Staff Accountant

Description

The Vancouver Housing Authority (VHA) is seeking a detail-oriented and analytical Staff Accountant to provide financial reporting for our affordable housing portfolio, grant contracts, and active construction projects. This role is essential in ensuring VHA remains compliant with GAAP, HUD regulations, and internal financial policies while supporting our mission to provide high-quality housing solutions to our community. 

At Vancouver Housing Authority (VHA), we work closely with local governments and other community partners throughout Clark County to address issues of affordable housing and homelessness and help families break the cycle of poverty. We provide affordable housing and housing assistance to low-income residents in Clark County. 

Your skills and experience will support our mission as you provide accounting support within one or more of the following assigned areas of responsibility:

Housing Portfolio Financial Reporting

• Provides budget variance analysis of VHA's affordable housing portfolio and conducts periodic internal audits of properties to monitor compliance with LIHTC/HUD regulations and internal control policies and procedures. 
• Prepares annual property budget schedules, including coordinating with the Property and Asset Management Department.
• Reconciles various accounts and schedules for month-end and year-end closeout, and coordinates annual CPA audits and tax returns. 
• Prepares and submits various periodic financial reports, including to WA State WBARS and external users as required.

Grant Administration & Financial Reporting

• Reconciles grant funding and applicable expenses, including funding for voucher programs for HAP and administrative expenses. 
• Prepares and submits periodic federal (HUD), state, and local grant funding requisitions.
• Prepares monthly Section 8 VMS report and assists with preparation of the annual Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA).
• Acts as a liaison with the HUD financial analysis team and provides financial guidance to the Voucher Programs department.

Housing Construction Financial Reporting

• Maintains financial tracking for projects under construction and monitors activities against project budgets.
• Prepares periodic project funding draws.
• Reconciles construction-related balance sheet accounts at year-end.

Pay and Benefits

• The starting salary range for this position is $31.07 - $34.17 per hour based on experience. In compliance with the Equal Pay & Opportunities Act, the full salary range for this position is $31.07 - $46.60 per hour.
• Full-time, non-exempt position, working 40 hours per week, Monday - Friday, in-office/in-person.
• Eligibility to enroll in our medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and disability insurance.
• The benefits package also includes 5.58% paid into WA PERS by the employer, 12 company-paid holidays, a generous paid vacation time accrual, and a separate sick time accrual.
• Meaningful work that addresses affordable housing and homelessness in our community.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or a related subject required. Candidates who are actively pursuing a relevant degree and are within six months of graduation would be considered to have met this requirement.
• Two years of experience in accounting or a related field are required. 
• Governmental, property management, affordable housing, or non-profit industry accounting experience preferred.
• CPA certification preferred.

Required Knowledge of:

• Operations, services, and activities of a general accounting system.
• Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
• Principles and practices of governmental accounting, grant management, and financial record keeping and reporting.
• Methods and techniques of maintaining internal control systems and preparing financial reports and statements.
• Modern office procedures, methods, and equipment, including computers and supporting word processing and spreadsheet applications.

Required ability to:

• Manage multiple projects concurrently, as well as complex and time-critical processes and relationships with external parties
• Interpret and apply administrative and departmental policies and procedures.
• Prepare and maintain accurate and current financial statements, clear and concise reports, and spreadsheets, including computer-generated financial reports.
• Analyze reports and financial statements, and make recommendations on cash flow requirements.
• Reconcile general ledger accounts.

A cover letter and resume are required when applying for this position. For more information on the Vancouver Housing Authority, please visit our website at www.vhausa.org. Please note that those candidates deemed to best match our requirements will be contacted for an interview. We do not discuss application status during the selection process. Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis until the position is filled.

The VHA provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applications for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with federal, state, and local laws.