Accountant

Accountant

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

This non-exempt position is responsible for a wide variety of regular, recurring, as well as complex accounting procedures, including calculating, posting, verifying, preparing, and mailing checks for payments of bills, reconciling designated accounts, preparing adjusting journal entries, and assisting with implementation of GASB Statements. This position performs processing of routine and complex accounting functions including accounts payable, accounts receivable, and verification of payment receipting. This position maintains varied accounting office filing systems, contracts, and records to assure proper follow-through. The accountant takes direction from the Chief Financial Officer to perform a variety of accounting, financial, budgetary, and statistical record keeping duties. This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Accounting

• Maintains and applies knowledge of government accounting principles and practices including knowledge of the BARS manual for the State of Washington and other applicable laws, regulations, and guidelines.
• Prepares assigned portions of the Annual Financial Report in accordance with established deadlines, as well as GAAP and GASB requirements.
• Assists with implementation of new GASB requirements, BARS, and regulatory changes.
• Supports the preparation of data and information for the budget.
• Reviews financial documents for accuracy and completion; assures transactions are charged to correct accounts in accordance with the Washington State Budgetary, Accounting and Reporting System (BARS).
• Performs a variety of accounting tasks such as maintaining ledgers, prepares initial entries, provides information for the budgeting process, prepares month-end entries and year-end accruals, and interacts with customers and vendors to resolve complaints and concerns.
• Performs routine accounting analysis of costs, financial statements, budget worksheets and other data; performs fiscal and program analyses and make appropriate recommendations to the Chief Financial Officer.
• Maintains capital assets, small & attractive assets, and property inventory and records.
• Reviews and analyzes specific accounting procedures and systems to ensure efficiency and accuracy of process using GAAP.
• Assists in the development and installation of new systems or modification to existing systems.
• Reconciles assigned accounts and compiles and prepares financial data, statements, and reports in compliance with accounting policies and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
• Provides research, auditing, financial and account processing support for the Chief Financial Officer.
• Analyzes problems and provides appropriate resolutions; reviews and recommends improvements to existing systems and processes; implements approved improvements.
• Verifies accuracy of system-generated audits and reports, balances and resolves discrepancies as necessary.
• Conducts regular checks to ensure integrity of software databases, updates data, calculations, methods as necessary. Ensures databases are working properly, reports problems and concerns to Chief Financial Officer.

Reconciles all liability accounts quarterly and acts as a backup on benefits reconciliation and payables.

Procurement & Contracting

• Provides instructions and acts as a resource to departments on general procurement coding, public works purchasing, prevailing wage requirements, requests for proposals, and contracting; updates and maintains checklists.
• Tracks purchasing agreements and contracts. Updates and enters all completed department contracts on tracking log.
• Processes, tracks, audits, and manages purchasing card receipts and purchase orders.
• Processes accounts payable transactions and coordinates with departments to ensure accuracy and adequacy of supporting documentation for payments.
• Performs centralized accounts payable functions; enters and reviews invoices and purchase orders for accuracy; processes payments to vendor accounts, advance travel funds, expense claims, mileage reimbursements, and other employee reimbursements; completes check-run process.
• Files monthly excise tax returns, annual unclaimed tax reports, and annual Internal Revenue Service forms.
• Prepares, maintains, analyzes, and distributes a variety of forms, documents, and reports, including checks and invoices.
• Maintains accurate records and filing systems.
• Maintains vendor files in accounts payable module.

Accounts Receivable

• Performs centralized accounts receivable functions, including monitoring past due accounts and receivables; bills and processes accounts receivable on a periodic basis; assures compliance with billing guidelines and agreements.
• Maintains the accounts receivable module including maintaining fee codes, accounts, billing, and reconciling customer accounts.

General

• Retains necessary records for appropriate time periods, working with administrative staff for the timely destruction of A/P, A/R, and other accounting files.
• Verifies receipting of payments and makes daily deposits.
• Sets priorities on high volumes of work, performs numerous task assignments simultaneously, and coordinates with others to meet strict deadlines.
• Remains current with relevant technological and regulatory advancements as it relates to field.
• Assists in preparing for CALEA accreditation.
• Maintains current process documentation and comprehensive procedural instructions for all accounting functions.
• Compiles preliminary financial documents for the Chief Financial Officer’s review.
• Assists Chief Financial Officer in developing the narrative portion of the annual budget.
• Ability to maintain clearance through Criminal Justice Information Service (CJIS).
• Supports the Center’s diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
• Performs other related work as assigned.
• Provides back-up for front desk coverage and may act as the second level of backup for payroll processing and auditing.

INTERPERSONAL CONTACTS

Contacts are made both inside and outside the organization. Internal contacts frequently include the Administrative, Supervisory, and Represented Staff. External contacts may include Center customers, other governmental personnel, and outside vendors. Interactions are a blend of giving and receiving of information. Contacts frequently include sensitive and/or confidential information. 80% of outside interactions are via the telephone or electronic communications.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE OF/SKILL IN:

• Policies, procedures, rules, and practices affecting the development, maintenance, and control of budgeting and accounting systems.
• Data processing applications related to accounting and auditing functions.
• Business and tax regulations.
• Computer and related software use including financial, spreadsheet, word processing and graphics.

REQUIRED ABILITY TO:

• Fluent use of the English language.
• Understand and interpret complex rules, regulations and contracts from the IRS, State, and SOP’s.
• Maintain accurate financial and narrative records, spreadsheets, and reports.
• Analyze, reconcile, balance, and audit assigned accounts.
• Make complex and varied mathematical computations and tabulations rapidly and accurately.
• Troubleshoot, identify, and correct errors and omissions.
• Operate computer, 10-key adding machine, calculator, printer, copier, telephone, fax machine, and other standard office equipment.
• Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with managers, co-workers, represented staff, customers, and vendors.
• Utilize various software suites, identify, and resolved set up and processing issues, and stay abreast of software updates.
• Exercise a high degree of independent judgement in problem solving and decision-making related to professional accounting duties.
• Work confidentially and with discretion.
• Maintain professional, technical, and current knowledge of accounting concepts and practices.
• Exercise a high degree of independent judgment in problem solving and decision-making related to professional accounting duties.
• Be reliable, dependable, and report for work on a consistent basis.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Bachelor of Arts Degree in Accounting or related field. Pertinent experience may be considered in-lieu of formal education requirements.

PLUS:

Two (2) years or more of experience in accounting.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience in municipal accounting.
• Experience with Springbrook financial software.
• Strong Experience with Excel and other Office applications.

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATION:

• None

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Office environment with frequent interruptions.

PHYSICAL, SENSORY AND MENTAL DEMANDS:

• Light lifting, carrying, and pushing objects weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate standard office equipment, including computer keyboard.
• Sitting for extended periods of time.
• Seeing to read and assure the accuracy of financial documents, reports, and spreadsheets.
• Hearing and speaking to exchange information in person and on the telephone.

Additional benefit information:

Employees (and their families) are covered by medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance. Employees are enrolled in a pension plan, and are able to enroll in a deferred compensation plan. Employees will also receive 9 hours of vacation leave every month, 8 hours of sick leave every month and twelve paid holidays throughout the calendar year.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $34.31 - $46.21 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k) matching
• 457(b)
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible schedule
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• On-site gym
• Paid sick time
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance
• Work from home

Experience level:

• 2 years

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Experience:

• Accounting: 2 years (Required)
• Microsoft Excel: 2 years (Required)
• Microsoft Office: 2 years (Required)
• Journal entries: 2 years (Required)
• GAAP: 2 years (Required)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Kent, WA 98030