Accounts Payable Supervisor (Principal Accountant)

Seattle Parks and Recreation; Seattle (WA); Hybrid; USD 74,000 - 87,000; Full time

Job summary

Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) seeks an Accounts Payable Supervisor (Principal Accountant) to lead and oversee all Accounts Payable operations in a high-volume environment. You will serve as the A/P expert, ensure compliance, and drive internal controls while guiding a team and partnering with internal programs and external vendors.

Requirements include a accounting degree and CPA consideration, leadership experience, and strong analytical skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Business Administration or related field with accounting coursework.
• CPA certification preferred, four years in accounting, auditing, financial analysis or related work.
• Experience with GAAP and GASB in governmental or high-volume A/P environments.
• Proven supervisory experience leading accounting teams.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities with attention to accuracy.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all Accounts Payable operations including invoice processing, payment authorization, reconciliations, and compliance with GAAP, GASB, City policies and internal controls.
• Serve as the primary A/P expert, responding to inquiries from auditors, vendors, internal customers, and leadership.
• Manage and monitor financial controls for A/P workflows, ensuring proper authorization, accuracy of goods/services received, and alignment with purchasing requirements.
• Administer and oversee the City’s credit card program including issuance, monitoring, compliance, and reporting.
• Ensure timely month-end and year-end close, validating transaction accuracy, clearing exceptions, and meeting City deadlines.
• Review and approve complex transactions including purchase requisitions, contracts, travel reimbursements, encumbrances, retainage, wire payments, and tax-related items.
• Supervise and develop the A/P team, including hiring, training, coaching, workload oversight, and performance management.
• Develop and maintain departmental A/P procedures, identifying opportunities to streamline workflows and strengthen financial compliance.

Skills

GAAP/GASB

PeopleSoft 9.2

Team supervision

Analytical skills

Contracts/payment processing

Education

Bachelor's in Accounting/related field

CPA certification

Tools

ERP software

Job description

About Seattle Parks And Recreation

Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) is a national leader and innovator in the services and programs we provide to our residents who enjoy our public spaces such as parks, community centers, specialty gardens and swimming pools. Our mission is to equip employees and the public for well‑being as we support healthy people, a thriving environment and vibrant community. We provide safe and accessible spaces for residents and visitors to work, recreate, rejuvenate and enhance quality of life and wellness for children, teenagers, adults and seniors. Delivering excellent customer service to all is a core value.

Position Description

Position Description

Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) is seeking an Accounts Payable Supervisor (Principal Accountant) to lead and oversee all Accounts Payable operations, ensuring compliance, accuracy, and strong internal controls across a high-volume financial environment. This position serves as the department’s A/P subject‑matter expert and supervises a team responsible for processing complex transactions, resolving vendor issues, and managing procurement-related financial activity.

This leadership role requires advanced accounting proficiency, strong analytical skills, and the comprehensive ability to evaluate and improve business processes in partnership with internal programs and external vendors. The A/P Supervisor reports to the Accounting Manager and interacts regularly with staff at all levels, including senior leadership, as well as external partners.

Equity & Inclusion

Seattle Parks and Recreation commits to advancing equity and social justice in our department and in every neighborhood by growing a dynamic and diverse workforce, developing strong investments, growth opportunities and beneficial partner strategies as we acknowledge and pledge to close disparities created by historical practices which often hindered workforce development, environmental justice, access to quality open spaces, programs and facilities.

About The Position

Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) is seeking an Accounts Payable Supervisor (Principal Accountant) to lead and oversee all Accounts Payable operations, ensuring compliance, accuracy, and strong internal controls across a high-volume financial environment. This position serves as the department’s A/P subject‑matter expert and supervises a team responsible for processing complex transactions, resolving vendor issues, and managing procurement-related financial activity.

This leadership role requires advanced accounting proficiency, strong analytical skills, and the comprehensive ability to evaluate and improve business processes in partnership with internal programs and external vendors. The A/P Supervisor reports to the Accounting Manager and interacts regularly with staff at all levels, including senior leadership, as well as external partners.

