Accountant I
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Accountant I
Salary
$33.53 - $44.05 Hourly
Location
1120 SW 5th Ave, OR
Job Type
Regular
Remote Employment
Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number
2025-00772
Bureau
Portland Housing Bureau
Opening Date
08/18/2025
Closing Date
8/25/2025 11:59 PM Pacific
Description
Benefits
Questions
The Position
Job Appointment: Full-Time, Regular.
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8 am-5 pm. An alternate schedule may be available.
Work Location: Hybrid . Employees will report to 1120 SW 5th Ave, Portland, OR 97204 for in person work. Currently, City of Portland employees are required to perform at least 50% of their work in office. Remote work must be performed within Oregon or Washington. For more information, click here .
Benefits: Please check our benefit tab for an overview of benefits for this position.
Language Pay Premium Eligible: This position may be eligible for Language Pay Differential (https://www.portland.gov/bhr/class-comp/language-pay-differential-overview) for qualifying employees.
Union Representation: District Council of Trade Unions (DCTU). To view this labor agreement, please click here (https://www.portland.gov/bhr/employee-relations/labor-relations/labor-agreements) . Applicants start at the entry salary rate. If you are a DCTU-represented employee, see the labor agreement for additional information or talk to your union representative.
Application Material: Please click APPLY to submit your application via the City of Portland's online portal. You will need respond to the supplemental questions and attach a resume.
Position Summary:
This accounting position will perform accounting-related functions that primarily involve transactional support in addition to some interpretation and analysis, applying Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) in the areas of including accounts receivable; accounts payable, collections, and a variety of other regular, recurring and on-going accounting and financial controls responsibilities. Establishing effective working relationships is essential in supporting management and various levels of staff in pre-defined guidelines and procedures. Work is subject to review by a higher-level accountant and/or analyst
What you'll get to do:
Use accounting skills and financial knowledge of Bureau and City processes to advance a wide variety of finance and accounting special projects. Examples include internal and external audits, GASB compliance, internal control implementation, AR, AP, and collections.
Review, reconcile, and research financial transactions.
Performs numerous financial and accounting transactions in the city's SAP financial system, which may include, but not be limited to, processing accounts payable, including invoices, journal entries, billings, payments, deposits, reconciliations, research of financial transactions, and audit confirmations.
Prepares reports, spreadsheets, summaries, graphs and charts; designs, creates and maintains databases and spreadsheets; creates, generates and distributes a variety of management reports.
Work with initiative and independence while exercising professional judgment and strong communication skills.
The eligible list established from this recruitment may be used to fill Accountant I vacancies in bureaus across the City of Portland.
The current vacancy exists within the Portland Housing Bureau.
This position is part of the Finance and Accounting Team of the Portland Housing Bureau. The Accountant I is responsible for performing professional financial work in support of the Portland Housing Bureau's financial, statistical, budgetary, and other management goals and objectives. The position supports the Senior Financial Analysts in maintaining processes, analyzing procedures, verifying data and transactions, and supporting other financial analysts in the bureau with expenditure, loan, and cash analysis. Coordinates activities with representatives of other divisions, bureaus and/or OMF in the course of completing work assignments. The Accountant I is expected to carry out day to day responsibilities with initiative and creativity while exercising sound professional judgment and problem-solving skills.
As a person, you are:
Collaborative: An authentic professional who has interpersonal skills, values partnerships, and develops and supports relationships to get things done.
Curious: A curious professional who is always seeking to learn new things and grow as a person and as a professional.
Results Driven: A person who is able to work effectively and efficiently in a high-paced, dynamic environment.
Strong Communicator: A person who builds trust and strong relationships through frequent, transparent, and clear communications.
Solutions Oriented: A person who possesses and uses strong communication skills to work with a variety of internal and external stakeholders to create, implement, document solutions, and problem solve.
Someone who Values Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: A person who engages in thoughtful partnership, demonstrates self-awareness, and takes proactive steps to foster an inclusive environment. This individual shows cultural humility, advocates for equity, and practices mindfulness in their interactions, understanding the significance of DEI principles to enhance their work.
Emotionally Intelligent: A person who is motivated, passionate, team-oriented, and empathetic, and works to create the same characteristics in their Team.
City of Portland Core Values:
Anti-racism | Communication | Collaboration | Equity | Transparency | Fiscal Responsibility
These values guide our actions as we serve the community and engage our workforce. To learn more about the City's core values, please click here.
