Accounting Specialist

Position Info:

• Position will remain open for a minimum of 5 days, current PSE-OP members must apply within 5 days of posting date to be guaranteed consideration for position.
• Salary listed is based on the 2025-2026 salary schedule and will be updated to reflect the 2026-2027 salary schedule upon board approval.

Benefit Info:

• *Benefits offered: •Medical, Dental, Vision, Prescription (SEBB) •Long-Term Disability Insurance •Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance and Life Insurance •Retirement •Sick, personal, and bereavement leave •Health Reimbursement Arrangement (VEBA) •Employee Assistance Program. *Optional Benefits: •Additional life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance •Deferred compensation •Annuities (403(b), Roth) •Medical flexible spending arrangement •Limited purpose flexible spending arrangement •Dependent care assistance program

TITLE:                   Accounting Specialist

REPORTS TO:         Chief Financial Officer

POSITION SUMMARY

The Accounting Specialist is responsible for performing a variety of financial department functions while assisting the Chief Financial Officer in monitoring the over-all accounting and budgeting of District funds in accordance with District policies and procedures as well as State and Federal requirements for school district accounting. Additional responsibilities include directing and providing guidance for fiscal staff, providing exemplary customer service, and consistently projecting a professional and positive image of the office and the District.

QUALIFICATIONS

Essential Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, business management or related field OR an Associate’s degree or equivalent in accounting/business; AND at least five (5) years’ of recent experience in budget, accounting, payroll or related work, preferably in a public school district setting. Experience beyond the five (5) year requirement that provides the required knowledge, skill, and ability may substitute for all or part of the degree requirement at the District’s discretion.
• Valid Washington State driver’s license or evidence of mobility

Special Requirements:

• Successful Washington State Patrol and Federal Bureau of Investigation fingerprint clearance
• I-9 employment eligibility in compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act
• HIV/HBV training (obtain within 60 days of hire date – District provided)
• Human Resources new hire training (obtain within 60 days of hire date – District provided)

Knowledge and Skills:

• Demonstrated knowledge of school district (preferred) accounting principles, reconciliations, and record keeping
• Ability to calculate figures and amounts, such as discounts, proportions, percentages and totals and to apply concepts of basic mathematics
• Skills in the use of office software programs and automated database accounting systems, preferably WSIPC, Skyward, or Qmlativ software programs
• Skill to read and interpret rules and laws and apply them with good judgment in a variety of situations
• Ability to maintain a collaborative environment with frequent changes in priorities and interruptions
• Ability to handle confidential matters, maintain high standards of professionalism, ability to present and communicate effectively in verbal and written form, with the public, District staff, parents, and others
• Ability to compose, edit, and format documents with correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation
• Ability and willingness to engage in professional development, and continuous improvement processes
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students and staff
• Ability to perform duties with awareness of District requirements and Board policies
• Proactive communication abilities

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

The list of position responsibilities are not exhaustive and may be supplemented as necessary.

• Monitor accounting and budgeting for the General Fund, Associated Student Body (ASB) Fund, Capital Projects, Debt Service Fund, Transportation Vehicle Fund, and Trust Funds
• Provide knowledgeable guidance for staff in the production of (and serve as a back-up when needed) purchase orders, audit and payment of procurement card transactions, invoices, expense and travel claims, issuance of warrants, reports for board approval, grant claims, receipting, depositing, and other accounting duties and tasks.
• Audit daily cash transmittals from buildings, receipt payments made at district office and online (PayPal) and make daily deposits at the bank. Accurately track and prepare weekly transmittal documentation to move deposits from bank to county treasurer.
• Manage Banking business by keeping signers on accounts current and ordering banking supplies
• Prepare month-end and year-end journal entries, and oversee journal entries prepared by other staff
• Assist in monitoring compliance with procurement, purchasing, bid and quote requirements
• Assist in maintaining an extensive and detailed chart of accounts for revenues, expenditures, and balance sheet accounts
• Prepare department and school budgets, and help work with program administrators to track and maintain budgets, including projected costs, budget transfers/increases, and special cost budgets
• Generate various spreadsheets and computerized reports from District financial software systems, using queries, and different selection criteria for individualized data
• Know and follow District policies and procedures, as well as state and federal requirements for school district accounting
• Help interface with the annual audit process, assist in evaluations of internal controls, and periodically conduct internal audits, making recommendations for improvements where appropriate
• Update business practices, procedures, and provide guidance to schools and departments
• Initiate, and help plan and conduct meetings for the purpose of providing technical assistance or training, for accounting and financial related policies, regulatory compliance, and collaborating on job responsibilities
• Provide records for audit or public records requests, and apply appropriate retention and disposal requirements over financial services department records
• Use Microsoft Office products such as Word and Excel, Skyward, EDS, Google Docs, BoardDocs, email/calendaring etc.
• Take initiative towards work tasks and projects and participate in fostering a collaborative team work setting
• Provide office coverage and timely customer service in person, by telephone, and email
• Demonstrate professionalism through punctuality and minimal absences

PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS

The physical/mental requirements described are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job and may be supplemented as necessary.

This position involves extensive work at a computer display terminal, is regularly required to sit, and occasionally required to walk, move about, or stand. The employee will frequently bend or twist at the neck and trunk; reach and perform repetitive motions, use the hands to handle, finger, or feel objects, tools, or controls while performing the duties of this job.

Additional physical requirements include the following:

• Physically capable of frequently lifting or moving 10 to 20 pounds
• Specific vision requirements include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to focus
• Manual dexterity for the purpose of using a telephone and data entry
• Read a computer screen and printed material with or without vision aids
• Hear and understand speech at normal levels and on the telephone
• Speak in audible tones so that others may understand clearly in person

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable a person with a disability to perform the essential functions of the job.  

EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS

This position is part of the PSE-OP group. The position will work a schedule of 260 days. Salary and benefits as determined by the current salary schedule. Employee is required to complete all mandatory district training by specified deadlines.

EVALUATION PROCEDURES

Performance shall be evaluated annually according to Board and administrative policies and procedures.

Created:        May 5, 2020

Revised:        October 15, 2020

Updated:        January, 2021