Accounts Payable Accounting Technician III

Seattle City Light, a department of the City of Seattle, is one of the nation’s largest municipally owned utilities in terms of the number of customers served. Over the years we have worked very hard to keep Seattle's electricity affordable, reliable, and environmentally sound. Today, City Light is a recognized national leader in energy efficiency and environmental stewardship. 

Seattle City Light has an opening for an Accounting Technician III. In this role, you will play a critical role in the daily operation of City Light’s travel, credit card, and reimbursement functions. You will be responsible for processing City Light commercial credit card transactions, travel advances, employee expense reimbursements, and accounts payable payment requests. In addition to transactional responsibilities, you will maintain and update standard operating procedures, deliver training, and provide ongoing guidance to employees across the utility. This includes assisting staff with travel planning, reimbursement requirements, and credit card purchasing needs to ensure accuracy, compliance, and timely processing. You will also process and perform complex reconciliations, vouching, and journal entries. You will research, analyze and resolve complex issues related to billing, payment postings and out-of-balance voucher and journal entries. You will also assist in the development and preparation of various Accounts Payable and Travel Desk procedures.

This position reports to the Accounts Payable Manager.

Here is more about what you’ll be doing: 

• Monitors the work, provides work instructions, and ensures proper work is performed by the Accounts Payable Technicians
• Coordinates and trains Accounting Technician personnel on accounts payable processes related to purchasing, payment processing, travel, employee reimbursements
• Serves as the Seattle City Light accounts payable subject matter expert by providing procedural instructions, guidelines and departmental training to all City Light employees on travel and credit card policy and procedures.
• Provides policy expertise and monitors controls
• Develops and updates Accounts Payable standard operating procedures
• Analyzes, verifies and audits accounts payable transactions and ensures compliance with Accounting standards and applicable Federal, State, and City Laws, rules, regulations and departmental procedures and guidelines
• Performs general ledger reconciliations and works to resolve any identified issues
• Creates and maintain reports in Excel
• Provides departmental procedures and guidelines to employees and vendors as they related to accounts payable, travel and employee expense reimbursements to ensure compliance with IRS regulations, City ordinances, collective bargaining agreements, general accounting and bookkeeping standards, and other state and federal laws and regulations
• Assists the manager in the implementation of new City initiatives that are related to Accounts Payable
• Other special job duties and small projects as assigned

In addition to the skills and experience mentioned below, a successful applicant will have experience that reflects a commitment to creating fair and equitable outcomes and has: 

Requires three years of previous accounting and/or bookkeeping experience or one year work experience as an Accounting Technician II (or a combination of education/experience/training which provides an equivalent background required to perform the work of the class).

Desired Qualifications - You will be successful if you have the following experience, skills, and abilities:

• Two or more years in a high-volume Accounts Payable work unit within the last five years
• Demonstrated experience in leading others
• Previous experience creating reports in Excel and performing VLOOKUPs
• Demonstrated work experience in working on cross-functional team projects
• Strong background in resolving complex reconciliation issues
• Demonstrated work experience updating and writing procedural manuals
• Demonstrated experience in processing employee expense reports and / or credit card transactions.
• Demonstrated ability in providing good customer service with excellent follow-up skills
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Self-starter and ability to meet deadlines

Please note this job advertisement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Emergency Response Commitment: 

Seattle City Light is committed to reliable service during emergencies. Through our Emergency Response Program, each employee is assigned a role—usually aligned with their regular duties—to support emergency operations. Your participation is required and vital to helping the utility stay prepared and serve our community when it matters most.

The full salary range for this position is $37.01 to $43.09 per hour.

Application Process

Please submit the following with your online application: 

• A current resume of your educational and professional work experience.

Incomplete applications will not be accepted.

Who May Apply: This position is open to all candidates that meet the qualifications.  Seattle City Light values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Seattle City Light encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQIA+, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experiences.

Job offers are contingent on the verification of credentials and other information required by the employment process, including the completion of a background check. The background check will involve a criminal history check, which includes conviction and arrest records in compliance with the Seattle’s Fair Chance Employment Ordinance, SMC 14.17 and the City of Seattle Personnel Rule 10.3. A driving history review may be conducted in compliance with SMC 4.79.020.Applicants will be provided an opportunity to explain or correct background information.

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits.

Want to know more about Seattle City Light? Check out our web page: https://www.seattle.gov/city-light/about-us/careers.