Accounting Specialist

Accounting Specialist

Location: Everett, WA,  United States

Salary

$67,709.64 - $82,281.84 Annually

Location 

Everett, WA

Job Type

Full-Time

Remote Employment

Flexible/Hybrid

Job Number

2025-02544

Department

Finance

Division

Finance Financial Operations

Job Description:

Description

This position is in Central Accounts Payable within the Financial Operations Division. The primary focus of the position provides accounts payable oversight and customer service to multiple departments County-wide. 
 

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, 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.
Job offers are contingent on successful completion of employment verification 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. 

Job Duties

STATEMENT OF ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES 

1. Analyzes time reporting data submitted by department 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.
2. 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.
3. As assigned, 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 department liaisons and/or vendors as necessary.
4. Provides effective customer service by responding to inquiries and/or solicits information from employees, management, accounting analysts, regulatory authorities, vendors and business suppliers to insure accurate and timely reporting of data and to correct discrepancies; response may require information searches through files, contracts, records, or computer files, including spreadsheets and/or customized database applications; will be expected to provide specialized and/or technical information that requires moderate interpretation of established policies, procedures and guidelines to internal and/or external customers; responds to complaints or requests for information in a timely and responsive basis.
5. 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 this may include directed testing of relevant system changes.
6. As assigned, 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.
7. Creates and/or generates reports as requested by internal or external sources by gathering and reporting data according to required output for internal and external reports and regulatory agencies using applicable software or program tools.
8. Performs administrative functions such as file maintenance, archiving, set-up of vendors, photocopying and distribution.
9. Establishes, maintains, modifies, retrieves and tracks financial, accounting and/or fiscal information using a variety of methods.
10. Conducts orientation and/or trains co-workers.
11. Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

       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.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

     A valid Washington State Driver's License may be required for employment.

Additional Information

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
• Finance 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 and Excel

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 document and maintain 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
• work efficiently under pressure and meet deadlines
• establish and maintain effective work relationships with all levels of 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 supervisor 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.