Job Information
City of Bellingham Accountant I/II/III in Bellingham, Washington
Accountant I/II/III
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Accountant I/II/III
Salary
$6,475.00 - $9,537.00 Monthly
Location
City of Bellingham, WA
Job Type
Full Time
Job Number
24-Accountant
Department
Finance
Opening Date
04/19/2024
Closing Date
5/6/2024 8:30 AM Pacific
FLSA
Exempt
Bargaining Unit
231
Description
Benefits
Questions
Nature of Work
The City of Bellingham (https://cob.org/) 's Finance Department is currently hiring for an Accountant I, II or III. We are looking for an Accountant with great customer service and a desire to work and expand their skills in the public sector. Apply today!
The Accountant maintains full accounting responsibility for assigned departments and funds to ensure financial transactions, records, statements, and reports comply with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and Washington State Budgeting, Accounting, and Reporting System (BARS). Assists in preparation of Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR). Works with management to design and implement solutions to resolve accounting and internal control issues and problems. Develops procedures to maintain the integrity of the general ledger and subsidiary accounting systems. Facilitates informed management decisions by designing and preparing financial analyses, projections, reports, policies and procedures, and any other records necessary. Researches legal materials relevant to accounting problems and solutions. Provides accounting assistance and guidance to assigned City departments and accounting staff. Accountant II may be assigned lead responsibility on special projects.
SALARY INFORMATION:
Research has demonstrated that salary negotiation can further inequality due to bias across gender and race. To prevent negotiation bias, the City places new employees within the published salary range based on qualifications and professional experience as listed on the application material, in accordance with City policy. This is in line with the City's commitment to accessibility, diversity, equity, and inclusion. Candidates who exceed the minimum experience requirements shall be given credit for advanced step placement at the rate of one additional pay step for each two full years of directly related or equivalent professional experience beyond the minimum requirements. Candidates who meet minimum qualifications or have experience that is not directly related or in a lower-level position will be placed at step one in the salary range. For positions that require a bachelor’s degree, one additional step may be granted for applicants with a master’s degree in a related field when the master’s degree is not required to meet minimum qualifications. The City's HR Department regularly evaluates minimum qualifications to provide equitable employment opportunities.
For internal candidates, placement within the range is based on City Pay Placement Procedures.
The full salary ranges for each position are:
Accountant I: $6,475 - $7,844 per month
Accountant II: $7,139 - $8,649 per month
Accountant III: $7,871 - $9,537 per month
This position is represented by a union. Employees receive step increases annually in accordance with the Teamsters (Supervisory and Professional Unit) Collective Bargaining Agreement (https://cob.org/about/employment/labor-agreements-pay-schedule) and City policy.
BENEFITS:
City of Bellingham employees receive medical, dental, and vision insurance as well as life insurance and long-term disability. Additional benefits include flexible spending accounts, a medical insurance opt-out program, and access to our employee assistance program. All eligible City employees are enrolled in a Washington State Department of Retirement Systems (https://www.drs.wa.gov/) pension plan. Additionally, employees may elect to participate in the City’s 457 deferred compensation retirement savings plan.
Employees will receive 12 paid holidays in addition to one paid floating holiday each year. At the time of hire, employees will accrue 8 hours of sick leave and 10 hours of vacation per month. Vacation accruals increase based on years of service. Leave accruals are based on 1.0 FTE, accruals are pro-rated if part-time and require employees to be in paid status at least 120 hours/month.
For additional information regarding benefits and compensation Information please visit the following:
Labor Agreements, Pay Schedules and E-Team Employee Handbook - City of Bellingham (cob.org) (https://cob.org/about/employment/labor-agreements-pay-schedule)
Employment Benefits - City of Bellingham (cob.org)
Closing Date/Time: Mon. 5/6/24 8:30 AM Pacific Time
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE JOB:
Familiarizes self with operating activities of assigned departments and functions in order to properly account for those activities according to GAAP and BARS.
Performs statistical computations, financial analyses, interpretations, projections, and recommendations to facilitate informed management decisions.
Designs flow of data, supporting documents and reports. Works with departments to ensure accurate recording of activities into appropriate computerized accounting journals and ledgers.
Communicates with assigned departments providing general guidance with accounting inquiries regarding revenue, expenditures, budgeting, account coding, and accounting system technical functions.
Maintains the accounting system general ledger (GL), creating GL chart of accounts in accordance with BARS requirements, monitoring subsidiary system uploads, preparing periodic routine general ledger entries, performing account analysis and preparing correcting GL entries, and reviewing general ledger entries prepared by others.
