Assistant State Auditor 1, 2, or 3 (Bellingham)

State of Washington; Bellingham (WA); Hybrid; USD 49,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full benefits package

Paid vacation, sick leave and holidays

Training opportunities (80+ hours per

Educational and professional reimburse

Diversity, equity, inclusion

Job summary

Office of the Washington State Auditor (SAO) is seeking an Assistant State Auditor in Bellingham, WA. The role is part of Team SAO and involves auditing local governments, planning and conducting risk-based financial and legal compliance audits, and mentoring junior staff.

We offer a hybrid work environment, full benefits, and growth opportunities. Candidates must meet education and accounting prerequisites and be prepared for a structured in-training path from level 1 to 3.

Qualifications

• Education and years of experience combined determine placement.
• Education may be substituted with experience; government audit experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Plan and conduct risk-based financial & legal compliance audits.
• Audit Washington State agencies and local governments.
• Mentor in-training staff and review work.
• Perform special investigations relating to citizen concerns and/or frauds.

Skills

Written and verbal communication

Time/Project Management

Accounting concepts/principles

Critical thinking

Team Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting/finance/related field

Bachelor's degree with accounting courses

Job description

About SAO:

At the State Auditor's Office, we work together to make a difference in how our state government operates. With 15 offices statewide, we are looking for innovative, talented people to join our team to help us continue our important work. Get to know us! We take pride in serving various governments and the people of Washington State. Learn more about who we are and what we do on social media, using the hashtag #WeAreSAO and on our website at https://sao.wa.gov/about-sao/what-we-do.

Our Culture:

We are committed to building and maintaining a workplace environment that is collaborative and supports all employees as we effectively carry out the agency’s mission. This includes ensuring inclusion and equity throughout the agency, while embracing the individual differences of our employees and clients. We believe that diverse perspectives and backgrounds are fundamental to doing our best work.

The Washington State Auditor's Office (SAO) prides itself in offering flexible schedules and a hybrid work environment that helps our staff balance work and life.

About the Role: Assistant State Auditor

Auditing is an excellent opportunity for innovators. It's your chance to join us in the search for new ideas to ensure our audits are relevant and provide value to the governments we audit. It's a career in which you can take pride in the work you do and the services we perform for the citizens of Washington State.

We are currently looking to fill an Assistant State Auditor position in Bellingham, WA.

About Team Bellingham

Team Bellingham is one of 17 local audit teams that offer a beneficial opportunity for team members to engage in accountability, financial statement and federal grant compliance audits. The team is responsible for auditing nearly 180 governments in Whatcom, Skagit, San Juan, and Island counties including counties, cities, ports, school districts and more. Applicants are very welcome from any of these counties and do not have to reside in Bellingham alone.

The mission of the Office of the Washington State Auditor is to partner with entities to increase trust in government. We do that by producing efficient and high-quality audits their collaboration and teamwork, providing meaningful recommendations that entities can understand, and building positive relationships their strong communication, education, and mutual respect.

As a local team, we are committed to building and maintaining a workplace environment that is collaborative and supports all employees as we efficiently carry out the agency's mission. This includes ensuring inclusion and equity throughout the organization, while embracing the individual differences of our employees and clients. We believe that diverse perspective and backgrounds are fundamental to building the strongest team.

A job and benefits that support a healthy work/life balance.

The Washington State Auditor's Office (SAO) prides itself in offering flexible schedules and a hybrid work environment that helps our staff balance work and life. We also offer a comprehensive package of health and wellness benefits to employees, including:

• Full benefits package. Click here to learn more.
• Paid vacation, sick leave and holidays.
• Growth and development opportunities, including 80+ hours of training each biennium
• Educational and professional certification reimbursements
• An agency-wide commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and respect in the workplace.

Find out more about what local government audit teams do

here!

