About the Internship
Recent graduates with a passion for public service and an interest in government accounting join our annual cohort of 1649 Accountant Interns. Through this 18-month, full-time paid program, interns gain hands-on experience, mentorship, and training to become skilled City accountants. Applications open in December 2025.Sign up on our interest form to get notified!Why join us?
The 1649 Accountant Intern Program is a paid 18-month opportunity to launch your accounting career with the City and County of San Francisco. With hands-on experience through two department rotations, mentorship from experienced professionals, and specialized training, you’ll build strong skills in government financial management, analytics, and communication. Over 90% of the City’s accountants started in this program, and successful interns are promoted into permanent roles. Along with a competitive salary and excellent benefits, the 1649 Program is your pathway to a stable and meaningful career in public service.
How to qualify?
- Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university.
- 18 semester units or 24 quarter units of coursework in accounting (only classes 3 units or more will be considered).
- Applicants must graduate no later than June 2025.
Questions?
If you have any questions, we encourage you to reach out before the application deadline. Contact us at 1649.con@sfgov.org.
Key Dates 2025-2026
Fall 2025 Cohort Postponed to Spring 2026
April 1, 2025
- Application opens.
April 25, 2025
- Application closes at 11:59pm (PST).
- Recruitment paused.
December 2025
- Application tentatively re-opens in December. Qualified applicants from previous posting will be redirected. New applicants can also apply.
January 9, 2026
- Application closes at 11:59pm (PST).
February 2026
- Written Exam (qualified applicants)
- Performance Exam (applicants who passed the Written Exam)
- Oral Exam (applicants who passed the Written Exam)
March 2026
- Finalists will receive conditional offer letters.
May 12, 2026 (tentative)
- The internship (trainee program) begins around this date.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is an ideal candidate for the 1649 Accountant Intern Program?
To qualify for the trainee program, candidates must have earned their undergraduate degree (no later than June 30, 2025). This program is designed as a learning opportunity for individuals with limited or no work experience. Ideal candidates should be self-motivated, collaborative, eager to learn and have a desire to develop their accounting skills.
How long is the program and when does it start and end?
- The Trainee Program lasts approximately 18 months.
- The Program begins in mid-September.
- The Program finishes in mid to late April.
Which department will I work in?
Final participating departments will not be known until program orientation starts in September. Trainees are selected in part on their ability to work in any department. A Steering Committee consisting of representative Accounting and Finance leadership will assign which department they will work in. Departments that have hosted trainees in past years include:
- Board of Supervisors
- Department of Children, Youth, and Their Families
- Department of Emergency Management
- Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing
- Department of Human Resources
- Department of Public Health
- Department of Public Works
- Juvenile Probation
- Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA)
- Office of Assessor Recorder
- Office of the Controller
- Office of Economic and Workforce Development
- Port of San Francisco
- Recreation & Parks Department
- San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
- San Francisco Public Utilities Commission
What if I need an accommodation?
If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application process, reach out to the HR analyst on the job posting. Please view the City's reasonable accommodation policy.
Can I take time off during the Internship Program (Trainee Program)?
- Trainees are expected to attend all in-person orientation and trainee workshops. After that, trainees are expected to work full time, and like all City employees must request approval for time off from their supervisors. Trainees receive up to 12 paid observed holidays and 5 paid floating holidays. Paid sick days are available after 90 days. Additional unpaid days off are made available at the discretion of department placement supervisors.
- Trainees will become eligible for paid vacation days after 12 months of full-time employment (per SF City Charter).
Is this position in-person or remote?
All City and County of San Francisco employees are expected to work in-person at least 4 days a week. Once placed, reporting to the office varies on the departments (days of the week, location, etc).
If I am relocating from another State or City, can the program assist with my relocation expenses?
No, the City is unable to provide relocation assistance.
Will the San Francisco Fellows Program sponsor a work visa for me?
The City and County of San Francisco does not sponsor visas. If you have an F1 student visa, the City will not sponsor the “optional practical training” requirement through work as a trainee in the 1649 Accountant Intern (Trainee) Program, so an F1 visa therefore does not demonstrate eligibility to work as an employee of the City and County of San Francisco. All trainees must be able to demonstrate that they are legally able to work in the United States without visa sponsorship by the employer.
What if I have accounting experience but not an undergraduate degree?
Accounting experience is not a requirement of the program and cannot substitute for the missing education requirement.
What happens after the Internship (Trainee Program) is over?
Upon successful completion of the program, successful graduates will be promoted into the Permanent Civil Service 1652 Accountant II classification.