Accountant

King County   Auburn, WA   Full-time
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Summary

The King County Department of Public Defense (DPD) is seeking a skilled accountant to fill one Career Service position. As an accountant, your work will be centered around the compilation, use, and preparation of financial data that supports DPD’s operations and mission. We are looking for energetic individuals who have a passion for the accounting profession, who can make independent judgments within established limits, and who also understand the need for standardization and best practices. A commitment to DPD’s mission of client-centered defense and advocacy is a plus. If this sounds like you,  we invite you to apply for consideration as an accountant with our team!

DPD provides high-quality legal representation to indigent clients. DPD practices in several areas, including felonies, misdemeanors, juvenile defense, family defense (dependency cases), involuntary commitment (mental illness), sex offender commitment, and contempt of court. DPD also works to address racial disproportionality in the criminal legal system, the collateral consequences of system involvement, and other structural and systemic issues that undermine the rights of our clients. We employ not only attorneys, but also skilled investigators, mitigation specialists, paralegals, and other support staff.

The accountant position requires a high level of attention to detail to ensure that assigned counsel requests, assigned counsel billing, payroll, and general accounts payable are processed accurately. In addition, the accountant will ensure that these items are handed in accordance with applicable policies, laws, and collective bargaining agreements, while consistently meeting critical deadlines.
 
Who May Apply:  This recruitment is open to the general public.

Current Department of Public Defense employees are strongly encouraged to apply.
 
Work Location and Schedule: This position is located at 710 Second Avenue, Suite 200, Seattle, WA. The work week is normally 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
 
For more information, or if you have questions about this position or process, please contact:
 
 Crystal Lee Jones, PHR, SHRM-CP
 Human Resource Analyst, DPD
 Cryjones@kingcounty.gov (preferred)

Job Duties

In this assignment, you can typically expect to:

  • Perform accounts payable functions, including processing vendor invoices for payment, reviewing and preparing procurement requests, and processing employee expense claims and payment vouchers.
  • Review assigned counsel requests for payment, ensuring  appropriate coding as well as approved and allowable costs for payment. Process requests and enter information into appropriate system(s).
  • Organize track, code, maintain, and document data sources (i.e., financial, accounting, or fiscal records). Track and monitor payables to ensure timely payment, follow up as needed.
  • Run queries and other reports to monitor pay outcomes.
  • Assist division support staff by providing guidance and training and monitor the quality and completion of distributed finance related work.
  • Identify priority and/or time-sensitive matters; maintain security and confidentiality.
  • Assist with problem-solving, troubleshooting issues with vendors, clients, other King County departments or internal divisions as needed.
  • Serve as a technical resource for assigned counsel-related activities, which includes but is not limited to:
    • Obtaining and maintaining general level proficiency in the use of HOMER (the Director’s Office case management system) and the Oracle financial system and other software applications as appropriate
    • Obtaining and maintaining general knowledge of accounting requirements
    • Providing support to audit functions as needed
    • Performing a variety of accounting tasks such as data entry into customized systems, providing information for the budgeting process, preparing year-end accruals, and interacting with customers and vendors to resolve complaints and concerns.
  • Gather, compile, and prepare financial data, statements, and reports.
  • Review reports and documents for compliance with state and federal regulations, contractual agreements, and policies and procedures.
  • Respond to and resolve customer service inquires that require a high degree of sensitivity, tact, and expertise in assigned area.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

Required Qualifications:

The ideal candidate will have at least one year of experience in accounts payable and account reconciliation. Oracle EBS Financial System experience is extremely important, as well as advanced problem-solving skills.

