Senior Grants Accountant

Position Description

Join us in shaping Seattle’s streets!

At the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT), we don’t just move people—we connect communities, build safer streets, and create a more sustainable city.

With a bold vision for the future, we’re tackling big challenges: making travel safer, cutting carbon emissions, and ensuring reliable, affordable transportation for everyone—no matter who they are or where they live.

Seattle is growing fast, and we’re growing with it. Thanks to a historic voter-approved $1.55 billion investment in transportation in 2024, we’re building sidewalks, fixing bridges, and improving transit connections to keep our city moving.

We’re a team of problem solvers, planners, engineers, communicators, and field crews—bringing purpose-driven work to life. Now, we need passionate, innovative talent like you. Let’s build a Seattle that works for everyone—together!

SDOT has an exciting opportunity for a detail-oriented Senior Grant Accountant on our Finance and Administration team. Under the direction of the Grant & Partnership Accounting Manager, this position is responsible for many of SDOT’s grant accounting functions. Responsibilities include preparing and submitting Federal and state billing reports and reimbursement requests for SDOT’s Federal, state and local grant-funded programs by overseeing the full lifecycle of grant accounting activities from expenditure tracking, billing, and grant closeout. As a result, the City maintains billing compliance, ensuring the accurate collection of grant revenues and strengthening working relationships with granting agencies. This position works with various City departments (e.g. Seattle Public Utilities, Seattle City Light), SDOT Division Directors, Managers, and Project Managers, and with external customers (WSDOT, FTA) as a subject matter expert in grant billing, collection, technical issues, accounting standards and grant regulations.

Job Responsibilities

• Prepares complex and detailed financial accounting reports and schedules.
• Prepares and submit accurate, timely reimbursement requests and invoices for Federal and State grants.
• Ensures billing complies with applicable regulations such as Uniform Guidance CFR Part 200.
• Reviews and reconcile grant expenditures to supporting documentation prior to billing grantor agencies.
• Monitors expenses for allowability.
• Tracks accounts receivable for grant billings and follow up on outstanding reimbursements.
• Maintains detailed billing schedules and supporting documentation for audit readiness.
• Prepares and submits financial reports to required funding agencies.
• Collaborates with Program Managers to ensure expenditure align with grant objectives.
• Records grant-related transactions in the general ledger and ensure proper cost allocation.
• Reconciles grants and resolves discrepancies between internal records and funding agency reports.
• Stays current on federal and state grant regulations and compliance requirements.
• Designs and develops a variety of queries, macros and complex spreadsheets from downloaded data.
• Prepares portions of, analyzes and reviews the City's Comprehensive Annual Financial Report.
• Reviews, develops and modifies internal accounting control policies, procedures and practices.
• Coordinates financial audits with independent auditors; prepares supporting work papers and assists auditors; reviews audit reports, summarizes findings and recommendations, discusses findings with management and implements audit recommendations.
• Supports department goals in promoting diversity and social justice.
  
  

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

Education

• Bachelor's Degree in Accounting or related field (requires satisfactory completion of at least 24 semester hours or 36 quarter credit units in accounting with no substitution allowed).
  
  

Experience

• Three (3) years of professional experience in general or governmental accounting.
  
  

OR: An equivalent combination of education and experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the position duties.

Though not requirements, strong candidates will have some of the following experience or are able to describe comparable experience:

• Extensive experience with an ERP financial reporting system similar to the City’s PeopleSoft 9.2 system.
• Intermediate to advanced proficiency in MS Excel, Access and Word.
• Extensive knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles and governmental accounting standards. Current licensing as a CPA and/or CGFM preferred.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to use sound judgment to anticipate and detect problems and develop solutions.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to work independently, as well as part of a team.
• Excellent organization skills, ability to respond to unanticipated requests, prioritize work, work under pressure, and meet tight deadlines.
  
  

Other Requirements

Work Environment:

• Work is typically performed in a hybrid work environment in which a minimum of 3 days of work is completed in a City office, and 2 days of work is completed remotely in a regular 40-hour work week.
  
  

Additional Information

Your application will not be reviewed if these items are missing or incomplete.

Hiring Process

Applications are reviewed after the posting closes. Qualified candidates must submit the following to be considered:

• Completed NEOGOV online application.
• Supplemental questionnaire responses
• Cover letter describing how your skills and experience align with the stated job responsibilities and qualifications.
• Current résumé indicating relevant experience and education.
  
  

Offers of employment are contingent on verification of information provided by the applicant as part of the application process, including a potential background check.

Please note this job advertisement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

The City’s full salary range for this position is $48.07 - $55.96 hourly.

For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact: Ryan Jones at Ryan.Jones@Seattle.gov.

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits/employees-and-covered-family-members/most-employees-plans.

Who May Apply: This position is open to all candidates that meet the minimum qualifications. The City of Seattle values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity. The Department encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ people, people with disabilities, veterans and those with diverse life experiences.

Accommodations for people with disabilities are provided on request.

The City is a Drug Free Workplace.