Seattle Social Housing Developer Sr. Staff Accountant Seattle, WA · Full time Company website

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The Seattle Social Housing Developer is creating permanently affordable, high-quality homes that strengthen communities and expand opportunity. We’re looking for passionate, mission-driven people who want to make a real impact in housing justice. If you thrive in collaborative environments and are excited to help shape Seattle’s future, explore our open roles and join us in making homes affordable forever.

ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW 

The Seattle Social Housing Developer (SSHD) is a Public Development Authority (PDA) committed to creating, owning, and stewarding permanently affordable, mixed-income housing that is publicly financed, publicly controlled, and free from market speculation. 

As we lay the foundation for this transformative model, guided by international examples and rooted in public accountability, we are building a team to define a new standard for equitable, sustainable, and community-centered social housing development in Seattle. Our goal is to expand access, strengthen the social fabric of our city, and ensure housing that is affordable forever and inclusive by design for current and future generations. 

POSITION OVERVIEW 

The Senior Staff Accountant is a senior-level member of SSHD’s accounting and finance team, working closely with the Chief Financial Officer and outside CPA firm to lead the organization’s day-to-day accounting operations and to build the financial infrastructure needed to support a growing portfolio of social housing development. 

This position owns the monthly, quarterly, and annual close; payroll and accounts payable; financial statement preparation; and project and fund-level accounting for development activity. The Staff Accountant III leads audit and tax coordination with external partners, designs and maintains accounting policies, procedures, and internal controls, and may train, review, and guide the work of other accounting staff as the team grows. 

The person in this role operates with a high degree of independence, is trusted to resolve complex and nonroutine accounting matters, and provides well-supported recommendations to the CFO. The ideal candidate is a skilled communicator who can explain financial information to varied audiences, including leadership and the Board, and who brings sound judgment about which issues carry financial, compliance, or policy implications that warrant escalation. 

POSITION DETAILS 

Job Title: Senior Staff Accountant 

Department: Finance 

Reports To: Chief Financial Officer 

FLSA Status: Exempt  

Compensation & Benefits 

Salary Range: Grade 13 $110,000 - $126,000 

 The Seattle Social Housing Developer offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision coverage as well as participation in the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS), a retirement plan for state and local government employees. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

Accounting Operations 

• Own the monthly, quarterly, and annual close process, including maintaining the close calendar and checklist, preparing and reviewing entries, and ensuring deadlines are consistently met. 
• Manage end-to-end payroll processing, including reviewing payroll registers, reconciling payroll liabilities and benefit and PERS contributions, and resolving complex payroll issues. 
• Oversee accounts payable and vendor administration, ensuring appropriate approvals, documentation, payment controls, and year-end 1099 compliance. 
• Prepare and review complex journal entries, including accruals, allocations, prepaid and deferred items, and correcting entries. 
• Perform and review bank and balance sheet reconciliations; investigate and resolve complex or aged reconciling items. 
• Maintain the chart of accounts and accounting system structure (classes, projects, and funds) to support accurate reporting as the organization and its portfolio grow. 
• Manage cash activity and support cash flow forecasting to ensure sufficient liquidity for operating and project needs. 

Development & Project Accounting 

• Account for real estate development activity, including tracking project costs, capitalizing eligible costs, and maintaining construction-in-progress and fixed asset records. 
• Prepare and review construction draw requests and supporting documentation in coordination with development staff, lenders, and funders. 
• Track and account for restricted funds, grants, loans, and other financing sources, ensuring compliance with funder and lender requirements. 
• Prepare project-level budget-to-actual reporting and support development staff with project financial analysis. 

Financial Reporting & Analysis 

• Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements and management reports, including budget-to-actual variance analysis with clear explanations of results. 
• Present financial results and accounting matters to the CFO, leadership, and, as requested, the Board and its committees. 
• Lead complex ad hoc financial analyses, forecasts, and models to support organizational planning and decision-making. 
• Support the annual budget development process and ongoing forecasting. 
• Research and apply accounting standards (GAAP and GASB, as applicable) to new or complex transactions, documenting conclusions and recommendations for CFO review. 

Tax, Audit & External Coordination 

• Lead preparation for the annual financial audit and other external reviews, including preparing audit schedules and supporting documentation and responding to auditor requests. 
• Serve as the primary day-to-day contact for the outside CPA firm and auditors, managing timelines, requests, and deliverables. 
• Prepare and support the filing of applicable taxes, information returns, and regulatory reports in coordination with the CFO and outside CPA firm. 
• Prepare required financial reporting for funders, lenders, and public agencies, and help maintain compliance with applicable accounting, reporting, tax, and recordkeeping requirements, including Washington State Auditor’s Office requirements as applicable. 
• Coordinate with external partners and internal stakeholders to resolve complex accounting and reporting questions. 

