Senior Accounting Clerk

Salary Range

5,481.00 - 7,006.00

Job Summary

As one of the fastest growing cities in the Pacific Northwest, Vancouver is building a city of the future through innovation, sustainable development, excellent leadership and effectively working with an engaged community. Our growth is guided by our core values of livability, sustainability and resiliency, innovation, and equity and inclusion, and we accomplish our work through collaboration, innovation, compassion and empowerment.

If who we are speaks to you, then the City of Vancouver may be the perfect place for you. We’re currently recruiting for a Senior Accounting Clerk. The primary responsibilities for the job are to evaluate, design and implement accounting solutions to address the business needs of the City of Vancouver, including administering invoicing and monthly billings. The role includes but not limited to account receivable and maintaining customer accounts, account reconciliation and transaction verification, resolving billing and payment issues, financial reporting and collections, and ensuring the accuracy and integrity of financial data. Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills with a commitment of improving accounting processes, maintaining internal controls, and providing reliable financial support to meet the organizational needs.

This is a full-time, regular, non-exempt union position. This position is covered under the provisions of an agreement between the City and the OPEIU union.

The schedule for this position is M-F, 8am to 5pm.

At this time, this position is eligible for telework or hybrid schedule. As with all routine telework positions, employees may be required to come into the office on occasion based on business needs. Telework may be subject to change at a future time. Currently, all employees must reside in Oregon or Washington; the City cannot support ongoing telework from other locations.

Salary for this position is subject to a collective bargaining agreement with negotiated step increases based on seniority. Candidates meeting the minimum requirements for the position will be at the beginning of the listed range, equal to Step 1. Directly related experience, certifications and relevant credentials exceeding minimum requirements will be considered for step credit at hire, with such credit not to exceed Step 4, the approximate midpoint of the listed range, unless otherwise stipulated in the applicable collective bargaining agreement.

First review of applications on 10/28/2026.

Job Details

Essential Functions:

• Create accounts and generate monthly, quarterly, and annual invoices and/or statements, process credit memos and adjustments. Ability to meet specific deadlines.  Responsible for various departmental program billings to include Police/Alarms, Fire/Fire Inspections, Code Violations, Loans, Airport, Leases and Parking.
• Utilize the State of Washington’s Business Licensing Service processes and software system, review new applications, renewal records, and corresponding payments for accuracy and compliance with the city business license requirements. 
• Perform collection activities through standard collection practices to maximize revenues such as: send follow-up statements, effectively negotiating with past due accounts, monitoring and applying payments, research and resolve payment discrepancies, and referring accounts to collection agencies.
• Ensure compliance with the City business license program, research State license and revenue records and other business resources to identify parties operating in the City without a City license, and distribute license materials, as needed.  To ensure compliance of licensed businesses with the license fee surcharge requirements, monitor State revenue records and audit business records, as needed.
• Anticipate, identify, and resolve problems in accounting operations; assists internal and external customers with questions that involve searching for and identifying technical data to provide an explanation of regulations, policies, and procedures. Act as auditor for compliance with GAAP on requests from departments for invoicing requests.  
• Provide technical information and instruction to internal and external customers regarding applicable procedures and methods; interpret and explain rules and regulations. Provide assistance to customers with inquiries and complaints; identify customer service problems, conduct research, and communicate results to customer.  Requires a high degree of accuracy, attention to detail, confidentiality, and good customer service skills.
• Compile, monitor and research data for reports including the preparation of periodic reports on revenues, expenses, payments, the status of services, contracts, grants, fee receipts, entitlement and reimbursement programs, accounts receivable, and trust and retainage accounts.
• Reconcile accounts to the general ledger and various statements; maintain various subsidiary ledgers, registers, and journals according to established procedures.  Make adjustments to the general ledger by journal entry. Ability to identify and ensure interfaces/integrations are posted to Workday, or to subsidiary systems.  If there are discrepancies, must identify specific missing transactions, and work with IT to ensure the missing transactions/batches are posted.
• Prepare and execute legally enforceable contracts, research tax and title records to determine property ownership, manage appointments, provide payoff quotes and payment histories, and prepare reconveyance documents.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

Experience and Education

Experience: 

• Two (2) years of experience in an accounting environment with emphasis on billings and collections, disbursement of transactions, review of record-keeping procedures, and development of reports. Minimum of one (1) year experience using a financial software.

