Tacoma Public Schools
Expected Start Date: July 1, 2026
FTE: 1.0
Salary Level: $137,939 - $187,222 DOE
Union/Work Year: Exempt Classified; 260 days; 12-month
Benefits: This job has the full range of benefits offered by Tacoma Public Schools.
This position manages the day-to-day accounting operations of the District, ensuring accurate and timely processing of financial transactions, reconciliations, and routine reporting. The role oversees the general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, ASB accounting, and operational components of month-end and year-end close. The Accounting Manager supports the Controller by executing accounting processes, maintaining operational controls, supervising accounting staff, and ensuring compliance with established policies, procedures, and internal control standards.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
1. Supervises the preparation of internal accounting system reports on the District’s financial status; interprets, reconciles, and controls periodic reports.
2. Prepares schedules, reconciliations, and assigned sections of year-end financial statements and required state reports under the direction of the Controller.
3. Ensures that adequate controls and procedures are maintained in all financial systems interfacing the general ledger system. Implements and maintains day-to-day accounting internal controls consistent with the internal control framework established by the Controller. Maintains the necessary accounts in the general ledger system to provide full disclosure of assets, liabilities, revenues, expenditures, and fund balances. Develops and recommends new and/or revised accounting procedures.
4. Recommends operational process improvements to increase efficiency, accuracy, and internal control strength, consistent with Controller-established policies.
5. Ensures accounting safeguards of District assets; works with financial institutions, rating agencies and underwriters to ensure favorable financing rates and bond ratings.
6. Oversees operational aspects of cash handling, deposits, and daily reconciliations. Provides cash activity reporting to the Controller.
7. Manages and performs accounts payable functions for all funds, including payments to vendors, reimbursements, IRS Form 1099 reporting, contractual agreements, and payroll benefit claims.
8. Ensures the accuracy of classifications to revenues and expenditures in accordance with the Washington State Accounting Manual for School Districts.
9. Manages financial accounting functions; supervises account reconciliation activities.
10. Supervises assigned staff, makes hiring recommendations, appropriately evaluates, commends, and disciplines employees, approves leaves and overtime, assigns and reviews work. Ensures staff are trained in accounting procedures, timelines, and internal control requirements. Promotes a high-quality customer service environment. Ensures staff receive District wide and department information.
11. Provides technical assistance to programs and departments on a variety of accounting and cost analysis projects.
12. Assists in the planning and forecasting of cash and/or fund balances, revenues, expenditures, and year-end accrual balances for all funds; assists in the planning, development, and implementation of the District’s annual budget.
13. Supervises overall Associated Student Body (ASB) budgeting and financial accounting activities; monitors cash register use and records; manages ASB accounting systems. Ensures ASB accounting activities comply with District procedures and reporting requirements.
14. Supports internal and external audits by preparing documentation, schedules, and reconciliations and responding to audit requests under the direction of the Controller.
OTHER JOB DUTIES
1. Participates in accounting system implementation and enhancement teams as assigned.
2. Performs related duties as assigned, on a temporary basis.
3. Regular, reliable, predictable attendance or physical presence is an essential job requirement and critical to the performance of the work.
CONDITIONS
Office environment; experiences frequent interruptions; experiences exposure to video display and prolonged visual concentration; required to travel to District sites; may be required to lift and carry up to 25 pounds, bend, squat, stoop, kneel, crouch, walk, twist, climb and/or be mobile.
Education and Experience
Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, business administration, or closely related field, and five years of increasingly responsible experience in accounting, treasury, fiscal management, and reimbursements including experience in preparing annual financial reports; supervisory responsibility in a governmental or public school District environment; or any combination of experience and training which provides the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and ability required to perform the work.
Licenses/Special Requirements
Certified Public Accountant is preferred.
Fingerprints and successful WSP and FBI background clearance/sexual misconduct clearance.
Allowable Substitution
Equivalent combinations of education and experience will be evaluated by the Human Resource Department for comparability
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles and practices.
Knowledge of principles and practices of budgeting and financial analysis
Knowledge of state and federal financial reporting requirements.
Knowledge of supervisory principles and practices.
Skill in obtaining, clarifying and exchanging information.
Skill in providing high quality customer service.
Ability to concentrate on detail and be precise and accurate.
Ability to work under pressure and meet established deadlines.
Ability to maintain strict confidentiality.
Ability to formulate, implement and perform standard and special accounting methods and procedures.
Ability to plan, organize and supervise the work of assigned staff.
Ability to demonstrate reasonable, reliable, and regular attendance.
Ability to operate a personal computer with advanced proficiency in computerized accounting systems/software, database management, and spreadsheet software.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of people in a multi-cultural, diverse socio-economic setting.
This job description is not an employment agreement or contract. District administration has the exclusive right to alter this job description at any time without notice. The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the primary functions of this job, the level of knowledge and skill typically required and the scope of responsibility, but 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 otherwise balance the workload.