Staff Accountant - HAP at Spokane Housing Authority – Spokane, Washington

Starting Hourly Rate: $26.69 – $28.74
Position Range: $26.69 – $38.65
FLSA Designation: Non-Exempt

Looking for a great benefits package? We have you covered with:

· Employer paid medical for base employee plans.

· Employer paid dental for employee plan.

· Employer paid vision for employee plan.

· Employer paid Long Term Disability and Life Insurance

· Flexible scheduling

· 13 Paid Holidays

· Public Employee Retirement System (PERS) – Pension style retirement program.

Great PTO Accrual

0-2 years 15 days a year

3-4 years 27 days a year

5-9 years 30 days a year

10-14 years 33 days a year

15-19 years 37.5 days a year

20+ years 40.5 days a year

Days based off 8 hours

Purpose of Staff Accountant – HAP

Under the supervision of the Controller, the Staff Accountant – HAP Position performs technical and professional accounting work, including analyzing and verifying general ledger accounts and ledgers, preparing financial and statistical reports, and providing information to the Spokane Housing Authority (SHA) staff regarding accounting practices and procedures and communicates regarding disbursement activities with SHA staff, vendors, owners and outside agencies. This position uses an involved accounting system and performs reconciliations of Housing Assistance Payments (HAP) accounts, researches and completes cash management reconciliations and reporting, maintains and coordinates inventory of fixed asset records and responds to and reports on Internal Revenue Services (IRS) communications.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Housing Assistance Payments (HAP) Processing and Reconciliation

• Communicate with appropriate program staff to clarify questions or discrepancies and back up to HAP Accountant in reviewing and addressing:
• Accuracy of HAP adjustments.
• New owner documentation, including banking information and IRS TIN Matching, and process owner recoupments.
• Utility reimbursement distributions.
• Perform account analysis and review holds and exceptions.

Bank Reconciliations and Journal Entries

• Prepare monthly bank reconciliations for all agency and tax credit entity bank accounts, including preparing miscellaneous charges and interest income journals and managing outstanding checks.
• Prepare prepaid month-end journals and recurring journals.
• Process journal entries as required.

Compliance and External Reporting

• Manage external communications related to unclaimed property and prepare and submit final online reporting.
• Ensure compliance with agency financial policies and procedures in processing transactions.

Training and Support

• Make recommendations for training staff to ensure accuracy and efficiency within the process and procedure of recording HAP transactions.
• Serve as a liaison for owners and landlords, addressing questions and providing access to the online owner portal.

Fixed Asset Management and Reporting

• Prepare and maintain fixed asset and depreciation schedules to ensure accurate inventory tracking and reporting.
• Compile and submit fixed asset capital replacement reserve draw requests to appropriate funding sources.
• Organize and report annual physical inventory, ensuring proper documentation and compliance with SHA policies.

Backup and General Accounting Functions

• Serve as backup for the Accountant, including completing monthly check runs, processing claims, and port payments.
• Perform other accounting and bookkeeping functions as assigned.
• Assist other staff with assignments as necessary.
• Perform other related duties as required or assigned.

Technical and Accounting Knowledge

• Proficiency in identifying, defining, and correcting accounting discrepancies.
• Strong understanding of various computer systems and accounting software, including Microsoft 365 Suite and spreadsheet applications.
• Knowledge of financial reporting procedures, reconciliations, and compliance with applicable accounting standards.

Analytical and Organizational Skills

• Ability to work independently, effectively organize tasks, systematize procedures, and meet strict deadlines.
• Strong analytical skills with attention to detail in financial data management.
• Capability to apply accurate calculations and perform complex data analysis for financial reporting.

Communication and Interpersonal Skills

• Strong written and verbal communication skills for collaboration with internal departments and external stakeholders.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues, vendors, and regulatory agencies.
• Capacity to convey financial information in a clear and concise manner.

Education and Professional Qualifications

Educational Requirements

• Associate degree in Accounting or current enrollment in an accounting degree program, or one year of experience in a computerized accounting environment.

Professional Experience

• Preference is given to candidates with experience in HUD programs.
• Experience in financial data reconciliation, reporting, and compliance is beneficial.

Certifications and Licenses

• Any equivalent combination of experience and training that provides the knowledge and abilities necessary to perform the work of a Staff Accountant – HCV.
• Must have an acceptable credit history according to SHA’s policy and a background free of criminal/drug felony convictions.

Required Workplace Standards

• Attendance must be punctual and consistent.
• Works an agreed-upon schedule.
• Works effectively, cooperatively, and respectfully with co-workers, clients, and other contacts.
• Establishes and maintains good rapport with public, family clientele, and landlords.
• Promulgates and maintains SHA policies, rules, and regulations.
• Follows all SHA Safety Policies and Procedures.
• Follows all SHA Personnel Policies and Procedures.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Essential Physical Abilities

This position requires the ability to:

• Remain in a stationary position for prolonged periods of time;
• Move/traverse within a multi-level office space, to/from community partner locations, and various meeting spaces;
• Often move/transport equipment, supplies that may exceed 30 pounds;
• Constantly operate a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine, and printer; and
• Communicate frequently, effectively, and accurately with internal and external partners.

Work is primarily sedentary in nature. The work environment noise level is usually moderate. The employee can be exposed to outside weather conditions.

Must be able to fully function in a drug-free environment.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the principal functions of this job, the level of knowledge and skill typically required, and the scope of responsibilities. They should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods, or to otherwise balance the workload for the good of the organization.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Spokane Housing Authority provides equal employment opportunities and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. This applies to all employment terms, including recruiting, hiring, compensation, and training. Reasonable accommodations may be provided to individuals with disabilities.