Temporary Accountant; -first screening

Job Title:

Temporary Accountant

(Temporary position with benefits – anticipated duration 18-24 months)

Open Date:
October 23, 2026

Open until filled
- First review will take place November 2nd, 2026.

Salary: $7,467 - $8,460/month – FLSA Exempt

View full job posting here: FULL JOB POSTING

The City of Ellensburg is accepting applications for a Temporary Accountant in the Finance Department.

This is a temporary, eighteen-to-twenty-four-month position established to provide operational accounting support and backfill critical Finance Department duties while key employees are assigned significant responsibilities throughout all phases of the implementation of a new Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) financial management system, including the discovery, design, testing, implementation, and stabilization.

It is critical that the employee in this position be able to learn quickly and work independently following instructions, policies, procedures and use of good judgment. The employee will need to demonstrate flexibility, adaptability, initiative, resourcefulness, and be open to accepting and implementing feedback. They must also maintain accuracy and attention to detail and be able to build relationships that will allow them to work well in a supportive role.

The Accountant will work independently under the general supervision of the Finance Director or designee. The employee will perform professional and complex accounting, reconciliation, financial analysis, and reporting functions, and may be assigned work across functional areas such as accounts payable, payroll, cash receipting, treasury, inventory, fixed assets, project accounting, grants, and general ledger activities based on departmental needs and the implementation schedule.

Employment in this position is temporary and does not create an expectation of continued employment beyond the anticipated assignment period.

All employees are expected to model and foster the City of Ellensburg’s core values in the performance of their duties and their interactions while representing the City and serving the community. The values of Compassion (we care), Courage (we do the right thing), and Conviction (we work hard) promote and maintain a high level of service and are the tie that binds all City employees together, across departments.

Employees may be required to perform any or all of the following duties while adhering to City of Ellensburg operational policies, safety rules, and procedures.

• Provide temporary backfill support for critical Finance Department accounting, reporting, reconciliation, and operational duties that are reassigned due to the ERP implementation.
• Maintain knowledge of and assist with the administration of accounts payable, payroll, cash receipting, treasury functions, inventory, fixed assets, project accounting, and general ledger processes.
• Work collaboratively with City departments to gain and maintain a solid understanding of their processes and workflows.
• Perform audits, reconciliations, data validation, and data extraction for accounting transactions, including payroll, accounts payable, inventory, fixed assets, and cash receipting activity posted to the general ledger.
• Reconcile, verity, balance, adjust, and maintain assigned accounts and accounting records in conformance with the Washington State Budgeting, Accounting, and Reporting System (BARS), generally accepted accounting principles, City policies, and other applicable requirements.
• Prepare and maintain financial reports, schedules, documentation, and supporting work papers for assigned functions, projects, and reporting requirements.
• Provide support for assigned budget, financial analysis, audit, and special…