Senior Accounting Associate

Bellevue Utilities is a future-focused agile, and knowledgeable organization providing valued, sustainable services to the community, for current and future generations. Our mission is to actively support public health and safety, quality neighborhoods, and a healthy and sustainable environment and economy by effectively managing drinking water, wastewater, storm and surface water, and solid waste. 

 

We have an exciting opportunity for you as a Senior Accounting Associate. This position is essential for ensuring financial compliance, accuracy, and efficiency within the Utilities Department and its excellent financial, operational, regulatory, and reputational position. Summary of responsibilities include:

* Reviews routine finance/accounting transactions for accuracy, timeliness, and compliance.
* Prepares monthly invoices, reports, and reconciliations, including Utilities Taxes and Capital Recovery Charges.
* Manages Utilities agreements and accounts payable, ensuring compliance.
* Acts as a resource for problem identification and resolution, providing guidance to less experienced employees.
* Maintains spreadsheets, provides system support, and performs complex accounting tasks.

Senior Accounting Associate is expected to handle most situations independently, referring only those that are unique, unprecedented or controversial to a higher-level authority. In addition to general accounting tasks, incumbents at this level may be assigned additional job duties associated with special projects. This position is responsible for the following tasks:

* Reviews routine finance/accounting-related transactions, input/output and other materials such as records, reports, invoices, journal vouchers and ledgers for timeliness, completeness and reasonableness; validates accuracy of data and compliance with explicit internal requirements, coding conventions, procedures, and guidelines; identifies questionable and/or potentially non-compliant data/matters; initiates prompt action to correct/resolve independently where a standard course of action is clearly prescribed; seeks the assistance of more experienced employees in the handling of non-routine or precedent-setting matters.
* On a monthly basis prepares: Invoices, Lease payment adjustments, Utilities Taxes, Capital Recovery Charges (CRC) report, Direct Facility Connection Charges report, other reports, and various accounting reconciliations.
* Ensures Utilities tax compliance.
* Prepares various end of year accounting reports.
* Manages Utilities agreements with customers and agencies and monitors associated invoices and receivables.
* Responsible for processing Utilities accounts payable.
* Contacts internal and external customers in order to explain procedural requirements, question/validate data provided, gather additional information, request clarification/backup documentation, correct inaccuracies and/or to address other needs/issues prior (or subsequent) to the initiation of processing activities; follows-up to ensure pending issues are resolved; keeps supervisor informed of non-routine issues and recommendations made.
* Acts as a first-level problem identification and resolution resource, including answering the questions of less experienced employees, interpreting/applying technical and/or procedural guidelines and providing overall functional guidance; investigates questionable entries and recommends (or executes) effective corrective measures; may coordinate (or act as liaison) between functions/departments/branches as required to facilitate data-gathering or problem resolution.
* Responds to requests from internal/external auditors to locate and provide access to specific files and/or data as requested pursuant to audit activities.
* Sets up and maintains moderately complex PC spreadsheets for use in balancing and reconciling accounts, transactions, and related accounting operations.
* Provides system support such as maintaining integrity of files, updating reports, running periodic jobs and other activities of similar scope and complexity.
* Performs work assignments requiring considerable knowledge of internal standards and procedures such as review of expenses, multi-faceted reconciliations and special projects as requested; refers issues beyond scope of authority to supervisor.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED:

* This position reports to the Utilities Fiscal Manager.
* Work is typically unsupervised during execution, but end results are reviewed with some frequency.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND COMPETENCIES:

* Knowledge of:
* Content and application of accounting models as they relate to accounting procedures.
* Internal practices and guidelines as they relate to unique accounting procedures.
* Accounting fundamentals relating to debits/credits and their relationship to the General Ledger.
* Sources and availability of information relevant to the assigned function and the nature of questions typically received.
* Standards and practices for establishing and maintaining valid accounting documentation and a credible audit trail.
* State and/or local regulations affecting the assigned accounting function.
* Accounting practices relating to the proofing and balancing of accounts, transactions and/or data entry.
* Modern office procedures, practices, and equipment.


* Ability to:
* Apply effective oral communication skills to explain, clarify, and resolve non-routine issues.
* Balance/or and reconcile complex transactions, accounts, and/or data input relative to the assigned accounting function.
* Apply the knowledge and skills acquired in the role of Senior Associate to special projects requiring critical thinking, problem solving, and collaboration as part of a project team.
* Maintain current knowledge of the functionality, operation, and application of internal online systems sufficient to efficiently and effectively complete work assignments.
* Use automated systems and operate office equipment/software at an acceptable level of proficiency.
* Establish and maintain effective working relationships as required by job responsibilities.
* Gain and apply knowledge of daily operating procedures and internal standards, processes, and procedures as they relate to the assigned accounting function.
* Comply with documentation standards relative to the assigned accounting function.
* Skill in exchanging information with internal and external customers. Requires positive customer relations skills, business acumen, and customer relations attitude.



EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

* Graduation from a 2-year college or university program related to business or accounting.
* Four years of progressively responsible directly related work experience, with a minimum of one year at the Accounting Associate level or equivalent.
* Or, any equivalent combination of education and experience.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: 

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

* Work involves walking, talking, hearing, using hands to handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls and reach with hands and arms.
* Vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.
* The employee may be required to push, pull, lift, and/or carry up to 20 pounds.
* The noise level in the work environment is usually moderately quiet.

For questions regarding this position please contact Scott Pickard at spickard@bellevuewa.gov