Evaluates transactions and budgets; analyzes data and resolves discrepancies with personnel in other departments or members of the public; monitors departmental usage of chart of accounts to ensure accurate classification of financial transactions under BARS and GAAP.
Working with Management staff, analyzes departmental internal controls and arranges to correct deficiencies and/or recommends and assists in implementing new controls to comply with audit recommendations and internal control standards and policies.
Analyzes and reconciles the City’s daily cash position to the bank reviewing various data such as cash receipts, outstanding checks, Payroll, Accounts Payable, investment interest/principal payments, ACH/wire transfer activity, and subsidiary system imported financial data.
Assists in preparing annual State Financial Report and CAFR with complete financial statements, notes, and schedules as required. Maintains accounting records for independent audit, working with auditors to minimize audit time and expense.
Prepares monthly finance report for City Council, Finance Director, Accounting and Budget managers and the City website; performs analysis and research of YTD actual activity against budgeted and prior year activity.
Prepares and reports business, sales, and leasehold taxes of Citywide businesses and operations to the WA State Department of Revenue.
Researches and maintains understanding of current GAAP and BARS requirements and federal, state, and local regulations relevant to accounting problems and solutions.
Responds to Public Disclosure Requests; provides financial information as required.
Communicates with outside agencies to resolve problems, provide information, explain accounting procedures and discuss data anomalies or status.
Accountant II’s may be assigned lead responsibility for special and on-going accounting assignments such as the annual State Financial Report, Grants Accounting, and Indirect Cost Allocation Plan under the direction of the Accounting Manager.
ACCOUNTANT III
Performs all functions listed above.
Under the direction of the Accounting Manager, prepares the CAFR; including financial statements, notes, statistical sections, required supplementary information, required state schedules, schedule of expenditures of Federal awards, and major fund analysis; in accordance with GAAP and GASB standards; striving to meet or exceed the standards of the Governmental Finance Officers Association (GFOA) for Excellence in Financial Reporting.
Liaises with the State Auditor's office as assigned; providing extensive information, preparing reconciliation schedules and attesting to the validity of audit information for the annual WA State Financial Audit.
Implements new GASB and BARS accounting standards; proactively identifies new accounting standards, completes analysis of effect, proposes implementation method, coordinates project, prepares workpapers/analysis.
Performs year-end closing; preparing journal entries; recording current debt, investment activity, accruals, revolving loans, capital assets; verifying and tying out various balance sheet accounts, updating estimates, creating allowance for doubtful accounts; working with Citywide departments gathering grant and capital asset project data to assure completion of process.
Tracks investments, maintains investment software, reconciles investments with Bank Safekeeping statements, allocates investment interest to appropriate funds, and prepares monthly cash and investment reconciliation status reports.
Maintains the City's capital asset records; overseeing the entry, tracking, and inventory counts, preparing GL entries to record acquisitions, donations, CIP, disposition sales and retirements, depreciation, and reconciles the GL to the detailed subsidiary fixed asset records.
Monitors and tracks compliance with City debt; providing financial data and analysis for issuance of debt; monitors/ensures that City's annual debt service payments are timely; tracks bonds proceeds spending schedule to monitor compliance with the Federal arbitrage rebate rules and regulations.
ADDITIONAL WORK PERFORMED:
Assists Accounting Manager to develop accounting policies and procedures that establish appropriate methods for capturing reliable accounting data.
Works with Information Technology Services Department to develop system programming support necessary to address accounting needs.
Acts in accordance with City-wide and departmental goals and work programs.
Performs other related work of a similar nature or level.
WORKING ENVIRONMENT:
Work is performed in an office environment. Works extensively at a computer workstation. Occasional visits to operating departments in various locations is required.
Physical ability to perform the essential functions of the job, including:
Frequently operate a computer and read a computer screen or typewritten page;
Frequently communicate verbally;
Stand or sit for long periods of time;
Move between work sites.
Experience and Training
This job description documents the full range of duties for an Accountant at the City of Bellingham. Positions will be filled at the appropriate level based on requisite experience and training.
Incumbents appointed to Accountant I are expected to perform the full range of Accountant I/II duties operating under the direction and guidance of more senior staff and are intended, over time, to demonstrate the competencies necessary to rise to the Accountant II level.
Incumbents appointed to the Accountant II level are expected to perform the full range of Accountant I/II duties independently under general supervision and guidance after an initial training period. It is expected that Accountants I and II will assume progressively responsible tasks independently.
Incumbents at the Accountant III level are expected to perform the full range of experienced professional municipal accounting work independently under general supervision. Incumbents are responsible for planning and carrying out assignments, resolving most conflicts that arise, coordinating work with others, providing technical leadership to subordinate staff and interpreting policies on own initiative within the context of established objectives and professional guidelines while keeping supervisor informed of progress and potentially controversial matters.
Incumbents may receive a non-competitive promotion when they meet minimum experience and training requirements for the next level and demonstrate capability, provided adequate work and funding is available.
Accountant I:
Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or directly related field required.
Professional accounting experience preferred.
Knowledge and experience in using integrated accounting software applications and developing worksheets using electronic spreadsheet application software required.
An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to provide the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the essential functions of the job will be considered.
Accountant II:
Meets the requirements for Accountant I.
Minimum of three years of progressively responsible professional accounting experience demonstrating full range of professional competency and experience providing technical leadership to junior professional staff required.
CPA or CMA, or equivalent knowledge and experience desired.
An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to provide the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the essential functions of the job will be considered.
Accountant III:
Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance or directly related field required.
Minimum of five years of professional governmental accounting experience demonstrating full range of professional competency.
Experience providing technical leadership to professional staff.
Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Management Accountant (CMA) or equivalent licensure preferred.
An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to provide the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the essential functions of the job will be considered.
Necessary Special Requirements
- Employment contingent upon passing a criminal conviction and local background check (see Fair Hiring Practices below).
Selection Process
As part of the application process, a cover letter and is required.
Within the cover letter, please answer the following questions:
Please indicate why you are interested in this position, and why this position is the next right step for you in your career.
Provide a brief summary of your education, experience and qualifications for this position.
Please ensure your application is complete and all required information has been provided. Standard completeness means all application fields (contact information, personal information, education, work experience, references, and required supplemental questions). Provide as much detail as you believe will fully describe your experience and training.
Interviews for the most qualified candidates are tentatively scheduled for May 22, 2024. Invitations to participate in the Interview process will be sent via e-mail on or around May 15, 2024.
Please Note: Candidates will receive updates regarding application status via email. Please be sure to check your email frequently, including your spam folders for messages filtered by your email providers.
Equal Opportunity:
Our environment is characterized by respect for cultural backgrounds, belief systems, and ethnic diversity. The City of Bellingham is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in its work force. We do not make decisions on the basis of an individual's race, religion, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, age (40+), disability, retaliation, sexual orientation or gender identity, honorably discharged veteran or military status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking, use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, or any other basis prohibited by local, state, or federal law. All are encouraged to apply for employment.
Fair Hiring Practices
The City provides individuals who have been arrested or convicted of a criminal offense an equal and fair opportunity to obtain employment.
The City will not inquire about an applicant's criminal history until after a conditional job offer has been made.
The City will disregard the prior arrest and conviction record of an otherwise qualified individual unless the offense is directly related to the job position for which the individual has applied.
The City will notify an otherwise qualified applicant about a potentially disqualifying conviction and give the applicant an opportunity to submit information regarding the accuracy of the criminal records as well as evidence of mitigation or rehabilitation, as appropriate.
There are many good reasons for working at the City of Bellingham. The work is rewarding and you have an opportunity to serve your community. Another good reason is the great benefits that the City offers its employees. See our benefits section (https://www.cob.org/employment/pages/benefits.aspx) for additional information.
This position is represented by the Teamsters 231 bargaining unit. Specific benefit information including Holidays, Vacation Accruals, Health, Dental and Vision Plans with cost sharing and Deferred Compensation Match can be found in the Teamsters 231 labor agreement (https://www.cob.org/employment/Pages/labor-agreements-pay-schedule.aspx) .
This position is covered by the State of Washington Department of Retirement Systems PERS plan. PERS requires mandatory employee and City contributions. Please visit the DRS website (http://www.drs.wa.gov/) for more information on PERS.
01
As part of the application process, a cover letter (no longer than one page) is required. Within the cover letter, please answer the following questions:
-Please indicate why you are interested in this position, and why this position is the next right step for you in your career.
-Provide a brief summary of your education, experience and qualifications for this position.
Have you attached your cover letter?
Yes, I have attached my cover letter.
No, I have not attached my cover letter and I understand my application will not be considered.
02
Do you have a Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or directly related field?
Yes
No
03
Do you have knowledge and experience in using integrated accounting software applications and developing worksheets using electronic spreadsheet application software?
Yes
No
04
If you do not meet the above requirements, do you have a combination of education and related experience that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the job? Please explain.
05
Please describe in detail your knowledge and experience using integrated accounting software applications and developing worksheets using electronic spreadsheet application software.
Required Question
Agency
City of Bellingham
Address
104 West Magnolia Street Bellingham, Washington, 98225
Phone
360-778-8228
Website
http://www.cob.org/employment
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