Questions?
Tamela Ressler, Senior Recruiter
Bureau of Human Resources
Tamela.Ressler@portlandoregon.gov
To Qualify
The following minimum qualifications are required for this position:
Knowledge of governmental accounting and financial reporting as well as applicable accounting standards and procedures including GAAP, GASB, and FASB.
Knowledge of the principles and practices of public administration and financial analysis, such as grants, payables, billing, compliance, loan administration, and maintenance of public records.
Knowledge of federal, State, and local laws, as well as regulations applicable to overseeing loan, budget, and federal grant requirements.
Ability to analyze financial, budgetary, operational, and organizational problems, evaluate alternatives and reach sound, logical, fact-based conclusions.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with Bureau/Office managers and staff, representatives of other governmental agencies, the public, and others encountered during work.
Ability to use spreadsheets and other applicable software programs to prepare and analyze financial data.
Preferred Qualifications
Although not required, you may have one or more of the following:
Experience using SAP or other enterprise software.
The Recruitment Process
STEP 1: Apply online between August 18 - August 25, 2025
Required Application Materials:
Resume
Answer to the Supplemental Questions (click on the Questions tab to preview the questions)
Optional Application Materials:
If you wish to request Veteran's Preference, please submit your veteran documents (e.g., DD214-Member 4, VA Benefit Letter) by the recruitment's closing date.
We have recently updated our veteran preference process. As of March 3rd, 2025 if you made the eligible list and met the eligibility to receive veteran preference, you will no longer need to submit veteran documents for future recruitments.
If you need to update or remove your veteran preference for a specific recruitment or from your master profile, please contact the recruiter listed in the job announcement.
Application Tips:
Your responses to the supplemental questions should include details describing your education, training and/or experience, and where obtained, which clearly reflects your qualifications for each of the numbered items in the "To Qualify" section of this announcement.
Your résumé should support the details described in your responses to the supplemental questions.
How We Determine Pay: The City of Portland is covered by the Oregon Equal Pay Act (https://www.oregon.gov/boli/workers/pages/equal-pay.aspx) . Your salary is determined based on the experience listed in your resume that is directly related and equivalent to the position for which you are applying. It is strongly encouraged to include any transferable experience (paid or unpaid regardless of how recent) to ensure your offer is reflective of all your relevant experience.
Do not attach any additional documents.
Please note, all completed applications for this position must be submitted no later than on the closing date and time of this recruitment.
You can use AI tools to assist with your job application, but please make sure to personalize your responses to supplemental questions. Avoid copying and pasting. We encourage using AI to generate ideas and then tailor them to reflect your own experiences and skills.
All applications must be submitted via the City's online application process.
E-mailed and/or faxed applications will not be accepted.
Step 2: Minimum Qualification Evaluation: Week of August 25th
An evaluation of each applicant's training and paid and unpaid experience, as demonstrated in their resume and supplemental questions, weighted 100%.
Your résumé and responses to the supplemental questions will be the basis for our evaluation of your qualifications for this position. Incomplete or inappropriate information may result in disqualification.
You have 14 days from the notice of the minimum qualification evaluation results to let us know if you would like to review and discuss your evaluation result. Please read the City of Portland Administrative Rule 3.01 (https://www.portland.gov/policies/human-resources-administrative-rules/employment/hrar-301-recruitment-processes#toc-examination-review) for complete information.
Additional evaluation may be required prior to establishment of the eligible list and/or final selection.
Step 3: Establishment of Eligible List: Week of September 1st
Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications will be placed on the equally ranked eligible list. (Update if a Ranked list or other @type of list is used)
Step 4: Selection (Interview): Early to Mid September
Hiring bureau will review and select candidates for an interview.
There is no guarantee right to the vacant position.
Step 5: Offer of Employment: Late September
Some positions will require those offered employment to complete and sign a criminal background statement before being considered for employment.
Step 6: Start Date: TBD
A start date will be determined after all conditions of employment have been met.
*Timeline is approximate and subject to change.
A Career with the City of Portland offers many Employee Benefits
We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including but not limited to
Health Care (Medical, Vision and Dental)
Carrot Fertility
Wellness Benefits
Life Insurance
Long-term disability coverage to eligible employees and their families.
Employee Assistance Plan
Flexible Spending Accounts
Retirement
Oregon Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), including contributions to the PERS IAP plan paid by employer
Family Medical Leave
City Paid Parental Leave
AND SO MANY MORE!
