Financial Specialist - Accounts Payable in Tacoma, Washington at Parks Tacoma

Based on our internal equity review process, the starting hourly wage for this position will be $31.07
To allow for growth and salary progression the full hourly range is $31.07- $42.54. Employees will have the opportunity to move through the posted range based on annual performance reviews and merit increases.

A Financial Specialist at Parks Tacoma has the opportunity to do more than work with numbers—it is a chance to support an organization that makes a meaningful difference in the community. Through accurate and timely financial services, this position helps ensure the District has the resources and support needed to provide parks, recreation programs, facilities, and experiences that serve families, youth, seniors, and the broader community. The role offers exposure to a wide variety of financial operations, opportunities to collaborate across the organization, and the ability to see how your work contributes to Parks Tacoma’s larger mission. After successfully completing the probationary period, the position also offers the opportunity to work in a hybrid environment, providing flexibility while remaining connected to the team and the people we serve.

Work where you play!
Join our team at Parks Tacoma to put your skills to use serving your community and making Tacoma a vibrant, healthy, and welcoming place to live.

Who We Are
Parks Tacoma is a CAPRA-accredited and AZA-accredited, independent park district that leads efforts to build a healthy, sustainable community. Located in Tacoma, Washington, Tacoma Parks’ mission is to create healthy opportunities to play, learn, and grow. The independent park district spans the city providing a wide range of life-enriching destinations and services, including 70+ parks, 80+ miles of trails, 1,000+ acres of urban forest, 66 playgrounds, four community centers, Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, Northwest Trek Wildlife Park, Point Defiance Park, and much more. Our work is guided by eight core values that are the foundation of our actions and goals: innovation, excellence, equity, inclusiveness, sustainability, accountability, safety, and fun.

Why You’ll Love it Here
Come work where you play! You will contribute to the overall vitality and well-being of your community when you work for Parks Tacoma, and you’ll do so as part of a supportive team of committed, passionate, and mission-driven professionals. The people of Parks Tacoma are the key to its success, and you just might be the next great addition to our team. You’ll receive a competitive wage, along with an attractive benefits package, including medical, dental, retirement, vacation, holidays, and much more. On top of that, you’ll wake each day knowing that you’re helping make Tacoma a great place to call home.

Position Information
Under the direction of an assigned Supervisor, perform accounting work involved in the preparation and maintenance of financial and statistical records for an assigned set of accounts.

In the performance of their respective tasks and duties all employees are expected to:

• Perform quality work within deadlines with or without direct supervision.
• Interact professionally with other employees, customers and suppliers.
• Work effectively as a team contributor on all assignments.
• Work independently while understanding the necessity for communicating and coordinating work efforts with other employees and organizations.
• Observe applicable safety requirements, use safety equipment provided, implement appropriate safety practices at all times and report immediately any unsafe working conditions or hazards.

• Maintain a complete set of accounts such as accounts payable, payroll, accounts receivable, capital projects, cash management, budgets, capital assets, grants, or others; coordinate related accounting activity with other functions.
• Audit purchase orders, invoices, requisitions and other documents involved in accounts payable functions to assure accuracy and completeness; assist with daily accounts payable operations including entry of approved purchase orders and approval of invoice payments in accordance with District policies and procedures.
• Receive timecards; review, batch and input timecard information into the computer; assist the Payroll Officer with the maintenance of records related to vacation, sick leave, holiday and compensatory time usage.
• Verify and report on the revenue received by the District; input cash receipts; maintain and update accounts receivable.
• Participate in the development, compilation, assembly, and distribution of the District's budgets; meet with managers to explain budget instructions and distribute budget manuals.
• Prepare and maintain various legal and accounting records pertaining to the District's capital projects and grants. Prepare periodic financial reports and/or projections for capital projects and grants.
• Maintain the District's capital asset listing and prepare year end journal entries to record changes and depreciation.
• Provide accounting services for an assigned major department or enterprise such as the Zoo or recreation department; provide financial data and statistics; perform accounts payable, accounts receivable, budget monitoring, grants management and financial report services for assigned department. Advise assigned Director on financial matters; assist in budget preparation and other projections of revenue and expense; prepare budget back-up data.
• Prepare financial information in support of City, County, State, federal and private grants; prepare various financial, revenue and other reports as requested.
• Prepare journal entries for review by the Accounting Manager in accordance with District financial procedures.
• Coordinate communication with other District departments and personnel, federal and State agencies, banks, vendors and various outside organizations.
• Prepare and maintain a variety of financial and statistical reports, records and files related to accounting operations and activities; maintain confidentiality of records and information.
• Operate various office machines including personal computer, calculator, fax machine, and copier.
• Interpret and apply appropriate accounting rules and regulations; respond to questions regarding financial accounting procedures, account balances and related matters.
• Operate a motorized vehicle to travel to multiple locations to carry out essential duties. Adhere to all driving laws
  and safety rules.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

• Two years of clerical accounting experience required.
• One year of specialized course work in accounting or related field required. An additional year of clerical accounting experience may substitute for the required coursework.

LICENSE & OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• Possess a valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record (a current driving abstract will be requested during the reference process at applicant's expense.)
• Obtain a valid First Aid and CPR Card within the probationary period.

ENVIRONMENT:

• The office work environment is an active hub space with collaborative workstations where background noise from collaborative discussions, phone calls, impromptu meetings, and/or team activities are common.
• The work environment includes working individually and/or within team dynamics.

ABILITIES:
Perform continually sustained and repetitive activity, labor, and effort that includes:

• Stationary positioning for extended periods of time
• Position self to perform tasks and/or essential duties of role.
• Operate and/or use keyboards, phones, and office equipment.
• Observe, inspect, assess, detect, identify, and/or perceive details at close range while following and/or preparing records and reports, and/or operating equipment.
• Communicate and exchange accurate information and/or instructions to others.

Perform occasionally sustained and repetitive activity, labor, and effort that includes:

• Reaching above shoulder height or below waist
• Moving and/or positioning objects weighing up to 20 pounds.

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• Accounting methods, procedures and terminology.
• Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.
• Modern office practices, procedures and equipment.
• Financial and statistical record-keeping techniques.
• Electronic data processing operation.
• District organization, operations, policies and objectives.

ABILITY TO:

• Apply financial record-keeping principles to the accurate maintenance of complex and specialized fiscal and accounting records.
• Analyze data and prepare accurate reports.
• Work confidentially with discretion.
• Prepare data processing input documents rapidly and accurately.
• Prepare and maintain complex financial records and reports.
• Operate office machines such as calculator, copier, and computer terminal.
• Type at an acceptable rate of speed.
• Interpret rules and regulations.
• Perform emergency first aid and CPR as needed and according to established guidelines.
• Communicate clearly verbally and in writing.
• Assess and evaluate situations effectively.
• Exert optimal effort in successfully completing tasks.
• Take initiative with minimal supervision.
• Extract and record data and carry out calculations accurately.
• Set up and operate equipment that can require selection from options or different settings.
• Manage time efficiently and effectively through scheduling and prioritizing.
• Work within and contribute to the effectiveness of a team, respecting differences.
• Report for work regularly and on time.

PARKS TACOMA IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, political affiliation, disability or any other merit factor. Members of ethnic minorities, women, special disabled veterans, veterans of the Vietnam-era, recently separated veterans, and other protected veterans, persons of disability and/or persons age 40 and over are encouraged to apply.

Parks Tacoma employs only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized non-U.S. citizens. All new employees must show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

Parks Tacoma is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact Human Resources at hr@parkstacoma.gov.

Employment is subject to a national background check.

This position is an at-will position with no written or implied contractual agreement.