs of the Department will be invited for an interview.

Additional Information Regarding Employment with the City and County of San Francisco:

• Information About the Hiring Process
• Conviction History
• Employee Benefits Overview  
• Equal Employment Opportunity
• Disaster Service Worker
• ADA Accommodation
• Veterans Preference
• Right to Work
• Copies of Application Documents
• Diversity Statement

Where to Apply
All job applications for the City and County of San Francisco must be submitted through our online portal. Please visit https://careers.sf.gov/ to begin your application process.

Computers are available for the public (9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday) to file online applications in the lobby of the Dept. of Human Resources at 1 South Van Ness Avenue, 4th Floor and at the City Career Center at City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, Room 110.

Ensure your application information is accurate, as changes may not be possible after submission. Your first and last name must match your legal ID for verification, and preferred names can be included in parentheses. Use your personal email address, not a shared or work email, to avoid unfixable issues.

Applicants will receive a confirmation email from [email protected] that their online application has been received in response to every announcement for which they file. Applicants should retain this confirmation email for their records. Failure to receive this email means that the online application was not submitted or received. If you have any questions, you may contact Kelly Alves at [email protected]. 

The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.