Accountant - General Accounting

Accountant - General Accounting

Salary

$44.19 - $51.46 Hourly

Location

Seattle Municipal Tower, 700 5th Ave., Seattle, WA

Job Type

Classified Civil Service, Regular, Full-Time

Job Number

2026-01219

Department

Seattle City Light

Opening Date

09/10/2026

Closing Date

9/22/2026 4:00 PM Pacific

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Position Description

Seattle City Light, a department of the City of Seattle, is one of the nation's largest municipally owned utilities in terms of the number of customers served. Over the years we have worked very hard to keep Seattles electricity affordable, reliable, and environmentally sound. Today, City Light is a recognized national leader in energy efficiency and environmental stewardship.

Seattle City Light's Accounting Division is seeking a qualified and motivated Accountant to join our General Accounting Team. In this role, you will perform a range of professional accounting duties, working collaboratively with senior and principal accountants to support the accuracy and integrity of the utility's financial records. You will play a key role in ensuring efficiency, reliability, and compliance of the division's financial processes. This position reports to the General Accounting Manager.

Job Responsibilities

Here is more about what you'll be doing:

• Prepare monthly journal entries and tax returns, ensuring accuracy and completeness of all supporting documentation.
• Reconcile accounts across multiple systems and investigate discrepancies to maintain accurate financial records.
• Prepare accounts payable payment requests for tax and bond-related obligations, ensuring proper coding and timely processing.
• Collaborate with senior and principal accountants to support ongoing accounting operations and special projects.
• Assist with external audits by preparing clear, organized, and accurate work papers.
• Conduct accounting research and contribute to the development and implementation of enhanced procedures and best practices.
• Analyze financial data to identify trends, resolve discrepancies, and recommend opportunities for process improvement.
• Perform other related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

In addition to the skills and experience mentioned below, a successful applicant will have experience that reflects a commitment to creating fair and equitable outcomes and has:

Bachelors Degree in Accounting (or a combination of education and/or training and/or experience which provides an equivalent background required to perform the work of the class).

Desired Qualifications - You will be successful if you have the following experience, skills, and abilities:

• Two years of professional accounting experience, preferably within large and complex financial systems. A combination of general ledger and tax accounting experience is highly desirable.
• Proficiency in computer applications, with advanced skills in Microsoft Excel and financial software; experience with PeopleSoft is considered an asset.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities, with exceptional attention to detail.
• Excellent customer service skills, along with effective interpersonal, verbal, and written communication abilities.
• Demonstrated ability to perform effectively in a fast-paced, high-pressure, and deadline-driven environment.
• Proven initiative in identifying challenges and implementing practical solutions.
• Commitment to supporting and promoting a diverse, inclusive, and collaborative team environment.

Please note this job advertisement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Emergency Response Commitment:

Seattle City Light is committed to reliable service during emergencies. Through our Emergency Response Program, each employee is assigned a role-usually aligned with their regular duties-to support emergency operations. Your participation is required and vital to helping the utility stay prepared and serve our community when it matters most.

Additional Information

The full salary range for this position is $44.19 to $51.46 per hour.

Application Process

Please submit the following with your online application:

• A cover letter in which you clearly describe how your knowledge, experience, skills, and abilities prepare you for the job responsibilities and qualifications outlined in the job announcement
• A current resume of your educational and professional work experience

Incomplete applications will not be accepted.

Who May Apply: This position is open to all candidates that meet the qualifications. Seattle City Light values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Seattle City Light encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQIA+, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experiences.

Job offers are contingent on the verification of credentials and other information required by the employment process, including the completion of a background check. The background check will involve a criminal history check, which includes conviction and arrest records in compliance with the Seattle's Fair Chance Employment Ordinance, SMC 14.17 and the City of Seattle Personnel Rule 10.3. A driving history review may be conducted in compliance with SMC 4.79.020.Applicants will be provided an opportunity to explain or correct background information.

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the Citys website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits.

Want to know more about Seattle City Light? Check out our web page: https://www.seattle.gov/city-light/about-us/careers.

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents.

More information about employee benefits is available on the Citys website at:

Benefits - Human Resources | seattle.gov

01

Please select the highest level of education you have completed.

• High School Diploma/GED
• Some College
• Associates Degree
• Bachelors Degree
• Masters Degree
• JD/Doctorate Degree
• None of the Above

02

If you have a Bachelors Degree, what field is it in (if no degree, please type N/A)?

03

SMC: Which of the following best describes your level of proficiency with Microsoft Excel?

• None - No experience
• Very Limited - completed training, but have not used it much.
• Beginner - able to perform data entry, create, open, save, and print spreadsheets; cut, copy, paste, and delete data/text; format data/text; set paper size and orientation.
• Intermediate - in addition to beginner skill level, also able to set print area, insert headers/footers, create, use and update basic formulas (average, sum, percentage), sort and filter data.
• Advanced - in addition to intermediate skill level, also able to create charts, create/edit pivot tables from data sets, create if-then statements or other conditional queries, and link data from multiple spreadsheets.
• Expert - I would feel comfortable training others in any of the skills listed above.

04

Which of the following best describes your familiary/experience with the GAAP and GSB guidelines?

• No familiarity or experience
• Beginner (familiarity, but little or no experience)
• Intermediate
• Advanced
• Expert

05

Do you possess a current, valid Washington State Drivers License?

• Yes
• No, but I can obtain a valid Washington State Drivers License by the time of hire.
• No, and I will not be able to obtain a valid Washington State Drivers License.

06

Employees working for the City of Seattle are required to meet the Mayoral mandate of January 2025 to work in the office a minimum of three (3) days per week. Are you able to meet this requirement?

• Yes
• No

07

To participate in the hiring process, Seattle City Light requires strict confidentiality of all related information, including any discussions outside the workplace. This ensures fairness and protects the integrity of the process. This obligation applies during and after the hiring process. Do you understand and agree to maintain this confidentiality?

• Yes, I understand and agree.
• No, I do not agree.

Required Question

Employer City of Seattle

Address Seattle Municipal Tower

700 5th Avenue, Suite 5500

Seattle, Washington, 98104

Website http://www.seattle.gov/jobs