Accounting Assistant III

Thurston County Career Site•Olympia, WA

4d•Onsite

About The Position

Thurston County Public Works is recruiting for an Accounting Assistant III. The successful candidate will join the Finance and Procurement team in the Business Services division providing high quality financial services to the department. This position is responsible for providing a full range of accounting support for the Parks and Trails program, participating as a member of the Water and Sewer Utilities accounting team providing financial and customer service support to 800+ customers, and providing backup payroll support to 200+ employees. Essential Personnel: This position is an essential worker and may be required to work during non-business hours or closures to meet operational requirements and needs in the Business Services division. WORKING CONDITIONS: Work Environment – Quiet office setting in Olympia, Washington. Schedule - Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Workload demands may occasionally require work outside the assigned work hours. Travel Requirements - Occasional travel may be required to attend meetings or trainings. Customer Interactions - Daily interactions via phone, in-person, and video with Thurston County staff. WHO WE ARE: The Thurston County Public Works Department, located in Olympia, Washington, is a national award-winning agency in delivering quality projects to our community. Our mission is to provide excellent public services in all areas of our business. We actively help our staff develop and grow professionally, we bring together resources across divisions to achieve organizational goals, we are always ready to respond to community needs, and we are an American Public Works Association accredited agency, consistently meeting industry best practices benchmarks. Our Core Values: Accountability - We take responsibility for our actions and the resulting outcomes. Customer Service - We provide our customers with the highest level of service and quality. Innovation - We strive to continuously improve processes, performance, and results. Safety - We demonstrate an uncompromising commitment to safety. Teamwork - We work together toward achieving a common recognized end. Mission - To provide excellent public services in all areas of our business. Vision - The premier public works organization, accountable and transparent in all services we provide to our community. Thurston County values the diversity of the people it hires and serves. Inclusion to us means fostering a workplace in which individual differences are recognized, appreciated, and responded to in ways that fully develop and utilize each person’s talents and strengths. We are dedicated to recruiting and developing a talented workforce from various cultures, lifestyles, backgrounds, and perspectives who are committed to our vision and core values. Thurston County Racial Equity and Inclusion Webpage. WHAT WE OFFER OUR EMPLOYEES: Work-Life Balance: We are committed to ensure that our staff experience the reward of public service, while also sustaining a routine that suits each individual’s lifestyle. Plan For Your Future: As a member of our team, you will enjoy great employee benefits, including a retirement plan, pre-tax savings accounts, as well as comprehensive health care and dental/vision care for you and your family. Please visit Thurston County Employee Benefit Plans for more information. Paid Leave: Full-time regular employees earn paid vacation in addition to paid holidays. Robust Training Program: Employees are encouraged to attend County paid training to help them further their career, learn new skill sets, and stay on top of emerging trends in our industry. We also encourage our staff to participate in professional organizations and attend conferences. Flexible Work Schedules: Some of the options that employees may take advantage of including alternative or compressed schedules and/or remote working. Deferred Compensation: The County offers 3 voluntary deferred compensation plans for employees who would like to set aside additional deferred tax dollars into a retirement savings plan. Flexible Spending Account (FSA): Employees can take advantage of Section 125 flexible spending accounts for out-of-pocket health care and daycare expenses with pre-tax dollars. Public Service Loan Forgiveness: This is a federal program that allows full-time public service employees who have made qualifying payments for certain loans, to get their student loans repaid. Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. Why you’ll love it here: Thurston County is located between Seattle and Portland in Western Washington’s South Puget Sound Region. Perched in between the mountains and the ocean, the area boasts the perfect blend of year-round outdoor activities including boating, hiking, skiing, and more. The region is also home to the state capitol city of Olympia, known for its many restaurants, microbreweries, coffee shops, farmers markets, kids’ activities, history, and art events. Discover more about life in Thurston County at Experienceolympia.com. Message to potential applicants: We understand that some potential applicants are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every one of the functions or skills listed in a job description. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and we understand that may be someone who will learn some of these skills on the job. If you are interested in this position, and meet the minimum qualifications, we encourage you to go ahead and apply! Feel free to think about how you will bring your own set of skills to the role and tell us about the potential that you hold.

Requirements

High School Diploma or GED and two years of college level accounting courses. Additional experience may substitute for college level courses on a year-for-year basis.
Two years of general accounting experience.
Typing and 10-key adding machine skills may be required for specified positions.
Ability to use word processing and computer equipment and programs may be required for specified positions.

Nice To Haves

Ability to organize and prioritize accounting and payroll projects with minimal supervision.
Capable of consistently meeting non-negotiable deadlines.
Proficient with excel.
Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing and be able to facilitate financial meetings.
Commitment to work within a team to accomplish division and department goals.

Responsibilities

Oversees a county-wide bookkeeping function such as payroll, fixed assets, or accounts payable and assumes responsibility for departmental accounting records and payroll system.
Processes the more complex bookkeeping transactions.
Audits entries and documents to ensure accuracy, propriety, proper account coding, adequate explanations, and other applicable information in accordance with federal and state regulations.
Undertakes independent research projects as assigned and prepares various schedules and reports for financial statements requiring the knowledge of governmental accounting principles.
Assists in testing computer accounting programs used in the work unit.
Performs special projects requiring extensive research, interpretation, or auditing of statistical data.