  • Working knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) to ensure that accounting statements are accurate, reliable, and useful to those making decisions. 
  • Working knowledge of Generally Accepted Auditing Standards (GAAS) to ensure the consistency and verifiability of financial audits. 
  • Skill in evaluating and recommending internal controls to track achievement of reporting reliability, efficiency of operations, and compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
  • Experience interpreting policies and procedures to ensure compliance. 
  • Demonstrated intermediate skills in Microsoft Office products, including Excel, Word, Outlook, and other software applications. 
  • Experience providing clear information and directions to technical and non-technical staff to ensure instructions are understood. 
  • Experience providing effective and quality customer service. 
  • Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing, including the ability to understand and execute complex verbal and written instructions. 
  • Experience in effectively and positively working within a team environment and an ability to maintain professionalism in all situations. 
  • Experience organizing, prioritizing, and managing a demanding workload, while consistently meeting short deadlines in a high-pressure environment with minimal supervision. Must be detailed-oriented and have proven organizational skills. 
  • Ability to maintain confidentiality of sensitive financial and personnel matters, accurately maintain filing systems, and complete filings in a timely manner. 
  • Demonstrated initiative and accountability in work products and service and the ability to follow-through on issues to completion. 
  • Punctuality and dependability in daily attendance.
Desired Qualifications:

  • A CPA designation.
  • Experience working in the criminal legal system, preferably public defense.

Supplemental Information

Selection Process: Materials will be reviewed for qualifications, and the most competitive candidates will be invited to participate in a panel interview process.
 
Required Application Materials: In addition to completing the electronic application, interested candidates should submit a resume and cover letter detailing how you meet the required qualifications and how this assignment fits in with your career development goals.

Union: This position is represented by SEIU Local 925.

Forbes recently named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.
 
Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.
 
Guided by our "True North," we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles--we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.
 
King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer
No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.
 
To Apply
If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact your recruiter listed on this job announcement.

King County offers a highly-competitive compensation and benefits package designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and support our employees' health and well-being.  Eligible positions receive the following benefits and have access to the following programs:

  • Medical, dental, and vision coverage: King County pays 100% of the premiums for eligible employees and family members
  • Life and disability insurance: employees are provided basic coverage and given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents
  • Retirement: King County employees are eligible to participate in a pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred-compensation plan
  • Transportation program and ORCA transit pass
  • 10 paid holidays each year (plus 2 personal holidays)
  • Generous vacation and paid sick leave
  • Paid parental leave, family and medical leaves, and volunteer leave
  • Flexible Spending Account
  • Wellness programs
  • Onsite gyms and activity centers
  • Employee giving program
  • Employee assistance programs
  • Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position
  • Training and career development programs
For additional information about employee benefits please visit our Benefits, Payroll, and Retirement Page.

This is a general description of the benefits offered to eligible King County employees, and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy.  If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the CBA prevails.  Also, in the event of any incorrect information in this document, applicable laws, policies, rules, CBAs, or official plan documents will prevail.
 
NOTE:  Benefits for Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or Short Term Temporary (STT) positions, including leave eligibility and/or participation in the pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, will vary based upon the terms and details of the position. Short Term Temporary positions are not eligible for an ORCA transit pass.
 
For inquiries about the specifics of this position, please contact the recruiter identified on this job posting.

01
Tell us about your experience working in the criminal legal system. If you don't have this experience, please tell us why you're interested in working with indigent clients.
02
Are you a current Department of Defense employee
  • Yes
  • No
03
Are you applying to this position as a Priority Placement Program Participant And Is this position the same or lower percentage of full-time when compared to the position held at the point of the notification of layoff AND Do you possess the skills and abilities to qualify for this position?
  • Yes, I was given a layoff notice from my role at King County AND I am within two years of the effective date of my layoff. AND The position I was laid off from was the same or a higher percentage of FT status when compared to this one.
  • No.
04
If you answered yes to the question above and you are applying for this position as a Priority Placement Participant, to be considered, you must provide the following three pieces of information in the space provided: 1. The title you held when you received your layoff notice 2. The department you worked in 3. The effective date of your layoff

Required Question

This job is no longer available.

King County

Auburn, WA