Job Responsibilities

• Oversee all Accounts Payable operations including invoice processing, payment authorization, reconciliations, and compliance with GAAP, GASB, City policies and internal controls.
• Serve as the primary A/P expert, responding to inquiries from auditors, vendors, internal customers, and leadership.
• Manage and monitor financial controls for A/P workflows, ensuring proper authorization, accuracy of goods/services received, and alignment with purchasing requirements.
• Administer and oversee the City’s credit card program including issuance, monitoring, compliance, and reporting.
• Ensure timely month‑end and year‑end close, validating transaction accuracy, clearing exceptions, and meeting City deadlines.
• Review and approve complex transactions including purchase requisitions, contracts, travel reimbursements, encumbrances, retainage, wire payments, and tax‑related items.
• Supervise and develop the A/P team, including hiring, training, coaching, workload oversight, and performance management.
• Develop and maintain departmental A/P procedures, identifying opportunities to streamline workflows and strengthen financial compliance.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Business Administration or related field (requires satisfactory completion of at least 24 semester hours or 36 quarter credit units in accounting with no substitution allowed) and/or professional certification as a CPA, plus four years professional experience in accounting, auditing, financial analysis, or related work with one year experience equivalent to a Senior Accountant (or a combination of education and/or training and/or experience which provides an equivalent background required to perform the work of the class).

Desired Qualifications - You will be successful if you have the following experience, skills, and abilities

• Extensive professional experience in GAAP and GASB as applied to governmental accounting and high‑volume A/P operations.
• Advanced proficiency with PeopleSoft 9.2 (or comparable large‑scale financial ERP), including A/P modules, reporting tools, and workflow configuration.
• Demonstrated success supervising accounting teams, managing workload priorities, and developing staff capabilities.
• Strong analytical skills, problem‑solving ability, and exceptional accuracy in a fast‑paced environment.
• Proven ability to work independently, meet deadlines, and proactively address operational issues.
• Experience working in a multi‑cultural, customer‑focused public environment.

Special Working Conditions And Work Schedule

Hybrid work schedule at home and office; 9/80 or 4/10 work schedule available.

Please note this job advertisement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice

Compensation

The full salary range for this position is $54.01 to $62.90 per hour.

Application Process

Please Submit The Following With Your Online Application

• A complete application with past work history.
• A current resume of your educational and professional work experience.
• A cover letter detailing how your skills and experience are applicable
• Supplemental questionnaire responses

Who May Apply

This position is open to all candidates that meet the qualifications. Seattle Parks and Recreation 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 or gender identity. Seattle Parks and Recreation encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQIA+, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experiences.

Job offers are contingent on the verification of credentials and other information required by the employment process, including the completion of a background check. The background check will involve a criminal history check, which includes conviction and arrest records in compliance with the Seattle’s Fair Chance Employment Ordinance, SMC 14.17and the City of Seattle Personnel Rule 10.3(Download PDF reader)(Download PDF reader). A driving history review may be conducted in compliance with SMC 4.79.020. Applicants will be provided an opportunity to explain or correct background information.

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation time, 12 paid holidays, 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

We recognize that artificial intelligence (AI) tools, such as chatbots, automated response generators, or language models, can be helpful during the job search process. If you choose to use them, please carefully review all materials before submission to ensure accuracy, as you will be required to affirm that your responses are true and correct during the application process. Submitting inaccurate or misleading information may result in disqualification. Please also note that relying on AI to complete text‑based supplemental questions or during interviews may not accurately represent your skills and experiences, which are critical to applicant success. In some cases, you may be instructed not to use AI tools during the selection process. Learn more about the City of Seattle AI Policy here.

Want to know more about Parks and Recreation? Check out our web page: Seattle Parks and Recreation - Parks | seattle.gov

SPR’s Core Competencies Are

• Accountability & Action: Holding yourself accountable for achieving goals, completing tasks, and delivering quality work. Demonstrating thoughtful initiative in actions and decision‑making and promoting high quality standards.
• Equity and Inclusion: Supporting the goals of the Race and Social Justice Initiative and the City’s commitment to workforce equity.
• Communication: Sharing and exchanging information and ideas with people in a variety of ways to help them understand and remember the information.
• Service: An ongoing commitment to base decisions and actions on the needs and priorities of the City.
• Teamwork: Participating as an engaged member of a team to achieve group goals. Effectively working with internal and external people to complete tasks and achieve work group goals.