Senior Staff Accountant

Pierce County Housing Authority • Tacoma, WA, United States • $200k - $250k / year • 3w ago

REPORTS TO: Finance Director

SALARY RANGE: $70,000- $90,000/yr
PCHA Benefits Package

SHIFT/SCHEDULE: Salary, Exempt
Non-Union

The Pierce County Housing Authority (PCHA) is a self-supporting public body enterprise created by Pierce County's Board of Supervisors (now County Council) in 1978 according to State statute (RCW35.82). The mission of the Pierce County Housing Authority is to provide safe, decent, affordable housing and economic opportunity free from discrimination. PCHA currently operates 121 HUD Public Housing units, administers approximately 3,003 HUD Section 8/HCV program vouchers, and an Enterprise Portfolio comprising approximately 670 apartment units in 8 communities.

BASIC FUNCTION

The Senior Staff Accountant is an exempt, non-union position in the Finance Department of Pierce County Housing Authority. The Senior Staff Accountant position will be considered the direct designee of the Finance Director and serve in their capacity when they are absent and will include supervisory responsibilities for other Finance staff. Under general administration of the Director of Finance, the Senior Staff Accountant is responsible for performing a variety of professional level accounting duties involving the preparation, maintenance and control of funds, including allocation of income and expense, posting of funds, analysis of programs and accounts, and development of financial statements and budgets.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Perform a variety of professional-level accounting duties in the preparation, maintenance and control of funds, including allocation of income and expense, expense and appropriation transfers, analysis of programs and accounts, and the development of financial statements and reports.
Interpret and analyze financial results to determine business trends with challenges and opportunities.
Research, compile, analyze and input financial data for preparation of State reporting documents; suggest, develop and revise procedures in accordance with HUD and PCHA requirements.
Analyze records and documentation of transactions and monitor and control expenditures for assigned accounts to assure expenditures and income are allocated to proper accounts; perform expenditure monitoring to assure compliance with budget authorization and limitations.
Audit financial data and documents to assure accuracy, completeness and compliance with policies and procedures and applicable HUD and other governmental regulations.
Reconcile and balance assigned accounts and financial statements; record financial transactions; maintain journals and ledgers.
Cooperate and communicate with PCHA personnel, vendors, department directors and other program personnel to resolve problems, correct errors, obtain authorizations and exchange information.
Answer questions and provide a variety of information and assistance regarding budget balances, accounting transactions and related information; provide technical expertise and direction to resolve complex accounting issues and questions; coordinate activities with other departments.
Maintain, compile, audit, consolidate and analyze financial data and reports; prepare and maintain mandated periodic and annual financial statistical reports as requested or required; prepare and maintain detailed and comprehensive records related to assigned accounts.
Prepare a variety of lender, investor, County, State and HUD financial reports; gather, compile, post, balance and summarize accounting data; assemble and prepare financial reports, summaries and other materials for the Board and management as requested.
Prepare quarterly financial reports for the fund; assist Finance and Administration staff and directors with quarterly financial reviews with the related fund; prepare forecast for the fund.
Conduct research and prepare special studies as requested or required; answer questions and provide information and assistance regarding a variety of accounting, budgeting and funding regulations, requirements and issues; analyze financial accounting data and make appropriate recommendations; assist budget personnel with the development, establishment and monitoring of the fund budgets.
Review financial record-keeping procedures and methods; recommend improvements or new procedures; implement new procedures and techniques and assure efficiency and compliance with generally accepted accounting principles and policies and applicable government regulations.
Provide assistance and develop complex support documentation for external auditors as needed; prepare required reports and answer auditor's questions and explain variances.
Participate in the development and implementation of goals, work plans, performance measures, and continuous improvement of service delivery to assist in attaining the unit/program/department initiatives and goals, agency core strategies, and mission through a spirit of service, teamwork and respect.
Attend required training and safety meetings; use, maintain and replace assigned personal protective equipment; report all injuries and illnesses to supervisor immediately; complete and submit incident/accident reports as required; report hazardous conditions or unsafe work practices to supervisor; and follow all safety and health guidelines, practices, policies and procedures, and actively support and participate in Emergency Preparedness tasks.
Operate a personal computer and various software packages to enter, audit, record and analyze financial data; assist in developing accounting forms and report formats.
Prepare financial statements according to GAAP for limited partnerships under the tax credit programs to be submitted to the financial institutions electronically.
Perform bond compliance audit and prepare and file necessary reports to meet the bond regulatory requirements.
Oversee employees, provide feedback, develop schedules and assign tasks to ensure proper workflow.
Ensure PCHA complies with local and national regulations and law.
Serve in the capacity of Finance Director when the Finance Director is absent, and as a liaison between employees and senior management.
Perform related duties as assigned by the Finance Director.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

