Pierce County Library System

Senior Accountant

Are you an experienced finance professional looking for a dynamic role where your skills can make a real impact? Join the Pierce County Library System (PCLS) as a Senior Accountant and become part of a mission-driven organization dedicated to serving the community.

In this senior-level position, you will coordinate and perform a wide range of advanced accounting tasks, ensuring compliance with GASB accounting standards, audit requirements, and financial best practices. Approximately 30% of your role will focus on payroll processing and support, while the remaining responsibilities will include accounts payable, contract management, financial reconciliations, and internal auditing. You will also act as a backup to the Senior Payroll Administrator, ensuring accuracy and compliance with library policies and applicable regulations.

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys tackling complex financial issues, analyzing data, and taking initiative to develop and implement efficient financial processes.

Why Join PCLS?

In addition to the opportunity for meaningful work, we offer:
✔ A fantastic work-life balance with a Monday–Friday schedule.
✔ Hybrid flexibility – after training, work remotely up to two days a week.
✔ A collaborative and supportive finance team that values professional growth and career development.
✔ Significant responsibility – take ownership of key financial processes and contribute to strategic decisions.

If you’re ready to bring your expertise in accounting and payroll to a senior position that combines professional challenge with community service, we encourage you to apply and be part of our dedicated team at PCLS.

Hiring Range: $35.96 - $41.68 per hour; Pay Grade Range: $35.96 - $49.78 per hour

Compensation:

Pierce County Library System offers a compensation program which recognizes qualifications and experience relevant to each position. The starting pay is established typically within the hiring range below based upon the experience of the individual hired into the role. Our compensation package also includes annual increases for each additional year of experience and tenure in the role, up to the maximum (current year maximum outlined in pay grade range above). Eligibility for overtime is exclusive to positions which are FLSA status non-exempt below.

FLSA Status: Hourly, Non-exempt

Position Status: Regular, Full-Time

Hours Per Week: 40

Schedule: Monday-Friday: 8:30am-5:00pm.

Schedule is subject to change.

Union Status: Represented 

Candidate Submission Timelines:

EXTERNAL and INTERNAL Candidates: To be considered for this position please submit your resume and up to 4 additional attachments to display your knowledge, skills and abilities for consideration for this position no later than 5:00 p.m. on closing date below.

Submissions after the Closure Date below will not be considered:

INTERNAL and EXTERNAL Closure date: Monday, March 10th, 2025 at 5:00pm

Veteran Status: Applicants wishing to claim Veterans Preference should select the percentage that they qualify for, 5% or 10% during the application. More information about veteran’s preference, such as the difference in percentage can be found here and here.  If you need more information please contact us at:HR@pcls.us

Position Summary 

Coordinates and performs advanced professional  accounting functions for the Pierce County Library System’s Finance Department; performs financial reconciliations and ensures compliance with GASB accounting standards; develops and maintains complex accounting records and reports, including detailed financial statements for management review; prepares, reviews, verifies, and issues the Library’s accounts payable warrants; responsible for administering the Library’s Contract Module, ensuring proper financial data analysis and reporting related to vendor agreements and required documentation; identifies vendors subject to tax reporting requirements through detailed analysis and regulatory review; prepares and verifies Pcards imports, ensuring compliance with all documentation and procurement guidelines; leads the implementation and operation of complex EERP and downstream systems/modules, including financial data integration and reporting; conducts internal audits and assists in developing and maintaining internal control procedures and records management processes, ensuring compliance with audit standards; assists management personnel in resolving accounting issues.

Contributes to processing payroll by analyzing time sheets, preparing and inputting payroll processing data for import, enter retroactive pay information, supports annual payroll processing, reviews and resolves payroll-related issues; designs and implements payroll workflows; and serves as backup for payroll system management and processing. Performs other related duties as assigned. This position  works under general supervision and differs from the lower level classification of Senior Accounts Payable Specialist by the more complex and advanced technical nature of accounting knowledge and  duties assigned.

Essential Functions

Class specifications are intended to provide a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employee in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

·         Delivers high-quality, customer-focused services and collaborates with numerous departments on financial practices.

·         Creation of invoice imports including Utilities, Procurement Card Invoices, and Amazon. Processes, codes, inputs, and reconciles invoices and billing relative to area of work and in alignment with BARS Accounting .

·         Prepares, issues, and/or voids the Library’s accounts payable warrants; communicates with Pierce County regarding warrants written by the Library.

