Accounting Manager

State of Washington; Olympia (WA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible schedules

Career growth opportunities

Job summary

The Washington State Patrol Budget and Fiscal Services division seeks a Principal Agency Accountant to lead centralized accounting for the agency, ensuring compliance with GAAP and state/federal regulations.

The role oversees 18 FTEs across accounts receivable/payable, general ledger, and financial reporting, and includes developing fiscal procedures, closeout, AFRS security, and coordination with OFM and auditors.

Qualifications

• Five or more years of accounting, budgeting, or audit experience.
• Two years of supervision or management experience.
• Knowledge of OFM SAAM, GAAP, GASB, and internal control frameworks.
• Familiarity with federal/state laws and grant management.

Responsibilities

• Direct all agency accounting activities including general ledger, grant billings, AR, cash management, local funds, AP, reconciliations, year-end close, and financial reporting.
• Ensure revenues and expenditures are recorded per GAAP and state/federal regulations.
• Oversee routine reconciliations of ledgers, local funds, and other accounts.
• Maintain chart of accounts and AFRS account code tables; serve as AFRS Security Administrator.
• Oversee access to AFRS, Disbursement Reporting System, and Capital Asset Management System.
• Review monthly financial reports for accuracy and provide adjustments/recommendations.
• Provide interpretation of accounting information to agency staff.
• Lead training and guidance for accounting staff and ensure GAAP compliance.
• Develop and implement agency fiscal procedures and policies.
• Prepare annual financial reports and disclosure forms for OFM.
• Act as primary contact for technical accounting issues and procedures.
• Manage accounting tasks for a biennial operating budget with multiple funds.

Skills

GAAP knowledge

Team leadership

Financial reporting

Communication

Financial analysis

Education

Accounting coursework (18 qtr / 12 sem hours)

Tools

AFRS

Disbursement Reporting System

Capital Asset Management System

Job description

If you answer YES to any of these questions this is the perfect opportunity for you!

• Are you a self-starter with an interest in accounting and public service?
• Do you thrive in a team environment?
• Do you want a position with career growth opportunities?

About the Agency & Division:

The Washington State Patrol is committed to being an Equal Opportunity Employer and strives to foster an environment in which everyone is encouraged to be their authentic selves, communicate openly, and act with courage. The WSP is dedicated to promoting fair and equitable hiring, training, and promotional practices through innovative recruitment and retention strategies.

Budget and Fiscal Services (BFS)

Budget and Fiscal Services (BFS) is responsible for the management of all agency financial activities including Accounting, Budgeting, Contractual Agreements, Financial Systems, Grants, and Payroll. The division consists of the Budget Section, the Accounting Section, the Financial Systems and Payroll Section, and the Contracting Section.

This position serves as the Principal Agency Accountant responsible for ensuring the accuracy of all accounting records, delivering centralized accounting services to the agency, and ensuring compliance with all state and federal laws and regulations. The incumbent manages and oversees a staff of 18 FTEs accomplishing all functional areas of accounting including Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable, and General Accounting.

Our new teammate will be able to:

• Direct all agency accounting activities including general ledger accounting, grant/contract billings, accounts receivable, cash management, local fund accounting, accounts payable, reconciliation of accounts, fiscal year closeout processes, and financial reporting.
• Ensure all revenues and expenditures are properly recorded in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP} as well as state and federal regulations.
• Oversee the routine reconciliation of all accounts general ledgers, unbalanced/in-process listing, local funds, and other accounts.
• Maintain the agency’s chart of accounts and Agency Financial Reporting System (AFRS) account code tables.
• Serve as AFRS Security Administer.
• Oversee access by agency employees to all automated accounting systems including AFRS, the Disbursement Reporting System and the Capital Asset Management System.
• Review monthly agency financial reports for accuracy and makes adjustments and/or recommendations.
• Provide assistance in interpreting accounting information to agency staff.
• Provide direction, assistance, guidance, and training to all staff within the accounting section.
• Ensure proper accounting procedures are being used in compliance with GAAP as well as state and federal rules and regulations.
• Develop and implement Agency Fiscal Procedures providing direction to staff and agency personnel on all accounting policies and processes to be followed.
• Responsible for all accounting tasks, reports, and certifications associated with the fiscal year closeout process.
• Prepare annual financial reports and disclosure forms for the Office of Financial Management.
• Serve as primary point of contact and agency’s expert on all technical accounting issues, policies, principles, and procedures.
• Maintain the responsibility for the proper processing, recording, and reporting of all accounting transactions for a total biennial operating budget which includes several special appropriations and restricted funds.

Required Qualifications:

• 18 quarter or 12 semester hours in accounting subjects.
• Minimum of five (5) years in increasingly responsible experience in the combined fields of accounting, budgeting, or audit.
• Minimum or two (2) years prior experience in supervision or management.
• Thorough knowledge of the Office of Financial Management (OFM) State Administrative and Accounting Manual (SAAM).
• Advanced understanding of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) statements, and internal control frameworks.
• Knowledge of federal and state laws, audit requirements, and federal grant management or drawdowns.
• Skill in preparing complex financial statements, year-end closing packages, general ledger reconciliations, and variance analyses.
• Skill in leading remote and in-office teams, coaching staff, delegating workloads, and conducting performance evaluations.
• Ability to explain technical fiscal information clearly to non-financial managers, agency executives, and external auditors (such as the State Auditor’s Office).

Equity Competencies:

• The ability to take action to learn and grow.
• The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.
• Uses an equitable and inclusive approach.

If you have gotten this far and are thinking you do not qualify, consider again. It may be that lived experience, volunteer positions, or a combination of experience and education could demonstrate your ability to perform the duties within this job. If you are excited about this role but you’re not sure if your experience or held credentials align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway and contact the HR Consultant below to discuss your situation specifically. You may just be the needed candidate for this or other roles.

Why work for the Washington State Patrol?

• Ahealthy life/work balance by offering flexible schedules and telework options for most positions.
• An Infants at Work Program that is based on the long-term health values of infant-parent bonding and breastfeeding newborns.
• Continuous growth and development opportunities.
• Opportunities to serve your community and make an impact through meaningful work
• Employment opportunities that recognize military veterans and/or military spouse per Governor Executive Order 19-01
• Qualification for the Public Loan Forgiveness Program

The Washington State Patrol does not provide immigration sponsorship; therefore, applicants must possess work authorization that does not require employer sponsorship.

Questions?

Please contact Erica Henderson at [phone] or via e-mail at [e-mail].