Accounting Assistant

Thurston County Public Works is recruiting for an Accounting Assistant IV to join our dynamic, energetic, and innovative Business Services team. In this role, you will provide accounting support for the Water and Sewer Utilities and Noxious Weed Division. The position provides advanced technical accounting work and requires preparation and review of complex financial data for multiple funds, as well as development and implementation of systems for internal control and process efficiency.

Responsibilities

• Prepares, maintains, and verifies interim and annual financial reports.
• Compiles the billing, receipting, and updating of account records for various departmental functions. Specifically manages all aspects of the water and sewer utilities billing cycle, including preparing monthly bills, past-due accounts, and collection activities.
• Monitors and administers public utilities accounts. Establishes new accounts and ensures accuracy of billing information and initial utility bills.
• Assists with monitoring expenditures for capital construction and improvement projects.
• Assists in the budget development for Utilities and Noxious Weeds. Prepares annual and 10-year financial plans, monitors revenue and expenditures, and facilitates monthly financial meetings.
• Maintains general ledgers, which summarize all accounting transactions relating to grant contracts. Prepares, tracks, and submits grants to various funding sources.
• Prepares records and data of registers, journals, and sub-ledgers, including accounts receivable, accounts payable, and fixed assets, assuring the classification and distribution of income, costs, and revenue items to proper accounts per legal requirements and County procedures.
• May have some lead or supervisory responsibility over lower-level classifications. Tasks include instructing and training the utilities customer service team.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or G.E.D. and two years of college-level accounting courses.
• Two years of general accounting experience, plus one year of grant accounting experience. Additional experience may be substituted for education on a year-for-year basis.
• Ability to utilize a personal computer and related software packages to perform word processing, analysis, information retrieval, and tracking.
• Ability to communicate with co-workers as well as the general public.

Skills

• Knowledge of double-entry bookkeeping and governmental accounting principles and procedures.
• Knowledge of the BARS governmental accounting and reporting systems.
• Knowledge of various financial guidelines for grants management.
• Ability to interpret governmental accounting regulations and guidelines.
• Ability to analyze large data with Excel (pivot tables, formulas, and reporting).

Benefits

• Retirement plan and pre-tax savings accounts.
• Comprehensive health care and dental/vision care for you and your family.
• Paid vacation in addition to paid holidays for full-time regular employees.
• Robust training program, including County-paid training, professional organization participation, and conference attendance.
• Flexible work schedules, including alternative or compressed schedules and/or remote working options.
• Voluntary deferred compensation plans for additional retirement savings.
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) for out-of-pocket health care and daycare expenses with pre-tax dollars.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness program eligibility.

Pay

$5,147-$6,847 monthly

Schedule

Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

This position is an essential worker and may be required to work during non-business hours or closures to meet operational requirements and needs. Occasional travel may be required to attend meetings or trainings.

Daily interactions via phone, in-person, and video with Thurston County staff.

Work environment: Office setting in Olympia, Washington.