Accounting Manager

South Puget Sound Community College; Washington; Hybrid; USD 97,000 - 107,000; Full time

Job summary

South Puget Sound Community College (SPSCC) seeks a highly motivated Accounting Manager to lead the college's accounting operations and staff. The role reports to the Associate Vice President of Finance and oversees financial reporting, general ledger, cash management, audits, and compliance to ensure integrity of financial records.

The annual salary range is $97,000 to $107,000. The position requires a Bachelor's degree with accounting coursework and 4–5 years of relevant experience.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of GAAP, GASB, and auditing processes.
• Advanced spreadsheet and financial-system skills.
• Ability to manage multiple deadlines and communicate clearly.

Responsibilities

• Lead accounting operations and staff with coaching and oversight.
• Manage month-end and year-end closing, journal entries, and reconciliations.
• Prepare financial statements and GAAP/GASB reports for audits and compliance.
• Act as liaison for internal and external audits and document requests.
• Ensure proper accounting for grants, assets, tuition, payroll, and contracts.

Skills

GAAP knowledge

Advanced spreadsheet skills

Financial analysis

Communication

Deadline management

Education

Bachelor's degree with 18 quarter or 12 semester credit hours in accounting/auditing/budgeting

Tools

ctclink PeopleSoft

Job description

South Puget Sound Community College is committed to increasing its cultural diversity with an emphasis on equity and inclusion among its professional staff. A firm understanding of anti-racist policy development, coupled with the skills to eliminate barriers that harm underrepresented people, is a college requirement. The students that we serve come from a variety of backgrounds. On average, 43% of SPSCC students are people of color. We strongly encourage members of the underrepresented groups, veterans, and bi- or multilingual individuals to apply for this position to help meet the needs of our diverse students and service district.

And if that isn't enough? We also offer:

• A healthy work/life balance for our employees, with the opportunity for flexible work schedules and remote work, depending on position and college needs
• The Clipper Coffee Corner serves Batdorf & Bronson coffee and a selection of delicious food
• A brand new Health & Wellness Center
• FREE Bus service every 15 minutes to downtown Olympia and beyond
• FREE parking on our campuses ¿ permits are not required
• On-campus child care
• Many walking paths that are marked and on nicely paved sidewalks
• SPSCC promotes wellness with a variety of workshops and events on campus
• Lots of activities with our Artist & Lecture series, which are FREE for staff and faculty
• Many community events in the Kenneth J. Minnaert Center for the Arts
• Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) that offer an opportunity for SPSCC employees to gather and connect around issues that define them personally and affect their work at the College and their professional development. Current Employee Resource Groups include:
  • Staff and Faculty of Color (SFOC) ERG - an employee network that strives to create an intentional and relational foundation for community and trust-building across different groups through shared values.
  • The LGBTQIA+ ERG creates a space for LGBTQIA+ staff and faculty at the college to share resources, build support and community, and work towards greater equity and accessibility.

About the Position:

South Puget Sound Community College (SPSCC) seeks a highly motivated and qualified individual for the position of Accounting Manager.

The Accounting Manager reports to the Associate Vice President of Finance and leads the college's accounting operations. This position supervises accounting staff and oversees financial reporting, general ledger activities, cash management audits, fiscal close, compliance, and the integrity of the college's financial records.

The annual salary range for this position is $97,000 to $107,000.

What You'll Do:

Duties:

• Lead and supervise accounting operations and staff, including workload management, coaching, training, performance management, and backup coverage.
• Oversee month-end, fiscal year-end, and biennial closing processes, including journal entries, accruals, reconciliations, and financial reporting.
• Prepare and review financial statements and required state and federal reports in accordance with GAAP, GASB, Washington State, and institutional requirements to include associated disclosures and the IPIDS Finance Survey.
• Serve as the primary accounting liaison for internal and external audits and coordinate audit documentation and corrective actions.
• Review and back up timely, accurate bank reconciliations, cash management investments, debt service, merchant services, and other related reconciliations.
• Ensure accurate accounting for grants, capital assets, tuition and fees, contracts, payroll transactions, and other college financial activity.
• Oversee non-payroll VPA reimbursements, A8 transmittals, and ensure required funds are submitted to the State Treasurer.
• Maintain effective internal controls and compliance with SAAM, the ctclink Accounting Manual, GASB standards, NACUBO guidance, and college policies.
• Provide accounting guidance to departments and collaborate with Finance and Administration leadership on financial reporting, budget monitoring, and continuous process improvement.
• Participate in Budgeting, Accounting, and Reporting Council meetings to remain current on applicable accounting regulations and CTC system reporting modifications, updates, and implementations.
• Collaborate with the AVP for Finance and perform complex accounting projects and other related duties assigned.

Qualifications You Possess:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree that includes at least 18 quarter or 12 semester credit hours in accounting, auditing. or budgeting, plus four to five years of relevant professional accounting or fiscal experience. Relevant professional experience may substitute for education, except for the required accounting, auditing, or budgeting coursework.
• Knowledge of GAAP. Governmental accounting, internal controls, financial reporting, reconciliations, and audit support.
• Advanced spreadsheet and financial-system skills, strong communication and analytical abilities, and demonstrated ability to manage competing deadlines.
• Ability to build effective working relationships and contribute to an inclusive learning and working environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Supervisory experience in accounting, finance, or business operations.
• Accounting or financial experience within Washington State government or the community and technical college system.
• Experience with ctclink PeopleSoft or a comparable ERP system.
• Experience coordinating audits and implementing corrective action.

Working Conditions

This is a full-time professional position working primarily in an office environment. The role requires meeting monthly, year-end, audit and reporting deadlines and may occasionally require work outside the regular schedule or in-state travel.

Background Check Condition of Employment

Employment with the college is contingent upon the successful completion of a comprehensive background check. Any adverse information will be considered on a case‑case basis and does not automatically preclude a candidate from employment.

Veterans Preference

Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications and wish to claim Veterans Preference must submit a copy of their United States Department of Veterans Affairs honorable discharge documentation. All personally identifiable information must be redacted prior to submission. Email the redacted documentation to [e-mail], with the job number for which the applicant is applying clearly indicated in the subject line.

Benefit Information

A generous benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, long-term disability, retirement, and optional deferred compensation programs. The position is eligible to participate in the State Board Retirement Plan (SBRP) and Department of Retirement Systems (DRS). Employees have the option to participate in two tax‑deferred retirement investment programs. For health benefit information, go to the Washington Health Care Authority.

Compensation

Your paycheck is part of your total compensation package, with employee benefits worth about 30% of your salary.

Vacation and Sick Leave

Annual leave includes vacation, 11 paid holidays, and 12 days of sick leave. For more benefits information, please visit our Employee Benefits website.

South Puget Sound Community College values diversity and is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Educator

SPSCC provides equal opportunity in education and employment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, creed, religion, or veteran status. Prohibited sex discrimination includes sexual harassment, defined as unwelcome sexual conduct of various types. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)and the Rehabilitation Act, SPSCC provides reasonable accommodations for qualified students, employees, and applicants with disabilities.

Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies, Title II, andTitle IX may be directed to:

Lacy Neal /Executive Human Resources Officer/Title IX Coordinator
Phone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
Building 25, Room 220
2011 Mottman Rd SW
Olympia, WA 98512

For general SPSCC recruitment inquiries, please contact Sheemica Butler-Hill at [e-mail].

South Puget Sound Community College is asmoke-free and drug-free environment.

Applicants who require accommodations in the application process or need materials in an alternative format may contact theHuman Resources Office at [phone].