This position is open until filled; however, to ensure consideration applications should be submitted by May 3, 2024, at 4:30 p.m.
Join our team and make a meaningful impact in affordable housing.
We are currently seeking an experienced professional for the position of Accountant - Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) Owner Liaison. In joining our team, you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in affordable housing while building relationships with a diverse set of internal and external stakeholders and contributing to our collaborative work environment.
In this role, you will be responsible for ensuring the timely processing of housing assistance payments to landlords (owners). Your other responsibilities will include, but are not limited to, processing utility reimbursements to tenants, verifying annual 1099 issuance, collaborating with the HCV Department to set up Tenant Retro Rent Agreements, researching and resolving account issues, and maintaining strong communication with stakeholders. You will closely collaborate with landlords, property management companies, HCV staff, tenants, and management to ensure processing and reporting are both timely and accurate. This position reports to the Accounting Manager, Finance at our Central Office in Tukwila, WA. We are looking for an individual who is proactive, committed to resolving issues promptly, skilled in using accounting software, and possesses excellent communication skills.
As a pivotal part of achieving KCHA's mission, our Finance Department is dedicated to collaborative work across the agency, ensuring timely and accurate financial data to support all housing programs and opportunities.
The King County Housing Authority
King County Housing Authority (KCHA), an independent municipal organization, is a high performing nationally recognized leader in affordable housing. To learn more about KCHA and our Mission visit this link.
We transform lives through housing.
Essential Functions
Key responsibilities of the Accountant include:
- Leads, trains, and inspects the work of staff; assists in coaching and counseling; assists with ensuring deadlines for the department are met.
- Manages accounts payable process for the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program; and ensures timely issuance of payments.
- Serves as a liaison between the owners, internal staff, and tenants for accurate annual reporting of customer’s account.
- Compiles owner's report; confirms Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN); analyzes 1099 report to ensure all payments are reported; issues annual 1099-Miscellaneous Income (1099-MISC).
- Evaluates and enters in the Tenant Retro Rent Agreements from in-house staff; monitors and recommends accounts for write-off.
- Reviews Section 8 bank balance; monitors and approves Positive Pay exceptions; cancels checks as needed, reissues or voids outstanding checks; reviews HCV bank balance and requests transfers between accounts as appropriate.
- Assesses terminated accounts, gathers documents and sends to Collection Company as needed.
Other responsibilities of the Accountant may include:
- Reviews and balances accounts payable and receivable for Section 8 Funds; creates and posts invoices; updates and accumulates administrative fees.
- Oversees and codes subsidies received; analyzes and settles income and expense accounts; detects problems and amounts to resolve with reconciliations from U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
- Serves as the liaison between HUD and the Finance Department; stays current on all rules and regulations.
- Prepares and reports financial data, financial statements, and leasing information for the Section 8 Program to HUD; balances all income, expense, and liability accounts; prepares reserves accounts for various vouchers.
- Monitors, processes, and chronicles payments, transactions, financial functions for the Family Self-Sufficiency Program (FSS) to the escrow accounts.
- Works closely with other housing authorities to ensure tenant incoming portability accounts are up to date; serves as a liaison between the owners, internal staff, and tenants for accurate annual reporting of customer’s account.
- Performs portability voucher account analysis and reconciliation.
- Assists in the development and maintenance of Finance Department process documentations.
- Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications and Competencies
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor's Degree in accounting, economics, finance, or related field AND
- Moderate experience in accounting OR
- An equivalent combination of experience and education that provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform this position's essential functions.
Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Understands technical aspects of the position and continuously builds knowledge, keeping up to date on the substantive and procedural aspects of the position including, but not limited to:
- Knowledge of the principles, practices and terminology of general, fund and governmental accounting, including financial statement preparation and methods of financial and internal controls and financial reporting;
- Practical accounting experience and knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP);
- Knowledge of U.S. Department of Housing and Development (HUD), Federal, State and local government accounting regulations and procedures; KCHA's regulations, policies and procedures;
- Knowledge of financial planning and control procedures, accounting and budgeting within the housing authority; internal audit systems and procedures;
- Evaluates complex accounting systems and efficiently formulates and installs accounting methods, procedures, forms and records;
- Prepares clear, concise and complete financial documents, statements and reports; makes accurate arithmetic calculations.
- Exercises independent judgment and discretion in performing departmental activities including handling difficult situations, maintaining standards, and resolving problems.
- Understands technical aspects of the position; utilize automated accounting systems; understand and accurately use KCHA's Chart of Accounts.
- Clearly and effectively communicates both verbally and in writing by actively listening and sharing relevant information with internal and external customers.
- Strong organizational skills including prioritizing, ensuring accuracy, multi-tasking, and handling interruptions appropriately; ensuring assignments are completed in a timely and effective manner.
- Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with staff at all levels, auditors, business and community leaders, regulatory agency administrators, vendors, and the general public.
- Demonstrates proficiency in cultivating an inclusive work environment that values and appreciates equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging, treats others with respect, and fosters cooperation.
- Proficiency in using MS Office programs and database software.
Special Requirements:
- Consent to and pass required assessments.
- Consent to and pass a credit and criminal records background check.
- The successful candidate will need to have access to reliable transportation to meet the business needs of the Agency.
Position Information and Application Process
Application Requirements:
To be considered for this opportunity, you must:
- Complete the online application profile in its entirety.
- Upload a cover letter that addresses how your experience and education qualifies you to perform the essential functions listed in the job announcement. (Cover Letter)
- Upload a detailed résumé of all educational and professional experiences. (Résumé)
Salary & Benefits:
The starting salary range for this position is $35.96 - $44.05 hourly dependent on qualifications and professional experience. The complete salary range for this position is $35.96 - $52.14 hourly. Performance-based merit increase opportunities and Cost of Living Adjustments (COLA) are reviewed annually. A comprehensive health care benefits package for you and your dependents includes medical, dental and vision insurance, life and long-term disability insurance plans, vacation, sick and personal leave, tuition reimbursement, and retirement benefits are also available. For more details regarding KCHA comprehensive benefits, please visit our benefits page.
Work Environment:
After initial onboarding, this position will have the opportunity to work remotely up to 60% in accordance with the KCHA's flexible work arrangements; however, remote work conditions will be reviewed on a regular basis based on business and program need. Employees must reside in Washington State and the ability to report to the Central Office in Tukwila will be required. Some local and domestic travel may be required to support KCHA business needs.
Physical Requirements:
Incumbent(s) must be able to meet the physical requirements of the classification and have mobility, balance, coordination, vision, hearing and dexterity levels appropriate to the functions performed. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 25 pounds of force; work regularly requires sitting, speaking or hearing, using hands to finger, handle or feel and repetitive motions and occasionally requires standing and walking; work has standard vision requirements; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels; work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data and observing general surroundings and activities; work has no exposure to environmental conditions; work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office, light traffic).
Equal Opportunity:
King County Housing Authority is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.