ACCOUNTING ANALYST SENIOR

About the role

The Accounting Analyst Senior position involves assisting the Assistant Controller and Controller in leading special accounting and internal control projects, preparing complex financial statements, and providing guidance to accounting personnel.

Responsibilities

• Takes a lead role in the preparation and coordination of the compilation of annual financial statements, including notes, schedules, and GASB 34 reconciliations.
• Researches new GASB pronouncements, drafts new policies, prepares Notes to Financial Statements, and develops procedures to ensure compliance with GASB standards.
• Provides leadership and guidance to Accountants and/or paraprofessional accounting personnel; analyzes and resolves technical problems; mentors, advises, assists, and trains subordinates.
• Prepares sections of the County’s Official Statement used to issue bonds, prepares Notes to the Financial Statements associated with the issuance of debt, and ensures compliance with internal controls.
• Maintains general and subsidiary automated and manual ledgers; reviews and/or approves original source entries; provides financial information for the budget process; prepares/reviews year-end accruals; researches and mediates accounting disputes.
• Prepares written and oral responses to inquiries by division and other county managers, supervisors, state auditors, and council staff.
• Participates in modifying, developing, and installing manual and automated accounting systems; detects and defines system problems; works with fiscal analysts and department of information services staff to arrive at solutions; recommends new and changed methods and procedures as appropriate; trains users in the use of automated accounting systems.
• Prepares special reports as requested; develops report formats.
• Analyzes data for user departments as requested; studies day-to-day accounting problems and recommends solutions; assists user departments by answering accounting-related questions and solving data input problems.
• Advises and assists departments in monitoring funds and fiscal health; aids fund managers in meeting their operating objectives; makes recommendations on rates, cash flow, investments, and debt timing.
• Develops and establishes countywide accounting policies and procedures; determines audit methods.
• Maintains an awareness of current accounting standards/requirements; identifies changes to prior requirements and disseminates relevant information.
• Performs other duties as requested.

Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s degree in accounting, business, finance, or other field directly related to professional accounting work; AND four (4) years of professional accounting experience.
• PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: Prior professional accounting experience in a governmental agency and possession of professional certifications such as CPA, CMA, CIA, CSA, or SPFO.
• A minimum of 20 credit hours of Continuing Professional Education (CPE) in relevant subject matter will be required annually.

Skills

• Knowledge of accounting and finance practices in a municipal environment;
• Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP);
• Generally Accepted Auditing Standards (GAAS);
• Washington State Budgeting, Accounting and Reporting System (BARS);
• debt instruments and debt recording;
• cost accounting methods and techniques;
• rate setting practices and procedures;
• principles, theories, and practices of governmental accounting;
• desk top computer skills in areas of spreadsheets, word processing, databases, and presentation graphics;
• workflow planning, development, and monitoring of goals and work plans;
• act in a lead capacity, exercising discretion and independent judgment;
• schedule, organize, monitor, and review the work of employees assigned to projects;
• read, interpret, and apply relevant federal, state, and local laws, rules, and regulations;
• effectively plan, develop, and carry out complex projects;
• gather, evaluate, and synthesize a variety of data;
• prepare clear and concise analytical, descriptive, and evaluative reports;
• establish working relationships with groups and individuals from a variety of backgrounds;
• maintain necessary records and prepare required reports;
• work effectively and contribute to a team environment;
• motivate subordinates to excel, monitor project performance, and timely inform Assistant Controller and Controller of unresolved problems;
• foster an environment that encourages excellence on the part of peers and others;
• apply accounting and finance principles to day-to-day situations and determine the most appropriate course of action given the circumstances;
• independently and accurately address complex and ever-changing accounting and technical issues;
• promote organizational objectives and serve on a customer service team;
• communicate effectively both orally and in writing;
• work under pressure, meet deadlines, and cope with interruptions;
• work with minimum supervision;
• utilize desktop computer applications, such as word processing, spreadsheets, databases, and other applications as available;
• rapidly learn Washington laws governing local government financial practices and procedures;
• rapidly learn the Governmental Accounting Standards Board of accounting practices and procedures;
• supervise employees and provide guidance and training.

Benefits

• Medical Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Retirement
• Basic Group Term Life Insurance/ Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance
• Long Term Disability (LTD)
• Commuting Benefits
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Partners for Health Employee Wellness Program
• Leave & Holidays
• Deferred Compensation 457(b)
• Supplemental Group Term Life Insurance
• Additional Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance (AD&D)
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Supplemental Individual Insurance Policies