Senior Debt Accountant

Summary King County’s Finance and Business Operations Division, Financial Management section, is seeking a Senior Debt Accountant! Are you an accountant that wants to make a big impact on the community you’ve chosen to call home? This is an outstanding opportunity for a customer-service driven accountant with experience in debt instruments and fixed-income investments to join our team as a Senior Debt Accountant (Senior Accountant).
This position, which has primary responsibility for performing accounting tasks in the King County’s $5 billion portfolio of general obligation and revenue debt, ensures top-notch bond ratings and ensures the County’s continuing access to credit markets that enable the County to embark on large projects and programs in our goal to make King County a Welcoming Community Where Every Person Can Thrive! Our ideal candidate combines excellent accounting acumen, a passion for supporting their community and strong customer service skills with knowledge of debt financing and investment concepts and the accounting for them.
The County regularly issues new debt and refunds existing debt to maximize value to King County residents and take advantage of market conditions.
In addition to strong accounting skills, successful candidates can work individually or as part of a team since preparation of the County’s financial statements is a team effort.
We are looking for someone who is passionate about continuously creating new ways to improve and who thrives on providing excellent service to customers.
We’d love it if you have experience doing debt accounting for another government entity or have worked at a bank or brokerage providing services to governments who issue general obligation and revenue debt.
The Senior Debt Accountant, reporting to the Financial Accounting Supervisor, provides service primarily to King County Treasury and the Finance Director’s Office.
The position is responsible for recording all issuances and refunding transactions in the County’s accounting records and debt management systems and for initiating payments monthly to the bondholders whose securities are due payment in that month.
The position also participates on the team of financial professionals that prepare the County’s annual financial statement reporting package (the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report), countywide tax returns, provide accounting training to County agency staff, and maintain the countywide chart-of-accounts.
Scope of Job Duties: To be considered for this opportunity, you must at a minimum, demonstrate knowledge, skill and ability to: Analyzes and reconciles the banks’ debt service calculations for accuracy and investigates discrepancies.
Interpret complex legal language in bond documents to correctly account for the transaction.
Coordinates with the fiscal agents, bond attorneys, the County’s Senior Debt Analyst, and taxing districts on new and retired debt issues.
Accurately and timely distribute interest and administrative fee transactions from the County’s Investment Pool to participants.
Develop portions of the County’s financial statements, notes, and schedules in accordance with GAAP, requiring accounting skill and subject to audit.
Participate in ACFR development by reviewing sections outside of the position’s assigned funds or fund types.
Prepare reports, analysis, work papers, and responses to inquiries (written and oral) from auditors and agency finance staff.
Research and interpret authoritative accounting guidance; communicate requirements and recommend changes to County and/or Agency policies and procedures as needed to assure compliance.
Prepare, review, and approve accounting activity including chart-of-account changes, journal entries, and accounting software configurations and setups.
Use LEAN tools and techniques to develop and complete process improvement projects.
Minimum Qualifications: Have a foundation in governmental accounting and financial reporting for debt and investment activities, as a financial statement preparer, auditor, or through governmental accounting coursework in an accredited degree program; Are knowledgeable in Generally Accepted Accounting Principles for US Governments; Are technically savvy using automated financial management systems and financial reporting software, including adhoc reporting; Have excellent attention to detail and critical thinking skills to support financial analysis and reporting of complex accounting information; Have a strong understanding of the various characteristics of fixed income securities such as payment frequency, call features, coupon resets, interest calculations, and the ability to use math skills to accurately calculate coupon payments, accrued interest, amortization/accretion of bond premiums and discounts, average rates for floating rate instruments, etc.
; Strong communication, interpersonal, writing and customer service skills; Intermediate level of technology proficiency using MS Office Productivity tools in your daily work; Ability to manage your time and adapt to changing priorities, work on multiple priorities and projects simultaneously, meet quick deadlines, and produce timely and quality work products; Ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds.
We would love it if you have: Master’s degree in accounting or related field, Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Management Accountant (CMA), Certified Public Finance Officer (CPFO), Certified Government Finance Manager (CGFM), or other related degree or certification; Experience with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) for governments in the United States; Experience with municipal debt transactions for governments in the United States; Experience with LEAN processes and principles; Experience with SharePoint, MS Teams and other collaborative online tools.
The Finance and Business Operations Division's mission is to provide exceptional customer value for accounting, procurement, treasury, and small business services.
We are actively seeking employees whose behavior is in alignment with our division's core values.
Other Position Information: This position is Exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and therefore is not overtime eligible.
Employees are paid on a bi-weekly schedule, every other Thursday, comprising a 40-hour workweek; normally 8:00 a.
m.
- 5:00 p.
m.
Monday through Friday.
This position is represented by Teamsters 117.
The work associated with this position will be hybrid with time in office and remote depending on business operation needs.
During peak financial statement production time (mid-February to mid-April) there will be a minimum of 3 days in office per week, required Saturday work, and multiday vacations will be restricted.
Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.
Employees will be provided with a County issued laptop.
When working remotely employees must maintain a workspace with an internet connection (access may be supplemented in some situations) where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours.
Please note that when an employee conducts work that is likely to bring them in contact with another individual, safety precautions are required, including the wearing of masks in some situations.
King County is doing its part to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and remains committed to reducing our carbon footprint.
King County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely.
The individual selected for this opportunity will be joining an innovative and progressive team that is redefining how we work as we transition to the department's hybrid environment.
The Application Process: A completed King County Application is required.
The recruitment for this position is open to all qualified candidates.
Applicants from this recruitment may be used to fill future opportunities in this job classification.
We highly recommend that you also provide a resume and cover letter addressing how you meet the minimum qualifications and why you are interested in this position.
Note: Online applications are preferred.
However, if you cannot apply online, go to www.
kingcounty.
gov/jobs for other options.
If you have any questions or concerns while applying, please contact: Caitlyn Prouty, Recruiter Email: cprouty@kingcounty.
gov Supplemental Information Forbes named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.
Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence.
Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.
Guided by our "True North", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive.
We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce.
To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity.
Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles - we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards.
We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.
King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class.
Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.
To Apply If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully.
If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.