Accounting Assistant

Why it's a great opportunity

In this lead role with Pierce County’s Utilities fiscal team, you will apply your expertise in complex transactional accounting, overseeing monthly, quarterly, and year‑end closings for both the Sewer and Water Utilities. You will also generate and review reports, verify the accuracy of contract billable rates, support procurement activities. You will focus on accounts payable activities through managing purchase orders, processing invoices, preparing journal entries, and other internal financial transactions.

Your precision and attention to detail are essential as the fiscal point of contact for this large and diverse utility team.

PPW stewards a healthy and vibrant community by collaboratively planning and investing in our people, infrastructure, systems, and policies. PPW’s team has more than 800 members that collaborate, innovate, and inspire in performing essential services to the community. The department is responsible for the County road and levee systems, sewer systems, airports, ferries, building permits, environmental review, sustainability, community planning, and code enforcement – just to name a few!

Learn more about Planning and Public Works here.

Your success will stem from applying sound bookkeeping and accounting principles, theories, and practices. Developing a strong understanding of the chart of accounts will be essential. Maintaining accuracy in every process and understanding how your work supports the broader team will further strengthen your effectiveness in this role.

You will have access to professional development through robust online learning and other training opportunities throughout your career to ensure your success. This position has multiple career growth and promotional opportunities in Pierce County to build on a great career while directly impacting the communities in Pierce County.

• Maintain, control, and oversee the maintenance of general or subsidiary ledgers, balancing operations, pre‑auditing functions, and various other accounting and clerical functions; maintenance of activities such as receivables, payables, billings, purchasing, and related functions; direct the processing of key personnel documents and payroll time records for County personnel; analyze computer reporting and verify accuracy of data and program effects; edit computer reports until final computer run is authorized.
  
  Coordinate payroll processing from departments ensuring compliance and compatibility with County code, budget authorization, and payroll system; prepare procedural documentation for internal and external payroll processing.
• Maintain, control, and supervise the preparation of financial reports; prepare financial analysis of expenditures, operations, and related areas.
• Perform and maintain a variety of financial transactions and records associated with the receipts and disbursement of funds.
• Direct and participate in the workflow of the office to meet deadlines; coordinate scheduling with data processing to ensure timely reporting; ensure compliance with established policies and procedures; review and approve financial and statistical reports developed within the unit; and assign work to other fiscal support staff.
• Review operating budgets periodically to analyze trends affecting budget needs. Review expenditures to ensure compliance with budget plan.
• Oversee the proper accounting of and department compliance with budget, billing, and fiscal regulations of state and federal grants; work with subcontractors to ensure compliance with laws and regulations, formulation of budget billing and fiscal procedures and accounting for grant appropriations.

A classification description with a more detailed list of essential functions can be found here.

• Additional education or experience may substitute for the required education which would clearly indicate the ability to perform the duties of the position.
• Three years of progressively responsible bookkeeping, accounting, auditing or closely related work experience; OR
• Equivalent coursework in bookkeeping,…