Accountant

The King County Department of Public Defense (DPD) is seeking interested applicants for aTerm-Limited Temporary (TLT) or Special Duty Assignment (SDA)opportunity as an Accountant. We are looking for an energetic individual who has a passion for the accounting profession can make independent judgements within established limits and who also understands the need for standardization and best practices.

Reporting to the Business and Finance Officer III this position provides support to DPDs divisions processing all accounts payable activities. This position is focused on payroll processing in support of the departments business operations.

The Departments Mission Statement

The King County Department of Public Defense represents indigent adults and children facing a loss of liberty. Our department is an independent voice that promotes fairness and equity for our clients and advocates for their objectives interests and dignity.

DPD provides high quality legal representation to indigent clients in felonies misdemeanors juvenile defense family defense (dependency cases) involuntary commitment (mental illness) and sex offender commitment proceedings.

DPD advocates to reduce the harm and reach of the criminal and civil legal systems that restrict our clients liberty and advances policy reforms to reduce systemic racism. We strive to create a flexible workplace culture that is inclusive respectful and supportive premised on a shared anti-oppression framework.

To learn more about DPD visit ourwebsite.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES include but are not limited to the following:

• Be the primary financial accountant support to the departments divisions by performing accounts payable functions including processing payroll vendor invoices for payment reviewing and preparing procurement requests processing employee expense claims and payment vouchers.
• Organize track code maintain and document data sources (i.e. financial accounting or fiscal records). Track and monitor payables to ensure timely payment follow up as needed.
• Run queries and other reports to monitor pay outcomes.
• Assist division support staff by providing guidance and training and monitor the quality and completion of distributed finance related work.
• Identify priority and/or time-sensitive matters; and maintain security and confidentiality.
• Assist with problem solving troubleshooting issues with vendors clients other King County departments or internal divisions as needed.
• Serve as a technical resource for payables related activities which includes but is not limited to:
• Obtaining and maintaining general level proficiency in the use of the Oracle Financial system and other software applications as appropriate.
• Obtaining and maintaining general knowledge of accounting requirements.
• Providing support to audit functions as needed.
• Performing a variety of accounting tasks such as data entry into customized systems enterprise systems (EBS) providing information for the budgeting process preparing year-end accruals and interacting with customers and vendors to resolve complaints and concerns.
• Gather compile and prepare financial data statements reports.
• Review reports and documents for compliance with state and federal regulations contractual agreements and policies and procedures.
• Respond to and resolve customer service inquires that require a high degree of sensitivity tact and expertise in assigned area.

*The Department reserves the right to update change and assign additional duties in support of DPDs mission.*

Required Qualifications:

• One year of experience in payroll processing accounts payable and account reconciliation.
• The ability to travel throughout King County in a timely manner.
• PeopleSoft and Oracle EBS Financial System experience is extremely important as well as advanced problem-solving skills.

Knowledge of:

• Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) to ensure that accounting statements are accurate reliable and useful to those making decisions.
• Generally Accepted Auditing Standards (GAAS) to ensure the consistency and verifiability of financial audits.
• Evaluation and recommending internal controls to track achievement of reporting reliability efficiency of operations and compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
• Microsoft Office products including Excel Word Outlook and other software applications.

Ability to:

• Interpret collective bargaining agreements policies and procedures to ensure compliance.
• Provide clear information and directions to technical and non-technical staff to ensure instructions are understood.
• Provide effective and quality customer service.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing including the ability to understand and execute complex verbal and written instructions.
• Effectively and positively working within a team environment and ability to maintain professionalism in all situations.
• Organize prioritize and manage a demanding workload while consistently meeting short deadlines in a high-pressure environment with minimal supervision.
• Maintain confidentiality of sensitive financial and personnel matters and accurately maintain filing systems and complete filing in a timely manner.
• Take initiative and accountability in work products and service and the ability to follow-through on issues to completion.
• Be punctuality and dependable in daily attendance.

Desired Qualifications:

• A CPA designation.
• Demonstrated working experience in a law firm preferably public defense.
• Demonstrated working experience in a unionized environment.

WHY KING COUNTY

At King County our work is guided by our True North and values. Our True North is what we aspire to: Making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive.

King County offers great benefits to include a pension plan holidays transit pass plus training and education opportunities to promote growth and focus is to provide our employees with work life balance.

ARE YOU READY TO APPLY

This opportunity to join DPD is open to all qualified applicants. Please apply at be considered for this role submit the following items:

• Completed King County application.
• A current resume.
• Cover letter detailing your background and what you can bring to the Department of Public Defense in this role.

Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.

King County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely. The individual selected for this opportunity will join an innovative and progressive team that is redefining how we work as we transition to the departments hybrid environment. Employees will be provided with a County-issued laptop and must maintain a home workspace with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours.

DPD maintains physical offices in the following locations:

• Dexter Horton Building 710 Second Avenue Seattle
• Jefferson Street Building 1401 East Jefferson Seattle
• Meeker Street Building 420 West Harrison Street Kent