Education: 

• Associate's Degree in Accounting or related field.

*Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.

 

Computer Skills

• Experience with automated financial systems, such as Workday, preferred.
• Advanced skills in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.

Knowledge

• Maintenance of financial records, review of record-keeping procedures and development of reports.
• Advanced clerical accounting and bookkeeping principles and techniques.
• Regulatory standard and compliance requirements.
• State of Washington software systems, preferred

• Pertinent federal, state, and local laws that pertain to: collections and standard accounting practices, including invoicing.
• Modern office procedures, methods, and computer equipment

• Use of personal computers and basic software

Abilities·       

• Practices and procedures of City finance, fiscal record keeping and reporting
• English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation
• Excel spread sheet applications and formulas
• Standard accounting practices
• Understand, interpret, and communicate business procedures, rules, and regulations
• Develop reports summarizing and detailing financial transactions
• Operate a personal computer and appropriate software
• Work in a manner consistent with the City of Vancouver’s Operating Principles
• Work and act as a team player in all interactions with other City employees
• Provide a high level of customer service at all times
• Project and maintain a positive image with those contacted in the course of work
• Develop and maintain collaborative and respectful working relationships with team members and others
• Consistently provide quality service
• Maintain regular and dependable attendance
• Demonstrate a commitment to valuing differences among people and to being inclusive.
• Show the utmost respect for others, and act as a team player.
• Promote safety as a guiding principle and a regular practice in accomplishing work by focusing on safe practices and complying with safety and health policies and procedures.
• Recognize unsafe conditions which may be hazardous to an employee or to the public.
• Works in safe and responsible manner; not putting self or others at risk. Complies with applicable policies and procedures including but not limited to using personal protective equipment, observing warning signs, learning about potential hazards, and reporting all unsafe conditions.

This position is subject to successful completion of a pre-employment reference check, a basic criminal background check and a credit check.

The City of Vancouver is committed to advancing equity and creating a welcoming and inclusive workplace. We recognize that progress depends on more than just a verbal commitment; it depends on making meaningful organizational change. We developed and continue to develop strategies to enhance employee-centered programs, eliminate recruitment and advancement barriers, elevate employee understanding of DEI and cultural competency and build an inclusive and welcoming place to call work. We hope you’ll consider joining us on the journey!

Safety: The City of Vancouver believes every employee plays a role in maintaining a safe workplace. The City of Vancouver promotes safety as a guiding principle and practice and accomplishes work by creating safe work environments, complying with safety and health policies and procedures and consistently seeking improvements that support operational excellence.

Diversity and Inclusion: At the City of Vancouver, we value and foster a workplace comprised of people with a range of different backgrounds, experiences and cultures. We recognize that a diverse and inclusive team is key to innovation, effectiveness and a positive culture. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement: The City of Vancouver is dedicated to maintaining a work environment that extends equal opportunity to all individuals, regardless of their race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin, marital status, veteran status, disability sexual orientation or gender identity. Employment decisions will be made to further the principle of equal employment opportunity and to comply with state, federal and local laws. We affirm through this policy statement our continuing commitment to the principles of equity and nondiscrimination.

Veterans’ Preference: Under Washington law, qualified veterans may be eligible for Veterans’ preference when applying for City of Vancouver positions. Honorably discharged Veterans, their surviving spouses or spouses of honorably discharged Veterans with a permanent and total service-connected disability who would like to be considered for a Veterans’ preference for this job should provide the qualifying documents as instructed during the application process.

ADA Accommodation: Accommodations will be considered for applicants or candidates with a qualifying disability that prevents them from participating in this process. Accommodations will be made where the City can reasonably provide them without imposing an undue hardship on the business or compromising the integrity of the recruitment process. An applicant with any disability who believes that they need an accommodation should contact Human Resources: call 360-487-8417 or email [email protected]

Job Posting End Date

Open Until Filled