Senior Accountant

Salary : $90,812.80 - $116,958.40 Annually
Location : Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department, WA
Job Type: Regular
Job Number: 2025-0080
Division: Administrative Services
Program: Admin - Business Support Services
Opening Date: 10/10/2025

Job Summary
Are you highly skilled in accounting and looking for a position utilizing your government accounting experience? Do you have a high attention to detail and skill in auditing financial work? If this sounds like you, we invite you to apply for our Senior Accountant position within our Business Support Services program. This is a Regular, Full-Time (1.0 FTE) position. We value the growth and development of our team members. As such, we will prioritize internal candidates for this role to support career advancement within the organization. However, we remain committed to selecting the best candidate for the position. This position has a start date of 1/5/2026.

Some of what you'll do:

• Maintain Month-end closing process.
• Monthly Financial Report.
• Assist with annual audits.
• Monitor long-term assets and liabilities.
• Monitor accuracy of grant revenues and expenses.
• Provide accurate financial data and analysis to program staff.
• Assure compliance with Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards
• Prepare annual Schedule of Expenditures of Financial Awards (SEFA).
• Assist with special project requests.
• Act as backup for Accounting Manager.
• Acts as a resource for accounting staff on accounts payable, accounts receivable, cashiering, account reconciliation, monitoring of expenditures, payroll, and other accounting functions. Interprets established policies, procedures, and guidelines and conducts research of rules, regulations, policies, and procedures for unusual issues and situations.
• Ensure accurate and timely accounting of expenses and revenue, including for grants. Track grant revenue and expenditures and monitor against budgeted amounts.
• Create and manage grant projects used in the timecard system.
• Perform monthly and quarterly billings of all Department grant agreements.
• Compile, prepare, and analyze financial data, statements, and reports, including the general ledger, and transactions affecting the budget. Includes accompanying explanatory notes in accordance with GAAP, GAAS, and federal, state, and local requirements.
• Forecast fiscal needs and commitments. Develop long-term planning documents. Develop cash projections and trends for revenues, expenses, and capital outlay.
• Serves as internal auditor to reduce areas of risk and ensure adherence to financial policies and procedures. May serve as liaison between State and Federal auditors.
• Participates in the annual budget preparation process and provides insight into budget management and expense tracking. Develops information to support budget process.
• Maintains up-to-date knowledge of relevant regulations and public health sector accounting principles.
• Provide guidance to management and staff in other departments regarding financial issues and compliance. Provides training and assistance related to accounting services and policies governing financial transactions.
• Perform a variety of accounting tasks such as oversight of general ledger reconciliation, review of initial entries and documentation, and posting of entries.
• Provides reports to explain variances and opportunities for improvement.
• Acts as an advisor for the development and implementation of new accounting systems, new accounting modules, or modifications to the existing system. Oversees updates to accounting systems, ensuring updates are timely and accurate.
• Develop and recommend improvements in accounting records management, policies, procedures, and the financial management system to improve internal controls and ensure compliance with GAAP, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, and local, state, and federal law.
• Reconciles financial accounts in accordance with the State BARS accounting system, GAAP, and other regulatory requirements.
• Ensures accurate and organized financial records and documentation are kept. Regularly reviews documentation for accuracy and compliance.
• Prepare specialized reports. Conduct research to justify fiscal requests/needs.
• Support the Accounting Manager in managing the monthly and yearly accounting cycles. Performs month and year end close out processes.
• This work might require you to participate in the Title XIX Medicaid Claiming Program.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

