Accounts Payable Supervisor (Principal Accountant)

Accounts Payable Supervisor (Principal Accountant)

Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) is seeking an Accounts Payable Supervisor (Principal Accountant) to lead and oversee all Accounts Payable operations, ensuring compliance, accuracy, and strong internal controls across a high-volume financial environment. This position serves as the department's A/P subject-matter expert and supervises a team responsible for processing complex transactions, resolving vendor issues, and managing procurement-related financial activity.

This leadership role requires advanced accounting proficiency, strong analytical skills, and the comprehensive ability to evaluate and improve business processes in partnership with internal programs and external vendors. The A/P Supervisor reports to the Accounting Manager and interacts regularly with staff at all levels, including senior leadership, as well as external partners.

Job Responsibilities

• Oversee all Accounts Payable operations including invoice processing, payment authorization, reconciliations, and compliance with GAAP, GASB, City policies and internal controls.
• Serve as the primary A/P expert, responding to inquiries from auditors, vendors, internal customers, and leadership.
• Manage and monitor financial controls for A/P workflows, ensuring proper authorization, accuracy of goods/services received, and alignment with purchasing requirements.
• Administer and oversee the City's credit card program including issuance, monitoring, compliance, and reporting.
• Ensure timely month-end and year-end close, validating transaction accuracy, clearing exceptions, and meeting City deadlines.
• Review and approve complex transactions including purchase requisitions, contracts, travel reimbursements, encumbrances, retainage, wire payments, and tax-related items.
• Supervise and develop the A/P team, including hiring, training, coaching, workload oversight, and performance management.
• Develop and maintain departmental A/P procedures, identifying opportunities to streamline workflows and strengthen financial compliance.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Business Administration or related field (requires satisfactory completion of at least 24 semester hours or 36 quarter credit units in accounting with no substitution allowed) and/or professional certification as a CPA, plus four years professional experience in accounting, auditing, financial analysis, or related work with one year experience equivalent to a Senior Accountant (or a combination of education and/or training and/or experience which provides an equivalent background required to perform the work of the class).

Desired Qualifications - You will be successful if you have the following experience, skills, and abilities:

• Extensive professional experience in GAAP and GASB as applied to governmental accounting and high-volume A/P operations.
• Advanced proficiency with PeopleSoft 9.2 (or comparable large-scale financial ERP), including A/P modules, reporting tools, and workflow configuration.
• Demonstrated success supervising accounting teams, managing workload priorities, and developing staff capabilities.
• Strong analytical skills, problem-solving ability, and exceptional accuracy in a fast-paced environment.
• Proven ability to work independently, meet deadlines, and proactively address operational issues.
• Experience working in a multi-cultural, customer-focused public environment.

Special Working Conditions and Work Schedule: Hybrid work schedule at home and office; 9/80 or 4/10 work schedule available.

Additional Information

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.

Compensation: The full salary range for this position is $54.01 to $62.90 per hour.

Application Process

Please submit the following with your online application:

• A complete application with past work history.
• A current resume of your educational and professional work experience.
• A cover letter detailing how your skills and experience are applicable
• Supplemental questionnaire responses

Who May Apply: This position is open to all candidates that meet the qualifications. Seattle Parks and Recreation 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. Seattle Parks and Recreation encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQIA+, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experiences.

Job offers are contingent on the verification of credentials and other information required by the employment process, including the completion of a background check. The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation time, 12 paid holidays, 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.