Accounting/Accounts Payable Specialist

Mercer Island School District; Mercer Island (WA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Mercer Island School District is seeking an Accounting/Accounts Payable Specialist to oversee comprehensive accounting practices, manage accounts payable, process vendor payments, and support budget development for district programs. The role includes bank reconciliation, procurement card processing, and assistance to the Director of Finance.

The successful candidate will bring an Associate’s degree in accounting with 3+ years of related experience, preferably in a K-12 setting, and be

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree in accounting and at least 3 years of relevant accounting experience.
• Working knowledge of Qmlativ(Skyward) and WSIPC software.
• K-12 public school experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Maintain comprehensive accounting and financial reporting systems and procedures. Maintain expenditure controls.
• Prepare journal entries and budget transfers
• Process accounts payable, procurements, and vendor payments
• Reconcile bank statements and assist audits
• Prepare accounts receivable invoices and budget reports
• Support budgeting and accounting coordination and OSPI compliance
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Skills

Strong communication

Customer service orientation

Interpersonal skills

Fiscal management

Technology skills

Diversity & inclusion

Education

Associate’s degree in accounting

3+ years of accounting experience

Tools

Qmlativ(Skyward)

WSIPC

Job description

Position Purpose

Under the general supervision of the Director of Finance, the Accounting/Accounts Payable Specialist is responsible for financial reporting, accurate accounting of expenditures and revenues, accounts receivable, procurement card processing, accounts payable, budget development support, staff travel and reimbursements, Food Service processes and purchase orders. In addition, provides administrative support to the Assistance Superintendent of Finance and Operations.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Accounting Specialist

• Ensure comprehensive accounting and financial reporting systems and procedures. Maintain expenditure controls;
• Prepare journal entries and budget transfers
• Establish and maintain a variety of files and records; prepare a variety of reports and correspondence as required;
• Reconcile bank statements as necessary;
• Maintain current knowledge of rules, regulations, legislation, technology, and procedures governing school business and finance; learn new skills as required;
• Develop and recommend new procedures;
• Create and maintain process and procedural documentation for the Business Team and make recommendations to team for process improvement;
• Prepare accounts receivables invoices for District programs and operations, all funds;
• Process food service free/reduced applications and consent to share forms; prepare notifications letters;
• Provide backup to Budgeting & Accounting Coordinator as needed;
• Support the Assistant Superintendent of Finance & Operations as needed;
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Accounts Payable

• Maintain accurate accounts payable records, including filing, retrieving, matching invoices, and auditing for accuracy.
• Enter payment information into the computer system and ensure accuracy for generating invoices and capturing discounts.
• Process vendor payments, travel reimbursements, and eligible purchases according to District policies.
• Assist in 1099-misc forms per IRS regulations and compensating tax reports.
• Reconcile vendor billing statements and provide necessary reports.
• Support Accounts Payable/Purchasing Specialist
• Provide assistance during audits by maintaining records and offering necessary information.

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS:

Reports to the Director of Finance. Interacts regularly with various business/finance staff/human resource staff, directors, principals and other support staff. Contacts with individuals outside of the District include frequent contact with King County finance; occasional contact with bank staff, vendors, parents, students, OSPI staff, computer services and hardware providers.

Education and/or Experience

• Associate’s degree in accounting and three years of relevant experience, or equivalent combination.
• 3-5 years of background accounting experience preferred.
• K-12 public school experience in accounting and finance preferred.
• Working knowledge of Qmlativ(Skyward), Washington School Information Processing Cooperative (WSIPC) software is strongly preferred.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to work effectively with parents and school staff to build trust and effective working relationships.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Positive customer service orientation.
• Demonstrated ability to work with diverse populations.
• Ability to use good judgment in identifying and responding to critical issues.
• Demonstrated skill in written and oral communications.
• Knowledge of fiscal management practices.
• Strong technology skills including database management and keyboard experience.
• Ability to perform duties in accordance with all District and State requirements and policies.
• Eligible to pass the OSPI check and work in a K-12 public school setting.