Per Capita-Senior Accountant

The Puyallup Tribe of Indians is committed to protecting and exercising the inherent inalienable sovereign rights of the Tribe and Individuals in the interest of the Medicine Creek Treat Territories, as stewards to ensure preservation of our cultural and environmental integrity for common good and prosperity for all. Open: March 18, 2026 Close: April 2, 2026 Job Title: Senior Accountant Department: Per Capita Reports To: Director Hours: 40 Hrs/Wk - Full TimeSalary: Based on Salary Matrix+Benefits Requisition: 888 Salaries are market competitive. For accurate salary information, call (253)573-7863 or email jobs@puyalluptribe-nsn.gov. The Puyallup Tribe of Indians provides a generous benefits package that includes employer paid medical, dental, vision, life insurance, a retirement/401(k) plan with profit sharing, paid holidays, and paid time off including birthday leave. Position Summary: Assists the Director to ensure that the Department's internal records are maintained in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, that transactions are recorded timely and properly, and that best practices are followed in the conduct of the activities of the Per Capita Department. Essential Duties and ResponsibilitiesTimely performs check reconciliations monthly. Promptly informs Director of any discrepancies. Prepares monthly new enrollee list and minors trust list with complete addresses and clock numbers from Day Force and upload on a secure platform for Providence First Bank to update the Trust records. Performs Trust distribution handout to 18 year olds with the Director or in the absence of the Director. Including notifying the Tribal Member of their rights and of what to expect regarding their trust and Per Capita's. Oversees General payroll accounting functions; assure accuracy, timeliness, and conformity with professional accounting standards and best practices in accordance with GAAP. Takes lead on drafting the department's quarterly report to Administration and works closely with the Director to finalize the report. When Director is absent, acts as back-up for producing monthly Per Capita checks or bonus runs for Membership. Produces on-site manual checks at Director's request or when Director is out of the office. Enter processed checks in Key Navigator positive pay. Daily monitoring of the positive pay Key Navigator system for fraudulent & duplicate checks and ACH returns. Assists the Director and Tribal Attorney with fraud investigations by examining check history and working with financial institutions to perform necessary research. Notifies Law Enforcement. Produces correspondence to Members about fraud detailing the policies and procedures as outlined in Tribal Code. Under the direction of the Director, works closely with the Tribe's banking to do stop payments, check reissues, manual checks and ACH reversals as needed. Annually, cooperatively works with the Tribe's auditors to provide necessary Per Capita Department records for the Tribe's financial audit. Create accounting strategies to minimize payroll errors & maximize Tribal Member's satisfaction. Analyze accounts and suggest improvements to reduce errors and increase efficiency. Performs high level Per Capita data transformation, manipulation, analysis & advanced data modeling into visualizations that help management understand the big picture as well as gain real-time insights that assist management with planning for adults, minors, trust & school stipend distributions. Acts as the contact to Dayforce regarding tax support, payroll processing and reporting issues. Verifies and validates Per Capita payroll withholding taxes are accurately recorded and reported to the IRS, and that quarterly withholding taxes are paid to the IRS in a timely manner. Assist the department and Tribal Members with navigating technical tax issues pointing them in the right direction as regards IRS paperwork and income documents. Work closely with KeyBank and now Providence First to ensure monthly trust ACH & check deposits and accurately recorded to match what is transferred on Per Capita check register. Takes the lead on departmental projects assigned by Director that involve financial, payroll and tax research as needed. Projects may include payroll conversions, changes in banking institutions, end of year payroll adjustments etc. Takes the lead on producing the Tribe's 1099 forms annually. Periodically, and under the direction of the Director, performs audits on Representative Payee Program client files. Verifies payments made against receipts and spreadsheets each Representative Payee keeps on their clients. Promptly reports discrepancies to Director. Stay abreast on industry changes and current tax/accounting laws for the benefit of the department. On a monthly basis assists the Cigarette Tax Manager with payment processing or other duties. Performs other duties as assigned, including assistance with compliance work. Supervisory ResponsibilitiesThis position has no supervisory responsibilities, however will act as Lead to Per Capita staff when the Director or Assistant Director is out of the office. Qualifications and RequirementsTo perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Education and/or Experience Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance or other related field; and four years of direct accounting experience in performing reconciliation of accounts, audit and analysis work. Knowledge of payroll processing experience with Ceridian or ADP for a medium sized organization is preferred. Knowledge of performing fraud research to aid investigations. Must have an Intermediate to Expert level of experience with Microsoft Word and Excel. CPA preferred but not required. Language SkillsAbility to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public. Customer service and confidentiality are a significant aspect of the job. Contacts are both within and external to the Tribe and may be of a non-routine nature and involve complex, technical issues that relate to the department's operations and services. Mathematical SkillsAbility to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, and fundamentals of plane and solid geometry and trigonometry. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations. Reasoning AbilityAbility to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables. Work assignments are of a complex nature requiring strategic thinking and juggling multiple, changing or conflicting priorities. Licenses or CertificatesMust have and maintain a valid and unrestricted State driver's license and proof of insurance. The driver's license must not contain any restrictions that would otherwise prevent the employee from complying with Puyallup Tribal policy. Other RequirementsEmployee must demonstrate ability to interact with others tactfully and in a positive manner, be a team player, and work cooperatively with members of the department, Tribal Administration, Tribal vendors/contractors and the community. Must maintain confidentiality at all times. Physical DemandsThe physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Requires the ability to operate a personal computer, multi-line telephone, calculator, facsimile and photocopier, and other pertinent office equipment. Requires the ability to read, write, communicate, and interpret information accurately in English. Requires the ability to concentrate and consistently produce accurate work. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to sit and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, peripheral vision, and ability to adjust focus. Work EnvironmentThe work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. The physical exertion is low to moderate. Work is performed in an office setting. There may be frequent interruptions during the work day requiring the ability to stop and restart work projects. Employee may be required to travel for training or to meet with customers. The Puyallup Tribe reserves the right to revise or change job duties and responsibilities as the need arises. This position description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment. Indian Preference Employer as Required by LawOnline Application Tips: If you are using a PC, use Chrome. If you are using a MAC, use Safari. Upload additional documents (resume, cover letter, letters of recommendation, proof of Indian blood, etc.) to the resume tab as one (1) PDF file or email documents to jobs@puyalluptribe-nsn.gov and we can add them to your online application. Please send in copies of any degrees or certificates that you have been awarded. Indian Hiring Preference - send in the appropriate documentation for the category you select. If you have any questions about the hiring preference policy or what document to send in, email us at jobs@puyalluptribe-nsn.gov or call (253) 573-7863. Provide 3+ references (we cannot obtain references from direct family members - mother, father, grandparents, sisters, brothers, or children and this includes in laws). One reference must be your most recent supervisor. We prefer the rest of your references to include co-workers, subordinates, or other supervisors, but we can accept a personal reference from someone who is familiar with your work ethic, habits, and attendance. You can send in letters of recommendation to jobs@puyalluptribe-nsn.gov To add more employment, education, references, etc., click on the small + sign at the top right corner of the page. When entering salaries, only use numbers. Do not use any other characters (such as , . or $) After you submit your application, you will receive an email confirmation. If you do not receive an email, please call the office to confirm submission. *Please do not wear perfumes, colognes, or strong scents to your interview. Some employees are allergic. If you have any questions about the positions or the online application, please call (253) 573-7863 or email jobs@puyalluptribe-nsn.gov. 3001 Puyalupabsh, Tacoma, WA 98404 Native American preference applies and job placements are given on a competitive basis, using job related factors. Because of the large number of applications received and limited job positions, your application will not guarantee employment.