Accounting Assistant I

City of Tumwater; Olympia (WA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Tumwater is seeking an Accounting Assistant to support utility billing operations in a fast-paced municipal environment. You will handle accounts payable and receivable, data entry, cash receipts, and customer inquiries with a focus on accuracy and professionalism.

Join a collaborative team that values confidentiality and service. This role offers clear procedures, opportunities for training, and a stable work schedule within the Finance Department.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED with at least one year of clerical or accounting experience.
• College coursework or vocational training in accounting, business, or finance.
• Equivalent combination of education and experience acceptable.

Responsibilities

• Process invoices, purchase orders, and vendor payments according to City policies and timelines.
• Verify charges, coding, and supporting documentation.
• Record incoming payments and assist with account reconciliations.
• Assist with data entry, payment processing, and account updates for utility billing.
• Respond to customer inquiries regarding billing, payments, and service changes.
• Generate, review, and mail routine billing statements.
• Balance daily cash, checks, and credit card receipts from multiple departments per internal controls.
• Maintain accurate financial and filing records per retention policies.
• Support month-end and year-end closing; backup other staff and participate in training.

Skills

Accounting basics

Data entry

Cash handling

Customer service

Teamwork

Confidentiality

Education

High school diploma or GED

College coursework in accounting/business/finance

Equivalent education/experience

Tools

Accounting systems

Spreadsheets

Office software

Job description

Why Tumwater?
Tumwater is more than just a city, it’s a vibrant community rooted in history and filled with opportunity. Located at the southern gateway to the Seattle-Tacoma metro area, Tumwater offers the perfect blend of small-town charm and big-picture vision.

General Statement of Duties/Supervision
Why Tumwater?
Tumwater is more than just a city, it’s a vibrant community rooted in history and filled with opportunity. Located at the southern gateway to the Seattle-Tacoma metro area, Tumwater offers the perfect blend of small-town charm and big-picture vision.
Surrounded by the natural beauty of Puget Sound, prairie landscapes, rivers, and evergreen forests, we’re just over an hour from ocean beaches, the Olympic Peninsula, and Mount Rainier. Whether you’re into hiking, kayaking, brewery-hopping, or live music, you’ll find easy access to it all.
Here in Tumwater, we’re building a future that’s highly livable, connected, and inclusive. With safe neighborhoods, excellent schools, and a deep sense of civic pride, it’s not just a great place to live, it’s a great place to grow your career.
The Opportunity The Finance Department is looking for a motivated and team-oriented Accounting Assistant to support our utility billing operations. This is a great opportunity to bring your accounting knowledge and customer service skills to a fast-paced, community-forward environment.
We’re seeking someone with a positive, can-do attitude who’s ready to handle a variety of responsibilities including utility billing, customer service, cash receipting, and general financial support. If you're detail-oriented, self-motivated, and eager to collaborate with a supportive team, we’d love to hear from you!
Come be part of a stable, flexible, and welcoming workplace where your contributions make a real impact.

• In order for your application to be considered, please ensure a letter of interest and current resume are attached. Applications missing these will be considered as incomplete.***

Essential Job Duties This is not intended to be a comprehensive listing of all activities, duties, and responsibilities required of the job. Other duties may be assigned and/or performed. The essential functions of this position include, but are not limited to:

Accounts Payable & Receivable

• Process invoices, purchase orders, and vendor payments according to City policies and timelines.
• Verify accuracy of charges, coding, and supporting documentation.
• Record incoming payments and assist with account reconciliations.

Utility & Customer Billing

• Assist with utility billing operations, including data entry, payment processing, and account updates.
• Respond to customer inquiries regarding billing, payments, and service changes.
• Generate, review, and mail routine billing statements.
• Provide a high level of professional written and verbal communication support.

Cash Receipting & Financial Transactions

• Receive, record, and balance daily cash, check and credit card receipts from multiple departments accurately while adhering to internal controls.

Clerical & Administrative Support

• Maintain accurate financial and filing records in accordance with retention policies.
• Assist with scanning, copying, and data entry tasks.

Team & Departmental Support

• Assist with month-end and year-end closing processes as directed.
• Provide backup coverage for other accounting or clerical staff.
• Participate in training to develop knowledge of municipal accounting procedures.