Department & Systems Development 

• Design, document, and maintain SSHD’s accounting policies, procedures, and internal controls, including segregation of duties appropriate to a growing organization. 
• Lead process improvement and systems projects, including evaluating, recommending, and implementing accounting, payroll, and accounts payable tools. 
• Identify risks and gaps in accounting systems, controls, and documentation, and recommend practical solutions to the CFO. 
• Train, mentor, and review the work of other accounting staff, interns, or temporary staff as the team grows, and serve as a subject matter expert for colleagues across the organization. 
• Exercise independent judgment on complex accounting matters, escalating issues with significant financial, compliance, or policy implications to the CFO. 

REQUIRED SKILLS AND ABILITIES 

• Accounting Knowledge: Thorough knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles, working knowledge of governmental (GASB) and/or fund accounting, and the ability to apply standards to complex or nonroutine transactions. 
• Accounting Systems: Advanced proficiency with QuickBooks or a comparable accounting platform, including configuring the chart of accounts, classes, projects, and reports; experience with payroll and accounts payable systems. 
• Financial Analysis: Ability to analyze complex financial data, perform variance analysis, build forecasts and models, and translate results into clear, actionable recommendations. 
• Technology Proficiency: Advanced Excel skills (e.g., pivot tables, lookups, modeling) and comfort evaluating, implementing, and using new financial systems, productivity tools, and AI-enabled technology. 
• Accuracy & Organization: Exceptional attention to detail and the ability to maintain accurate, well-supported financial records and to review the work of others. 
• Communication Skills: Ability to communicate financial information clearly and persuasively to financial and nonfinancial audiences, including leadership, the Board, and external partners. 
• Independence & Judgment: Ability to work independently on complex matters, make sound decisions, and determine when issues warrant CFO involvement. 
• Process & Controls Leadership: Ability to design, implement, and maintain effective accounting procedures and internal controls. 
• Leadership & Mentoring: Ability to train, guide, and review the work of others and to serve as a trusted accounting resource. 
• Adaptability: Ability to work effectively and build structure in a dynamic, evolving organization where systems and responsibilities will continue to develop. 
• Collaboration: Ability to build productive working relationships with the CFO, development staff, outside CPA firm, auditors, lenders, funders, vendors, and other organizational partners. 
• Discretion & Confidentiality: Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive payroll, vendor, employee, and organizational financial information appropriately. 

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE 

• Minimum five (5) years of progressively responsible professional accounting experience, including at least two (2) years managing month-end close and preparing financial statements. 
• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of relevant education and professional experience. 
• Demonstrated experience owning full-cycle accounting, including close, reconciliations, journal entries, accounts payable, payroll, and financial statement preparation. 
• Experience leading or coordinating annual audits and supporting tax filings. 
• Experience designing or documenting accounting procedures and internal controls. 
• Experience with QuickBooks or a comparable accounting system, including system setup, configuration, or implementation. 
• Experience managing multiple priorities and deadlines with a high degree of accuracy and accountability. 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS 

• CPA license, or active progress toward CPA licensure. 
• Experience with construction, real estate development, or affordable housing accounting, including project cost tracking, construction-in-progress, and draw management. 
• Experience with governmental (GASB), public development authority, nonprofit, or fund accounting, including grant and restricted fund reporting. 
• Experience building or scaling the accounting function in a new or growing organization. 
• Experience training, mentoring, or supervising accounting staff. 

OTHER REQUIREMENTS 

• Must pass a background check. 
• Must reside in King County; may not reside in any Seattle Social Housing Developer property. 
• Ability to work occasional flexible hours during payroll processing, financial close, audit, tax, or other time-sensitive reporting periods. 

BUILDING EQUITY THROUGH HOUSING AND HIRING 

As part of Seattle Social Housing’s overall commitment to racial equity, we work for affordable housing development that is grounded in justice. We see the hiring of this position, and all positions, as an opportunity to be a more equitable and racially just organization. 

Seattle Social Housing is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, age, or other legally protected status. People of color, Native and Indigenous people, trans and LGBTQIA+ people, people with disabilities, and other individuals who bring critical perspectives from historically marginalized communities are strongly encouraged to apply.