Assistant State Auditor 1 ($4,406 - $5,928)

This is the first level of our in-training program for staff with little audit experience. The Office provides classes, on-the-job training time, and work product review and feedback to assist new auditors in gaining skills to move to the next level. Most work is completed in the field at the governmental entity, with employees working in teams.

Assistant State Auditor 2 ($5,111 - $6,870)

In this second level of our in-training program, auditors continue to build upon the experience they gained through work as an Assistant State Auditor 1, our Internship program, or comparable work at another organization. At this level, employees may be assigned opportunities to plan and conduct audits under the guidance of their supervisor.

Assistant State Auditor 3 ($6,384 - $8,583)

This is the journey level of our Assistant State Auditor series. Staff at this level are responsible for planning and conducting risk-based financial & legal compliance, audits of Washington State agencies and local governments. They may also perform special investigations pertaining to citizen concerns and/or frauds. Journey level auditors review the work and provide mentoring to in-training level staff.

Successful Assistant State Auditors come from many backgrounds. The primary competencies required for this role is:

• Written and verbal communication
• Time/Project Management
• Understanding of Accounting concepts/principles as they relate to Auditing.
• Critical thinking and problem-solving skill
• Team Collaboration: Ability to build effective working relationships.

Education and years of experience combined with demonstrated competencies will determine Assistant State Auditor placement.

Job Qualification Requirement:

Within this section, relevant experience is defined as experience in accounting, auditing, finance, banking, or financial investigations.

Assistant State Auditor 1 ($4,406 - $5,928)

This is the first level of our in-training program for staff with little audit experience. The Office provides classes, on-the-job training time, and work product review and feedback to assist new auditors in gaining skills to move to the next level. Most work is completed in the field at the governmental entity, with employees working in teams.

Job Qualification Requirement:

Option 1

- Requires a bachelor's degree with a minimum of three college-level accounting courses.

OR

Option 2

- Education may be substituted with experience. Total experience must be 4-years of business or relevant experience, of which a minimum of 1-year in accounting/auditing is required.

OR

Option 3

- Any equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.

Assistant State Auditor 2 ($5,111 - $6,870)

In this second level of our in-training program, auditors continue to build upon the experience they gained through work as an Assistant State Auditor 1 or through comparable work at another organization. At this level, employees may be assigned opportunities to plan and conduct audits, participate in client discussions and/or presentations under the guidance of a supervisor or Audit Lead.

Job Qualification Requirement:

Option 1

- Requires a bachelor's degree with a minimum of three college-level accounting courses as well as one year of relevant experience. Government audit experience preferred.

OR

Option 2

- Education may be substituted with experience. Total experience must be 5-years of business or relevant experience, of which a minimum of 2-years in accounting/auditing is required. Government audit experience preferred.

OR

Option 3

- Any equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.

Assistant State Auditor 3 ($6,384 - $8,583)

This is the journey level of our Assistant State Auditor series. Staff at this level are responsible for planning and conducting risk-based financial & legal compliance, audits of Washington State agencies and local governments. They may also perform special investigations pertaining to citizen concerns and/or frauds. Journey level auditors review the work and provide mentoring to in-training level staff.

Job Qualification Requirement:

Option 1

- Requires a bachelor's degree and completion of at least three college-level accounting classes and two years of relevant experience. Government audit experience preferred.

OR

Option 2

- Education may be substituted with experience. Total experience must be 6-years of relevant experience, of which a minimum of 3-years in accounting or auditing is required. Government audit experience preferred.

OR

Option 3

- Any equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.

We offer a comprehensive package of health and wellness benefits to employees, including:

• Full benefits package. Click here to learn more.
• Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays.
• Growth and development opportunities, including 80+ hours of training each biennium.
• Educational and professional certification reimbursements.
• An agency-wide commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion in the workplace.

Make a difference; find your purpose; join Team SAO! To hear what others have to say about working at SAO, click here.

The Office of the Washington State Auditor is an equal opportunity employer.

Questions may be directed to the applications unit at [e-mail].