Grant Accountant 1

Why It's a Great Opportunity: In this key role with the Budget and Finance Operations (BFO) Division, you will be directly supporting the Planning and Public Works (PPW) Department in grant compliance, billing audits, and accounting. Your work on this team will ensure the funding is in place for critical infrastructure and development   public projects. You will work with program managers and financial teams across PPW ensuring that Projects are on track, compliant and impactful. Your efforts here are much more than accounting, you’ll be supporting initiatives that directly affect our communities.

Why It's a Great Department: PPW is a diverse and fast-moving department filled with motivated professionals working to ensure Pierce County is positioned to handle growth while building, operating, and maintaining reliable infrastructure to support livable communities. PPW is responsible for a broad and complex portfolio of services that provides unique opportunities to collaborate, innovate, and inspire. We are 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.

How to be Successful in the Role: As a Grant Accountant 1, your success will come from applying your solid understanding of accounting principles and the lifecycle of both state and federal grants. Being detail-oriented and proactive in tasks like reconciliation, record keeping, timekeeping, and grant billing — all while ensuring full compliance with funding requirements will further ensure your success. Knowledge in navigating various systems including third-party proprietary software to accurately track and report financial data. Your ability to stay organized, follow through, and communicate effectively with program managers and finance teams will make you a key player in keeping projects on track and funding secure.

Your Future in this Role: Pierce County offers professional development through the Leadership Certification program, 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.

Core Daily Responsibilities:

• Participate in the establishment and maintenance of comprehensive fiscal processes, procedures, and controls for fulfillment of, and compliance with, grant requirements; audit recipients of grant funds for adherence to program budget.
• Audit a variety of financial documents for completeness, accuracy, conformance with uniform accounting requirements, and with applicable regulations, goals, and objectives; evaluate program and department expenditures to assure statutory compliance; participate in fiscal assessments of subcontractors and sub-grantees; and prepare written findings for inclusion in contract files.
• Provide technical assistance to staff, sub-contractors, sub-grantees, and service providers; answer inquiries and disseminate information regarding fiscal regulations and systems.
• Prepare and maintain financial reports, statements, letters of credit, vouchers and other fiscal records in accordance with federal, state, and local regulations; reconcile reports and financial statements; forecast and monitor expenditure rates and identify need for adjustment; process appropriation and expenditure transfers; identify areas of non-compliance and recommend remedial action.
• Provide management with status of accounts, both actual and projected, along with analysis and recommendations relative to activity costs and revenues.
• Prepare annual administrative and program budgets; reconcile department accounts with County accounting records such as monthly budget analysis, cash balance statements, revenue and expenditure reports and letters of credit; and amend budget as necessary.
• Assist in the development and modification of specific aspects of the existing accounting systems to improve procedures and overall efficiency; provide technical assistance to sub-contractors for as required.
• Review contract proposals and make recommendations with regard to budget format, narrative, matching funds, and general compliance with state and federal regulatory requirements.

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

Minimum Qualifications:

• A resume and cover letter are required for this position.
• Graduation from a four-year college or university with major coursework in accounting, business, public administration or related discipline applicable to position, AND
• One or more years’ experience in governmental accounting, auditing, budgeting, or closely related field is required.
• Additional education and/or experience may substitute for the recruiting requirements.

As a condition of employment, the applicant will need to authorize and complete a background check. Information received from the background check is reviewed case-by-case and will not necessarily remove an applicant from consideration.

To be considered for this opportunity please:

• Complete and submit a detailed online Pierce County Employment Application by selecting "APPLY" above or go to:   www.piercecountywa.org/jobs. 
• If you have a question about this opportunity, please email the Recruitment Team at PCHRRecruit@piercecountywa.gov and specify the Job Number and Title. 
• If you do not have internet access, you may visit your local public library or any WorkSource location and use their computers.
• Individuals needing accommodation in the application, testing process or need this job announcement in an alternative format may call Human Resources at (253) 798-7480, at least two days prior to the need.  

This is a competitive selection process. Your application will be reviewed and evaluated for the quality and quantity of education/experience in the areas listed. Applicants whose qualifications most closely correspond to the County's needs will be eligible for further consideration. Notification of application status normally occurs 2 to 3 weeks after the closing date. Short notice may be given to applicants to participate in further selection processes which may include assessments, phone screen, and interviews.

At Pierce County, diversity, equity, and inclusion means commitment, not a single step. We strive to foster an inclusive environment that supports equitable access to opportunities throughout your career. We want to recruit, develop, and maintain a talented workforce from various backgrounds, cultures, lifestyles, and perspectives, committed to our vision. Employees of the County have local, direct, and visible impact in our diverse community. Will you join us in keeping Pierce County a place people are proud to call home?

Salary : $39 - $49