Senior Accounting Analyst

GENERAL SUMMARY:

Shoreline is an inclusive City that endeavors to build a work culture which embraces diversity, encourages participation, and promotes equity.

We are seeking a Senior Accounting Analyst to provide timely, relevant, and accurate financial reporting, management reporting, and ad-hoc financial analysis. The ideal candidate will possess a high attention to detail, good interpersonal skills and be able to stay organized while juggling multiple responsibilities. This role resides in the Financial Operations division of the City of Shoreline where we strive to maintain a friendly environment with a good work-life balance and high standards of performance.

DEFINITION:

To assist in the oversight and protection of the City's financial resources; maintain and control accounting records, an ensure that the City's financial transactions are recorded in a timely, accurate and efficient manner; analyze accounts and prepare financial statements; audit financial records; Enhance accounting system(s) processes and functionality to assure that the City is in compliance with GAAP, BARS, State laws and regulations, and department policies. This position receives limited instruction or assistance and is expected to research and make recommendations for new or unusual situations as they arise. The incumbent is responsible for evaluating and recommending operating procedures and policies of the work and utilization of the Financial System to meet these objectives. They are responsible for training end users as appropriate. The Senior Accounting Analyst is distinguished from the staff accounting position by the requirement for an increased level of knowledge and application of accounting principles and accounting software and technical tools to develop automated processes.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED:

Receives limited supervision from assigned supervisory or management staff.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES:

ESSENTIAL AND MARGINAL FUNCTIONS:

Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Essential Functions:

Function as a member of the financial operations team and work closely with management and department colleagues to implement sound processes and accomplish day to day activities of the division.

1. System & Process Development and Oversight

• Develop, maintain and apply knowledge of current and emerging automated accounting system technologies, financial laws, regulations, and accounting standards and develop processes and methods to ensure efficient compliance with applicable laws, rules, and procedures.
• Maximize use of enterprise accounting system and tools to improve accounting processes. Responsible for developing, implementing and maintaining the City's Chart of Accounts in the automated accounting system to ensure the accuracy of financial reporting in accordance with BARS, GAAP, and GASB, including contributing to overall system security design to ensure adequate internal controls. Monitor system integrity through account reconciliations, monitoring of system logs, and routine reporting.
• Define and configure accounting reports using the City's financial system or standard reporting tools. Coordinate with IT staff in implementing and enhancing the application and processes to improve functionality of the system and usability of the data.
• Evaluates and implements system functionality to automate or streamline processes while ensuring appropriate internal controls are maintained. Assist in the installation and testing of new releases, upgrades, and fixes.
• Ensure that integration between all financial operations and subsidiary (payroll, AP, Procurement, Grants, cash receipting, etc.) is functioning and provides adequate internal control to protect the City's resources and ensure accurate financial reporting. Act as a resource to other areas of the department supporting analysis of accounting related data.

2. Financial Reporting

• Prepare the City's annual financial statements and other required supplementary schedules including notes to the financial statements; assist in the preparation of the Management Discussion and Analysis.
• Prepare quarterly investment reports.
• Provide information to the state auditor and respond to auditor inquiries.
• Support creation of quarterly monitoring report and other reporting/monitoring requirements

3. Transaction Processing and User Support

• Troubleshoot errors in accounting-related systems, to include identifying the root cause of the problem and recommending solutions and/or preventative measures.
• Assure that input data is properly prepared, documented and processed for various ledgers, journals and other reports.
• Record all tax and shared revenue received via electronic transfer; prepare monthly sales and Business and Occupation tax returns and payments to the state.
• Prepare adjusting journal entries to general ledger, special ledgers, and other fiscal records to reflect accurate accounting and distribution of income and expenses to appropriate accounts.
• Manage cash and investments; monitor bank balances, reconcile cash balances, transfer funds, solicit investment bids, monitor investment rates and earnings.
• Reconcile accounts and adjust irregularities.
• Perform research and make recommendations to appropriate personnel; provide city-wide guidance on appropriate internal controls.
• Prepare or provide necessary documentation or explanations of accounting records for audits by various agencies.
• Maintain City fixed asset and small and attractive asset records and systems.
• Reconcile monthly bank statements.

MARGINAL FUNCTIONS:

Participate in department and city-wide teams and work groups

Perform related tasks and responsibilities as required

QUALIFICATIONS:

Knowledge of:

• Advanced knowledge of integrated automated financial systems
• Generally accepted accounting principles.
• Methods and techniques of professional accounting.
• Principles and procedures of financial record keeping and reporting for municipalities. Operational characteristics of computerized financial reporting programs.
• Applicable computer software applications.
• Pertinent Federal, State and local codes, laws and regulations.

Ability to:

• Participate and work effectively in an organization committed to advancing principles and practices of equity and anti-racism.
• Prepare annual financial reports, documents, memoranda, notes and performs the annual closing of financial activities. Perform special projects, financial analyses and research records as needed.
• Organize and prioritize assignments to achieve maximum efficiency and to meet deadlines. Prepare clear and concise accounting reports.
• Summarize and communicate complex financial information to a variety of audiences. Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Work well under pressure.
• Exercise sound and ethical judgment in the decision-making process.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Foster a climate that encourages fairness, respect, and inclusiveness

Experience and Training:

Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience:

• Four years of increasingly responsible accounting experience, with at least one year of local or government experience

Training:

• Equivalent to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in finance, business administration, accounting or a related field.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:

Conditions Of Employment:

• All candidates will be required to establish employment authorization and identity at the time of hire. The City is not able to sponsor work visas.
• All positions require the completion of references checks, including at least one prior supervisor.

Application Process:

• To demonstrate skills and interest, please complete the application and provide answers to the Supplemental Questions which will help us determine your qualifications for the job. (This application does not allow for attachments.)

Employees Working Remotely:

• The City has implemented a remote work policy that will allow staff to work up to three remote days a week. Full-time remote work is not an option. Once hired, employees must reside in the State of Washington.

Environmental Conditions:

• Office environment with occasional travel from site to site for attendance at meetings; extensive exposure to computer screens; extensive contact with City Staff.

Physical Conditions:

• Essential and marginal functions may require walking, standing or sitting for prolonged periods of time; hearing and speaking to exchange information with all levels of staff; near visual acuity for reading numerical figures and other applicable materials; dexterity of hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard.

Applicants with disabilities who require assistance with the application or interview process will be accommodated to the extent reasonably possible. To request an accommodation, please call 206-801-2243.