Looking for Accountant / Senior Accountant at United States, Washington, Kirkland Full Time

Note:
Based on experience, an Accountant may be hired instead of a Sr. Accountant. Salary ranges are as follows:
Accountant: $78,150.94 – $91,945.93 Annually
Sr. Accountant: $87,066.61 – $102,437.98 Annually

Performs a wide range of complex professional level accounting and financial reporting activities. Responsible for all city wide and utility-related accounting policies, audits and financial reporting.

Essential Responsibilities

• Prepares and coordinates completion of City’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, financial statement schedules and notes in accordance with governmental GAAP and applicable laws and standards and GFOA Certification of Excellence guidelines.
• Serves as a representative to outside agencies, including the State Auditor’s Office.
• Reviews City revenues and expenditures for compliance with City policy, legal and accounting parameters, appropriate account coding, existence of substantiating documentation and budget appropriation.
• Performs generalized accounting duties, including initiation and review of journal entries in a city wide capacity, internal audits, cash audits and other specialized analysis as assigned.
• Assists with maintenance of the general ledger including development and maintenance of the chart of accounts.
• Maintains the fiscal records for grant funded projects to comply with auditing standards and State and Federal reporting requirements. Coordinates the grant reimbursement process with the not-for-profit service agencies and project managers to insure compliance with grant terms and City policy and recommends updates as necessary. Oversees city wide compliance with established City Grant Policy and Procedures. Educates departments on grant related issues and assists with grant applications.
• Provides technical assistance and training to city staff on financial related matters including but not limited to grants and in the use of the City’s financial system.
• Prepares annual budget for selected funds as assigned. May assist with the preparation of the City wide budget.
• Tracks and monitors financial report data involving capital projects, infrastructure, equipment and other City assets.
• Conducts detailed budget and accounting reconciliation and prepares status reports for various accounting funds; analyzes various sources of data and reconciles inconsistencies. Monitors fiscal matters such as expenditures, carryovers, appropriations and other financial operating issues.
• Analyzes and updates utility rate models to reflect changes to approved operational budget. Conducts projections and rate analysis of utility rates and assists in development of cost of service studies.
• Assists with development, implementation and enforcement of accounting policies, procedures and standards including research and recommendations on the implementation of new laws and regulations.
• Supports and explains new finance based policy and procedures on a City wide basis.
• Responds to questions, researches and prepares special reports, fiscal notes, and issue papers for use by City Council, City Manager, Director of Finance and Administration and other City management.

Peripheral Responsibilities

• Serves as department representative on ad hoc task forces and committees dealing with a wide variety of internal issues.
• Other projects and duties as assigned.
• May serve as acting Accounting Manager.

• Thorough knowledge of governmental fund accounting, municipal budgeting, public finance, financial reporting standards, and grant accounting.
• Ability to support and explain financial operating functions in effective internal practices.
• Skill in the use of automated financial systems.
• Skill in analyzing and establishing rates.
• Advance skill and experience in the use of automated spreadsheet programs and related graphics.
• Ability to maintain confidences and routinely handle sensitive materials.
• Skill in developing and implementing accounting procedures.
• Skill in communicating complex financial information verbally and in writing.
• Ability to develop and manage a project and to anticipate administrative and operational problems.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external individuals.
• Ability to prioritize tasks, elicit cooperation, resolve conflicts, and coordinate efforts to accomplish duties.

Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration and five years increasingly responsible experience in public sector accounting with an automated financial management system or an equivalent combination of education, experience and training to successfully perform the functions of the position.

Working Conditions
Work is performed in an office environment. Prolonged periods of time may be spent sitting and working at a computer terminal. Computer keyboard and mouse use are routine parts of this job. The employee frequently is required to sit and type on a keyboard for extended periods of time.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to: use hands to finger, handle, or feel; talk; and hear.

Selection Process
Position requires a resume and cover letter (letter of interest) for consideration of application. Please note how you meet minimum qualifications within the cover letter. Applicants who are selected for next steps in the hiring process will be invited by phone or email. Job open until filled with first review of applicants by 15th day of initial posting.

Vaccination requirement
Effective November 8, 2021, all new hires to the City will be required as a condition of employment to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 prior to start date.