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What you bring to the table

Knowledge, skills, and abilities

• Proficient use of systems software, financial and spreadsheet software and computers.
• Demonstrates broad understanding of principles of financial and resource management; sets priorities and assists with the Department budget; effectively allocates staff and other resources to meet objectives in a cost-effective and timely manner.
• Establishes and sustains the highest standards of quality; inspires and motivates others to meet those standards; consistently reassesses processes to assure quality standards are met.
• Identifies, analyzes and develops recommendations to resolve problems of effectiveness and efficiency of program operations. Recognizes and defines problems; analyzes relevant information, encourages innovative solutions and develops plan to solve problems.
• Manages one's own time and the time of others to promote efficiency in the completion of work activities; supports employee efforts to prioritize tasks during heavy work periods.
• Displays respect for cultural differences; Develops and promotes a diverse and inclusive workforce; leads effectively while valuing differences.
• Helps others to fulfill their potential by providing advice, encouragement, and the necessary resources based on knowledge and experience. Provides or allows access to formal and informal learning opportunities designed to improve employees' skills and enhance their contributions to the organization. Understands and incorporates various learning styles; takes steps to create a culture of continuous learning.
• Behaves appropriately in all situations; demonstrates a commitment to organizational and national interests above personal interest.
• Focuses efforts on discovering and meeting the needs and expectations of the customer. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, contractors, vendors, buyers, other government personnel, State and Federal auditors to provide quality seamless customer service.
• Persuades others and builds consensus through a process of give and take; gains cooperation from others to obtain information and accomplish goals; facilitates win/win situations.
• Serves as a positive agent for changes in the organization's structural assignment, climate or operational processes. Ensures effective implementation of required changes.
• Communicates clearly and convincingly to individuals and groups, both orally and in writing; listens effectively; clarifies information as needed; asks questions designed to deepen understanding; facilitates an open exchange of ideas between employees at all levels of the organization.
• Makes clear and effective oral presentations to individuals and groups; Utilizes effective presentation skills supported by appropriate visual aids.
• Facilitates meetings to achieve desired outcomes; employs techniques to ensure that meetings remain focused, enabling the team to accomplish objectives in a timely manner.

Job Specific Technical Skills:

• Knowledge of professional government accounting principles, practices, theories, and concepts to include compliance with GAAP, GASB and other reporting and disclosure requirements.
• Knowledge of laws, rules and regulations governing accounting and budgeting procedures and practices in government operations.
• Knowledge of Washington State BARS; Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards; Schedule of expenditures of Federal Award preparation.
• Methods and techniques of grant administration and grant audits.
• Ability to analyze complex and technical problems, draw conclusions, and recommend changes to policies and procedures.
• Ability to formulate and install standard and special accounting and budgeting methods, procedures, forms and records.
• Ability to set up funds and initiate journal entries between funds.
• Ability to perform routine fiscal and program analysis and make appropriate recommendations to supervisors.

Who should apply

• Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business Management.
• Four years of progressively responsible specific government accounting and auditing experience.

We will consider any equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the necessary qualifications to successfully perform the duties of the position.

Preferred:

• Washington State Certified Public Accountant (CPA), CMA, CIA, CPP, or FPC (King County).

Working Conditions & Physical Requirements

• Work environment
  • Work is performed almost exclusively indoors in an office environment. Exposure to hazards is limited to those commonly found in office environments.
• Physical demands
  • Regularly required to sit or stand continuously.
  • Regularly communicate clearly in-person, over the phone, and via written communication.
  • Maintain concentration and attention for extended periods of time.
  • Capable of reading physical and electronic documents and working for prolonged periods on a computer monitor.
  • Fine motor skills sufficient to grip and manipulate paper, operate a telephone, and operate a computer mouse and keyboard.
  • Reaching and gross manipulation capabilities sufficient to pick up and use standard office supplies.
  • This position may require lifting, carrying, pulling, or moving objects up to 10 pounds consistently, 20 pounds frequently, and exerting up to 30 pounds of force occasionally.
• Tools and equipment
  • Duties require the use of standard office furniture and equipment (e.g., desk, filing cabinet, computer, printer, telephone, copy machine, etc.)
• Travel
  • Occasional travel may be required, and is typically local or regional, to meet with clients, conduct business, or attend training.
• Emergencies
  When public health responds to an emergency you may be assigned duties that are outside your regular job description. This may involve responding at any time, including nights and weekends, with possible deployment to locations other than the department.
  
  for more details on reasonable accommodations, safety, risk management and more.

