Senior Accounting Specialist

Description

First Review after two weeks: 1/1/2025

Under general supervision, performs fiscal processing in the areas of payroll, accounts payable and accounts receivable as well as financial reporting. An employee in this classification is expected to develop and maintain a comprehensive understanding of the City’s financial systems that will enable them to identify new and unusual situations or potential problems and assist in their resolution. This is a single level classification. It is not part of a series. Computer usage is heavy, and the incumbent must possess considerable knowledge and experience in the application/operation of various software programs.

Examples of Work Performed (Illustrative Only)

The following list reflects the essential job duties and responsibilities of this classification but is not all-inclusive. The incumbent will perform other related duties as assigned.

• Prepares various financial reports and account reconciliations and assists Accounting Supervisor and Accountants on special projects.
• Maintains checkbooks for the City’s bank accounts and clears paid items within the City’s financial system.
• Reconciles total receipts in accounting system with daily bank deposits and posts receipts to accounting and ambulance billing systems.
• Balances cash receipt reports daily for all payments including on-line transactions.
• Monitors and reconciles employee travel reports.
• Receives and responds to inquiries, complaints and concerns by disseminating information of both a routine and confidential nature requiring discretionary judgment and extensive knowledge of departmental policies and procedures.
• Processes and reconciles accounts receivable transactions, requiring interaction with all departments and monitoring of accounts sent to collection.
• Provides support in all aspects of the payroll process, including maintaining the payroll system and planning, coordinating, and carrying out the payroll process.
• Processes invoices and creates travel and treasury checks, requiring interaction with all departments.
• Prepares grant billings in compliance with grant provider agency requirements. Works closely with Project Managers to classify expenditures properly and accurately to ensure timely reimbursement.
• Performs daily cash receipting duties and provides additional support for the City’s third-party ambulance billing program.
• Provides back-up support to the Accounting Specialist position, specifically in the area of processing accounts payable.

Employment Standards

This position requires an Associate’s degree in Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, or related field, plus four or more years of experience in accounting, bookkeeping, or processing payroll, or any combination of relevant education, experience, or training sufficient to demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties listed above. A Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, or a closely related field is preferred.

The position requires applicants to pass a criminal background check.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
To perform the essential functions of the classification, incumbents must be able to satisfy the following requirements:

• Must regularly speak, hear/listen, see/observe, sit, stand, and walk; must regularly demonstrate fine motor skills; must occasionally exert up to 10 pounds of force.
• Must demonstrate the ability to work independently with limited supervision.
• Must demonstrate the ability to compile data into a report for internal or external use.
• Must demonstrate the ability to think creatively for the primary purpose of increasing efficiency and effectiveness.
• Must possess excellent verbal and written communication skills and proficiency with standard office equipment and personal computer software/programs such as Microsoft Excel.
• Must demonstrate the ability to analyze situations to pinpoint problems and assist with solving problems or identifying sources of obstacles.

The benefits listed below are those currently enjoyed by full-time City of Kennewick Non-Contract employees. It is important to remember that over the course of time these benefits may change - they are not permanent. Benefits may change through City Council or administrative action or changes mandated by state and federal law.

Paid Holidays
12 per year (9 scheduled; 3 “floating”)
New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday, Washington's Birthday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and the day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and three floating holidays selected by the employee. An employee will accrue one of the three floating holidays on each of the following days: February 1, February 12, and August 31. An employee will only accrue a floating holiday on these days if actually employed.

Paid Time Off (PTO)
The purpose of PTO is to compensate employees for absences due to injury, illness, vacation and personal business. In addition, the program is designed to provide employees with personal flexibility regarding the use of leave hours. PTO hours accrue based upon the actual number of regular hours worked.

Accrual per Month:
0-5yrs 6-9yrs 10-14yrs 15-19yrs 20-24yrs 25-29yrs 30+yrs
12 hours 15 hours 17 hours 19 hours 21 hours 23 hours 25 hours

Retirement Plan
All City employees are members of the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS). The City and the employee both contribute toward the plan. PERS provides regular retirement and disability retirement benefits. City employees also participate in the Social Security Program. Rates effective as of 09/01/2024. ( www.drs.wa.gov )

PERS Employee Contribution Rate Employer Contribution Rate
Plan II 6.36% 9.11%
Plan III Employee Choice (see booklet) 9.11%

Deferred Comp
The City contributes an equivalent of 5% of your regular monthly salary to Mission Square Retirement (previously ICMA) deferred compensation program. No employee match required, but employees may contribute towards plan if desired. ( www.icmarc.org )

Medical, Dental& Vision Insurance
The City currently pays the entire dental and vision insurance premiums for the employee and dependents.Employee current premium share is $190.00 per month for medical insurance to cover themselves and dependents.

Life Insurance
1.5 x annual salary (not to exceed $250K) provided by the City of Kennewick. Employee may purchase Voluntary Term Life Insurance for employee, spouse and/or dependents through New York Life (previously Cigna).

Long Term Disability
The City pays the entire long-term disability premium for employees through New York Life (previously Cigna).

Wellness Program
The Wellness Program has been established to encourage employee health and fitness, both at work and at home. A City Wellness Committee promotes and provides opportunities for healthy lifestyles. Employee fitness center is open to all employees and their spouses.

Employee Assistance
An Employee Assistance Plan (EAP) is provided by the City to assist you and family members, providing counseling and treatment in such areas as stress, drug and alcohol abuse and family counseling.

Other Benefits Offered

• Flexible Spending Plan (Pre-Tax Deduction for Medical/Dental and Day Care)
• Aflac Supplemental Insurance
• Tuition Assistance
• Bereavement Leave
• Overtime
• Direct Deposit (paydays are 5th and 20th of the month)

Closing Date/Time: 1/15/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

• 

• City of Kennewick

• (509) 585-4240

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