Accounting Assistant III

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Pays $41.47 to $48.08 per hour on 2026 pay scale.
Benefits include medical, dental, vision, and life insurance.  HRA VEBA account may also be provided.  Retirement benefits include a choice between PERS 2 or 3 and optional Deferred Compensation.  The City recognizes 11 paid holidays and provides up to 2 personal holidays annually.  Vacation leave is accrued at 0.0385 hours per straight time hour paid in the first 2 years of employment, with increases thereafter.  Employees earn 0.0462 hours of sick leave per regular straight-time hour paid.  More benefit details are available by clicking on the "Benefits" tab of this job posting.

Job Duties and Responsibilities
This job description reflects general details as necessary to describe the principal functions of this job, the level of knowledge and skill required, and the scope of responsibility, but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements.  These listed duties and responsibilities in no way imply that these are the only duties to be performed.  Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including, but not limited to, working in other function areas to cover absences or provide relief, to equalize peak work periods, or to otherwise balance the workload.  Accordingly, individuals occupying this position will be required to follow any job-related instructions, tasks or other duties as assigned by the Director or designee, and must be able to proficiently perform all assigned duties.
 

• Assist Directors and their staff to ensure proper procedures are followed.
• Provide oversight of assigned area (payroll, AP, AR, utility billing, and/or City business licensing) to ensure accuracy, providing assistance as needed.
• Prepare and assist in preparing financial, accounting, and statistical statements, analyses documents, reports, and presentations to City management and the City Council. 
• Prepare the biennial budget and administer all funds, including forecasting revenues and estimating fund balance for all City Funds.  
• Develop expenditure allocations and other budget information for directors including  expenditures for all special revenue and reserve accounts.  
• Review directors’ expenditure requests for departmental operating budgets and capital funds and calculate salary and benefit expenses.  
• Formulate all budget documents, balance for accuracy, and oversee their publishing. 
• Assist Mayor and Finance Director in departmental budget meetings.  
• Research and prepare documentation of financial, statistical, and operational data for directors in financial software and budget.
• Analyze revenue and expenditure variance and formulate financial reports for directors/council and to prepare budget amendments.
• Work with directors and state/federal agencies to ensure proper use of grant funds, including processing reimbursement requests, maintaining the City’s profile on Federal SAM site, preparing the Schedule for Financial Assistance (SEFA) for annual report, and working closely with State auditors during Federal Grant single audits.
• Work with director to calculate infrastructure values for donations and annexations.  
• Balance capital assets, prepare depreciation and year-end information for annual report, and prepare annual capital asset records.
• Review and work with state offices to determine prevailing wage and taxability issues. 
• Monitor and update project management for contract and budget compliance.
• Perform project management accounting for City projects, vendor contracts, purchase orders, and projects with multiple revenue and expenditure sources to meet all City, state, and federal requirements. 
• Prepare and maintain cash flow statements.
• Prepare COLA estimates and other required documentation for union contract negotiations.  
• Audit financial records, cash receipting system reports, and prepare monthly bank and account reconciliations.
• Prepare accounting records and reports for capital assets, grants, SIU collections, and any other functions.
• Support the City’s annual audit by researching and handling auditor inquiries.
• Audit City’s online electronic payment options and verifies that City is maintaining PCI compliance.
• Administer advance travel account for employee travel including issuing checks and ensuring proper procedures are followed.
• Maintain department records and process department public records requests in accordance with the state’s Public Records Act and City policies. 
• Reliable and regular attendance is required.
• Other duties as assigned.

Contacts and Relationships
The Accounting Assistant III has job-related contact either by telephone, in person, or through written communication with the City's elected officials, directors, co-workers, outside auditors, outside consultants, vendors and other business-related persons or agencies as required.  In addition, the Accounting Assistant III has extensive contact with the public and must be professional and courteous with all contacts.   
 
Working Conditions
Work is performed indoors in an office environment utilizing computers and other routine office equipment.  Requires extensive reading and ability to focus and absorb large amounts of information.  Work involves regular interruptions and pressure to meet strict deadlines.  Telecommuting within Washington state is permitted at the supervisor’s discretion in accordance with City policy.  
 
Physical Requirements
Must be able to sit for prolonged periods and alternate between sitting and standing to greet customers and obtain files.  Must discern and conduct voice conversation, in person or via telephone.  Continuous repetitive arm, hand, and finger movement and hand-eye coordination is essential to performance of this job for operating computers and other office equipment.  May be required to lift and carry up to twenty (20) pounds.  
 
Minimum Requirements
High School Diploma or GED is required.  Five (5) years of experience in accounting is required, including cash handling, payroll, AP, AR and/or other accounting functions.  Experience with computers and application software, including word processing, spreadsheets, and power point presentations is required.  Customer service experience is required.  Must be bondable.
 
Preferred qualifications include a degree in accounting and experience in double entry accounting and BARS. 
Any combination of experience and training that provides the desired skills, knowledge and abilities may be considered.
 
Requirements outlined in this job description may be subject to modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities who are oherwise qualified for employment in this position.  However, some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees.
 
This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the Employer and employee and is subject to change as the needs of the Employer and requirements of the job change.

Salary : $86,258 - $100,006