Accounting Technician (Long Term Temporary)

Job Summary

This position is open until filled; however, to ensure consideration applications should be submitted by May 3, 2024, at 4:30 p.m.  This is a full-time, Long Term Temporary position anticipated to last up to 24 months. Multiple vacancies may be filled from this job posting.
Join our team and make a meaningful impact in affordable housing.  

We are seeking an experienced individual to fill the role of Accounting Technician. As an important member of Finance, you will be responsible for a variety of accounting areas including, but not limited to, cash receipts, journal entries, bank reconciliations, and conducting payroll and accounts payable check runs. Your responsibilities will involve ensuring accuracy in financial transactions and contributing to process improvements. With your attention to detail, analytical and problem-solving skills, and ability to work both independently and collaboratively, you will help drive financial integrity and excellence within our organization. This position reports to the Accounting Manager, Finance, based at our Central Office in Tukwila, WA.

As a pivotal part of achieving KCHA's mission, our Finance Department is dedicated to collaborative work across the agency, ensuring timely and accurate financial data to support all housing programs and opportunities.

The King County Housing Authority

King County Housing Authority (KCHA), an independent municipal organization, is a high performing nationally recognized leader in affordable housing. To learn more about KCHA and our Mission visit this link. 

We transform lives through housing.  

Essential Functions

Key responsibilities of the Accounting Technician include: 

• Tracking banking statements and performing preliminary reconciliation tasks.
• Writing accounts payable and payroll checks and uploading Positive Pay.
• Managing records of accounting and finance documents.
• Depositing funds via remote banking or at off-site banks and tracking and preparing cash receipts entries for posting. 
• Preparing monthly state excise tax returns, scheduling payments, and reconciling related general ledger accounts.
• Assisting with Purchase Card administration and conducting reviews.
• Participating in ongoing training and cross-training opportunities.
• Providing backup support for other Accounting Technicians when necessary.
• Performing any other duties as assigned.

Other responsibilities of the Accounting Technician may include:

• Providing administrative, bookkeeping and accounting support by performing a wide variety of tasks including reconciliations, preparation of reports, processing of checks and direct deposits for Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Housing Assistance Payments and Utility Reimbursement Payments; uploading of ACH payment data to banking system and monitoring daily positive pay and exception items; processing stop payments and preparing void check requests.
• Recording HCV cash receipts and tenant retro payments; verifying the accuracy of payments and posting changes to tenant accounts; updating monthly retro worksheet; and preparing, printing, and mailing tenants’ retro statements.
• Reconciling HCV portability accounts receivable and issuing monthly statements to other housing authorities.
• Preparing monthly transactions, reconciliations, and adjustments related to the Public Housing Family Self-Sufficiency program.
• Responding to owners’ inquiries; providing property owners with a high degree of customer service by retrieving records and updating account information.
• Entering data into the general ledger system and checking for accuracy of entries; assisting with month-end and year-end closings in the Authority’s housing management software.

Qualifications and Competencies

Required Qualifications: 

• High School diploma or GED AND
• Considerable experience working with accounting data, OR
• An equivalent combination of experience and education that provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform this position's essential functions.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

• Demonstrates experience maintaining records (manual and electronic) and performing data entry with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.  
• Understands technical aspects of the position and continuously builds knowledge, keeping up to date on the substantive and procedural aspects of the position including, but not limited to:
  • Ability to interpret and explain applicable state and federal regulations, policies, and procedures. 
• Ability to think critically and creatively to interpret data and make conclusions; will question and search for answers; evaluates ideas and information and develops ideas that lead to action. 
• Strong organizational skills including prioritizing, ensuring accuracy, multi-tasking, and handling interruptions appropriately; ensuring assignments are completed in a timely and effective manner. 
• Clearly and effectively communicates both verbally and in writing by actively listening and sharing relevant information. 
• Exceptional customer service skills with the ability to place a high priority on professional excellence and manage stress appropriately. 
• Exercises independent judgment using analysis, experience, and perspective in solving problems or communicating decisions or actions. 
• Values diversity and possesses an understanding of multicultural and cultural competencies; ability to work effectively and positively with individuals of diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. 
• A collaborative team member with ability to develop effective working relationships; works cooperatively, exchanges ideas, and addresses issues in a constructive manner. 
• Demonstrates flexibility and openness to change and commitment to continuous improvement as part of a dynamic work environment; ability to handle multiple interruptions. 
• Proficiency in using MS Office programs, database software, and other analytical software programs. 

Special Requirements:

• Consent to and pass required assessments. 
• Consent to and pass credit and criminal records background check. 
• Position will require occasional travel off-site for KCHA business needs.

Position Information and Application Process

Application Requirements: 
To be considered for this opportunity, you must: 

• Complete the online application profile in its entirety. 
• Upload a cover letter that addresses how your experience and education qualifies you to perform the essential functions listed in the job announcement. (Cover Letter) 
• Upload a detailed résumé of all educational and professional experiences. (Résumé)

Salary & Benefits:
The starting salary range for this position is $28.76 - $35.22 hourly dependent on qualifications and professional experience. The complete salary range for this position is $28.76 - $41.69 hourly. Performance-based merit increase opportunities and Cost of Living Adjustments (COLA) are reviewed annually. A comprehensive health care benefits package for you and your dependents includes medical, dental and vision insurance, life and long-term disability insurance plans, vacation, sick and personal leave, tuition reimbursement, and retirement benefits are also available. For more details regarding KCHA comprehensive benefits, please visit our benefits page.  
 
Work Environment: 
After initial onboarding, this position will have the opportunity to work remotely up to 60% in accordance with the KCHA's flexible work arrangements; however, remote work conditions will be reviewed on a regular basis based on business and program need. Employees must reside in Washington State and the ability to report to the Central Office in Tukwila will be required. Some local and domestic travel may be required to support KCHA business needs. 

Physical Requirements:
Incumbent(s) must be able to meet the physical requirements of the classification and have mobility, balance, coordination, vision, hearing and dexterity levels appropriate to the functions performed. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.   
 This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 25 pounds of force; work regularly requires sitting, using hands to finger, handle or feel and repetitive motions, frequently requires speaking or hearing and occasionally requires standing, walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling, reaching with hands and arms and pushing or pulling; work has standard vision requirements; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word and conveying detailed or important instructions to others accurately, loudly or quickly; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels and to receive detailed information through oral communications and/or to make fine distinctions in sound; work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, operating machines and operating motor vehicles or equipment; work has no exposure to environmental conditions; work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office, light traffic).

Equal Opportunity: 
King 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.