·         Develops and enforces accounting procedures and audit controls while maintaining accurate financial records.

·         Assists in collecting, disbursing, or investing organizational funds in accordance with established policies and financial management practices.

·         Conduct research, verification, and audits related to GASB 87 and GASB 96 compliance, ensuring accurate financial reporting of leases and subscription-based information technology arrangements.

·         Compiles financial and time reporting data and prepares reports relative to area of assignment.

·         Processes all annual payroll updates and W-2’s; enters W-4 information into the Library’s ERP system, processes payroll vendor warrants.

·         Oversees the generation and distribution of vendor 1099 forms, ensuring compliance with IRS reporting standards; prepares and submits 1096 transmittals.

·         Processes data in the time reporting system including timesheet approval workflows and processing.

·         Supports data entry into the Library ERP system for retroactive pay and deduction data entry, and completes time reporting analysis.

·         Processes mileage semi-weekly and supports record retention. Responds to reporting inquiries and resolves issues with staff.

·         Back-up coverage for payroll processing.

·         Train and guide employees as required to support change in process and enhance accounting skills and knowledge.

·         Demonstrates punctuality and regular and consistent attendance.

·         Brings matters of public concern regarding waste, inefficiency, corruption, discrimination, and safety to the attention of Library Management.

·         Accurately communicates the Library’s policies to members of the public in all job-related contacts. 

•           Positively reflects Pierce County Library’s mission, vision, and values to members of the public and to staff.

·         Performs other duties as assigned or required.

Additional Duties and Responsibilities

Duties are considered non-essential and include the following:

Reports to the Accounting Manager; no supervisory responsibility is exercised.

Core Skills & Qualities / Leadership Competencies

Employees are expected to demonstrate the following qualities at all times:

• Customer Focus

• Teamwork

• Communications

• Leadership

• Problem Solving

• Change and Learning

• Positive Attitude

• Professional Integrity

• Diversity

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

The employee is expected to perform or possess the following:

Minimum Requirements including Education, License or Certifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Business Administration, or related field, and four years of technical accounting and/or payroll experience; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience that demonstrates the required knowledge and skills.

• Must pass criminal background screening prior to hire.

• Comprehensive knowledge of generally accepted accounting and audit principles and practices.

• Understanding of regulations and standards governing time reporting, payroll, and fiscal record-keeping principles.

• Ability to compile, analyze, and prepare various financial reports and records.

• Strong customer service skills and effective communication protocols.

• Ability to coordinate and perform a variety of complex accounting and time reporting tasks while ensuring compliance with relevant standards and regulations.

• Analytical skills to compile, interpret, and present complex financial data

Technology Requirements:

Required:

• Ability to effectively navigate basic electronic record creation and storage (e.g. timecard/HRIS, ERP, network drive storage)

• Use of basic office equipment (e.g. PC, printer, phone, fax, mouse, security alarm)

• Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including functions such as pivot tables, and complex formulas• Experience with enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems or financial management software

• Ability to navigate, search and use basic web functions and applications

• Specialized equipment or software skills sufficient to satisfactorily complete job responsibilities (e.g. HRIS)

Desired

•   Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Business Administration,

• Experience in governmental accounting practices and procedures

• Training and education specific to Washington Finance Officers Association, Washington Public Treasurers Association, and Government Finance Officers Association are preferred but not required.

Physical and Environmental Conditions:

Work is conducted in a normal office setting that provides comfortable lighting, temperature and air conditions. Occasional light lifting, such as three to four reams of paper, four or five books, or other library materials up to 35 pounds may be required. Subject to sitting and standing for extended periods of time, walking, bending, reaching, and lifting objects weighing up to 30-35 pounds. May lift or push up to 50 pounds as needed with assistance.

Work environment involves everyday risks or discomforts that require normal safety precautions typical of such places as offices or meeting rooms, e.g. use of safe work place practices with office equipment, and/or avoidance of trips and falls and observance of fire regulations.

Work may be performed in a library environment and involve regular contact with the public, and/or require push/pull loaded carts. 

The above position description is not intended as, nor should it be construed as, exhaustive of all responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions associated with this job. 

Benefits:

• Medical, Dental, and Basic Life Insurance
• Vacation
• Sick Leave
• Long-Term Disability 
• State Retirement System 
• Employees have an opportunity to participate in the Tax Sheltered  Annuity Program and the Deferred Compensation Program
• Additional life insurance for the employee and family is available through payroll deduction. 
• Employee Assistance Program