Accounting Assistant IV

Accounting Assistant IV

Thurston County Public Works is recruiting for an Accounting Assistant IV to join our dynamic, energetic, and innovative Business Services team. In this role, you will provide accounting support for the Water and Sewer Utilities and Noxious Weed Division. The position provides advanced technical accounting work and requires preparation and review of complex financial data for multiple funds, as well as development and implementation of systems for internal control and process efficiency. This team requires a commitment to providing the highest level of customer service.

Essential functions may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Prepares, maintains, and verifies interim and annual financial reports. Compiles the billing, receipting, and updating of account records for various departmental functions. Specifically manages all aspects of the water and sewer utilities billing cycle, including preparing monthly bills, past-due accounts, and collection activities.
• Monitors and administers public utilities accounts. Establishes new accounts and ensures accuracy of billing information and initial utility bills. Assists with monitoring expenditures for capital construction and improvement projects.
• Assists in the budget development for Utilities and Noxious Weeds. Prepares annual and 10-year financial plans, monitors revenue and expenditures and facilitates monthly financial meetings.
• Maintains general ledgers, which summarize all accounting transactions relating to grant contracts. Prepares, tracks, and submits grants to various funding sources.
• Prepares records and data of registers, journals, and sub-ledgers, including accounts receivable, accounts payable and fixed assets, assuring the classification and distribution of income, costs, and revenue items to proper accounts per legal requirements and County procedures.
• May have some lead or supervisory responsibility over lower-level classifications. Tasks to include instructing and training the utilities customer service team.

Working conditions:

• Work Environment - Office setting in Olympia, Washington
• Schedule - Monday Friday, 8:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m.
• Travel Requirements Occasional travel may be required to attend meetings or trainings
• Customer Interactions - Daily interactions via phone, in-person, and video with Thurston County staff

Who We Are:

The Thurston County Public Works Department, located in Olympia, Washington, is a national award-winning agency in delivering quality projects to our community. Our mission is to provide excellent public services in all areas of our business. We actively help our staff develop and grow professionally, we bring together resources across divisions to achieve organizational goals, we are always ready to respond to community needs, and we are an American Public Works Association accredited agency, consistently meeting industry best practices benchmarks.

Our Core Values:

• Accountability - We take responsibility for our actions and the resulting outcomes.
• Customer Service - We provide our customers with the highest level of service and quality.
• Innovation - We strive to continuously improve processes, performance, and results.
• Safety - We demonstrate an uncompromising commitment to safety.
• Teamwork - We work together toward achieving a common recognized end.

Mission - To provide excellent public services in all areas of our business.

Vision - The premier public works organization, accountable and transparent in all services we provide to our community.

Thurston County values the diversity of the people it hires and serves. Inclusion to us means fostering a workplace in which individual differences are recognized, appreciated, and responded to in ways that fully develop and utilize each person's talents and strengths. We are dedicated to recruiting and developing a talented workforce from various cultures, lifestyles, backgrounds, and perspectives who are committed to our vision and core values. Thurston County Racial Equity and Inclusion Webpage.

What We Offer Our Employees:

• Work-Life Balance: We are committed to ensure that our staff experience the reward of public service, while also sustaining a routine that suits each individual's lifestyle.
• Plan For Your Future: As a member of our team, you will enjoy great employee benefits, including a retirement plan, pre-tax savings accounts, as well as comprehensive health care and dental/vision care for you and your family. Please visit Thurston County Employee Benefit Plans for more information.
• Paid Leave: Full-time regular employees earn paid vacation in addition to paid holidays.
• Robust Training Program: Employees are encouraged to attend County paid training to help them further their career, learn new skill sets, and stay on top of emerging trends in our industry. We also encourage our staff to participate in professional organizations and attend conferences.
• Flexible Work Schedules: Some of the options that employees may take advantage of including alternative or compressed schedules and/or remote working.
• Deferred Compensation: The County offers 3 voluntary deferred compensation plans for employees who would like to set aside additional deferred tax dollars into a retirement savings plan.
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA): Employees can take advantage of Section 125 flexible spending accounts for out-of-pocket health care and daycare expenses with pre-tax dollars.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness: This is a federal program that allows full-time public service employees who have made qualifying payments for certain loans, to get their student loans repaid. Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Why you'll love it here: Thurston County is located between Seattle and Portland in Western Washington's South Puget Sound Region. Perched in between the mountains and the ocean, the area boasts the perfect blend of year-round outdoor activities including boating, hiking, skiing, and more. The region is also home to the state capitol city of Olympia, known for its many restaurants, microbreweries, coffee shops, farmers markets, kids' activities, history, and art events. Discover more about life in Thurston County at Experienceolympia.com.

Message to potential applicants: We understand that some potential applicants are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every one of the functions or skills listed in a job description. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and we understand that may be someone who will learn some of these skills on the job. If you are interested in this position, and meet the minimum qualifications, we encourage you to go ahead and apply! Feel free to think about how you will bring your own set of skills to the role and tell us about the potential that you hold.

Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or G.E.D. and two years of college level accounting courses.
• Two years of general accounting experience, plus one year of grant accounting experience. Additional experience may be substituted for education on a year-for-year basis.
• Ability to utilize a personal computer and related software packages to perform word processing, analysis, information retrieval and tracking.
• Ability to communicate with co-workers as well as the general public.

Desired Skills:

• Knowledge of the double-entry bookkeeping and governmental accounting principles and procedures.
• Knowledge of the BARS governmental accounting and reporting systems.
• Knowledge of various financial guidelines for grants management.
• Ability to interpret governmental accounting regulations and guidelines.
• Ability to analyze large data with Excel (pivot tables, formulas, and reporting)

Other Related Recruitment Information:

Questions about this recruitment? Please contact Teresa Wollan, Fiscal Manager at View email address on click.appcast.io

This position is:

• Represented by a Union
• Eligible for overtime under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
• Eligible for benefits

Items required for consideration:

• Application
• Resume
• Letter of Interest
• Supplemental Questions

Learn more about Thurston County at: Thurston County

Thurston County is an equal opportunity employer.