Job Description

Accountant
Finance Department

Salary Range: $67,724 - $71,975 (DOE) + Washington State Employee Benefits
FLSA - Full-time, Exempt

*** Employment in Washington State *Only* is Required ***

The WSBA's mission is to serve the public and the members of the Bar, to ensure the integrity of the legal profession, and to champion justice.

Purpose and Position Summary:

An Accountant at the WSBA has the primarily responsibility of preparing and maintaining the Washington State Bar Association's (WSBA) automated general ledger, fixed assets subsidiary ledgers, and other accounting records. Additionally, primary responsibilities up to and including the following: Prepare WSBA’s monthly financial statements; Coordination of the annual audit; semi-monthly Payroll Processing, etc.

Primary Job Duties and Responsibilities:

General Ledger:

Maintain the general ledger, ensuring the accuracy of the WSBA’s financial records.
Makes journal entries, maintain chart of accounts consult with others in the WSBA about the appropriate accounting treatment of transactions, and account for departmental revenue and expense items.
Review journal entries as they are received to ensure proper coding. Review financial statements for miscoding to G/L accounts and ensure accuracy of statements in accordance with GAAP.
Analyze and reconcile G/L accounts on a regular basis. Examples include all prepaid accounts, postage, bulk mail accounts.

Financial Reports:

Prepare and maintain monthly financial reports (for general fund cost centers, CLE, CPF, and Sections) for management, sections, and the Board of Governors.
Prepare special CPF financial statements and other financial summary or analysis reports as needed.
Prepare Sections financial statements and work with WSBA’s Sections team monthly to ensure accuracy of financial reports.

Payroll Processing :

Works with HR and Senior Accountant & Budget Analyst to obtain information for semi-monthly payroll process.
Maintains payroll records by verifying changes in status for employees, insurance coverage, retirement selections, and all other payroll related items.
Responsible for ensuring all scheduled changes are included in the payroll process.
Prepares journal entries for each payroll. Issues manual checks as needed for corrections.

Benefits Reporting/Maintenance - Prepares reports and maintains records for the following:

Deferred Compensation:

Reporting- prepares the Department of Retirement Systems (DRS) online Deferred Compensation remittance report which identifies all employees contributing to the program and the dollar amount of contribution for each payroll. Report is to be prepared on a semi-monthly basis (with each payroll). Submits payment of deferred compensation withholding amounts to DRS.

Retirement:

Reporting- prepares the DRS monthly transmittal report for all employee and employer retirement contributions. This includes reporting hours worked, compensation, employee and employer plan contribution amounts at the end of each month. Reports retirement plan selections of new employees and notifies DRS of terminating employees.

Medical/Dental/Life/LTD Insurance:

Record Maintenance- ensures all changes to benefits are reflected in the monthly Health Care Authority report and medical plan selections for new employees occur in the required timeframe. Perform monthly reconciliation of medical contribution liability account and provide listing of all outstanding amounts at year- end for external audit.

L& I Insurance:

Reporting- prepare quarterly L&I insurance report and payment.

Year End Audit

Assist Controller by preparing audit requests and support. Perform all necessary year-end close procedures to ensure accurate presentation of financial statements.

Fixed Assets

Maintains the WSBA’s fixed assets records, which detail all the capital assets of the WSBA. Works with WSBA’s IT department to set up and properly account for Capital Labor projects. Computes and ensures accuracy of depreciation and amortization expenses. Performs periodic physical inventory and balances results to fixed assets records. Prepare annual personal property tax returns.

Other Duties

Assists the Accounting Department as needed on various projects.
Assists and works with Accounting Division on special accounting projects and general ledger account reconciliations.
Periodically work with HR to audit balances to ensure accurate accruals, prepare quarterly vacation and comp time balances report for quarterly liability accrual, and prepare sick leave conversion report at year-end, and assist employees with questions regarding accruals.

Education Required:

Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration. Equivalent and relevant work experience may be considered in leu of BA.

Experience Required:

Minimum of 3 years’ experience as an accountant or auditor; general ledger experience; experience with general ledger and financial statements; and extensive experience (at a proficient level) using accounting software and Excel.

