Accounting Assistant 2

Why it's a great opportunity: In this critical support role, you will be supporting a broad range of Accounts Payable functions, including reviewing supplier invoices, ad hoc payments, procurement card transactions and employee expense reports, working with County departments and outside districts. You will be maintaining and updating supplier information and records to ensure accurate and verified information for payments. You will also support weekly warrant and ACH settlement runs, research and resolve payment issues. This position provides you an opportunity to gain broad experience with Countywide financial operations while serving as an important resource to our departments and suppliers. Your work will directly help ensure responsible stewardship of public funds.

Why it's a great department: The Finance & Enterprise Services Department delivers enterprise-wide services that support every County department and many external partners, ensuring Pierce County operates effectively, efficiently, and with strong public stewardship. Finance & Enterprise Services staff provide a broad portfolio of high-impact, countywide services, including budgeting and performance management, fiscal services, procurement and contracting, information technology, general services, fleet services, and risk management. 

Employees have the opportunity to work on strategic, enterprise-level initiatives, collaborate across departments, provide the operational and technical backbone which ensures the smooth delivery of services across the organization, and deliver critical analysis and decision support that informs leadership and shapes County priorities. The Finance & Enterprise Services Department is focused on creating a culture where employees can help improve service delivery to make a meaningful impact on County operations and the community. The Department leads with safety, empowerment, and collaboration to create an environment where every person can contribute, challenge ideas, and continuously improve.

Learn more about the Finance & Enterprise Services Department here.

How to be successful in the role: Your success will come from providing a high level of customer service and communication with both suppliers and customers across the County and outside districts. Your understanding of logistics and payment processing, attention to detail, problem solving and process improvement will be essential in this role and further ensure your success. 

Your future in this role: You will have access to professional development through robust online learning and other training opportunities throughout your career to ensure your success. This position has multiple career growth and promotional opportunities in Pierce County to build on a great career while directly impacting the communities in Pierce County.

Core daily responsibilities:

• Audits payment vouchers and employee claim for expenses for accuracy and compliance with state and county statues.
• Batches vouchers, checks and/or cash for data entry and financial system processing.
• Analyzes financial system transaction rejects and makes necessary corrections.
• Analyzes expenditures, prepares calculations, and verifies accuracy of Washington State BARS account code distribution.
• Monitors expenditures to ensure contracts are not over expended.
• Develops weekly issue control totals for balancing vouchers processed.
• Processes documents to void or cancel claim warrants or financial receipting transactions and reassigns receipts to appropriate accounts.
• Reviews issued claim warrants for accuracy, assigns warrant numbers on vouchers files and/or mails warrants to vendors.

A classification description with a more detailed list of essential functions can be found here.

• Substituting on a month-for-month basis, successful completion of course work in bookkeeping, accounting or closely related subjects relevant to the requirements of the position for a maximum of one year experience requirement.

• Two or more years of progressively responsible bookkeeping, accounting, auditing or closely related work experience.
• A resume and cover letter are required for this position. 
• Previous customer services experience  desirable.

As a condition of employment, the applicant will need to authorize and complete a background check. Information received from the background check is reviewed case-by-case and will not necessarily remove an applicant from consideration.

To be considered for this opportunity please:

• Complete and submit a detailed online Pierce County Employment Application by selecting "APPLY" above or go to:   www.piercecountywa.org/jobs. 
• If you have a question about this opportunity, please email the Recruitment Team at [email protected] and specify the Job Number and Title. 
• If you do not have internet access, you may visit your local public library or any WorkSource location and use their computers.
• Individuals needing accommodation in the application, testing process or need this job announcement in an alternative format may call Human Resources at (253) 798-7480, at least two days prior to the need.  

This is a competitive selection process. Your application will be reviewed and evaluated for the quality and quantity of education/experience in the areas listed. Applicants whose qualifications most closely correspond to the County's needs will be eligible for further consideration. Notification of application status normally occurs 2 to 3 weeks after the closing date. Short notice may be given to applicants to participate in further selection processes which may include assessments, phone screen, and interviews.

Pierce County is committed to fostering a Welcoming Workplace where employees are supported, respected, and able to thrive. We believe a strong public workforce is representative of the community it serves and that fair and just access to opportunity strengthens public service.  

Guided by the County Executive’s Forward Together mission, Pierce County works to build communities that are safe, welcoming, and connected. This same commitment shapes how we recruit, develop, and retain our employees. County employees make a direct and visible impact in the lives of residents every day, and we invite you to join us in helping keep Pierce County a place people are proud to call home.