Commitment to the mission of serving the public by providing affordable housing opportunities.
Comprehensive knowledge of generally accepted accounting and auditing principles, practices and procedures.
Financial, statistical and fiscal record-keeping principles.
Preparation and maintenance of comprehensive accounting and budgetary records.
Financial reporting procedures.
Data processing applications to accounting and auditing functions related to database management, electronic spreadsheets and word processing.
Comfort in a role that requires managing processes, analyzing and disseminating information, verbal communication, and occasional public speaking.
Must be able to maintain a high level of production and professionalism under a variety of conditions.
Perform a variety of technical accounting duties in the preparation, maintenance and control of financial records.
Maintain and prepare periodic and annual reports.
Prepare a variety of financial reports and projections.
Maintain and audit fiscal records and accounts.
Assure compliance with applicable policies, procedures and governmental regulations.
Balance accounts and reconcile financial statements.
Interpret and apply rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
Plan and organize work.
Operate a variety of office equipment and machines including computers, copier, printer, etc.
Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others.
Analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action.
Work independently with little direction.
Meet schedules and timelines.
Compile, analyze and record financial and statistical data.
Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
Work respectfully and courteously with staff, residents and the general public.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION: Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Business Administration required; however, four additional years of directly relevant experience may be considered in lieu of the required degree.
EXPERIENCE: At least five (5) years of increasingly responsible professional experience in the preparation and maintenance of financial and statistical records.
LICENSES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS: Valid Washington Driver's License with an insurable driving record. Consent to and pass criminal record background check in accordance with position requirements, including but not limited to HUD guidelines.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Working knowledge of Public Housing and use of Yardi software.
At least two (2) years of supervisory responsibilities.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, as well as negotiation, problem-solving, outcome measurement and analysis skills.
Mission-driven experience with a focus on serving the public.
Must demonstrate high degree of integrity, ethics, and respect for others.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work is performed in an office environment. The incumbent will use standard office equipment including personal computers, telephones, copiers, and related equipment.
WORK SCHEDULE: Keep office hours sufficient to serve the public and manage staff; Monday through Thursday (10-hour shifts), or Monday through Friday (8-hour shifts), and some weekends and holidays if the need arises.
Sitting or standing for extended periods of time.
Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard and calculator.
Seeing to read various data both on paper and computer screen. Accommodations can be made as necessary for individuals with visual impairments.
Bending at the waist to retrieve materials.
May include lifting up to 50 lbs.
HAZARDS: Contact with dissatisfied or abusive individuals.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

Pierce County Housing Authority is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status, or any other protected classes in local, state, or federal employment laws.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS AND PROCESS

Submit both a cover letter and resume. The cover letter needs to address how your experience and education and/or training qualifies you to perform the essential functions listed in the job announcement.
Resume should detail all education and experience that qualifies you for this position.
SUBMIT: Email cover letter and resume as attachments to HumanResources@pchawa.org with SUBJECT Line of "Senior Staff Accountant– Your Last Name, Your First Name" OR mail to:

Human Resources
603 South Polk Street, Bldg. C
Tacoma, WA 98444