Accountant 2

Why It's a Great Opportunity: Are you ready to apply your expertise in governmental fund accounting to a dynamic and impactful role? Pierce County Planning and Public Works (PPW) is looking for an Accountant 2 to join our team and play a key role in the financial management of fixed assets, inventory, cost allocation, reporting, and financial transactions. This is your chance to be part of division leadership, lead your team, and help shape the future of PPW's financial operations!

As an experienced accountant with a solid background in a large, complex organization and multiple funding streams, you will have a significant opportunity to make a lasting impact on how we do business. You'll apply the fundamentals of accounting daily, ensuring the financial accuracy of all records. Your keen decision-making skills and judgment will be essential as you handle complex financial transactions, supervise a talented team, and contribute to a collaborative and high-functioning department.

Why It's a Great Department: PPW stewards a healthy and vibrant community by collaboratively planning and investing in our people, infrastructure, systems, and policies. PPW’s team has more than 800 members that collaborate, innovate and inspire in performing essential services to the community. The department is responsible for the County road and levee systems, sewer systems, airports, ferries, building permits, environmental review, sustainability, community planning, and code enforcement - just to name a few!
 
Learn more about Planning and Public Works here.

How to be Successful in the Role: To thrive in this role, you will need to take in the big picture while diving into the details. The ability to see beyond the numbers and grasp how financial processes connect across the department will ensure your success.  Team success will come from your building lasting and effective partnership across divisions to work out complicated processes, propose improvements to existing procedures and practices, and have the ability to manage multiple activities and deadlines. You should be genuinely curious about the programs we support and the impact they have on Pierce County. Much of your work will be completed using Microsoft Office products and the Workday Financials accounting system. Your comfort and proficiency with these tools will be critical in performing tasks efficiently and effectively.

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: 

• Maintain a variety of accounts, prepare financial reports and statements in accordance with federal, state, and local requirements; maintain a variety of ledgers pertaining to all County funds; maintain records of fund activities; analyze and reconcile fund charges and direct necessary fund transfers. 
• Supervise and coordinate the activities of a designated work unit; determine work procedures; prepare work schedules and determine methods for expediting work flow; assign, review, and approve the work of subordinate staff.
• Prepare, review, and verify a variety of accounting, statistical, and narrative reports and documents.
• Audit Revenue & Expenditure Data reports.
• Review and analyze electronic and manual accounting systems and make recommendations for the development and modification of existing systems to improve procedures and ensure conformity to policy and accounting principles.
• Make day-to-day decisions relative to the accounting treatment of complex financial transactions and assist in the development and modification of accounting systems to improve procedures; propose changes in various aspects of the accounting system.
• Provide technical assistance to interested parties on a variety of accounting problems.

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

• Additional education and/or experience that clearly demonstrates the ability to perform the essential functions of the position may be substituted for the recruiting requirements.
• Two or more years of professional accounting or auditing experience AND
• Graduation from a four year college or university with a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting or Business Administration with an emphasis in accounting.
• A resume and cover letter are required for this position. 

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.

How to Apply:

• Complete and submit a detailed online Pierce County Employment Application by selecting “APPLY” above or visiting www.piercecountywa.gov/jobs.
• If you have questions about this opportunity, email the Recruitment Team at [email protected] and include the job number and title.
• Individuals who need accommodation in the application or interview process may contact Human Resources at (253) 798-7480 at least two days prior to the need.
• Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship. 

Our Recruitment Practices: This is a competitive and meritorious selection process. Pierce County applications are reviewed by human hiring staff in accordance with the qualifications listed for the position. Pierce County understands applicants may use AI tools when preparing application materials. We recognize these tools can make the process easier; however, we ask that everything you submit genuinely reflects your own experience, skills, knowledge, and writing style.

During the interview process, you may be asked to demonstrate your skills, including writing and subject knowledge, and to speak to your experience in your own voice. Applicants should be prepared to respond to interview questions without relying on AI-generated responses or reading prepared answers from a screen. Any misrepresentation may result in disqualification or separation.

Applicants whose qualifications most closely align with the County’s needs will be eligible for further consideration. Notification of application status typically occurs within two to three weeks after the closing date. Some applicants may receive short notice to participate in additional selection steps, which may include assessments, phone screens, or interviews.

Upon offer, compensation is based on a range of job-related factors, including the requirements of the role, your skills and experience, and internal pay equity.

Our Welcoming Workplace Commitment: 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.