Benefits may vary depending on bargaining unit and employment status. Click here to review the many different benefits the City of Portland offers (https://www.portland.gov/bhr/benefit-offerings/benefits-quickstart-guide/benefit-plan-summaries-highlight-guides) .
01
Thank you for considering joining the City of Portland. We sincerely value your time and hope to make your application experience as positive as possible.
The following supplemental questions are an important step in the examination and selection process to assist us in determining if you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities to succeed in the posted vacancy.
A lack of a complete and thorough response to each of the supplemental questions in the space provided may result in disqualification from the examination. In addition, the selections you make and responses you provide in the questionnaire must accurately reflect what is documented in your resume.
Have you read and understood the information listed above?
Yes
No - If you have any questions, please contact the recruiter on the announcement.
02
Where did you first learn about this job opportunity? (If on a website or job board, please specify which one)
03
The City of Portland sometimes gets requests for public records. Please choose the response that best fits your preference:
(Your choice will not affect your application process.)
I want my application to stay private. I understand that the City of Portland will keep my information confidential unless required to share it by law.
I allow my application to be shared. I understand that by choosing this option, my information is no longer private.
04
Provide a detailed example(s) of your knowledge of governmental accounting and financial reporting as well as applicable accounting standards and procedures including GAAP, GASB, and FASB.
In your response, include details that clearly reflect how you meet this minimum qualification. Such as:
Examples of when you used the knowledge skill or ability.
Role you served in (professional, internship, volunteer).
The impact and/or results of your of experience.
Skills, training, transferable skills or lived experience you have that will help you in this area.
Total years of experience applying the knowledge, skill, or ability.
05
Provide a detailed example(s) of your knowledge of the principles and practices of public administration and financial analysis, such as grants, payables, billing, compliance, loan administration, and maintenance of public records.
In your response, include details that clearly reflect how you meet this minimum qualification. Such as:
Examples of when you used the knowledge skill or ability.
Role you served in (professional, internship, volunteer).
The impact and/or results of your of experience.
Skills, training, transferable skills or lived experience you have that will help you in this area.
Total years of experience applying the knowledge, skill, or ability.
06
Provide a detailed example(s) of your knowledge of federal, State, and local laws, as well as regulations applicable to overseeing loan, budget, and federal grant requirements.
In your response, include details that clearly reflect how you meet this minimum qualification. Such as:
Examples of when you used the knowledge skill or ability.
Role you served in (professional, internship, volunteer).
The impact and/or results of your of experience.
Skills, training, transferable skills or lived experience you have that will help you in this area.
Total years of experience applying the knowledge, skill, or ability.
07
Provide a detailed example(s) of your ability to analyze financial, budgetary, operational, and organizational problems, evaluate alternatives and reach sound, logical, fact-based conclusions.
In your response, include details that clearly reflect how you meet this minimum qualification. Such as:
Examples of when you used the knowledge skill or ability.
Role you served in (professional, internship, volunteer).
The impact and/or results of your of experience.
Skills, training, transferable skills or lived experience you have that will help you in this area.
Total years of experience applying the knowledge, skill, or ability.
08
Provide a detailed example(s) of your ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with Bureau/Office managers and staff, representatives of other governmental agencies, the public, and others encountered during work.
In your response, include details that clearly reflect how you meet this minimum qualification. Such as:
Examples of when you used the knowledge skill or ability.
Role you served in (professional, internship, volunteer).
The impact and/or results of your of experience.
Skills, training, transferable skills or lived experience you have that will help you in this area.
Total years of experience applying the knowledge, skill, or ability.
09
Provide a detailed example(s) of your ability to use spreadsheets and other applicable software programs to prepare and analyze financial data.
In your response, include details that clearly reflect how you meet this minimum qualification. Such as:
Examples of when you used the knowledge skill or ability.
Role you served in (professional, internship, volunteer).
The impact and/or results of your of experience.
Skills, training, transferable skills or lived experience you have that will help you in this area.
Total years of experience applying the knowledge, skill, or ability.
10
Please note the following question will not be considered during minimum qualification review. The information provided will be reviewed during the selection process.
Although not required, please provide information for any of the following preferred qualifications:
Experience using SAP or other enterprise software.
(Enter N/A if you do not have relevant experience)
Required Question
Employer
City of Portland
Address
1120 SW 5th Ave, Room 987 Portland, Oregon, 97204
Website
http://www.portlandoregon.gov/jobs
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