Accounting Assistant IV

Job Description

The salary range for this position is $5,147 – $6,847 monthly.

Thurston County Public Works is recruiting for an Accounting Assistant IV – Payroll to join our dynamic, energetic, and innovative Business Services team. In this role, you’ll ensure employees are paid accurately and on time while maintaining compliance with county regulations, union agreements, and personnel policies. From processing payroll and reconciling data to guiding staff on time entry, leave and payroll-related procedures, you’ll be a key resource in supporting both our employees and the operational success of Public Works.

Essential functions may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Prepares entries, audits entries and documents prepared by others to ensure accuracy, propriety, proper account coding, adequate explanations, and other applicable information in accordance with federal and state regulations.  Reconciles accounts and adjusts irregularities.
• Conducts fiscal review and reconciliation of payroll data; monitors payroll files and maintains accurate employee records.
• Develops recommendations for procedural or policy changes in the accounting and payroll systems or procedures.
• Processes semi-monthly payroll, ensuring compliance with county regulations, union agreements, and personnel policies; assists employees with timely timecard submissions.
• Administers personnel actions including new hires, rehires, transfers, separations, and other employment changes.
• Reviews, analyzes, and corrects payroll entries, including complex retroactive adjustments, manual calculations, and benefit/salary impacts to Public Works funds.
• Audits entries and documents to ensure accuracy, propriety, proper account coding, adequate explanations, and other applicable information in accordance with federal and state regulations.

 

To view the full job classification, click here: Accounting Assistant IV

Essential Personnel: This position is considered to be an essential worker and may be required to work during non-business hours or closures in order to meet operational requirements and needs.

 

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Work Environment – Quiet office setting in Olympia, Washington
• Schedule – Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Travel Requirements – Occasional travel may be required to attend meetings or trainings
• Customer Interactions – Daily interactions via phone, in-person, and video with Thurston County staff

 

WHO WE ARE: 

The Thurston County Public Works Department, located in Olympia, Washington, is a national award-winning agency in delivering quality projects to our community.  Our mission is to provide excellent public services in all areas of our business.  We actively help our staff develop and grow professionally, we bring together resources across divisions to achieve organizational goals, we are always ready to respond to community needs, and we are an American Public Works Association accredited agency, consistently meeting industry best practices benchmarks.

Our Core Values:

• Accountability – We take responsibility for our actions and the resulting outcomes.
• Customer Service – We provide our customers with the highest level of service and quality.
• Innovation – We strive to continuously improve processes, performance, and results.
• Safety – We demonstrate an uncompromising commitment to safety.
• Teamwork – We work together toward achieving a common recognized end.

 

Mission – to provide excellent public services in all areas of our business.

Vision – The premier public works organization, accountable and transparent in all services we provide to our community.

Thurston County values the diversity of the people it hires and serves. Inclusion to us means fostering a workplace in which individual differences are recognized, appreciated, and responded to in ways that fully develop and utilize each person’s talents and strengths. We are dedicated to recruiting and developing a talented workforce from various cultures, lifestyles, backgrounds, and perspectives who are committed to our vision and core values. Thurston County Racial Equity and Inclusion Webpage.

 

WHAT WE OFFER OUR EMPLOYEES:

• Work-Life Balance: We are committed to ensure that our staff experience the reward of public service, while also sustaining a routine that suits each individual’s lifestyle.
• Plan For Your Future: As a member of our team, you will enjoy great employee benefits, including a retirement plan, pre-tax savings accounts, as well as comprehensive health care and dental/vision care for you and your family. Please visit Thurston County Employee Benefit Plans for more information.
• Paid Leave: Full-time regular employees earn paid vacation in addition to paid holidays.
• Robust Training Program: Employees are encouraged to attend County paid training to help them further their career, learn new skill sets, and stay on top of emerging trends in our industry.  We also encourage our staff to participate in professional organizations and attend conferences.
• Flexible Work Schedules:  Some of the options that employees may take advantage of include alternative or compressed schedules and/or remote working.
• Deferred Compensation: The County offers 3 voluntary deferred compensation plans for employees who would like to set aside additional deferred tax dollars into a retirement savings plan.
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA): Employees can take advantage of Section 125 flexible spending accounts for out-of-pocket health care and daycare expenses with pre-tax dollars.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness: This is a federal program that allows full-time public service employees who have made qualifying payments for certain loans, to get their student loans repaid. Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

 

Why you’ll love it here: Thurston County is located between Seattle and Portland in Western Washington’s South Puget Sound Region. Perched in between the mountains and the ocean, the area boasts the perfect blend of year-round outdoor activities including boating, hiking, skiing, and more. The region is also home to the state capitol city of Olympia, known for its many restaurants, microbreweries, coffee shops, farmers markets, kids’ activities, history, and art events. Discover more about life in Thurston County at Experienceolympia.com.

Message to potential applicants: We understand that some potential applicants are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every one of the functions or skills listed in a job description. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and we understand that may be someone who will learn some of these skills on the job. If you are interested in this position, and meet the minimum qualifications, we encourage you to go ahead and apply! Feel free to think about how you will bring your own set of skills to the role and tell us about the potential that you hold.

 

QUALIFICATIONS:

• High School Diploma or G.E.D. and two years of college level accounting courses.
• Two years of general accounting experience, plus one year of grant accounting experience. Additional experience may be substituted for education on a year-for-year basis.
• Ability to utilize a personal computer and related software packages to perform word processing, analysis, information retrieval and tracking.
• Ability to communicate with co-workers as well as the general public.

 

DESIRED SKILLS:

• Knowledge of the double-entry bookkeeping and governmental accounting principles and procedures.
• Knowledge of the BARS governmental accounting and reporting systems.
• Knowledge of various financial guidelines for grants management.
• Ability to interpret governmental accounting regulations and guidelines.
• Ability to analyze large data with Excel (pivot tables, formulas, and reporting)

 

OTHER RELATED RECRUITMENT INFORMATION:

Questions about this recruitment? Please contact Hannah Kim, Sr. Financial Analyst, at hannah.kim@co.thurston.wa.us.

 

This position is:

• Represented by a Union
• Eligible for overtime under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
• Eligible for benefits

 

Items required for consideration:

• Application
• Resume
• Letter of Interest

 

Learn more about Thurston County at: Thurston County

Please note: Information in this announcement is subject to change without notice at any time during the length of the job advertisement.

THURSTON COUNTY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Thurston County is committed to provide equal opportunity to all persons seeking or having access to its employment, services and activities, which is free from restriction based on race, sex, marital status, color, creed or religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, including gender expression or identity, pregnancy, status as an honorably discharged veteran or military status, genetic information, or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, unless based upon bona fide occupational qualifications. Applicants with disabilities who need accommodation with the application or selection process should contact Thurston County’s Human Resources, at (360) 786-5498.  Those who are deaf, deaf-blind, hard of hearing or speech impaired may use the statewide relay system to reach Thurston County offices and departments to conduct their business telephonically. Relay users can simply dial 7-1-1 (or 1-800-833-6388) to connect with Washington Relay.