Accountant, Senior - Human Resources

City of Seattle; Seattle (WA); Hybrid; USD 66,000 - 77,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Language Premium Pay

Job summary

The City of Seattle is seeking a Senior Accountant to join Seattle Human Resources, bringing deep GAAP knowledge, strong Excel skills, and CPA readiness to support financial operations with the City’s accounting standards.

Responsibilities include journal research, complex reporting, reconciliations, and developing internal controls while collaborating across departments in a hybrid work environment with in-office three days per week.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting with 24 sem hours/36 quarter credits in accounting (no substitutions).
• Three years of professional experience in general or governmental accounting.
• Alternate pathways: Associate degree with 4 years experience or Master’s with 2 years experience; CPA certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Research, analyze, prepare, and review journals for transactions following GAAP, GASB, and City guidelines.
• Review team members' work for compliance with procedures and reporting requirements.
• Prepare complex financial reports, statements, and schedules (fund reports, etc.).
• Perform reconciliations monthly/quarterly/annual; reconcile data across systems.
• Identify and resolve issues with invoices, payments, refunds, etc. from multiple data sources.
• Develop, modify internal accounting controls, procedures, and standards.
• Conduct month-end and year-end reconciliations and adjust journals.
• Develop and implement accounting systems and financial controls.
• Perform technical accounting research and analyze variances.
• Assist management with interpretation of fiscal policies and controls.
• Identify and resolve problems; participate in special projects.

Skills

GAAP

GASB

FASB

Advanced Excel

CPA

Strong communication

Analytical skills

Process improvement

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting

Associate degree in Accounting

Master's degree in Accounting

Tools

Workday

PeopleSoft

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

The City of Seattle believes in the diversity of our people, ideas, and experiences and is committed to building an inclusive culture that is representative of the community we serve. Seattle Human Resources (SHR) provides services for our diverse workforce to ensure employees are recruited equitably, managed fairly, are well-trained, supported, and assigned job duties to accomplish City’s goals. We constantly pursue excellence to best meet the needs of our clients and ensure we are taking care of the City's greatest asset: its people. We are looking for a Senior Accountant to join our team with these values in mind.

Your top 3 priorities in this role will be:

• Ensuring continuity and accuracy of financial operations
• Maintaining compliance and financial controls
• Effectively managing cash flow, payables, and receivables

Your responsibilities will include:

• Researching, analyzing, preparing, and reviewing journals for financial transactions within the established guidelines of the Department/City and according to generally accepted accounting practices, procedures, and methods
• Reviewing the work of team members to ensure compliance with appropriate procedures and reporting requirements
• Preparing complex and detailed financial accounting reports, statements, and schedules (i.e. fund reports, etc.)
• Performing and reviewing monthly/quarterly/annual reconciliations; reconciling financial data and accounting systems to other subsidiary systems
• Identifying, researching, and resolving outstanding issues with transactions (invoices, payments, refunds, etc.) through various data sources
• Reviewing, developing, and modifying internal accounting control policies, procedures, and practices
• Performing month-end and year-end reconciliations and correcting journal entries
• Developing, modifying, and implementing accounting systems, standards, procedures, and financial controls
• Performing technical accounting research
• Analyzing complex financial data, including expenditures, revenues, and year-over-year variances
• Assisting management in interpreting and understanding fiscal and accounting policies, procedures, operations, and controls
• Identifying, researching, and resolving problems
• Working on special projects and other duties as assigned

You will be most successful in this role with a combination of the following:

• The ability to work independently and exercise good judgement under limited supervision
• Strong knowledge of GAAP, GASB, and FASB accounting principles and standards
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite
• Advanced skills in Microsoft Excel
• Experience in reporting from an HRIS system (preferably Workday)
• Experience with PeopleSoft or other similar software suite
• Strong analytical skills and attention to detail
• Excellent communication skills
• Learning mindset with an interest in process improvement
• CPA certification

In addition to the ability to perform the tasks described above, you will need to possess the below required qualifications:

• A Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, or a related field (requires satisfactory completion of at least 24 semester hours or 36 quarter credit units in accounting with no substitution allowed)
• Three years of professional experience in general or governmental accounting, or a related field

OR

• An Associate Degree in Accounting, or a related field (requires satisfactory completion of at least 24 semester hours or 36 quarter credit units in accounting with no substitution allowed)
• Four years of professional experience in general or governmental accounting, or a related field

OR

• A Master’s Degree in Accounting, or a related field (requires satisfactory completion of at least 24 semester hours or 36 quarter credit units in accounting with no substitution allowed)
• Two years of professional experience in general or governmental accounting, or a related field

This civil-service position is eligible for overtime and is classified as an Accountant, Senior. It reports to the Business Operations Manager. The full pay range for this step-progression position is $48.07 - $55.96 per hour. New employees begin at Step 1 of the step progression series, which is $48.07 per hour. Current City employees’ starting rate of pay will be based on Personnel Rules.

The first round of interviews for this position are tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, October 28 and/or Thursday, October 29, 2026. Second interviews will take place on Wednesday, November 4, 2026. These interviews will take place virtually over Microsoft Teams.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact Lindsey King at [e-mail] to request accommodation.

This position offers the flexibility of a hybrid work schedule. Employees will be expected to be in-office three days a week. Individual schedules will be based on agreement between the employee and their supervisor.

Applicants must successfully pass a background check, which will be conducted in accordance with Seattle’s Fair Chance Employment Ordinance, SMC 14.17. Applicants will have the opportunity to explain or correct background information and provide verifiable information of good conduct and rehabilitation.

Individuals selected to fill this position may be eligible to receive Language Premium Pay (SMC 4.20.360), which provides a $200.00 monthly stipend to qualified bilingual employees who are properly evaluated and assigned to provide direct communication in-language, interpretation, or translation services to the public on behalf of the City of Seattle.

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package, including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits. Please select an option under the “Most Employee Benefits” heading.

Why work at the City?

At the City of Seattle, public service is more than a job; it’s a chance to shape the future and make a meaningful difference in the lives of everyone who works, lives, or plays in our city. With 12,000 employees across 40+ departments and 1,100 job titles, we are united by a common purpose: to create a Seattle that is vibrant and welcoming for all. Whatever your role, you’ll help power a forward-looking city that leads by example — inclusive, innovative, equitable, and community-focused – while joining a diverse team committed to solving challenges and making a lasting impact together. Join us in building a Seattle where everyone thrives!

This position is open to all applicants that meet the minimum qualifications. The City of Seattle values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, medical condition, or pregnancy. The City of Seattle encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experiences. If you have questions, please contact Lindsey King at [e-mail].