Payroll Accountant

Job Summary

King County Housing Authority is currently recruiting for a detail-oriented, mission-driven Payroll Accountant to join our Finance Department. The Payroll Accountant performs difficult and specialized technical work involving the maintenance, analysis, interpretation, and management of payroll accounting data. This position is responsible for ensuring accuracy and integrity in payroll-related accounting activities and performing related work as required. Work is performed under the limited supervision of the Accounting Manager.

About King County Housing Authority

 King County Housing Authority (KCHA) is the largest provider of affordable housing in the Pacific Northwest and a nationally recognized leader in affordable housing. To learn more about KCHA and our Mission visit this link. 

We transform lives through housing.

Essential Functions

The Payroll Accountant:

• Reviews and processes the biweekly and monthly payroll.
• Prepares and analyzes payroll reports to ensure that they are in compliance with Federal, State, and local rules and regulations.
• Manages annual regulation updates for IRS tax tables, State, and local agencies.
• Prepares and balances payroll tax reporting to ensure accuracy for W-2 filing at year-end, ensuring accuracy.
• Maintains, configures, reconfigures, and analyzes the payroll software system.
• Coordinates with Human Resources on benefit and compensation issues.
• Processes the monthly invoice for Public Employees Benefit Board (PEBB) and makes changes as needed.
• Researches and prepares material for external or internal auditors. 
• Leads, trains, and inspects the work of staff; assists in coaching and counseling; assists with ensuring deadlines for the department are met.
• Reviews PERS calculations for accuracy; prepares and submits bi-weekly retirement reporting and remit payments to the Department of Retirement Systems (DRS).
• Other duties as assigned. 

Qualifications and Competencies

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Economics, Finance, or related field AND
• Moderate experience in payroll functions, GAAP, general accounting, general ledger, computational and analytical skills, preparing and reporting of Federal, State, and local payroll reports OR
• An equivalent combination of experience and education that provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of this position.
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Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• General knowledge of the principles, practices, and terminology of general, fund, and governmental accounting, including:
• Financial statement preparation, financial and internal controls, and financial reporting.
• Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Federal, State, and local government accounting regulations and procedures.
• Financial planning and control procedures, accounting, and budgeting within a housing authority.
• Thorough knowledge of Authority regulations, policies and procedures, internal audit systems, and the principles, procedures, and practices of electronic data processing accounting applications.
• Demonstrated skill in evaluating complex accounting/payroll systems and efficiently formulating and installing accounting methods, procedures, forms, and records.
• Understanding and accurately using the Authority’s Chart of Accounts and in making accurate arithmetic calculations. 
• Excellent communication and organizational skills.
• Adept in the preparation of clear, concise, and complete financial documents, statements, and reports.
• Ability to use independent judgment and discretion in performing departmental activities, including handling difficult situations, setting priorities, maintaining standards, and resolving problems.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with Authority management and employees, HUD representatives, business and community leaders, vendors, regulatory agency administrators, auditors, landlords, the general public, and others encountered in the course of work.

Special Requirements:

• Consent to and pass required assessments.
• Consent to and pass a criminal records background check.
• The successful candidate will need to have access to reliable transportation to meet the business needs of the Agency.

Position Information and Application Process

Application Requirements:

To be considered for this opportunity, you must:

• Complete the online application profile in its entirety.
• Upload a cover letter that addresses how your experience and education qualifies you to perform the essential functions listed in the job announcement. (Cover Letter)
• Upload a detailed résumé of all educational and professional experience. (Résumé)
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Salary & Benefits:

The starting salary range for this position is $84,763.00 - $99,598.00 annually dependent on qualifications and professional experience. The complete salary range for this position is $84,763.00 - $114,430.00 annually. Performance based merit increase opportunities and Cost of Living Adjustments (COLA) are reviewed on an annual basis. A comprehensive health care benefits package for you and your dependents includes medical, dental and vision insurance, life and long-term disability insurance plans, vacation, sick and personal leave, tuition reimbursement, and retirement benefits are also available. For more details regarding KCHA comprehensive benefits, please visit our benefits page.

Work Environment:

After initial onboarding, this position will have the opportunity to work remotely up to 60% in accordance with the KCHA's flexible work arrangements; however, remote work conditions will be reviewed on a regular basis based on business and program need. Employees must reside in Washington State and having the ability to report to the Central Office in Tukwila will be required. Some local and domestic travel may be required to support KCHA business needs.

Physical Requirements:

Incumbent(s) must be able to meet the physical requirements of the classification and have mobility, balance, coordination, vision, hearing and dexterity levels appropriate to the functions performed. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 10 pounds of force; using hands to finger, handle or feel and repetitive motions and occasionally requires speaking or hearing, reaching with hands and arms and pushing or pulling; work has standard vision requirements; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels; work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data; work has no exposure to environmental conditions; work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office, light traffic).

Equal Opportunity:

King County Housing Authority is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.