Perform other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of basic accounting principles and financial recordkeeping.
• Skill in data entry, reconciliation, and cash handling.
• Ability to maintain accuracy while managing multiple priorities.
• Strong interpersonal and customer service skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively within a team environment.
• Commitment to confidentiality, integrity, and professionalism.

Selection Criteria

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED and at least one (1) year of clerical or accounting experience; or
• Completion of college-level coursework or vocational training in accounting, business, or finance; or
• An equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions.

Special Requirements

• Valid Washington State Driver License and acceptable driving record.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in municipal or public-sector accounting.
• Knowledge of accounting systems, spreadsheets, and office software.
• Customer service experience handling cash or public inquiries.

Other information (if any) specific to this position

Decision Rights & Problem Solving

• Work is performed under general supervision following established procedures.
• Exercises limited independent judgment in completing tasks within defined guidelines.
• Refers policy or procedural questions to the Accounting Supervisor.

Supervision Received / Exercised

• Received: Direct supervision from the Accounting Supervisor.
• Exercised: None.

Key Relationships

• Internal: Finance staff, other City departments, and utility billing staff.
• External: Vendors, customers, and residents.

Working Conditions & Physical Demands

Work is performed primarily in an office or administrative environment. Duties may involve prolonged sitting, standing, walking, and repetitive hand or wrist movements associated with computer use. The position may require occasional bending, reaching, or light to moderate lifting of office materials or equipment.
Work may include attendance at meetings, site visits, or public events, which may require travel to various locations. Some assignments may involve interacting with the public in stressful or contentious situations or working under deadlines and competing priorities.
Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified individuals in accordance with applicable laws.

Commitment to Equity, Safety, and Ethics

Employees are expected to perform their duties in a manner that supports equity, safety, integrity, and professionalism. This includes following all safety policies and procedures, treating coworkers and the public with respect, and conducting work ethically and responsibly.
Employees are expected to uphold public trust through fair, transparent, and lawful conduct and to contribute to a safe, inclusive, and respectful work environment.
The City of Tumwater is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) and does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.
The City of Tumwater is committed to wellness, safety, the environment and racial equity.
The City of Tumwater offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits package designed to support your health, financial security, and work-life balance. (Benefits for part-time employees are pro-rated.)

Paid Time Off

• Vacation: Start with 144 hours of paid annual leave your first year — increasing with service up to 288 hours per year.
• Sick Leave: Earn 8 hours per month to care for your health or for immediate family illness or loss.
• Holidays: Enjoy 13 paid holidays per year, including two floating holiday for flexibility and a community service day.

Retirement & Savings

• State Retirement Plans: Membership in Washington State’s Public Employees Retirement System (PERS/LEOFF) with contributions from both you and the City.
• Deferred Compensation (457b) & Roth IRA: Save for the future and reduce taxable income; contribute up to IRS limits with catch-up options if over 50.
• 401(a) Match: The City will match up to 5% of employee contributions.
• Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA): City contributes $225/month for current and future healthcare expenses.

Insurance & Wellness

• Medical, Dental, Vision: The City contributes $2,420/month toward coverage (pro-rated for part-time). That’s about 85% of family coverage!
• If your premiums cost less, you can take 60% of the unused contribution as cash in your paycheck.
• Flexible Spending Accounts (medical and dependent care) available.

• Life Insurance: $50,000 group term policy fully paid by the City.
• Wellness Commitment: Programs and resources to support your physical and mental health.
• Discounts: City employees qualify for Liberty Mutual auto and home insurance discounts.

Work-Life & Career

• Hours of Work: Standard schedule is 40 hours/week, Monday–Friday. Alternative schedules may be available depending on the position. Some roles may require occasional evenings, weekends, or overtime.
• Career Opportunities: We believe in growing our talent — the City actively promotes from within and supports career development.

The City of Tumwater is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, military service, or other non-merit factors.
We are committed to wellness, safety, environmental stewardship, and racial equity in our workplace and community.

01
What interests you about working for the City of Tumwater, and what knowledge or connection do you have with the Tumwater community?
02
Describe your experience working with customer accounts or billing records. How do you ensure accuracy when maintaining or updating financial data?
03
This role involves frequent interaction with customers, including those who may be upset about billing issues. How do you handle de-escalating difficult customer situations while still enforcing policies?
04
Please identify three Excel formulas or functions you use most often and briefly describe how you have used each one in your work. If applicable, include an example of how you used Excel to analyze, reconcile, organize, or report financial or other business information.

• Required Question