TEMPORARY ACCOUNTANT
(Temporary position with benefits – anticipated duration 18-24 months)
OPENING DATE: October 23, 2026
CLOSING DATE: Open Until Filled – First review will take place November 2nd, 2026
SALARY: $7,467 - $8,460/month – FLSA Exempt
View full job posting here: Finance-Temporary-Accountant-10232026
The City of Ellensburg is accepting applications for a Temporary Accountant in the Finance Department.
This is a temporary, eighteen-to-twenty-four-month position established to provide operational accounting support and backfill critical Finance Department duties while key employees are assigned significant responsibilities throughout all phases of the implementation of a new Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) financial management system, including the discovery, design, testing, implementation, and stabilization.
It is critical that the employee in this position be able to learn quickly and work independently following instructions, policies, procedures and use of good judgment. The employee will need to demonstrate flexibility, adaptability, initiative, resourcefulness, and be open to accepting and implementing feedback. They must also maintain accuracy and attention to detail and be able to build relationships that will allow them to work well in a supportive role.
The Accountant will work independently under the general supervision of the Finance Director or designee. The employee will perform professional and complex accounting, reconciliation, financial analysis, and reporting functions, and may be assigned work across functional areas such as accounts payable, payroll, cash receipting, treasury, inventory, fixed assets, project accounting, grants, and general ledger activities based on departmental needs and the implementation schedule.
Employment in this position is temporary and does not create an expectation of continued employment beyond the anticipated assignment period.
CORE VALUES:
All employees are expected to model and foster the City of Ellensburg’s core values in the performance of their duties and their interactions while representing the City and serving the community. The values of Compassion (we care), Courage (we do the right thing), and Conviction (we work hard) promote and maintain a high level of service and are the tie that binds all City employees together, across departments.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Employees may be required to perform any or all of the following duties while adhering to City of Ellensburg operational policies, safety rules, and procedures.
Provide temporary backfill support for critical Finance Department accounting, reporting, reconciliation, and operational duties that are reassigned due to the ERP implementation.
- Maintain knowledge of and assist with the administration of accounts payable, payroll, cash receipting, treasury functions, inventory, fixed assets, project accounting, and general ledger processes.
- Work collaboratively with City departments to gain and maintain a solid understanding of their processes and workflows.
- Perform audits, reconciliations, data validation, and data extraction for accounting transactions, including payroll, accounts payable, inventory, fixed assets, and cash receipting activity posted to the general ledger.
- Reconcile, verity, balance, adjust, and maintain assigned accounts and accounting records in conformance with the Washington State Budgeting, Accounting, and Reporting System (BARS), generally accepted accounting principles, City policies, and other applicable requirements.
- Prepare and maintain financial reports, schedules, documentation, and supporting workpapers for assigned functions, projects, and reporting requirements.
- Provide support for assigned budget, financial analysis, audit, and special projects.
- Support transition planning, documentation, and cross-training to preserve continuity of essential Finance Department functions during and after implementation.
Other duties may be assigned.
This is a representative sample—not to imply a complete listing of responsibilities and tasks.
REQUIRED EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE:
- Bachelor's degree from four (4) year college or university with emphasis in accounting and/or finance
- Position-related experience Must have at least three (3) years of intermediate to advanced governmental accounting experience including BARS and GASB.
- Must be a quick learner who can work independently within department policies and procedures, and perform with accuracy and attention to detail.
- Must be able to get along well with others and be adaptable to changing assignments/priorities.
- Please Note: An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered in lieu of some of the requirements above, as determined by Management.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
Must be bondable. Applicants must agree to a credit check and be in good credit standing with no debts currently assigned to collections, and a credit history that reflects no pattern of instability. The applicant must not have a pending garnishment or judgment which may cause undue hardship while employed with this agency, with the exception of child support. The hiring authority shall review the applicant’s credit history and determine eligibility for employment on a case-by-case basis. Prior to hire, the candidate is required to pass a background check.
PREFERRED EXPERIENCE:
- Experience with Microsoft Dynamics Great Plains
BENEFITS: This is a temporary full-time, benefited position. Benefits include Public Employees Retirement System and Social Security; Medical/Dental/Life/Disability Insurance, VEBA, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), paid time off (PTO bank), exempt leave, holidays, and employee choice days.
