Job Description:
The Accounting Specialist serves as the lead technical accounting support position within the Olympia School District’s Business Services department. This role is responsible for chart of accounts management, accounts payable review, account balancing and reconciliations, and providing support for month-end and year-end closing, annual budgeting, and the annual audit. A primary focus of the position is grant accounting, including tracking expenditures, preparing reimbursement claims, and ensuring compliance with grant requirements. The Accounting Specialist also assists with selected state reporting and provides troubleshooting and guidance to school and district staff related to expenditures and account coding. Strong analytical and Excel skills are required, along with a high level of attention to detail and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively to support effective financial management across the district.

This position works Monday through Friday, 8 hours per day. Work hours may vary and typically begin between 7:30am and 8:30am, and end between 4:30pm and 5:30pm.

For best consideration, please submit application by April 1, 2026

Employees (and their families) are eligible for medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance benefits, as determined by the School Employees Benefit Board (SEBB). Final benefit eligibility to be determined at time of hire. Employees are eligible to enroll in the Department of Retirement Services (DRS) SERS plan (classified employees) or TERS plan (certificated employees), as well as the DRS Deferred Compensation Program. Employees will receive 12 - 25 days of vacation leave (based on years of school District experience) and 13 paid holidays.

The Olympia School District is committed to increasing the diversity of staff in our schools. Candidates who can contribute to this goal are encouraged to apply and to identify their strengths and experiences in this area.

Job Functions:
1. Major Operational Responsibilities (Day-to-Day Tasks, Planning, Judgment):

Act as district grants administrator; manage all grants and grant claiming process. (This position is not responsible for writing grant applications.)
Review vouchers prepared by Accounts Payable staff, complete monthly balancing and closing processes and journal vouchers.
Maintain specific billing and monitoring along with management and oversight of the district’s point of sale system. Oversee school district banking including bank deposits and bank reconciliations.
Supervise building budgets, make initial school budget allocations and fall adjustments, calculate carryforward budget adjustments, and support school and depart staff with budget inquiries.
Oversees the district account code structure in accordance with the state accounting manual; maintains the chart of accounts in all systems; train other Business Services leaders as back-up to this function.
Maintain permissions, filters and routing and design advanced reports in district financial systems based on staff assignments and organizational accounting principles.
Completion and filing of federal and state reports such as 1099’s, unclaimed property and food-services refunds. Prepare the annual SEFA reporting during year-end closing.
Review donations from outside sources and prepare report to the Board.
Assist with various insurance programs, applications and processes.
Knowledge of and assist with functions of budget, payroll, employee benefits, inventory, district receipts, journal vouchers, month-end and year-end closing, year-end reconciliation processes.
Audit and monitor various programs including P-card, cash accounts, and grants. Conduct internal audits of various funds as needed.
Work with IT department to troubleshoot technical issues with the business system and to ensure accounting processes are performed accurately and efficiently, including the testing process for new version upgrades in the Accounting system.

2. Legal Compliance (Federal, State, District, Collective Bargaining Agreements):

Maintains current knowledge of rules, legislation, technology, and procedures governing school accounting and financial operations. Assists in implementing new legislative and regulatory requirements.
Assist with finance related public records requests.
Under the direction of the Director of Finance, provide audit requested information to state auditors.

3. Fiscal Analysis and Other Responsibilities:

Train staff, principals, and administrators on accounting, fiscal reporting and budget monitoring.
Create and design forms for fiscal processes.
Improve and/or create tools and processes to support financial analysis or overall finance team functions. Recommend new accounting and financial management methods as desirable and necessary.
Attends training, conferences, vendor presentations, district meetings and other activities as needed for professional development.
Directs, coordinates, or completes special projects as assigned by the Executive Director or Director of Finance and assists in other fiscal endeavors as necessary.

Job Requirements – Qualifications:

KNOWLEDGE OF:
Accounting and School Fiscal Operations
Knowledge of governmental fund accounting, audit and financial reporting. Ability to research, organize, and
present findings to leadership and make sound recommendations.

Spreadsheets & Databases
Ability to utilize spreadsheet and data base programs to retrieve vital information, to track expenditures, and
to provide notification of important events in a timely manner. Demonstrated experience in compiling and
analyzing detailed and complex data into advanced spreadsheets. Qmlativ advanced reporting preferred.

School Community
Ability to work collaboratively and productively with district administrators, staff, parents, community
members and students.

Collaboration
Collaboration style that develops teamwork, and demonstrates personal motivation and accountability.

School Board Policies
Knowledge of School Board policies and procedures. Ability to draft and revise policies, procedures, and
processes as necessary. Work with stakeholders in a collaborative approach to policy making.

SKILLS AND ABILITY:

Interpersonal Skill
Communications
Planning and Organizing
Problem Solving, Judgment, Decisiveness and Analytical Ability
Leadership, Direction, and Motivation

Minimum Qualifications:
Position requires a Bachelor’s degree, which includes 18 quarter or 12 semester hours in accounting, auditing,
or budgeting and two to three years of relevant professional experience. Relevant professional experience may
substitute for education. WASBO School Accounting Series may count toward required accounting credits.

Preferred successful experience working with culturally diverse families and communities or have otherwise
demonstrated a commitment to strengthening engagement of a diverse community and skill in
communicating with diverse populations.

Expert in the use of Microsoft Office Software (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and Google suite of tools (Drive,
Sheets, Docs, Slides, Forms). Demonstrated ability to maintain accurate and complete financial records.
Preferred expert in Skyward Financial Management and Human Resources Systems.

Reports To: Director of Finance

Equal Employment Opportunity:

Olympia School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. Auxiliary aids and services will be provided upon request to individuals with disabilities. The following employee(s) have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination: Title IX Officer – James Whitehead, (360) 596-8545, jwhitehead@osd.wednet.edu; Executive Director of Elementary Education – Autumn Lara, (360) 596-8534, alara@osd.wednet.edu; Section 504 and ADA Coordinator (Students) – Ken Turcotte, (360) 596-7530, 06/04/24 1997-60 klturcotte@osd.wednet.edu; ADA Coordinator (Staff) – Starla Hoff, (360) 596-6185, shoff@osd.wednet.edu; Affirmative Action Officer and Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator – Scott Niemann, (360) 596-6185, sniemann@osd.wednet.edu. Address: Knox Administrative Center, 111 Bethel St NE, Olympia, WA 98506.

The Olympia School District will provide reasonable Accommodations to enable persons with disabilities the opportunity to apply for open positions and to participate in District interview procedures. Persons with disabilities or are in need of translation services are asked to notify the Human Resources Office at least three days prior to the date on which the requested accommodation is needed. Human Resources Officer: Voice: (360) 596-6185 or TDD: (360) 596-7537 or FAX: 360-596-6181.