Assistant State Auditor 1, 2, or 3 (Financial Audit)
State of Washington
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Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
Washington State Auditor’s Office is seeking Assistant State Auditors (Level 1–3) in Olympia, WA. The role supports financial and legal compliance audits across state and local governments, with on-the-ground work and mentoring of in-training staff.
We offer a hybrid-friendly benefits package including training, certification reimbursements, and a strong commitment to work-life balance. Candidates should have accounting coursework and relevant experience to advance through the in-training levels.
Qualifications
- Education and years of experience combined with demonstrated competencies will determine Assistant State Auditor placement.
- Relevant experience is defined as experience in accounting, auditing, finance, banking, or financial investigations.
- Option 1 - Requires a bachelor’s degree with a minimum of three college-level accounting courses; Option 2 - substitution with experience; Option 3 - any equivalent combination.
Responsibilities
- Plan and conduct risk-based financial and legal compliance audits.
- Audit Washington State agencies and local governments.
- Mentor in-training staff and review work.
- Perform special investigations pertaining to citizen concerns and/or frauds.
Skills
Education
Job description
This is for an Assistant State Auditor 1, 2, or 3 position on Team Financial Audit, located in Olympia, WA.
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.
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.
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 Olympia, WA.
On Team Financial Audit, we value Connection, Collaboration, Creativity and Culture. Team members actively promote a culture of openness and accountability by demonstrating our team motto: Always Learning / Always Teaching. If you have a curious mind, are interested in growing in your career and want to use your skills to serve the citizens of Washington, Team Financial Audit is the right place for you.
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!
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.
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 to be assigned opportunities to plan and conduct audits under the guidance of their supervisor.
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.
- 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.
Within this section, relevant experience is defined as experience in accounting, auditing, finance, banking, or financial investigations.
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.
- Option 1 - Requires a bachelor’s degree with a minimum of three college-level accounting courses.
- 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.
- Option 3 - Any equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Option 3 - Any equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.
We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.
Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.
Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.
To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.
Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.
Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.
The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.
State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.
Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.
All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.
If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.
Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.
Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.
Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.
Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.
Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.
Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.
Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.
Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.
As provided in WAC 357-58-175, an employer may authorise a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.
Note: Most agencies follow the civil
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