Accountant, Principal

City of Seattle; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 112,000 - 131,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Seattle is seeking a Principal Accountant within the Quality Assurance Team to oversee fiscal compliance, sub-recipient monitoring under 2 CFR 200, and fraud risk management for federal and general funds in community-based providers.

The role reports to the Quality Assurance Manager and drives audits, desk monitoring, and risk analyses across HSD-funded agencies, promoting transparency, equity, and strong financial stewardship.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, business admin or related field plus CPA considered.
• Four years of accounting/auditing/financial analysis experience; at least one year as Senior Accountant equivalent.
• Or an acceptable education/experience combination to perform the work.

Responsibilities

• Lead comprehensive fiscal reviews of HSD-funded agencies for compliance with laws and standards.
• Conduct fraud investigations and strengthen monitoring using data analytics and protocols.
• Prepare clear reports with findings and recommendations for leadership and partners.
• Support audits and risk assessments, including policy and internal control reviews.

Skills

Financial analysis

Auditing

Communication skills

Confidentiality

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting or related field

CPA preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Adobe Acrobat

Outlook/Word/Excel/PowerPoint

Job description

The Human Services Department (HSD), a department of the City of Seattle, funds and operates programs and services that meet the basic needs of the most vulnerable people in our community – families and individuals with low incomes, children, domestic violence and sexual assault victims, people experiencing homelessness, seniors, and persons with disabilities. We invest in programs that help people gain independence and success.

This position is part of the Quality Assurance Team (QAT) within the Finance Division and serves as a subject matter expert in fiscal compliance, sub-recipient monitoring under 2 CFR 200, and fraud risk management to ensure strong stewardship of federal and general funds invested in community-based human service providers. Reporting to the Quality Assurance Manager, the Principal Accountant plays a key role in reinforcing the City’s fiscal accountability framework by leading comprehensive fiscal reviews, supporting fraud and forensic assessments when needed, advancing department-wide compliance directives, contributing to annual Single Audit preparation, and conducting fiscal risk analyses for HSD’s competitive funding processes. The role also strengthens internal oversight by advising on agency desk monitoring practices and evaluating policy and operational risks across HSD to support consistent, transparent, and compliant financial management.

• Conduct comprehensive fiscal and operational reviews of HSD-funded agencies to ensure compliance with contractual obligations, accounting standards and regulatory requirements.
• Lead sensitive assignments as directed, including special investigations, whistle blower investigations and other investigations alleging potential fraud.
• Implement proactive fraud detection and monitoring measures, including data analytics and anomaly identification; elevate concerns through established protocols.
• Conduct investigative fact-finding interviews, as needed.
• Perform detailed analysis of agency audits, financial statements, and IRS Form 990 filings; identify discrepancies and evaluate the associated corrective actions.
• Review and assess financial statements and budget proposals during RFP/RFI processes to evaluate financial health, soundness, and risk exposure.
• Develop and maintain risk assessment frameworks, including risk scoring models, to prioritize monitoring.
• Provide subject matter expertise on internal controls, compliance standards, audit practices, fraud risk management, and financial management to department staff supporting partner agencies.
• Support federal, state, and city audits by preparing documentation and serving as a compliance SME for QAT monitoring activities.
• Prepare clear, concise written reports summarizing findings, outcomes, and recommendations for leadership and partner organizations.
• Conduct racial equity analysis in all compliance and monitoring activities; integrate equity metrics into financial review processes and reporting.
• Assist the Operations team with the development of training materials as a department SME in fiscal reviews, compliance monitoring, and internal control best practices.
• Develop and track performance metrics (KPIs) for QA activities; contribute to quarterly compliance dashboards for leadership transparency.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education: Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Business Administration or related field (requires satisfactory completion of atleast 24 semester hours or 36 quarter credit units in accounting with no substitution allowed) and/or professional certification as a CPA.

Experience: Four years professional experience in accounting, auditing, financial analysis, or related work with one year experience equivalent to a Senior Accountant (or a combination of education and/or training and/or experience which provides an equivalent background required to perform the work of the class).

OR: a combination of education and/or training and/or experience which provides an equivalent background required to perform the work of the class.

Desired Qualifications:

A Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) or a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) who is Certified in Financial Forensics (CFF) is highly desired; if not currently certified, must obtain certification within twelve (12) months of hire (please note this is an out-of-pocket expense).

• 5 years’ non-profit finance and/or operational management experience.
• 3 years’ experience in managing fraud investigations and/or forensic audits, which includes performing forensic interviews.
• Work independently and multitask under minimal and limited supervision efficiently managing time and workload, which includes planning, organizing, prioritizing and following through on a variety of tasks, assignments, projects and reports.
• Knowledge and application of race and social justice principles and how it impacts the communities that HSD serves.
• Knowledge of uniform guidance requirements, generally accepted accounting principles, generally accepted auditing standards, generally accepted government auditing standards, governmental accounting standards board, proper audit procedures, and internal controls.
• Ability to conduct reviews and use effective judgment and problem-solving skills to make reasonable business decisions and recommendations. Maintain confidentiality and safeguard sensitive information. Proficiency in recommending creative and innovative resolutions to internal control weaknesses.
• Strong written, oral, negotiation and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to effectively communicate with tact and diplomacy to staff, community-based organizational groups, and elected officials.
• Proficiency working with Windows-based software including Internet, Adobe Acrobat, and Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, other).

To be successful in this role you will need:

• Strong written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to effectively communicate with peers, external partners, and HSD leadership in person and virtually.
• Understanding of race & social justice principles and impacts of systemic racism and oppression on communities served by the Human Services Department.
• Demonstrated proficiency with standard computer software including Microsoft Office (i.e. Outlook, Word, and Excel).

Position Classification: Accountant, Principal (20003)

Total Compensation and Benefits

The full salary range for this classification is $54.01 - $62.90 Hourly.

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental vision, life, and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits.

Work Environment/ Physical Demands

This position will primarily be onsite at the Seattle Municipal Tower. Work is performed in an office environment; this individual may be on their feet for long periods of time working in multiple offices, areas, and floors of City Hall. This position may require the ability to lift objects weighing in excess of 30 pounds, as this position monitors office supply purchases, restocks supplies, and occasionally adjusts equipment and furniture.

Union Information

This position is not union represented.

Please note this job advertisement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.