Accounting Specialist

Join our Snohomish County Human Services Fiscal Family! 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 be 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. 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. 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 #J-18808-Ljbffr