Experience Preferred:

Experience working with or for certified public accountants.

Competencies (Skills/Abilities) Required:

Extensive knowledge of accounting; able to understand and apply all accounting principles, policies, and procedures.
Good verbal & written communication skills; work well with others and facilitate open communication among staff.
Good judgment, decision making, and problem-solving skills.
Good analytical skills and the ability to research and understand complex issues.
Computer and software (WORD, Excel, Outlook, 365 Business Central Personify); adding machine; general office equipment (fax, copier, phones, etc.)
Good time management and organizational skills; ability to manage multiple projects at once.
Ability to work independently, as well as with other people in a team setting.

Competencies (Skills/Abilities) Preferred:

Knowledge of auditing procedures and/or public accounting experience.
Knowledge of fixed asset inventory and depreciation schedules.
Experience with various accounting software packages, and the ability to learn new programs/systems as required.
Public speaking and presentation skills; proven experience using PowerPoint software.
Good coaching and training skills (explaining rules and policies to others, cross-training or teaching others, etc.)

Work Conditions:

This position, while primarily remote, must be flexible to work in-office up to 4 times per month (this position may also have the option to work in-office). Because this position is intended to be primarily remote, parking is generally not paid, however our ORCA transportation incentive, may apply. There may be an occasional requirement to travel within WA state as deemed necessary, or as required. For remote work, you must have an adequate home/work environment and internet access, for performing work of a highly sensitive and confidential nature. *

***Employment with the Washington State Bar Association mandates that WSBA Staff must reside and be able to work within the State of Washington at the time of hire, and during active employment status.
***WSBA Staff must be authorized and approved to work in the United States upon hire: This position is not eligible for sponsorship.

The essential functions of the job that must be performed, with or without a reasonable accommodation: This position must be able to regularly work five days per week in an office type environment (remote or in office), possess the ability to primarily sit/stand and use a computer, and lift/push/pull items weighing up to 25 pounds. Must be able to operate a computer keyboard, and other standard office equipment (e.g., printer/scanner/fax/telephone). This position must be able to read, write, and speak with others in English.

***For consideration and to apply, interested candidates are required to apply online here and submit the following required materials: online application, and both a comprehensive professional cover letter (required), and resume. Applications submitted without a cover letter will be considered incomplete. If for any reason you are not able to attach your cover letter, and after you apply only, you may send it to recruiting@wsba. org.

WSBA administers pre-employment background testing upon a contingent verbal offer, and prior to hire.

WSBA Benefits Include:

State of Washington Retirement system (DRS/PERS), including an optional Deferred Compensation Plan
Medical benefits (including Vision & Rx) through the WA Healthcare Authority, with WSBA paying a majority of the premium cost.
100% paid premiums for employee Dental
Long-Term Disability and Life Insurance Plans
Generous Paid Time Off Benefits (sick, vacation, holiday, float, emergency leave)
Transportation incentives, *based on a primary work selection requirements
Allowance to set up a home office, *based on a Remote work selection option
Free Employee Assistance Program, and National Employee Discount Program
A company culture that truly focuses on a quality Work and Life Balance for its Staff
You will be working with a collective team of supportive, collaborative, creative, and dedicated colleagues driven to accomplish WSBA’s Mission

The Washington State Bar Association operates under the delegated authority of the Washington Supreme Court and exercises a governmental function authorized by the Washington Supreme Court to license and regulate the state’s nearly 40,000 legal professionals, including lawyers, limited practice officers, and limited license legal technicians. The WSBA both regulates legal professionals under the authority of the Court and serves its members as a professional association — all without public funding. The WSBA administers the bar admission process, including the bar exam; provides record-keeping and licensing functions; administers the lawyer discipline system. and provides continuing legal education for legal professionals, in addition to numerous other educational and member-service activities.

The WSBA is committed to fostering a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

The statements contained in this job announcement are not necessarily all-inclusive; additional duties may be assigned, and requirements may vary from time to time.

Washington State Bar Association (WSBA) Compensation Philosophy and Compensation Grid