Accounting Technician

About the Department

Why Tumwater?
Tumwater is more than just a city, it’s a vibrant community rooted in history and filled with opportunity. Located at the southern gateway to the Seattle-Tacoma metro area, Tumwater offers the perfect blend of small-town charm and big-picture vision.

Surrounded by the natural beauty of Puget Sound, prairie landscapes, rivers, and evergreen forests, we’re just over an hour from ocean beaches, the Olympic Peninsula, and Mount Rainier. Whether you’re into hiking, kayaking, brewery-hopping, or live music, you’ll find easy access to it all.

Here in Tumwater, we’re building a future that’s highly livable, connected, and inclusive. With safe neighborhoods, excellent schools, and a deep sense of civic pride, it’s not just a great place to live, it’s a great place to grow your career.

The City of Tumwater is seeking a detail-oriented Accounting Technician to support key financial and judicial processes within the Finance Department. This position maintains accurate accounting records, reconciles transactions, processes business licenses and municipal taxes, and assists with infractions, collections, and case management.

In this role, you will research discrepancies, perform cash receipting and reconciliations, enter data into statewide systems, and provide professional assistance to businesses, attorneys, law enforcement, and community members. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who values accuracy, initiative, and customer service while contributing to efficient and compliant municipal operations.

Position Duties

This is not intended to be a comprehensive listing of all activities, duties and responsibilities required of the job. Other duties may be assigned and/or performed. The essential functions of this position include, but are not limited to:

General Duties

1. Responsible for the maintenance of detailed and organized accounting records and transactions.
2. Audit, maintain and review customer records for compliance and works with end-users to resolve discrepancies.
3. Implementation of municipal business and occupation taxes and business licenses. Duties include licensing processing, communication with businesses, software vendors, and other City staff to resolve issues and answer inquiries in a professional manner.
4. Research account transactions, reconcile accounts, and perform necessary adjustments.
5. Payment receipting and cash reconciliation.
6. Violation duties include infraction processing, payment arrangements, collections, deferrals, and report reconciling.
7. Assist the public including attorneys, law enforcement, court, and community agencies by answering inquiries, explaining regulations, procedures, and complex requirements of the judicial process.
8. Review and input pertinent case information into statewide database.
9. Identify court rules and procedures before entering judgments.
10. May also assist in other areas of Finance and act as a back-up to accounting staff such as Utility Billing.
11. Maintains appropriate behavior, appearance, and performance
12. Take initiative in recommending changes in work methods, policies, and procedures to improve levels of service delivery and improve overall operating efficiencies.
13. Work overtime as necessary to achieve departmental goals and as authorized by supervisor.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. Knowledge of technical governmental accounting and financial record keeping procedures and processes.
2. Ability to use and understand applicable software and other automated systems.
3. Knowledge of City codes, policies, and procedures as they relate to the position.
4. Knowledge of Microsoft Office products, including proficiency in the use of Word and Excel.
5. Knowledge of office professionalism standards relating to behavior, appearance (as appropriate for position) and performance.
6. Ability to perform special projects and conduct research and analysis on accounts.
7. Ability to understand complex oral and written instructions as needed.
8. Ability to promptly deal with internal and external customers tactfully and courteously in all communications. 
9. Ability to establish and maintain positive, effective working relationships.
10. Ability to maintain confidentiality of information.
11. Ability to maintain sustained attention to detail and to work under the pressure of rigid deadlines.
12. Ability to perform mathematical calculations quickly and accurately.
13. Ability to take initiative in recommending changes in work methods, policies, and procedures to improve levels of service delivery and improve overall operating efficiencies in accordance with the municipal code.
14. Ability to work independently and demonstrate good time management, as well as work as a team.

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

Preferred Qualifications:

Training/Licenses/Certifications:

Possession of a valid Washington State Driver’s License and an insurable driving record may be required. Must pass a background investigation.

Other Qualifications

Contacts:

Contacts are primarily with the public in relaying technical tax and licensing information. Some positions may require contact with individuals under stressful conditions, requiring the ability to explain the City's procedures, laws, and requirements in a calm, concise, and courteous manner.

Supervision:

General supervision is required for completion of established procedures and work activities. Jobs in this class require independence and judgment.

Accountability:

The Accounting Technician is accountable for the accurate and timely completion of tasks. Work is performed according to detailed standard operating procedures requiring judgment in the application of municipal code and law.

Working Conditions:

Positions in this class perform work predominately under normal office working conditions; extensive time working at a computer station is a regular part of the job. No heavy lifting without assistance is required.

Physical Requirements:

Work is often performed in an office setting. Specific physical requirements and typical working conditions for this position are on file in the Administrative Services Department. 

The City of Tumwater is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) and does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.
  
The City of Tumwater is committed to wellness, safety, the environment and racial equity.