Accountant 1 or 2 (Open & Promotional) chez Spokane County, WA

About the Department

This recruitment will be used to fill a Level 1 or Level 2 vacancy, depending on the qualifications of the final candidate, and is scheduled for 37.5 hours per week. 

Accountant 1:

This position performs professional entry level accounting work, involving fiscal records, reports and systems; analyzes financial and investment data; prepares forecasts and financial accounting research within a designated County department. The position allocated to this class is responsible for ensuring that accounting systems are in compliance with the Washington State Budget and Recording System that involves interpreting and analyzing BARS guidelines to department or County accounting practices.  Work also involves establishing or revising accounting systems and is subject to internal or external audits. Positions of this class differ from Accounting Technicians by the application of professional and complex accounting theories, principles and practices; analyzing financial data; and, preparing forecasts and financial accounting research within a designated County department.   Positions may provide professional and technical assistance to assigned accounting technicians.  

Accountant 1 is the entry-level classification in this series. Incumbents are responsible for performing duties that involve more supervision and direction from Accountant 2s, Accounting Supervisors and/or Managers. The duties involve less complicated funds, systems or processes.

WHO MAY APPLY: This recruitment is open to all applicants meeting the minimum requirements. Priority consideration will be given to Spokane County employees in a position covered by the 1553 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) submitting applications between 10/10/25 and 10/17/25. First consideration will be given to applicants working in the Treasurer's office in a position covered by the 1553 CBA; second consideration given to County-wide applicants in a position covered by the 1553 CBA; third consideration given to all other applicants, including the public.

Position Duties

Accountant 1:

• Tracks expenditure levels; arranges fund transfers; reconciles expenditures or receipts and allocates according to established formula.
• Prepares pre-formatted working papers and reports.
• Performs daily reconciliation of cash and warrants and other activities.
• Creates and sends out invoices for the various services of the department
• Creates vouchers for invoices received.
• Enters journal entries to record expenses/revenue/etc, issue travel reimbursement vouchers for employees.
• Records accounting transactions.
• Prepares accounting reports and statements with the assistance and direction of management and Accountant 2s.
• Performs other related duties as required/assigned.

• Prepares and oversees the preparation of detailed, complex financial accounting reports and statements. 
• Analyzes financial and investment data and develops forecast of expenditures and revenues. 
• Performs all aspects of debt accounting for the County and outside districts. 
• Coordinates activities with appropriate district personnel, bond counsel and fiscal agent. 
• Performs all aspects of grant accounting, including, but not limited to, forecasting and cash flow analysis. 
• Performs cash management functions for grant funding sources; conducts cash flow analysis; forecasts cash needs, orders cash, monitors cash balances and maintains checking accounts. 
• Participates in internal audits and cooperates fully with State Examiner’s Office and external audit processes. 
• Researches accounting and financial related issues; develops recommendations for policies and procedures and contributes to department fiscal planning. 
• Interprets needs and requirements to systems analysts and programmers and assures these programs produce accurate results. 
• Evaluates and monitors operations to ensure that proper internal controls are in place and adhered to.
• Functions as the financial advisor to the departments/funds and outside districts they support. 
• Provides appropriate management with the financial information needed to manage their organizations. 
• Monitors liquidity of County departments and outside districts. 
• Participates in department planning, policy and procedural changes; responds to inquiries from agencies, districts, or departments regarding financial accounting, investment and fund balance reports.  
• Attends all related meetings and hearings. 
• Oversees the work of accounting technicians Performs other related duties as required/assigned. 

Minimum Qualifications

Accountant 1:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in accounting or a related field with major course work in accounting.
• OR any combination of education, training, and experience (equivalent to 4 years) that provides the desired knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the work.
• Promotion from an Accountant to a Senior Accountant may be determined by an affirmative recommendation of the department.

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in accounting or a related field with major course work in accounting. 
• Three (3) years of relevant professional experience. CPA preferred.

Other Qualifications

Accountant 1:

• Knowledge of governmental or cost accounting principles and practices.
• Knowledge of accounting and auditing principles and practices.
• Knowledge of investment instruments, maturity calculations and methods of evaluating liquidity.
• Knowledge of computerized accounting applications as required by the position.
• Knowledge of principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluation and required by the position.
• Knowledge of laws and regulations governing accounting procedures and systems.
• Knowledge of modern office practices, procedures, methods, and equipment.
• Skilled in communicating effectively both orally and in writing, sufficient to exchange or convey information and to give and receive work direction.
• Skilled in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with supervisors and co-workers.
• Skilled in operating personal computers and related software.
• Ability to plan, implement, and coordinate financial and/or investment accounting programs for assigned area.
• Ability to research and analyze complex accounting and investment data.
• Ability to evaluate and recommend financial accounting policies and procedures.
• Ability to interpret the BARS system and accurately administer the accounting system.
• Ability to prepare clear and concise financial reports.
• Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Ability to supervise, train and evaluate clerical and technical personnel as required by the position.

• Knowledge of accounting and auditing principles and practices. 
• Knowledge of investment instruments, maturity calculations and methods of evaluating liquidity. 
• Knowledge of computerized accounting applications as required by the position. 
• Knowledge of principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluation and required by the position. 
• Knowledge of laws and regulations governing accounting procedures and systems. 
• Knowledge of modern office practices, procedures, methods, and equipment. 
• Skilled in communicating effectively both orally and in writing, sufficient to exchange or convey information and to give and receive work direction. 
• Skilled in establishing and maintaining effective interpersonal relationships at all organizational levels and with the public. 
• Skilled in operating personal computers and related software. 
• Ability to plan, implement, and coordinate financial and/or investment accounting programs for assigned area. 
• Ability to research and analyze complex accounting and investment data. 
• Ability to evaluate and recommend financial accounting policies and procedures. 
• Ability to interpret the BARS system and accurately administer the accounting system. 
• Ability to prepare clear and concise financial reports. 
• Ability to supervise, train and evaluate clerical and technical personnel as required by the position.