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 which 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.

Benefits
The City of Tacoma provides excellent medical, dental and vision benefits for the whole family; paid holidays and personal time off; participation in Tacoma's Public Employees' Retirement System and a growing variety of City-sponsored health and wellness opportunities. For more information on the City of Tacoma's benefit package feel free to explore City of Tacoma Benefits.

City of Tacoma Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
We actively work to eliminate racial and other disparities and welcome candidates with diverse backgrounds and/or multicultural skill sets and experiences, because we know that Tacoma's diversity is its greatest asset. Tacoma embraces its multi-cultural and multi-ethnic character. Communities of color and immigrant communities are fundamental to Tacoma's entrepreneurial spirit, workforce, and long-term success. In Tacoma, equity and empowerment are top priorities, meaning that all Tacoma residents must have equitable opportunities to reach their full potential and share in the benefits of community progress. One of our most important goals is for the City of Tacoma workforce to reflect the community it serves, and this goal is in service of our greater vision for Tacoma to be an inclusive and equitable place to live, work, and play.

Qualifications

An equivalent combination of: graduation from high school supplemented by one (1) year of college- level course work in accounting and two (2) years of increasingly-responsible accounting clerical experience, which includes performing word processing and spreadsheet applications on a computer. Related work experience may be substituted for education on a year-for-year basis.

LICENSES, CERTIFICATES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS
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.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS & WORKING CONDITIONS:
Office environment. Some positions may require occasional travel within a 30-mile radius.

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 complete sets for a variety of financial records, reports, documents and files for assigned accounts or funds; coordinate related accounting activity with other functions.
• Accounts Payable experience, understanding Accounts Payable best practices and accounting principles; government requirements as they relate to payment processing; have a 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.
• Performs a variety of financial support duties associated with the processing of the City’s 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.
• Reconciles vendor statements by verification of invoices against purchase order, processes invoice for payment, investigates and resolves 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.
• Incumbent must be able to 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.
• Incumbents are expected to use increasingly independent judgment and to perform increasingly complex tasks proportionate with experience.

Selection Process & Supplemental Information

Interested individuals should apply online and attach a detailed resume and cover letter that includes job experience, major responsibilities and accomplishments related to this position. Applications received without the required resume and cover letter will not progress in the selection process.

Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be invited to take an online assessment covering Microsoft Suite 2016 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 generally good for one year. Applicants selected for interviews may be required to complete a work problem or an additional office skills assessment prior to their interview.

Appointment is subject to successfully passing the background and reference checks. Positions assigned to the Tacoma Police Department may require additional background checks to include fingerprinting and/or a polygraph test. This position is covered by a Labor Agreement between the City of Tacoma and the Local 483. New employees must successfully complete a nine-month probationary period prior to obtaining permanent status in this classification.

Communication from the City of Tacoma:
We primarily communicate via email during the application process. Emails from cityoftacoma.org and/or governmentjobs.com must 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.

The online application system requires you to enter a substantial amount of information. Be prepared to spend an hour or more entering the required information. In order for your application materials to be considered, all information must be submitted by the closing date and time listed on this job announcement.

For assistance with the NEOGOV application process, questions regarding this job announcement, or if you are experiencing complications while applying, please contact the Human Resources office at 253-591-5400 by 4:00 pm of the closing date of the job announcement. This will allow us to assist you before the job announcement closes. (For technical difficulties using the NeoGov system, call the applicant support line at 1-855-524-5627 between 6:00 am and 5:00 pm Pacific Time.)

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: 5/12/2025 5:00 PM Pacific

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• City of Tacoma

• 253-591-5400

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