Accounting Assistant - Headquarters

Days Off: Saturday, Sunday

Shift: Office Day

Insurance Benefits: Dental, Life, Long-term Disability, Medical (no premiums/payroll deductions for employee coverage)

Other Benefits: Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Flexible Spending Account (FSA), ORCA card subsidy, Paid Time Off (34 days per year), Retirement Plan

About DESC:

DESC   (Downtown Emergency Service Center) is a nonprofit organization  working  to help people with the complex needs of homelessness,  substance use  disorders, and serious mental illness achieve their  highest potential  for health and well-being through comprehensive  services, treatment, and  housing. Our vision is a community where no  person is abandoned,  ignored, or experiencing homelessness.

As the region's leading  provider of services to multiply disabled adults  who have experienced  chronic homelessness, DESC serves almost 3,000 people each day. Our integrated service model is designed to help  people secure and maintain appropriate, safe and affordable housing. DESC is recognized nationally  and regionally as an innovator in  developing solutions to homelessness.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assist Controller, and other accounting department staff with all aspects of maintaining accurate accounting and administrative records for the agency.
• Initiate and document accounting transactions including but not limited to accounts payable, cash management, payroll, purchasing or administering client accounts.
• Process various checks, cash and credit card payments received by DESC, prepare bank deposits initiate and create cash receipt and accounts receivable transactions in the DESC accounting system.
• Maintain accurate tenant accounting records and perform related reconciliations.
• Maintain a working knowledge of DESC accounting department policies and procedures and general agency policies and procedures as applicable.
• Safeguard all checks, cash and other assets of DESC consistent with agency and department policies and procedures.
• Maintain accounts payable system, including; process bills, prepare checks for signatures, mail payments on a timely basis, and record payments in the accounting system.
• Maintain Protective Payee records on all funds managed for agency clients, disburse funds by check and cash on schedule as directed by agreement of case manager and client.
• Manage agency petty cash, and accurately record receipts and expenditures handled through petty cash.
• Assist Controller and Accountants in the preparation of various accounting reports.
• Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• High school diploma
• 10-key by touch
• Accounting coursework and job experience with accounts payable and payroll
• Computer experience
• Careful attention to detail, and ability to work independently with a minimum of direct supervision.
• Willingness to be flexible and work cooperatively with co-workers to accomplish all responsibilities.
• Ability and desire to communicate and work effectively and appropriately with staff and vendors from various backgrounds and disciplines in person, on the phone, and via email.
• Ability to relate effectively to clients displaying a wide range of unpleasant and/or bizarre behaviors.
• Demonstrated respect for diversity and commitment to developing multicultural competency sensitivity.
• Subscribe to philosophy of cooperation and continuity across programs, and of consideration and respect for clients. 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• AA degree
• Computerized bookkeeping experience
• Experience with spreadsheets and accounting software (MIP)

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee will be required to sit, communicate with other employees and vendors, is required to lift and carry items weighing up to 25 pounds and to operate computer hardware systems. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Considerable stress may occur.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

DESC is committed  to diversity in the workplace and promotes equal employment  opportunities for all staff members and applicants. The Agency will not  discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the  basis of race, creed, color, sex, gender, sexual orientation, age,  national origin, caste, marital status, or the presence of any sensory,  mental or physical disability in any employment practice, unless based  on a bona fide occupational qualification. Minorities and veterans are  encouraged to apply.