Accounting Specialist- Accounts Receivable

Accounting Specialist- Accounts Receivable

Pierce County Housing Authority is seeking an Accounting Specialist- Accounts Receivable. This position reports to the Controller and offers a rate of pay between $22/hr. and $35/hr. based on experience. The position is unionized and is open until filled.

The mission of Housing Pierce County (HPC) is to provide safe, decent, affordable housing and economic opportunity free from discrimination. HPC operates as both a Public Housing Authority under contracts with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and a mission-driven business enterprise with the mandate to expand access to affordable housing in Pierce County.

The Accounting Specialist- Accounts Receivable is responsible for completing and administering entry-level accounting and business transactions. The position involves the administrative recordkeeping and the related recording of financial transactions for local, state, and federal capital and operating grants.

Essential functions of the position include:

• Performing a variety of responsible accounting duties; preparing and processing financial, statistical, and accounting documents, records, and materials; maintaining financial records related to assigned accounts and coordinating with other accounting, purchasing, human resources, housing, and maintenance/construction functions.
• Analyzing accounts, preparing adjusting entries, and performing other posting and reconciling functions for assigned programs, grants, accounts, and departments.
• Analyzing tenant accounts and coordinating with property management and collections for delinquencies and bad debt, processing receipts, moveouts, and researching payments.
• Reviewing and ensuring financial receivable related transactions and records are processed and maintained in compliance with federal, state, and HUD-EIV rules, and regulations, and ensuring HPC policies and procedures are followed; assuring compliance with internal control and audit requirements.
• Maintaining a systematic filing of AP/AR documents.
• Participating in the development and implementation of goals, work plans, performance measures, and continuous improvement of service delivery to assist in attaining the unit/program/department initiatives and goals, agency core strategies, and mission through a spirit of service, teamwork, and respect.
• Attending all required training and safety meetings; using, maintaining, and replacing assigned personal protective equipment; reporting all injuries and illnesses to supervisor immediately; completing and submitting incident/accident reports as required; reporting hazardous conditions or unsafe work practices to supervisor, and following all safety and health guidelines, practices, policies, and procedures.
• Compiling, preparing, and reporting information, data, and/or statistics.
• Performing other duties as may be assigned related to the fiscal activities of the Authority.

Required knowledge, skills, and abilities include:

• Comprehensive knowledge or ability to quickly learn Generally Accepted Accounting Practices (GAAP), Government Accounting Standards Board (GASB), Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB), Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), and Revised Code of Washington (RCW); budget preparation and control; accounting and reporting policies and practices of general proprietary and fund accounting; HUD accounting and audit practices for the Low-Income Public Housing Program, Section 8 Rental Assistance Programs, Rural Development Rental Assistance Programs, Rural Development Loan Program.
• Considerable ability to learn systems and requirements for establishing and maintaining subsidiary ledgers, journals and statements, good knowledge of public administration and office practices.
• Excellent oral and written English language communication skills.
• Ability to comprehend and implement complex rules and regulations pertaining to financial administration.
• Ability to evaluate and interpret income receipt and expenditures and to relate information to budgetary status and limitations.
• Ability to organize, coordinate, and oversee a variety of complex budget and accounting functions including operation and capital budgets.
• Ability to perform complex arithmetical computations.
• Ability to use in-house computerized financial and management information systems.
• Demonstrated skill in current Microsoft Office software.
• Yardi software.
• Skill to develop and maintain harmonious relationships with coworkers, the public, and with HPC officials.
• High regard and ability to meet schedules and deadlines.
• Skill in planning and organizing work and excellent ability to work independently with minimal direction.
• Skill in evaluation and interpretation of policy, procedure, rules, and regulations and to apply the knowledge acquired to the financial practices of HPC.
• Ability to work effectively and positively with individuals of diverse racial, cultural, gender-identities, physical and mental abilities, limited-English, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Ability to maintain proprietary information in a confidential and professional manner.
• Proven ability to understand and execute oral and written instructions and policies.
• Attendance is an integral component of this position.

Minimum requirements include:

• A minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent.
• At least three (3) years of progressively responsible accounting experience, which must have included at least one year of recordkeeping and administration of local, state, and federal capital and operating grants; and at least one year of recordkeeping and administration of capital assets. Must be an advanced Excel user and must be intermediate Word user.
• Valid Washington Driver's License with an insurable driving record. Consent to and pass criminal record background check in accordance with position requirements, including but not limited to HUD guidelines.

Preferred qualifications include:

• College degree, associate's, or bachelor's degree, with major course work in accounting, business, or related field. Directly relevant experience will be considered in lieu of required degree.

Working conditions include:

• Work is performed in an office and housing site environment. The incumbent will use standard office equipment including personal computers, telephones, copiers, and related equipment.
• Work schedule: Keep office hours sufficient to serve the public and manage staff; Monday through Thursday (10-hour shifts), or Monday through Friday (8-hour shifts), and some weekends and holidays if the need arises.
• Physical abilities: Sitting, standing, or walking for extended periods of time. Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard and calculator. Ability to read and comprehend various data both on paper and computer screen. Ability to effectively exchange information and make presentations. Ability to conduct site visits. Bending at the waist to retrieve materials. Ability to lift, carry, and transport material up to 25 pounds. ADA reasonable accommodation requests will be granted full consideration. Contact with dissatisfied, rude, or frustrated individuals.

Benefits include:

• Annual retention, lump sum bonus of 4% of wages based on regular straight time compensation paid for hours worked in the year prior on your anniversary date.
• Holidays - 12 paid holidays immediately and two additional floating holidays after completion of your first year.
• A general cost of living annual increase of at least 3% on your anniversary date (through June 2026).
• Health insurance 100% premium coverage for employee and entire family if Uniform Medical Plan (UMP) chosen; if another plan is chosen PCHA still pays 100% of employee premium and the UMP premium equivalent for family and then employee pays the difference.
• Personal time off including vacation at the rate of 3.07 hours per pay period for regular full-time employees starting from initial first employment day, increasing with longevity, as well as sick leave accruals at a rate of 4.0 hours per pay period.
• PCHA provides, at its own expense for each full-time employee, group term life insurance equal to the employee's annual base salary.
• Participation in Washington State Department of Retirement Systems (DRS).
• Should you elect to participate in the Washington State Deferred Compensation Program (DCP), PCHA will match your contribution to a maximum of 6% of your base salary after the completion of your initial new hire probationary period of one year.

Housing Pierce County is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status, or any other protected classes in local, state, or federal employment laws.

Application requirements and process:

• Submit both a one-page cover letter and resume.
• Cover letter needs to address how your experience and education and/or training qualifies you to perform the essential functions listed in the job description.
• Resume should detail all education and experience that qualifies you for this position.
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