2026)

Ellensburg Washington•Ellensburg, WA

About The Position

The City of Ellensburg is hiring a Temporary Accountant in its Finance Department for an anticipated 18–24-month assignment. The position provides operational accounting support and backfills critical Finance Department duties while key employees work on all phases of implementing a new Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) financial management system, including discovery, design, testing, implementation, and stabilization. The assignment is temporary and does not create an expectation of continued employment beyond its anticipated duration. The Accountant performs professional and complex accounting, reconciliation, financial analysis, and reporting functions. Depending on departmental needs and the ERP implementation schedule, assignments may involve accounts payable, payroll, cash receipting, treasury, inventory, fixed assets, project accounting, grants, and general ledger activities. The employee works independently under the general supervision of the Finance Director or designee and is expected to learn quickly, exercise good judgment, follow applicable instructions and procedures, and maintain accuracy and attention to detail. Flexibility, adaptability, initiative, resourcefulness, receptiveness to feedback, and the ability to build supportive working relationships are important. Employees are expected to model and foster the City of Ellensburg’s core values of Compassion (we care), Courage (we do the right thing), and Conviction (we work hard) while serving the community. Duties are performed in accordance with City operational policies, safety rules, and procedures.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university with an emphasis in accounting and/or finance; an equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered in lieu of some requirements, as determined by Management.
At least three years of intermediate-to-advanced governmental accounting experience, including BARS and GASB.
Position-related experience.
Ability to learn quickly, work independently within departmental policies and procedures, and maintain accuracy and attention to detail.
Ability to work well with others and adapt to changing assignments and priorities.
Must be bondable.
Must agree to a credit check and be in good credit standing, with no debts currently assigned to collections and no pattern of instability in credit history. A pending garnishment or judgment that may cause undue hardship is disqualifying, except for child support; eligibility is determined case by case by the hiring authority.
Must pass a background check before hire.

Nice To Haves

Experience with Microsoft Dynamics Great Plains.

Responsibilities

Provide temporary backfill support for critical Finance Department accounting, reporting, reconciliation, and operational duties reassigned because of the ERP implementation.
Maintain knowledge of and assist with administering accounts payable, payroll, cash receipting, treasury functions, inventory, fixed assets, project accounting, and general ledger processes.
Work collaboratively with City departments to understand their processes and workflows.
Perform audits, reconciliations, data validation, and data extraction for accounting transactions, including payroll, accounts payable, inventory, fixed assets, and cash receipting activity posted to the general ledger.
Reconcile, verify, balance, adjust, and maintain assigned accounts and accounting records in accordance with Washington State BARS, generally accepted accounting principles, City policies, and other applicable requirements.
Prepare and maintain financial reports, schedules, documentation, and supporting workpapers for assigned functions, projects, and reporting requirements.
Support assigned budget, financial analysis, audit, and special projects.
Support transition planning, documentation, and cross-training to preserve continuity of essential Finance Department functions during and after implementation.
Perform other duties as assigned.