Accounting Specialist

Description Join our Snohomish County Human Services Fiscal Family! Purpose Snohomish County Human Services is hiring one qualified individual to prepare and process employee payroll and compensation records for the department. This is a full-time, onsite project role ending December 31, 2026. About You You have the desire to provide excellent customer service to all, including internal department employees and external customers. You enjoy numbers and have strong payroll processing skills and accounting background and knowledge. You pay close attention to detail and take pride in your work. You thrive in a fast-paced environment and are able to work under pressure to meet deadlines. Position Purpose To process timely and accurate payroll and related records for the Human Services Department, through independent work, supported by a collaborative fiscal/administrative team and department leadership. About Human Services The Human Services Department mission is to help all persons meet their basic needs and develop their potential by providing timely, effective human services and building community. The Human Services Department includes 350+ diverse, friendly and dedicated employees who benefit from outstanding benefits and competitive wages. Employees are appreciated and have the opportunity to make a real difference in our community. Snohomish County is thriving and is a great place to live, work, play, and raise a family. We strive to not only provide a meaningful job, but a life-long career at Snohomish County. Job Offers are contingent on successful completion of reference and background checks. Snohomish County will not sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa for this opportunity. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States. Snohomish County Human Services strives to be an equitable and trauma-informed department. Our department believes every interaction, procedure, and policy provides an opportunity to build a pathway toward a more resilient and restorative Snohomish County. Please reach out to Joeann Turck at View email address on click.appcast.io with any questions regarding this posting. BASIC FUNCTION To perform technical and specialized financial, accounting and/or fiscal support services, including payroll processing, accounts payable (AP), accounts receivable (AR), cash collections, preparation of purchase orders, personnel and other employee related processing, and creation of reports as requested. The employee within this classification may be assigned to a specialized function (i.e. payroll, AR, AP, etc.) or expected to perform a variety of accounting functions. Job Duties STATEMENT OF ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES Analyzes time reporting data submitted by employees; researches, evaluates and applies the use of the Human Resource Guidelines, labor contracts, and departmental policies/procedures to ensure adherence to established pay standards in conjunction with state and federal regulations; researches and reconciles discrepancies in leave balances; verifies earnings and reconciles with pay categories such as out-of-class pay, worker's compensation, FMLA or other leave issues, military duty, jury duty, etc.; and inputs correct timekeeping data into payroll system for accurate and timely payroll processing. Prepares and processes employee payroll and compensation records to initiate payroll changes for new hires, position numbers, terminations, step increases, promotions, change of department, temporary upgrades and transfers. Manages day-to-day flow of AP, AR, Cash (and non-cash) Reconciliations including documentation for obligations, payment authorization, proper coding, and accurate reporting to insure timely and accurate payments, and resolution of any payment discrepancies and disputes. Confers with vendors as necessary. Provides effective customer service by responding to inquiries and/or solicits information from employees, management, county finance, regulatory authorities, vendors and business suppliers to insure accurate and timely reporting of data and to correct discrepancies. Responds to complaints or requests for information in a timely and responsive basis. Conducts complex mathematical calculations for AP, AR, and payroll processes including wage/overtime payments, payroll deductions, manual pay, overpaid wages, and employment termination entitlements; balances remittances to outside agencies, edits system data and makes necessary adjustments; deciphers, translates, codes, and enters fiscal data as required by system and standard principles. Audits and reconciles accounting records for accuracy including payroll, AP, AR, Purchase Order processing, and Cash/Incentive/Purchase Card reconciliation. Corrects or initiates corrective changes for any discrepancies. Creates and/or generates reports as requested by internal or external sources by gathering and reporting data according to required output for grants, internal reports, and regulatory agencies using applicable software or program tools. Performs administrative functions such as file maintenance, archiving, set-up of vendors, photocopying and distribution. Performs other duties as assigned. Minimum Qualifications Associate's degree in Accounting, business administration or related field; AND, two (2) years technical experience in an accounting function with at least one year in payroll processing; OR, any equivalent combination of training and/or experience that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities. Must pass job related tests. Knowledge And Abilities Knowledge of: specialized bookkeeping and accounting principles and practices with an emphasis in payroll, federal/state labor and reporting regulations, AP, AR, cash collections and processing labor contracts, departmental policies/procedures, HR Guidelines and other applicable materials Snohomish County organizational structure and approval hierarchy general office practices and procedures relating to accounting activities federal, state and local laws as they apply to accounting administration accounting systems including Highline, Cayenta (including Actuate), and familiarity with Access Ability To implement and apply complex and relevant procedures, laws, labor agreements and Human Resource Guidelines and applicable regulations clearly explain policies, procedures, and schedules insure maximum accuracy to minimize errors interpretation of input data maintain financial records and prepare related reports gather, evaluate, and document technical data maintain confidentiality and exercise good judgment conduct complex arithmetical computations with speed and accuracy operate standard office equipment including 10-key fully utilize MS Word, Excel, Outlook, and Internet Explorer software work efficiently under pressure and meet deadlines establish and maintain effective work relationships with all levels of court management and staff, county departments, and representatives of other government agencies apply and use reconciliation procedures independently organize and perform tasks with minimal supervision, and work in a team environment SUPERVISION Employees in this classification receive general direction from an administrative manager as assigned. Assignments are made indicating generally what is to be done, the quantity of work expected and any deadlines, which are to be met. The employee carries out recurring assignments on his/her own initiative and receives additional specific instructions for new or unusual assignments. The work is reviewed by evaluation of results obtained. WORKING CONDITIONS The work is performed in the usual office environment and may include field trips to outlying areas. Occasional evening, weekend and/or holiday work may be required to timely complete accounting processes. Snohomish County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. Accommodations for individuals with disabilities are provided upon request. EEO policy and ADA notice Snohomish County offers a comprehensive benefits package to employees that receive a regular appointment who work at least 20 hours a week. County Benefits Medical Insurance Vision Insurance Dental Insurance Retirement Basic Group Term Life Insurance/ Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance Long Term Disability (LTD) Commuting Benefits Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Partners for Health Employee Wellness Program Leave & Holidays Voluntary Benefits Deferred Compensation 457(b) Supplemental Group Term Life Insurance Additional Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance (AD&D) Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) Supplemental Individual Insurance Policies Healthcare Premiums Regular full-time employees: If you work 35 or more hours per week, you will pay these monthly premiums for medical insurance. The County pays the monthly premiums for vision, dental, and basic life insurance. Regular part-time employees: If you work between 20 and 34 hours per week, you will pay pro-rated monthly premiums for medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance. The County's contribution toward the premium for an employee in a regular part-time appointment will be pro-rated in an amount equal to the F.T.E. percentage the employee is assigned. Note: Temporary employees, seasonal employees and paid interns may be eligible for medical insurance benefits. Review the County's ACA Employer Shared Responsibility Guide to learn more. 01 Following are a series of supplemental questions to assess your job-related experience and qualifications. Please note that as part of the screening process, your responses will be reviewed in conjunction with your general on-line application. The employment history and education detailed in your general on-line application must validate/support your responses to the supplemental questions. If your responses cannot be validated, you will not proceed to the next step of the review selection process, A resume must be submitted, but it will not substitute for the general on-line application or supplemental questions; responses such as "see resume" or "see application" will not be considered. Do you agree to answer each question truthfully and that your responses can be supported by your general on-line application/work history and by your references? Yes No 02 Do you possess or can you obtain prior to employment, a Washington State Driver's License, unrestricted except as to vision? Yes No 03 What level of college education have you completed in accounting, business administration or a related field? High School Diploma or GED No degree Associate degree Bachelor's degree 04 Was your degree in accounting, business administration or a related field? If it was in a related field, what field was it in? If not in accounting, business administration or a related field, enter N/A. 05 How many years of verifiable technical experience do you have in an accounting function with at least one year in payroll processing or any equivalent combination of training and/or experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities? Less than one year experience One year to less than two years' experience Two years or more experience 06 How many years of experience do you have preparing and processing employee payroll and compensation records? No experience Less than one year experience One year to less than two years' experience Two years or more experience 07 How many years of experience do you have working with computerized accounts payable systems or software? No experience Less than one year experience One year to two years' experience Two years or more experience 08 Which of the following best describes your experience in creating and maintaining manual and electronic records, files, and databases such as Actuate or ACCESS? Select all that apply. Database entry Pulling and printing reports from a database Creating new reports from a database None of the above 09 Which of the following statements best describes your experience in creating and maintaining electronic spreadsheets, such as EXCEL? Select all that apply. Simple input and sorting of data Using formulas to calculate sums and percentages Creating and updating tables and charts Uploading scripts to other accounting systems Creating advance formulas and using pivot tables None of the above 10 Are you able to operate a 10-key calculator by touch? Yes No Required Question #J-18808-Ljbffr