Accounting Analyst Senior

Snohomish County•Everett, WA

About The Position

Performs senior-level accounting work, assisting the Assistant Controller and Controller with special accounting and internal control projects and preparing complex, accurate financial statements that comply with FASB and GASB standards. The role requires advanced accounting knowledge and independent judgment. It works with considerable independence under general direction from the Assistant Controller and Controller, with work reviewed through meetings, reports, and results. The position leads or contributes to financial statement preparation, accounting research and policy development, debt and bond-related reporting, ledger maintenance, budget support, accounting systems, special reports, and countywide internal controls. It also provides guidance and training to accounting staff and user departments, advises departments on financial and budgetary matters, and responds to inquiries from county personnel, auditors, and council staff. The position works primarily in a standard office environment, with extensive computer and office-equipment use and prolonged sitting and screen time.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in accounting, business, finance, or another field directly related to professional accounting work.
Four years of professional accounting experience.
At least 20 credit hours of continuing professional education in relevant subject matter annually.
Knowledge of accounting and finance practices in a municipal environment; GAAP; GAAS; Washington State BARS; debt instruments and debt recording; cost accounting; rate setting; governmental accounting; desktop applications; and workflow planning and monitoring.
Ability to exercise discretion and independent judgment in a lead capacity; organize and review project work; interpret and apply relevant laws and regulations; plan and carry out complex projects; analyze data and prepare reports; maintain working relationships with varied stakeholders; maintain records; contribute to a team; monitor performance and communicate unresolved problems; apply accounting and finance principles to complex issues; communicate effectively; meet deadlines under pressure; work with minimum supervision; use desktop applications; and rapidly learn Washington local-government financial practices and GASB procedures.

Nice To Haves

Professional accounting experience in a governmental agency.
Professional certification such as CPA, CMA, CIA, CSA, or SPFO.

Responsibilities

Lead the preparation and coordination of annual financial statements, including notes, schedules, and GASB 34 reconciliations.
Research new GASB pronouncements, draft policies, prepare Notes to Financial Statements for the ACFR, and develop procedures to support compliance.
Provide leadership and guidance to accountants and paraprofessional accounting personnel; analyze and resolve technical problems; mentor, advise, assist, and train staff; and, when requested, participate in employee selection and make recommendations regarding hiring, termination, and discipline.
Prepare sections of the County’s annual Official Statement for bond issuance and prepare debt-related Notes to the Financial Statements for the ACFR.
Maintain general and subsidiary automated and manual ledgers; review or approve original source entries; provide financial information for the budget process; prepare or review year-end accruals; and research and mediate accounting disputes.
Prepare written and oral responses to inquiries from divisions, county managers and supervisors, state auditors, and council staff as requested.
Participate in modifying, developing, and installing manual and automated accounting systems; identify system problems; work with fiscal analysts and information services staff on solutions; recommend methods and procedures; and train users.
Prepare special reports and develop report formats; analyze data for user departments; recommend solutions to day-to-day accounting problems; and help departments resolve accounting questions and data-input problems.
Advise departments on monitoring funds and fiscal health, and assist fund managers with operating objectives from financial, accounting, and budgetary perspectives, including recommendations concerning rates, cash flow, investments, and debt timing.
Develop and establish countywide accounting policies and procedures, ensure compliance with internal controls, consult on improvements to department-level controls, and determine audit methods.
Maintain awareness of current accounting standards and requirements, identify changes to prior requirements, and timely disseminate relevant information to those affected.
Perform other duties as requested.