Senior Accounting Clerk

Senior Accounting Clerk

As one of the fastest growing cities in the Pacific Northwest, Vancouver is building a city of the future through innovation, sustainable development, excellent leadership and effectively working with an engaged community. Our growth is guided by our core values of livability, sustainability and resiliency, innovation, and equity and inclusion, and we accomplish our work through collaboration, innovation, compassion and empowerment. If who we are speaks to you, then the City of Vancouver may be the perfect place for you. We're currently recruiting for a Senior Accounting Clerk. The primary responsibilities for the job are to evaluate, design and implement accounting solutions to address the business needs of the City of Vancouver, including administering and reconciling the City's loan portfolio. The role processes complex accounting and related records to transact City business and performs the full range of clerical accounting work associated with the loan administration and the accounts receivable programs. Responsibilities include reconciling accounting transactions, researching and supporting process improvements, coordinating financial records programs, and processing complex financial transactions. This is a full-time, regular, non-exempt union position. This position is covered under the provisions of an agreement between the City and the OPEIU union. The schedule for this position is M-F, 8am to 5pm. At this time, this position is eligible for telework or hybrid schedule. As with all routine telework positions, employees may be required to come into the office on occasion based on business needs. Telework may be subject to change at a future time. Currently, all employees must reside in Oregon or Washington; the City cannot support ongoing telework from other locations. Open until filled. First review of applications on February 25, 2026.

Essential Functions

Create accounts and generate monthly, quarterly, and annual invoices and/or statements, and loan billings; process credit memos, loan adjustments, interest accruals, and payment applications. Assist with various departmental program billings, including Police/Alarms, Fire/Fire Inspections, Code Violations, Loans, and other City programs.

Administer and maintain the City's loan portfolio, including setting up loan accounts, monitoring repayment schedules, processing payments, preparing payoff quotes, tracking delinquencies, and maintaining accurate loan balances and histories.

Perform collection activities using standard collection practices to maximize revenues, including sending follow-up statements, negotiating payment arrangements for past-due accounts and loans, monitoring and applying payments, researching and resolving payment discrepancies, and referring accounts to collection agencies when appropriate.

Anticipate, identify, and resolve problems in accounting and loan operations; assist internal and external customers with inquiries requiring research and analysis of technical data; explain applicable regulations, policies, and procedures.

Provide technical information and instruction to internal and external customers regarding accounting, billing, and loan procedures; interpret and explain rules and regulations. Assist customers with inquiries and complaints, conduct research, and communicate results clearly.

Reconcile accounts to the general ledger and supporting statements; maintain subsidiary ledgers, registers, journals, and loan records according to established procedures. Prepare and post journal entries and adjustments. Identify and ensure interfaces and integrations are posted correctly to Workday and subsidiary systems; research discrepancies and coordinate with IT to resolve missing or unposted transactions.

Prepare and execute legally enforceable loan and related contracts; research tax and title records to determine property ownership; manage appointments; provide loan payoff quotes and payment histories; and prepare reconveyance and satisfaction documents.

Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

Experience and Education

• Two (2) years of related experience in an accounting environment with emphasis on billings and collections, disbursement of transactions, review of record-keeping procedures, and development of reports. Minimum of one (1) year experience using a financial software.
• Equivalent to an Associate's Degree in Accounting or related field.

Computer Skills

• Experience with automated financial systems a plus, preferably Workday.
• Advanced skills in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.

Knowledge

• Maintenance of financial records, including loan portfolios; review of record-keeping procedures and development of financial and management reports.
• Advanced clerical accounting and bookkeeping principles and techniques, including loan accounting, amortization, and interest calculations.
• Regulatory standards and compliance requirements, including those applicable to loans and receivables.
• Strong time management skills and working knowledge of multiple software systems. Pertinent federal, state, and local laws that pertain to: collections and standard accounting practices, including invoicing.
• Modern office procedures, methods, and computer equipment.
• Use of personal computers and basic software.

Abilities

• High degree of accuracy, attention to detail, confidentiality, and strong customer service skills.
• Ability to meet specific deadlines and manage multiple billing cycles simultaneously.
• Practices and procedures of City finance, fiscal record keeping and reporting
• English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation
• Excel spread sheet applications and formulas
• Standard accounting practices
• Understand, interpret, and communicate business procedures, rules, and regulations
• Develop reports summarizing and detailing financial transactions
• Operate a personal computer and appropriate software
• Work in a manner consistent with the City of Vancouver's Operating Principles
• Work and act as a team player in all interactions with other City employees
• Provide a high level of customer service at all times
• Project and maintain a positive image with those contacted in the course of work
• Develop and maintain collaborative and respectful working relationships with team members and others
• Consistently provide quality service
• Maintain regular and dependable attendance
• Demonstrate a commitment to valuing differences among people and to being inclusive.
• Show the utmost respect for others, and act as a team player.
• Promote safety as a guiding principle and a regular practice in accomplishing work by focusing on safe practices and complying with safety and health policies and procedures.
• Recognize unsafe conditions which may be hazardous to an employee or to the public.
• Works in safe and responsible manner; not putting self or others at risk. Complies with applicable policies and procedures including but not limited to using personal protective equipment, observing warning signs, learning about potential hazards, and reporting all unsafe conditions.

This position is subject to successful completion of a pre-employment reference check, a basic criminal background check and a credit check.

The City of Vancouver is committed to advancing equity and creating a welcoming and inclusive workplace. We recognize that progress depends on more than just a verbal commitment; it depends on making meaningful organizational change. We developed and continue to develop strategies to enhance employee-centered programs, eliminate recruitment and advancement barriers, elevate employee understanding of DEI and cultural competency and build an inclusive and welcoming place to call work. We hope you'll consider joining us on the journey!

The City of Vancouver believes every employee plays a role in maintaining a safe workplace. The City of Vancouver promotes safety as a guiding principle and practice and accomplishes work by creating safe work environments, complying with safety and health policies and procedures and consistently seeking improvements that support operational excellence.

At the City of Vancouver, we value and foster a workplace comprised of people with a range of different backgrounds, experiences and cultures. We recognize that a diverse and inclusive team is key to innovation, effectiveness and a positive culture. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.

The City of Vancouver is dedicated to maintaining a work environment that extends equal opportunity to all individuals, regardless of their race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin, marital status, veteran status, disability sexual orientation or gender identity. Employment decisions will be made to further the principle of equal employment opportunity and to comply with state, federal and local laws. We affirm through this policy statement our continuing commitment to the principles of equity and nondiscrimination.

Under Washington law, qualified veterans may be eligible for Veterans' preference when applying for City of Vancouver positions. Honorably discharged Veterans, their surviving spouses or spouses of honorably discharged Veterans with a permanent and total service-connected disability who would like to be considered for a Veterans' preference for this job should provide the qualifying documents as instructed during the application process.

Accommodations will be considered for applicants or candidates with a qualifying disability that prevents them from participating in this process. Accommodations will be made where the City can reasonably provide them without imposing an undue hardship on the business or compromising the integrity of the recruitment process. An applicant with any disability who believes that they need an accommodation should contact Human Resources: call 360-487-8417 or email hrfront1@cityofvancouver.us