Fire Accounting Assistant

City of Bellingham; Bellingham (WA); On-site; USD 62,000 - 81,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vacation leave: 10 hours/month

13 paid holidays including floating

Sick leave 8 hours/month

Medical, dental, vision insurance

Life insurance and LTD

Flexible spending accounts

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Washington State Retirement (DRS)

457 deferred comp with employer match

Job summary

The City of Bellingham is seeking an Accounting Assistant III to perform skilled bookkeeping tasks for the Fire Department, support city staff with financial analysis, and oversee the ambulance transport billing program. This role includes preparing financial reports and ensuring compliance with governing laws and city policies.

Responsibilities extend to monitoring department budgets, revenue collection, and providing clerical support as needed.

Qualifications

• One year of college or vocational training in bookkeeping, accounting, business, or related area.
• Two years of accounting support or bookkeeping experience required, preferably in municipal government.
• Three years of accounting support or bookkeeping experience required, preferably in municipal government.
• Experience with computerized accounting systems required.
• Ability to type at 45 WPM NET.
• Accounting experience in a municipal or public sector environment, including experience utilizing Budget Accounting and Reporting System (BARS), preferred.
• One year of experience with record-keeping and compliance monitoring for grant-funded contracts preferred.
• Advanced utilization of computer software applications, including spreadsheets, databases, and word processors preferred.

Responsibilities

• Performs bookkeeping and accounting tasks for City departments and contracted programs.
• Prepares monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports.
• Manages ambulance transport billing program including billing, revenue, refunds, and audits.
• Provides back-up reception and clerical support as needed.

Skills

Bookkeeping

Typing 45 WPM

Municipal accounting

Education

College or vocational training in bookkeeping/ accounting/ business

2 years accounting support experience

3 years accounting experience (municipal)

Tools

BARS (Budget Accounting and Reporting System)

Spreadsheets

Databases

Word processors

Job description

JOB SUMMARY

This position performs various skilled and complex bookkeeping tasks for the Bellingham Fire Department according to established bookkeeping and accounting principles and procedures. Assists in providing statistical and financial support to City staff, contracted services and State agencies. Prepares or assists in the preparation of monthly, quarterly and annual financial reports as required by the City, granting agencies and the Finance Department. Responsible for all bookkeeping and accounting tasks for the contracted ambulance transport billing program, including billing, revenue, refunds, transport rates, revalidations, audits and data surveys. May be required to research applicable laws governing the administration and payment of contractual obligations. Monitors and maintains department budget and revenue collection. Performs back-up receptionist duties including providing general clerical support, answering phones and interacting with the public.

For more information, please review the job description.

WHY JOIN OUR TEAM?

Joining the City of Bellingham means becoming a part of a team that believes our greatest impact comes from working together with purpose, humility and a shared commitment to our community. Every employee contributes to delivering meaningful results for the people who live, work and visit here. We value people who approach challenges with curiosity, respect and collaboration. If you are motivated by building a career in public service, we encourage you to apply.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

This position will start at Step 1 ($29.90/hour). Employees receive step increases annually in accordance with the Guild of Pacific Northwest Employees, Local 1937 Collective Bargaining Agreement and City policy. The full hourly range for this position is $29.90 - $39.01. For internal candidates, placement within the range is based on City Pay Placement Procedures. This position is classified as an Accounting Assistant III.

At the City of Bellingham, we offer a comprehensive benefits package that helps you thrive in both your career and personal life. Join our team and enjoy the peace of mind knowing that you and your loved ones are well cared for. Here’s a closer look at the outstanding benefits that come with being part of our team. You can find more details on our employment benefits page and labor agreements page.

• 10 hours of vacation leave per month, with increased accrual over time
• 12 paid holidays + 1 floating holiday per year
• 8 hours sick leave accrued monthly
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and their families
• Life insurance and long-term disability coverage
• Flexible spending accounts and medical insurance opt-out program
• Access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Washington State Retirement plan (DRS) for retirement security
• Optional 457 deferred compensation (Retirement Savings Plan) with employer match

Leave accruals are based on 1.0 FTE, accruals are pro-rated if part-time and require employees to be in paid status at least 120 hours/month.

Closing Date/Time: Friday, 09/25/26 4:30 PM Pacific Time

Qualifications

• One year of college or vocational training in bookkeeping, accounting, business, or related area.
• Two years of accounting support or bookkeeping experience required, preferably in municipal government.

OR

• Three years of accounting support or bookkeeping experience required, preferably in municipal government.

AND

• Experience with computerized accounting systems required.
• Ability to type at 45 WPM NET.
• Accounting experience in a municipal or public sector environment, including experience utilizing Budget Accounting and Reporting System (BARS), preferred.
• One year of experience with record-keeping and compliance monitoring for grant-funded contracts preferred.
• Advanced utilization of computer software applications, including spreadsheets, databases, and word processors preferred.

• Employment contingent upon passing a criminal background check (see Fair Hiring Practices below).
• Verification of ability to work in the United States by date of hire.

Application Review Process

• Minimum Qualifications: Applicants must provide specific, detailed information so an initial determination can be made regarding your level of qualifications for this position. Applicant status will be updated on or around September 28, 2026.
• Experience and Training Rating: Applicants that meet minimum qualifications will go through an Experience and Training Rating. Applicant status will be updated on or around October 9, 2026.
• The top six (6) scoring applicants from the Experience and Training Rating will be invited to participate in an Oral Board Interview, tentatively scheduled for the week of October 19, 2026. Applicants must have a passing score of 60% or higher to be placed on the eligibility register.
• Applicants will be notified via email of Final Scores & Ranks. The final ranking of the register will be based on total scores for the following Experience and Training Rating (30%) and Oral Board Interview (70%).

Final candidates will be referred to the department for additional examination, assessment, or test.

This recruitment process will create a Civil Service eligibility register that will be used to fill current and future vacancies as they become available. There is currently 1 full-time vacancy in Fire. This position is represented by a union.

If you wish to claim Veterans’ Preference Points, please complete the Veterans Scoring Criteria Declaration Form and upload it to your application with your DD214.

Equal Opportunity

Our environment is characterized by respect for cultural backgrounds, belief systems, and ethnic diversity. The City of Bellingham is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in its work force. We do not make decisions on the basis of an individual's race, religion, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, age (40+), disability, retaliation, sexual orientation or gender identity, honorably discharged veteran or military status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking, use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, or any other basis prohibited by local, state, or federal law. All are encouraged to apply for employment.

Fair Hiring Practices

• The City provides individuals who have been arrested or convicted of a criminal offense an equal and fair opportunity to obtain employment.
• The City will not inquire about an applicant's criminal history until after a conditional job offer has been made.
• The City will disregard the prior arrest and conviction record of an otherwise qualified individual unless the offense is directly related to the job position for which the individual has applied.
• The City will notify an otherwise qualified applicant about a potentially disqualifying conviction and give the applicant an opportunity to submit information regarding the accuracy of the criminal records as well as evidence of mitigation or rehabilitation, as appropriate.