Benefits
Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department offers an excellent pay and benefits package, combined with the opportunity to provide innovative Public Health services to our community, making this a rewarding place to work

Salary: Salary ranges are listed on the job announcement and are based on the unique skills, education, and experience for the position. Salary offers are typically made at the starting pay step and are reviewed annually. You will get an annual cost-of-living adjustment that increases the salary range as well as an annual step increase on your anniveristy date. All salary offers are subject to administrative approval.

Medical, Vision, and Dental Insurance: The Department pays a significant portion of these premiums for employees, their spouse or domestic partner, and dependent children, with an FTE of .80 or greater. Employees with an FTE between .50 and .80 pay a pro-rated portion of their premiums. Medical, vision and dental coverage begins the first day of the month following date of hire.*

Life Insurance: The Department provides a term Life Insurance policy equal to the employee's annual salary, up to a maximum of $50,000.* Affordable voluntary, spouse, and dependent life insurance is also available.

Long Term Disability Insurance (LTD): The Department provides a base LTD policy which provides 40% income replacement for participants who are unable to work due to illness or injury for greater than 180 days. Buy-Up LTD is available at group rates and provides 60% income replacement to participants who are unable to work due to illness or injury for greater than 90 days.

Retirement: Eligible employees participate in the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System (TERS). TERS is a defined retirement benefit plan funded by both the employee and the Department. We also have a 457 Deferred Compensation retirement program available which allows individuals to set aside a portion of their income on a tax deferred basis.

Additional Benefits include: Generous paid vacation**, sick, personal, and holiday leave**, Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA), Employee Assistance Program, On-site Fitness Center, Commute Trip Reduction program, Worksite Wellness Program, Direct Deposit; Service Awards, Safety Program / Rewards, Executive Benefits Plan and more.

*Temporary Employees (hired for greater than 2 months): The Department provides medical, dental, and vision benefits, $12,000 base life insurance effective the first of the month following 2 months of employment. **Paid vacation, sick leave and holiday leave accrual begin following 6 months of temporary employment.

Please Note:

• There may be restrictions to the above benefit programs or policies not listed. The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provisions contained herein may be modified and/or revoked without notice.
• Employee pay is distributed through Direct Deposit. For this reason, employees are required to have an open checking or savings account, at their choice of banking institutions, upon employment.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. For assistance, contact our Office of Human Resources/Risk Management at or (253) 649-1660.
01

This position requires graduation from a four-year college with a major or specialization in accounting AND four years professional accounting experience, or the equivalent in training and experience. Please indicate how you meet this requirement.

• Master's Degree in Accounting or CPA, or Master's in a closely related field and two or more years relevant experience.
• Bachelor's Degree in Accounting or closely related field and four or more years relevant experience.
• Associate's Degree in Accounting or closely related field and six or more years relevant experience.
• Less than Associates Degree in Accounting and eight or more years progressively responsible accounting experience.
• I don't meet this requirement.

02

Please describe your experience in government accounting and how you meet the requirements for this position. If you do not have this experience, please indicate n/a.
03

Do you have experience in the month-end closing process and reporting?

• Yes
• No

04

Please describe your experience in the month-end closing process and reporting. If you do not have this experience, please indicate NA.
05

Do you have experience monitoring, reviewing, and analyzing grant financials?

• Yes
• No

06

Please describe your experience monitoring, reviewing, and analyzing grant financials. If you do not have this experience, please indicate N/A.
07

Do you have knowledge of government financial practices and governmental accounting principles, theories, and concepts to include compliance with GAAP, GASB and other reporting and disclosure requirements?

• Yes
• No

08

Please describe your knowledge of government financial practices and governmental accounting principles, theories, and concepts to include compliance with GAAP, GASB and other reporting and disclosure requirements. If you do not have this experience, please indicate N/A.
09

Do you have work experience in a public sector environment?

• Yes
• No

10

Describe your accounting experience in public sector organizations. Focus on your roles and responsibilities in grant accounting at each organization. If you do not have this experience, please indicate N/A.
Required Question

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