Senior Accounting Clerk
As one of the fastest growing cities in the Pacific Northwest, Vancouver is building a city of the future through innovation, sustainable development, excellent leadership and effectively working with an engaged community. Our growth is guided by our core values of livability, sustainability and resiliency, innovation, and equity and inclusion, and we accomplish our work through collaboration, innovation, compassion and empowerment. If who we are speaks to you, then the City of Vancouver might just be the right place! We are currently recruiting for a Senior Accounting Clerk.
The primary responsibilities are to review business license applications from the State of Washington, Department of Revenue, Business Licensing Service for accuracy and compliance with city requirements; provide final approval of business license applications. Process special license applications; create accounts and invoice businesses for special licenses in Workday. Provide internal and external customer service for questions related to business and special licensing. Review and process refund requests. Coordinate license activity with other city departments. Perform collection activities associated with unpaid or underpaid business license fees.
This is a full-time, regular, non-exempt union position. The schedule for this position is M-F, 8:00am to 5:00pm. First review of applications on August 22, 2025.
Essential Functions
- Ensure businesses comply with the City business license regulations by way of internal city processes, to include state DOR records and other business resources to identify parties operating within the City without a City license. Distribute license materials and invoices along with confirming correct City business license fees are paid.
- Utilize the State of Washington's Business Licensing Service processes and software system, review new applications, renewal records, and corresponding payments for accuracy and compliance with the city business license requirements. Requires knowledge and use of State of Washington software systems.
- Provide technical information and instruction to internal staff regarding applicable business license program procedures and methods; license account status, and rules and regulations.
- Assist with the maintenance of the Business License website managed by Media Services and maintain written documentation (forms and handouts), as needed (e.g., with updates to fees, forms, regulations, procedures, etc).
- Provide assistance to customers with inquiries and complaints; identify customer service problems and conduct research; update customer accounts, communicate results to customer; and explain regulations, policies, and procedures verbally, online, and in writing.
- Collect on outstanding accounts through standard collection practices, including: issuing past due invoices, making telephone calls, and sending accounts to the collections agency.
- Support Customer Service on an as needed basis, including assisting staff and customers with business license and special license questions, and providing documentation for distribution to community members.
- Prepare, evaluate, and distribute licensee and payment reports on a regular basis and upon request.
- Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
Qualifications
Experience and Education
- Two (2) years of relevant experience.
- Equivalent to an associate degree.
Computer Skills
- Experience with automated financial systems a plus, preferably Workday.
- Intermediate to advanced skills in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.
Required Licenses and Certifications
- Maintenance of financial records, review of record-keeping procedures and development of reports.
- Intermediate/advanced clerical accounting and bookkeeping principles and techniques.
- Pertinent Federal, state, and local laws that pertain to: collections and standard accounting practices, including invoicing.
- Modern office procedures, methods, and computer equipment.
- Use of personal computers and basic software.
Abilities
- Practices and procedures of City finance, fiscal record keeping and reporting.
- English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
- Excel spread sheet applications and formulas.
- Standard accounting practices.
- Understand, interpret and communicate business procedures, rules and regulations.
- Develop reports summarizing and detailing financial transactions.
- Operate a personal computer and appropriate software.
- Work in a manner consistent with the City of Vancouver's Operating Principles.
- Work and act as a team player in all interactions with other City employees.
- Provide a high level of customer service at all times.
- Project and maintain a positive image with those contacted in the course of work.
- Demonstrate a commitment to valuing differences among people and to being inclusive.
- Show the utmost respect for others, and act as a team player.
- Promote safety as a guiding principle and a regular practice in accomplishing work by focusing on safe practices and complying with safety and health policies and procedures.
- Recognize unsafe conditions which may be hazardous to an employee or to the public.
- Works in safe and responsible manner; not putting self or others at risk. Complies with applicable policies and procedures including but not limited to using personal protective equipment, observing warning signs, learning about potential hazards, and reporting all unsafe conditions.
This position is subject to successful completion of a pre-employment reference check, credit check, and along with a basic criminal background check.
The City of Vancouver is committed to advancing equity and creating a welcoming and inclusive workplace. We recognize that progress depends on more than just a verbal commitment; it depends on making meaningful organizational change. We developed and continue to develop strategies to enhance employee-centered programs, eliminate recruitment and advancement barriers, elevate employee understanding of DEI and cultural competency and build an inclusive and welcoming place to call work. We hope you'll consider joining us on the journey!
The City of Vancouver believes every employee plays a role in maintaining a safe workplace. The City of Vancouver promotes safety as a guiding principle and practice and accomplishes work by creating safe work environments, complying with safety and health policies and procedures and consistently seeking improvements that support operational excellence.
At the City of Vancouver, we value and foster a workplace comprised of people with a range of different backgrounds, experiences and cultures. We recognize that a diverse and inclusive team is key to innovation, effectiveness and a positive culture. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.
The City of Vancouver is dedicated to maintaining a work environment that extends equal opportunity to all individuals, regardless of their race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin, marital status, veteran status, disability sexual orientation or gender identity. Employment decisions will be made to further the principle of equal employment opportunity and to comply with state, federal and local laws. We affirm through this policy statement our continuing commitment to the principles of equity and nondiscrimination.
Under Washington law, qualified veterans may be eligible for Veterans' preference when applying for City of Vancouver positions. Honorably discharged Veterans, their surviving spouses or spouses of honorably discharged Veterans with a permanent and total service-connected disability who would like to be considered for a Veterans' preference for this job should provide the qualifying documents as instructed during the application process.
Accommodations will be considered for applicants or candidates with a qualifying disability that prevents them from participating in this process. Accommodations will be made where the City can reasonably provide them without imposing an undue hardship on the business or compromising the integrity of the recruitment process. An applicant with any disability who believes that they need an accommodation should contact Human Resources: call 360-487-8417 or email