Accounting Specialist

Days Off: Saturday & Sunday

Shift: Office Day

Insurance Benefits: Medical (no premiums/payroll deductions for employee coverage), Dental, Life, Long-term Disability

Other Benefits: Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Flexible Spending Account (FSA), ORCA card subsidy, Paid Time Off (34 days per year), Retirement Plan

About DESC:

Recognized nationally as an innovator and leader in developing solutions to homelessness, DESC is a social services organization, supportive housing operator, and licensed behavioral health treatment provider focused on meeting the needs of people experiencing long-term homelessness and living with complex behavioral health and other medical conditions. Approximately 3,000 people are actively receiving services from DESC at any given point in  time. Our vision is a community where all people are shown compassion, treated with dignity, and everyone has a safe, stable, and affordable place to call home.

DESC operates five shelter/emergency housing programs,19 permanent supportive housing facilities with over 1,750 units, several hundred additional scattered site apartments, and a range of behavioral health services including outpatient mental health and substance use disorder treatment, residential crisis stabilization, street outreach, mobile crisis response, and treatment for opioid use disorder.

JOB DEFINITION:

The Accounting Specialist works closely with the Accounting Manager and Contract Invoicing staff to support the agency's accounting operations through the preparation of contract billings, financial reconciliations, regulatory filings, and maintenance of accounting records. This position is responsible for performing a variety of recurring accounting, compliance, and administrative functions that support the accuracy, timeliness, and integrity of the agency's financial reporting and processes.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assists Accounting Manager and other accounting department staff with all aspects of maintaining accurate accounting and administrative records for the agency. 
• Responsible for assisting in the preparation of monthly contract invoices for submission to funders. 
• Performs monthly cash entries or bank reconciliations. 
• Prepare general ledger reconciliations, identify and develop resolutions for discrepancies.
• Submits Washington Secretary of State Annual Reports 
• Submits State B&O Tax 
• Maintains and updates the monthly accounting task tracker. 
• Compiles documentation requested by external auditors and funders.
• Maintains a working knowledge of DESC accounting department policies and procedures and general agency policies and procedures as applicable. 
• Assists Accounting Manager and Accountants in the preparation of various accounting reports. 
• Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• Associate's degree in accounting or equivalent experience.
• Three or more years of progressively responsible experience in business accounting or related nonprofit administrative experience.
• Knowledgeable in the total accounting system and well-established accounting clerical principles and techniques as relevant to the assigned duties.
• Computer experience; significant experience with spreadsheets and accounting software (Abila MIP) preferred.
• Careful attention to detail, and ability to work independently with a minimum of direct supervision.
• Willingness to be flexible and work cooperatively with co-workers to accomplish all responsibilities.
• Ability and desire to communicate and work effectively and appropriately with staff and vendors from various backgrounds and disciplines in person, on the phone, and via email.
• Ability to relate effectively to clients displaying a wide range of unpleasant and/or bizarre behaviors.
• Demonstrated respect for diversity and commitment to developing multicultural competency sensitivity.
• Subscribe to philosophy of cooperation and continuity across programs, and of consideration and respect for clients.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands 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.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee will be required to sit, communicate with other employees and vendors, is required to lift and carry items weighing up to 25 pounds and to operate computer hardware systems. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Considerable stress may occur.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:

DESC is committed to diversity in the workplace and promotes equal employment opportunities for all staff members and applicants. The Agency will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, creed, color, sex, gender, sexual orientation, age, national origin, caste, marital status, or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability in any employment practice, unless based on a bona fide occupational qualification. Minorities and veterans are encouraged to apply.