Temporary Senior Cost Accountant (Senior Accountant, Temporary)

City of Seattle; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 66,000 - 77,000; Full time

Job summary

Seattle City Light is seeking a Senior Cost Accountant to support the Cost Accounting team in managing approximately $6 billion in Utility Plant Assets and $400 million in annual capital additions. You will maintain the general ledger, analyze accounting data, and produce standard and ad-hoc reports in compliance with GASB, GAAP, and regulatory requirements.

Under limited supervision, you will collaborate with power generation, IT, and engineering teams to improve cost tracking, assist with

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Accounting or related field; 3 years of professional accounting experience in general or governmental accounting
• Strong knowledge of GAAP, GASB and FERC requirements
• Experience with PeopleSoft, data extraction and financial reporting
• Ability to create data pulls using SQL, Excel and Tableau
• Ability to work independently and in teams, with strong communication skills

Responsibilities

• Maintain general ledger and financial records for cost accounting
• Prepare and analyze accounting/financial data and reports; conduct account reconciliations
• Assist with grant cost reporting, journal entries and reimbursements
• Record amortization and depreciation; prepare year-end depreciation reports
• Lead final bill cost processes for large Time & Material jobs and ensure accurate asset records
• Deliver ad-hoc and standard reports; provide management with insights into fiscal operations

Skills

GAAP knowledge

GASB

FERC

Interpersonal skills

Written communication

Time management

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Accounting

Tools

PeopleSoft

WAMS

Excel

SQL

Tableau

Job description

Seattle City Light, a department of the City of Seattle, is one of the nation’s largest municipally owned utilities in terms of the number of customers served. Over the years we have worked very hard to keep Seattle's electricity affordable, reliable, and environmentally sound. Today, City Light is a recognized national leader in energy efficiency and environmental stewardship.

City Light’s Accounting Division has a temporary opportunity for a Senior Cost Accountant. This is a key position, playing a significant role in accomplishing the mission of the Cost Accounting team to accurately account for approximately $6 billion of Utility Plant Assets and $400 million in annual capitalized additions. Under limited supervision, the Senior Accountant performs complex professional accounting work in the maintenance, control, analysis and development of financial records, reports and systems. In this position, you will maintain accounting records in the general ledger and other financial systems, prepare and analyze accounting/financial and investment data and reports, perform account reconciliations and research and interpret accounting standards and regulations. This position reports to the Cost Accounting Manager.

What you’ll be doing

• Work with power generation, energy conservation, information technology, engineering & administrative business units or functional areas to understand their operations and assist them with proper cost tracking processes.
• Monitor work-in-process to ensure that completed work is appropriately classified and that completed assets are accurately recorded in a timely manner. Review asset records to record asset retirements and ensure accuracy of annual depreciation expense.
• Assist with grant cost reporting, accounting journals, and reimbursement requests.
• Record amortization for intangible assets, prepare year end depreciation reports.
• Lead Time & Material Final Bill Cost process including the preparation of final bill packets. This data controls and tracks status of Large Time and Material jobs from beginning to end (“final bill”).
• Perform accounting and financial research, reconciliations, analysis and reporting on financial, accounting and budget issues and problems.
• Ensure conformance with applicable accounting standards including GASB, GAAP, and compliance with regulatory requirements including FERC.
• Deliver reporting of performance metrics and key operating statistics.
• Continue refinement of related accounting processes and policies.
• Deliver management via the maintenance of current reports, design of new reports and writing of ad-hoc reports as required.
• Advise and assist management in interpreting and understanding fiscal and accounting policies, procedures, operations and controls.

Required Qualifications

In addition to the skills and experience mentioned below, a successful applicant will have experience that reflects a commitment to creating fair and equitable outcomes and has:

Bachelor's Degree in Accounting or related field (requires satisfactory completion of at least 24 semester hours or 36 quarter credit units in accounting with no substitution allowed) plus three years’ professional experience in general or governmental accounting (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:

• Advanced knowledge of accounting principles, practices and methods in accordance with GAAP, GASB and FERC
• In-depth knowledge of PeopleSoft, WAMS, Excel, and related financial data
• Ability to select data and create SQL, Excel, Tableau data pulls
• Ability to work independently as well as team centered.
• Strong interpersonal, verbal and writing skills.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.

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.

Emergency Response Commitment

Seattle City Light is committed to reliable service during emergencies. Through our Emergency Response Program, each employee is assigned a role—usually aligned with their regular duties to support emergency operations. Your participation is required and vital to helping the utility stay prepared and serve our community when it matters most.

The full salary range for this position is $48.07 to $55.96 per hour.

Who May Apply

This position is open to all candidates that meet the qualifications. Seattle City Light 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 City Light 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 Seattle’s Fair Chance Employment Ordinance, SMC 14.17 and the City of Seattle Personnel Rule 10.3. 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, holiday, 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.

Want to know more about Seattle City Light? Check out our web page: https://www.seattle.gov/city-light/about-us/careers.