Accounting Specialist III - Payroll Lead

Thurston Mason BH-ASO/OHRS • Lacey, WA

9d • $37 - $44 • Onsite

About The Position

The Accounting Specialist III maintains the Thurston-Mason Behavioral Health Organization, LLC (TMBHO), Thurston Mason Behavioral Health Administrative Service Organization (TMBH-ASO) and Olympic Health and Recovery Services (OHRS) bookkeeping functions, including accounts payable and receivable, acting as a lead for payroll processing, and assisting the Financial Analyst in their duties. The ideal candidate for our Accounting Specialist III is experienced in payroll processing tasks such as calculating wages, deductions, taxes, processing garnishments, and staff reimbursements. The Accounting Specialist III is not only proficient in complex bookkeeping, but also has experience preparing financial reports, monitoring payments, and working with various stakeholders including program staff, management, vendors, and other providers. The candidate will thrive in an office environment that requires a keen eye for detail, timely response, excellent problem solving abilities and written and oral communication skills. Who are we? Thurston Mason Behavioral Health Administrative Organization (TMBH-ASO) and Olympic Health and Recovery Services (OHRS) is a quasi-governmental organization that is responsible for the network of behavioral health crisis services in Thurston and Mason counties, and is a licensed behavioral health agency with multiple programs assisting the most vulnerable population in our community through crisis services, jail services, hospital diversion, and housing. What are the benefits? TMBH-ASO/OHRS provides comprehensive benefits for full-time employees including medical/dental/vision plan options (many with no employee paid monthly premium depending on plan choice, and dependent coverage options), and life insurance and disability insurance options. Eligible employees participate in WA State PERS retirement plans and employees may elect additional pre and post tax deferred compensation retirement options. Employees receive a Paid Time Off (PTO) package earning a minimum of 140 hours (17 days) and 12 paid holidays. Other tax deferred options include Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), and Health Savings Accounts (HSA) . We are an approved Public Service Loan Forgiveness employer and provide annual professional development funds and training opportunities. Find more information at www.tmbhcareers.org. Pay Range: $36.55 - $44.49 hourly based on education, experience, and parity within the organization. This posting will close March 8th, 2026 with first round interviews to take place March 16th and 17th. This position reports to the Finance Director.

Requirements

• Associates degree with an emphasis in accounting, finance or closely related field required. Bachelor’s preferred.
• Three years of general accounting experience.
• Two years of experience with payroll processing systems (governmental entity preferred)
• Governmental accounting experience including financial analysis, forecasting, general ledger, accounts receivable /payable and fixed assets.
• General knowledge of State of Washington’s Budgeting Accounting Reporting System (BARS) regulations governing local governments.
• Typing and 10-key adding machine skills desired.
• Current Washington State Driver's License and satisfactory driving record, or have requested and obtained an appropriate accommodation.
• Familiarity with double-entry bookkeeping and governmental accounting principles and procedures.
• Knowledge of payroll taxation and Washington labor law.
• Ability to engage, modernize and further office methods and procedures.
• Knowledge of complex financial systems and input/export methods.
• Ability to make arithmetic calculations rapidly and accurately.
• Ability to use computer equipment, MS Office Suite and other accounting/payroll programs is required.
• Ability to organize and prioritize accounting projects and reports with minimal supervision.
• Ability to interpret grant contract and reporting guidelines for state and federal funds.

Responsibilities

• Conducts bookkeeping functions including accounts payable, accounts receivable and fixed assets for TMBH-ASO and OHRS operations, contract invoicing and records.
• With Finance Director and Fiscal Analyst direction, reviews, analyzes, develops and recommends new or improved efficiencies, policies, procedures and coordinates their implementation for the TMBH-ASO/OHRS.
• Provides financial analysis for assigned projects and funds.
• Researches, develops and recommends financial processes, strategies, and methods.
• Reconciles and develops reports for submission to internal staff and external entities.
• Gathers financial information and prepares invoices for grant submission.
• Coordinates with staff responsible for grant deliverables for submission.
• Assists Fiscal Analyst with monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reporting and documents, revenue/expenditure report, budget status reports and other project information as needed.
• Interprets federal and state guidelines and ensures the Organizations compliance with federal, state, county and other applicable accounting rules and regulations.
• Reviews contractor audit reports and financial statements for compliance and follow-up where necessary.
• Researches and responds to technical accounting questions and creates management and summary level reports as required.
• Assists with preparation of the annual financial statements and Comprehensive Annual Financial Report.
• Assists with conducting periodic internal audit of accounting programs, expenditure and revenue coding to assure compliance with state and federal requirements and any applicable grant or contract requirements and makes recommendations for any corrections needed.
• Acts as the lead for the fiscal portion of payroll processing, calculating wages and deductions to include taxes, insurance and retirement contributions.
• Reviews timecards for maintenance and to ensure all necessary time is captured and calculated at accurate rates.
• Develops processing of benefits reporting to various entities in a timely manner per state and local requirements.
• Maintains payroll records and reports for future management and auditor review.
• Provides employee support by addressing employees’ inquiries regarding their pay, any possible discrepancies, and aids with payroll related forms.
• Processes and pays garnishments and income withholding, including Writs; child support, Chapter 13 Bankruptcy, IRS Lock-in letters, etc.
• Reconciles and prepare reports and records to facilitate reporting to outside entities like Internal Revenue Service, State Retirement Systems, State Department of revenue, etc.
• Reconciles payroll advice and cash disbursements, prepare cash disbursements, and transmit payroll EFT.
• Monitor benefit deductions after each payroll submission to ensure employee contributions are up to date.
• Assures that labor laws, tax regulations, and internal policies are followed and instructs departmental personnel in the correction of errors and instances of noncompliance.
• Collaborate and coordinate with Human Resources to confirm employee initial setup, changes, terminations, and leave of absences.
• Provides support for required fiscal monitoring of providers and sub-recipients.
• Reconciles entries and documents to ensure accuracy, propriety, proper coding, adequate explanations and other applicable standards in accordance with federal and state regulations.
• Processes complex bookkeeping transactions.
• Undertakes assignments and prepares various financial reports requiring the knowledge of governmental accounting principles.
• Works with accounting system software provider to process 1099s and other required forms and submissions.
• Coordinates with providers for any compensation reconciliation and adjustment.
• Works with Utilization Manager to confirm billing eligibility retrospectively for hospital authorizations.
• Resolves claim disputes, reviews hospital invoices for accuracy, and disputes any discrepancies.
• Responds to vendor billing inquiries.
• Monitors payments to ensure third party payor reconciliation.
• Provide information for state fiscal monitors and audits, as needed.
• Adjusts priorities, as needed, to assure work is performed efficiently.
• Assists with the development and maintenance of contract invoices.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• TMBH-ASO/OHRS provides comprehensive benefits for full-time employees including medical/dental/vision plan options (many with no employee paid monthly premium depending on plan choice, and dependent coverage options), and life insurance and disability insurance options.
• Eligible employees participate in WA State PERS retirement plans and employees may elect additional pre and post tax deferred compensation retirement options.
• Employees receive a Paid Time Off (PTO) package earning a minimum of 140 hours (17 days) and 12 paid holidays.
• Other tax deferred options include Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), and Health Savings Accounts (HSA) .
• We are an approved Public Service Loan Forgiveness employer and provide annual professional development funds and training opportunities.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree