Financial Assistant

Position Description

The City of Tacoma is recruiting for the city-wide classification of Financial Assistant. Financial Assistants perform a variety of accounting support duties such as accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll/timekeeping, and purchasing and may involve preparation of basic financial reports with accompanying narratives.

The Financial Assistant classification involves the preparation, maintenance and analysis of financial and statistical records for an assigned set of accounts and/or funds, projects or programs; tracks, records, verifies and resolves issues with financial data; this classification is distinguished by having as a primary focus on the processing and verification of financial information.

Qualifications

An equivalent combination to: graduation from high school supplemented by one (1) year of college level course work in accounting and two (2) years increasingly responsible accounting clerical experience which includes performing word processing and spread sheet applications on a personal computer.

LICENSES, CERTIFICATES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Some positions may require occasional travel within a 30-mile radius.

Some positions may require incumbents to successfully pass a Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) background check.

Positions assigned to or supporting the Tacoma Police Department may require additional background screening, including, but not limited to, fingerprinting and/or a polygraph test.

Knowledge & Skills

• Accounting methods, practices and procedures.
• Financial and statistical record keeping.
• Interpersonal skills using tact, patience and courtesy.
• Communicate information effectively to internal and external customers face-to-face, on the telephone, by electronic mail and through written correspondence.
• Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar.
• Maintain a variety of financial records, reports, documents and files for assigned accounts or funds; coordinate related accounting activity with other functions.
• Accounts Payable best practices and accounting principles; government requirements as they relate to payment processing; clear understanding of tax rules (retail sales and use tax).
• Post, assemble, tabulate, compare, verify, balance, audit and adjust financial and statistical data and accounts; process documents involved in financial transactions.
• Perform a variety of financial support duties associated with processing City payroll including auditing, review, and compliance. Research and resolve issues related to employee records, time-entry, leave, flex-time, holidays, pay issues and other absences.
• Prepare journal entries and reconcile fiscal records and documents, assist in budget monitoring, provide written and oral reports.
• Prepare, process, review, maintain and distribute correspondence, memoranda, reports, checks, warrants, purchase orders, bids, invoices, vouchers, bills, requisitions and other documents.
• Reconcile vendor statements by verification of invoices against purchase order, processes invoice for payment, investigate and resolve discrepancies.
• Ability to use a computer application to accurately enter text, insert pictures, format, edit, print, save and retrieve word processing documents.
• Ability to use a computer application to accurately enter, manipulate and format text and numerical data, insert, delete and manipulate cells, rows and columns and create and save worksheets, charts and graphs.
• Ability to use a computer application to manage large amounts of information, including creating and editing simple databases, inputting data, retrieving specific records, and creating reports to communicate the information.
• Ability to navigate the internet to find information, including the ability to open and configure standard browsers and use searches.
• Principles and practices of training and providing work direction.
• Accurately and competently utilize a computer and automated spreadsheet software.
• Read, interpret, apply and explain rules, regulations, policies and procedures within scope of authority.
• Add, subtract, multiply and divide quickly and accurately.
• Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others.
• Analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action.
• Plan and organize work to meet schedules and timelines.
• Enter data accurately.
• Work independently and complete work despite multiple interruptions.
• Maintain confidentiality of information and records.
• Use independent judgment and to perform increasingly complex tasks proportionate with experience.

Selection Process & Supplemental Information

A Commitment to Equity & Diversity
At the City of Tacoma, we're on a mission to make our workforce as diverse and inclusive as the community we serve. We actively seek out candidates from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures. Join our team at the City of Tacoma and help us build a more vibrant, inclusive, and equitable community for all.
If you have a less traditional background, we want to hear about your transferrable skills and experience. We value a variety of perspectives and are excited to see what you bring to the table.
The Community
Tacoma is centrally located just 32 miles south of the city of Seattle and 31 miles north of the state capital, Olympia. The City of Tacoma is also home to the Port of Tacoma, which is among the largest container ports in the United States. Like most cities in the northwest, Tacoma is surrounded by beautiful nature, offering residents many opportunities for outdoor adventures.
Largely suburban in nature with a small, but dense, urban core, Tacoma is home to numerous institutes of higher learning that attract students from across the country. The University of Washington Tacoma, Pacific Lutheran University, University of Puget Sound, a satellite campus of the Evergreen State College, three community/technical colleges, and several trade and business schools are within Tacoma's geographic area. Downtown's Cultural District is the site of the Washington State History Museum, Museum of Glass, the Tacoma Art Museum, and America's Car Museum.

With its affordable housing and distinctive neighborhoods and business districts, the city has been recognized numerous times as a best city to live in the nation. To see a few of the great things Tacoma has to offer, view this YouTube Video!

View this exciting video to learn more about the City of Tacoma: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2n5MWl8KFvI
To Apply
Interested individuals should apply online and attach a detailed resume and cover letter describing their responsibilities as it relates to the responsibilities of this position.

Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be invited to take an online assessment covering Microsoft Suite 2019 basic and intermediate questions, along with financial assistant-level skill-based supplemental questions, as the required Experience & Training (E&T) test. Applicants must receive a passing score (70% or better) to be placed on the eligible list for interview and hiring consideration. The eligibility list established for this recruitment is good for one year. Applicants selected to interview may be required to complete a work problem or an office skills assessment.

Get Assistance
For assistance with the application process or questions regarding this job announcement please contact the Human Resources office at (253) 591-5400 by 4:00 p.m. of the closing date of the job announcement.
For technical difficulties using the NeoGov system, call the applicant support line at 1-855-524-5627 between 6:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time. This will allow us to assist you before the job announcement closes.
Communication from the City of Tacoma
( NOTE : For questions regarding this specific recruitment contact Kat Flores , HR Analyst.)
We primarily communicate via email during the application process. Emails from Tacoma.gov and/or governmentjobs.com should be placed on your safe domain list to ensure that you receive notifications in a timely manner. As a precaution, you may also want to check your junk email folders.

Compensation & Benefits
Pay Details:

Hourly Rate: $32.72 - $39.77

Employee Benefits | City of Tacoma

The City of Tacoma provides excellent medical, dental and vision plans for the whole family; paid holidays and paid leave; participation in the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System (alternate plan for Police/Fire); continuing education and advancement opportunities and a growing variety of City-sponsored health and wellness opportunities and incentives.

Medical Coverage: For eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age26 or younger.

Dental Coverage: For eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age26 or younger.

Vision Coverage: For eligible employees and their eligible dependents.

Paid Leave: City employees are entitled to received paid holidays, sick/vacation leave or personal time off (PTO), depending upon union affiliation and appointment type.

Insurance Plans: Employees are covered by a long-term disability plan. Short-term and expanded long-term disability insurance plans are also available to employees. The State Industrial Insurance Act also covers employees.

Deferred Compensation: Income can be set aside on a pretax basis and invested for supplementation of normal retirement income.

Retirement: All employees of the City, except members of the Police and Fire services, Tacoma Rail and certain project employees, are included in the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System. Information on the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System can be found at www.cityoftacoma.org or by calling (253) 502-8200.

Other Employment Information

Direct Deposit: Employees are paid on a bi-weekly schedule by direct deposit.

Salary Increases: Based on satisfactory job performance, the City provides for a regular progression of salary increases for most classifications according to the salary schedule.

Union Affiliation: Many job classifications are covered by union security provisions which require union membership, dues, or payment of equivalent service fees.

Note: The provisions of this job announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained herein may be modified and/or revoked without notice.

Closing Date/Time: 5/11/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

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• City of Tacoma

• 253-591-5400

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