Accountant - General Ledger

Accountant

Responsible for performing a variety of accounting, auditing and analytical activities for the City of Olympia (City). Work involves maintaining all financial information and systems to ensure appropriate recordkeeping, reviewing bank statements and activity, reconciling transactions between separate systems and posting journal entries. Maintains point of sale (POS) systems and provides technical guidance on financial transactions. Assists in preparing financial statements and internal and external audits, serving as lead contact for component unit audits.

This position is an Accountant within the Finance department working in the specialty of General Ledger and specifically requires the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA) identified in the General Ledger category below. KSAs associated with other financial sectors are provided for reference only and are not required for this role.

The ideal candidate will have the following knowledge, skills and abilities:

• Knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) accounting for government entities.
• Experience with accounting software and their integration with outside systems. The City uses Workday as our system of record.
• Independent and curious problem solver invested in continuous improvement of processes.
• Experience assisting with the facilitation of required external audits.
• Experience in reviewing and reconciling transactions posted in general ledger for accuracy and appropriateness.
• Ability to track and reconcile grant billings, projects in progress, and fixed asset transactions.

To apply:

• Submit a resume and a letter of interest by attaching both documents to your electronic application. The letter of interest must be no longer than two pages and should clearly explain how you meet the Ideal Candidate Profile (listed above) or what support you would need to meet the Ideal Candidate Profile.
• Open Continuous. Apply by midnight on June 22, 2026, to be considered in the first review of applications.
• Only electronic applications are accepted.
• If you have questions about the position and/or requirements, please contact Kensey Wang, Accounting Manager via email at View email address on click.appcast.io.

The essential functions of this position include but are not limited to:

• Reviews and reconciles cash transactions through the City's bank statements, ensuring accurate and transparent financial practices.
• Reconciles and posts daily transactions from the City's various software systems to the general ledger.
• Assists in preparing the City's financial statements by calculating, posting and adjusting accrual entries and providing support during statement preparation.
• Facilitates the City's required annual audits including component unit audits.
• Performs risk assessments and internal audits to ensure the City's policies and procedures adhere to accurate and transparent accounting practices.
• Provides technical guidance and support to accounts payable, billing and collections, grants and cashiering staff to ensure the accurate recording of financial transactions.
• Reconciles various accounts including clearing, suspense, revenue and expense accounts.
• Prepares and audits financial reports and statements ensuring adherence to generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).
• Processes a variety of financial transactions including quarterly and monthly excise tax returns ensuring accuracy.
• Maintains detailed and complex financial records including journals and ledgers.
• Audits local businesses' records to ensure compliance with taxation laws and regulations.
• Analyzes financial data; identifies and resolves discrepancies or issues.
• Handles sensitive and confidential financial information according to policies and procedures.
• Punctual, regular and reliable attendance is essential for successful job performance.

Typical qualifications:

• Knowledge of accounting practices, theory, techniques and principles, including GAAP.
• Knowledge of federal and state accounting and auditing rules and regulations.
• Knowledge of State of Washington Budgeting, Accounting and Reporting System (BARS).
• Skill in the use of Microsoft Office products (Word, Outlook and Excel) and applicable department and organization specific software and ability to learn and become proficient in the use of other specialized software as may be required.
• Skill in the use of financial management, financial reporting and enterprise resource planning (ERP) software.
• Ability to review and reconcile financial transactions from a variety of systems.
• Ability to examine and review tax returns for accuracy and proper classification.
• Ability to interpret financial and legal documents and check for consistency with federal, state and local regulations.
• Ability to prepare comprehensive financial reports and communicate accounting information clearly.
• Ability to generate complex data spreadsheets with database tools.
• Ability to monitor and control accounting activities ensuring accurate financial transaction recording.
• Ability to organize work efficiently and coordinate with other departments to provide comprehensive service.
• Ability to respond to ad-hoc research and analysis requests. Ability to maintain sustained attention to detail and to work under the pressure of rigid deadlines.
• Ability to correctly interpret and efficiently implement all applicable policies and procedures.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with those interacted with during work regardless of race, color, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, genetic information, disability, political affiliation, military service or diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
• Knowledge/Skills/Abilities – General Ledger:
• Knowledge of state BARS accounting.
• Skill in verifying and reviewing accounting transactions.
• Skill to monitor and control accounting activities in the recording of financial transactions, i.e., accounts receivable, accounts payables, collections and fixed assets.
• Ability to develop, modify and implement accounting systems, standards, procedures and financial controls.
• Ability to prepare complex and detailed financial accounting reports, financial statements and schedules.
• Ability to perform operational audits and review internal controls; recommend and advise management regarding need for improved accounting controls; and analyze impacts of accounting changes.
• Ability to make appropriate corrections, entries and adjustments to ensure accuracy of reports.
• Knowledge/Skills/Abilities – Budget and Capital Project Analyst:
• Knowledge of fixed asset accounting and capital asset related GAAP.
• Knowledge of the cycle and principles of capital project management.
• Ability to perform capital facilities project accounting.
• Ability to provide advice and technical assistance in the preparation of annual budgets.
• Ability to employ cost-benefit analysis to review financial requests, assess program trade-offs, and explore alternative funding methods.
• Ability to periodically monitor the budgets by reviewing reports and accounting records to determine if allocated funds have been spent as specified.
• Knowledge/Skills/Abilities - Payroll:
• Ability to evaluate and analyze existing payroll policies, procedures and business processes; draft, propose and implement changes and/or quality control measures leading to best practice operations.
• Ability to develop, implement and monitor payroll accounting controls and procedures for the purpose of providing internal financial controls and ensuring compliance with established financial, legal and/or administrative requirements.
• Ability to recommend policies, procedures and/or actions on issues that relate to payroll operations for the purpose of providing direction and/or making decisions for the City.
• Ability to remain current on federal and state wage and tax laws, new legislation and regulatory rulings impacting payroll, and enforce adherence to requirements and advise management on required actions.
• Ability to utilize reporting tools (e.g. Crystal Reports, QRep, iSeries queries, etc.) to compile statistical and payroll data.
• Ability to train others in specialized payroll practices and procedures.

Experience/Education:

• High school diploma or GED and five (5) years of increasingly responsible accounting or finance experience;
• OR associate degree in accounting, finance or a related field and three (3) years of experience as listed above;
• OR bachelor's degree in accounting, finance or a related field and one (1) year of experience as listed above;
• OR a combination of experience, certification, education and training that demonstrates expertise in the related areas.

Special Requirements:

• A valid Washington State driver's license may be required.
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) certification is preferred.

Contacts:

• The Accountant has significant contact with staff from other departments and entities, including local businesses, to provide information on accounting procedures and/or to verify information.
• Close contact with other accounting functions, and data processing, are required to coordinate the various aspects of the assigned accounting function.
• The Accountant may have contact with external auditors