Finance Specialist - Payroll/Accounting

City of Lake Forest Park; Lake Forest Park (WA); Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision coverage

Long-term disability

Hybrid schedule

Job summary

City of Lake Forest Park is seeking a detail-oriented Finance Specialist to manage payroll processing and daily accounting duties in a hybrid work model. This role supports the Finance Manager and covers reconciliations, reporting, and HR-related payroll transactions.

The position requires strong knowledge of payroll systems, financial controls, and municipal financial practices, with a focus on accuracy, confidentiality, and timely delivery.

Qualifications

• Two years of college in accounting/finance or equivalent experience.
• Bachelor’s degree in accounting/finance preferred for advancement.
• Public sector accounting and payroll knowledge is a plus.
• Experience providing payroll support to HR is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Process and submit semi-monthly payroll, including taxes and garnishments.
• Handle accounts payable/receivable, deposits, invoicing, and filing.
• Prepare payroll and financial reports per state guidelines and city policy.
• Coordinate with vendors, W-9s, interfund transfers, and reconciliations.
• Support annual budget activities and assist with audits.
• Maintain attendance/payroll records and respond to inquiries with excellent service.

Skills

Payroll processing

Financial reporting

Attention to detail

English communication

Education

Two years college in accounting/finance

Bachelor's degree preferred in Accounting/Finance

Tools

Springbrook

QuickBooks Pro

Job description

We are seeking a detail-oriented and analytical Finance Specialist to join our Finance team. In this pivotal role, you will take ownership of our dual-critical functions: driving accurate, timely payroll processing and maintaining the integrity of our day-to-day accounting workflows.

Under the direction of the Finance Manager, this position performs a full range of payroll and accounting related functions, including finance/Municipal Court related reconciliations and reporting, confidential administrative support, payroll processing and personnel/benefit plan transactions supporting Human Resources (HR) functions, and assists in the organization and operation of the City’s financial policies and procedures.

This is a non-exempt position, eligible for overtime and benefits. The City provides benefit eligible employees the following: medical, dental, vision, life insurance, long-term disability (LTD), employee assistance program (EAP),HRA/HSA/FSA, enrollment in Washington State's DRS PERS plan, 401(a) retirement plan (social security replacement plan) with matching employer contribution, and an optional 457 deferred compensation plan (DCP).

Note: This position offers a hybrid schedule (1–2 days remote per week) upon successful completion of six months of onsite training

Essential Functions

• Process and submit semi-monthly payroll for the City. Payroll duties include administering direct deposit process, wage garnishments, implementation of payroll changes, completion and submittal of payroll reports and payments for IRS taxes, and processing benefit and personnel transactions.
• Process all accounts payable and accounts receivable; receive and process cash payments and prepare bank deposits; generate invoices and monitors collections; review transactions for accuracy and processes for payment. Maintain accurate filing systems, matching purchase orders and invoices; assures authorized signatures are obtained.
• Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual payroll reports, tax reports, and other financial statements in accordance with State guidelines and City policy including coordinating and processing staff year-end information to balance with Federal, State and local tax filings and IRS specifications; working with the Finance Director to submit the Annual Financial Report as required by the Washington State Auditor’s Office.
• Work with outside service vendors that are integral components of the City’s financial processes. Includes preparing, submitting, receiving and distributing warrants and interfund transfers issued; vendor maintenance, W-9 maintenance, account reconciliation, credit card and petty cash reconciliation.
• Provide support for the City’s annual budget. Includes developing worksheets and forms; providing technical assistance to staff; monitoring and reviewing of revenues and expenses; assist in the assembly of budget documents and reports.
• Participate with the biennial audit by the State Auditor’s Office. Includes preparing and reviewing documentation requested by the auditor, investigating entries/questions auditor may have, and scheduling meetings.
• Maintain the City’s attendance program pertaining to payroll, overtime, vacation/holiday/comp and sick leave, and creating and presenting reports on this activity.
• Assists and collaborates with HR regarding benefit plan information, L&I and leave administration, and other related information requests.
• Maintain payroll, accounts payable, accounts receivable and other financial records; assists Records Officer in archiving financial records as needed according to the records retention schedule and maintaining compliance and accuracy in all record retention procedures.
• Provide customer service within area of assignment to employees and managers.
• Identifies opportunities to improve the City’s financial and payroll procedures and assigned work tasks. Brings identified issues and matters that pertain to the City’s fiscal activities to the Finance Manager and/or Court Administrator.
• Assist in responding to the Washington State Auditor for requested audit records pertaining to payroll or the Municipal Court Department with the assistance of the Court Administrator during an annual audit.
• Post all Municipal Court transactions appropriately, reconcile and balance on a daily, monthly, quarterly, and annual basis in the software system and bank statements.
• Assist the Municipal Court in developing improved accounting and financial management procedures to comply with best practices.
• Prepare accounts payable for the Municipal Court Department.
• Assist the Court Administrator to prepare the biennial budget for the Municipal Court Department
• Assist the Court Administrator in preparing the annual State of the Court financials.

Education and Experience

Required:

Two (2) years of college level course work in accounting, finance or related field AND at least three (3) years of financial or accounting experience involving the use of automated payroll systems and bookkeeping principles OR equivalent education/experience.

Preferred:

• Bachelors degree in Accounting, Finance or related field;
• Prior public sector experience in finance/accounting;
• Working knowledge in accounting and payroll programs similar to those used by the City;
• Experience providing payroll related administrative support to HR.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of financial management, accounting, cash basis accounting and payroll administration;
• Proficient in accounting and payroll programs used by the City (Springbrook accounting system, QuickBooks Pro);
• Pertinent Federal, State and local codes, laws, and regulations;
• Proficient knowledge of computers and applicable computer software applications, including specific knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, and Adobe;
• Working knowledge of modern administrative office procedures, methods and equipment;
• Business letter writing and basic report preparation with proficient spelling and grammatical skills; certain duties require considerable creativity.

Skill in:

• Proficient skill and ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals, and to compute percentage rates and other calculations as applied to basic payroll and accounting functions;
• Strong organizational, problem-solving and interpersonal skills;
• Strong attention to detail, working in a busy and sometimes stressful environment and changing priorities;
• Using initiative and independent judgment within established guidelines.

Ability to:

• Participate and work effectively in an organization committed to treating all people in a fair and impartial manner;
• Report for scheduled work with regular, reliable, and punctual attendance;
• Work independently with a high degree of reliability, accuracy, and productivity;
• Maintain and establish effective and cooperative working relationships with City employees, public and public officials and to work effectively in a team environment;
• Learn specialized and technical terminology, methodology and applications for an emergency service organization;
• Conduct oneself in a professional manner as defined by City policy;
• Maintain confidentiality;
• Respond timely to customer inquiries, complaints, concerns and needs and provide excellent customer service;
• Prioritize multiple projects; anticipate needs, and work effectively within deadlines;
• Understand, interpret and apply documents such as operating instructions, applicable policies, procedures, safety rules and governmental regulations;
• Adapt to changes in the work environment and to shifts in organizational philosophy and expectations;
• Perform research, organize and present findings;
• Communicate in English clearly, concisely, and effectively, both orally and in writing;
• Identify personal opportunities for growth and learning; ability to assume responsibility for continuous professional knowledge and skills.

For more information about the role, visit the job description: https://cityoflfp.gov/671/Job-Descriptions

Working Conditions / Physical Requirements

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

The position works in a standard office environment with moderate noise levels.