Chief Accountant

Pierce County; Washington; Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Pierce County seeks a Chief Accountant to provide strategic leadership for countywide accounting, payroll, reporting, accounts payable, and audit operations. You will influence financial services across a large public organization, ensuring accuracy, integrity, and accountability of public resources.

You will lead a team of professionals, collaborate with department leaders and labor partners, and guide Workday-based financial data models while maintaining strong internal controls and compliance

Qualifications

• Ten years of progressively responsible professional accounting experience.
• Three years in supervisory roles overseeing accounting functions.
• Experience with fund accounting in government or public entities encouraged.
• CPA and CPFO preferred; payroll experience is a plus.
• A resume and cover letter are required for the application.

Responsibilities

• Lead County-wide accounting operations including payroll, accounts payable and receivable, audits, and internal audit.
• Oversee preparation and integrity of accounting reports and financial statements.
• Advise on accounting standards and ensure compliance with GAAP, GASB, and federal/state laws.
• Collaborate with department leaders and labor partners to improve processes and controls.
• Guide Workday financial and payroll data models and related systems.
• Manage internal controls, audits, and timely financial reporting for the County.
• Monitor regulatory changes and update policies and procedures accordingly.
• Provide strategic direction for the financial data strategy and reporting tools.
• Lead a centralized financial services team for designated departments.
• Participate in senior management discussions and cross-division initiatives.

Skills

Supervisory experience

Fund accounting

Payroll experience

Education

Post-secondary education in finance/accounting/public administration/business administration or closely related field

Tools

Workday

Job description

Description

This role is primarily in office with some remote options.

Summary

As Pierce County's Chief Accountant, you will serve as the County's most senior accounting professional, providing strategic leadership and direction for countywide accounting, payroll, financial reporting, accounts payable, and audit operations. This is an opportunity to influence how financial services are delivered across a large, complex organization while ensuring the accuracy, integrity, and accountability of public resources.

Why it's a Great Opportunity

You will lead a team of professionals responsible for critical countywide accounting, accounts payable, internal audit, and payroll functions. Working closely with department leaders, finance managers, accountants, and labor partners, you will guide complex financial and payroll operations, ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations, and provide technical expertise on financial practices and requirements across the organization.

Beyond overseeing operations, you will help shape the future of the County's financial systems and practices. You will have an opportunity to advance the County's financial data strategy, including evaluating and improving Workday's Financial Data Model to strengthen data consistency, reporting, and decision-making. From leading the preparation of the County's Annual Comprehensive Financial Report to improving countywide accounting and payroll processes, your work will have a lasting impact on how Pierce County manages and stewards its resources.

Why it's a Great Department

The Finance & Enterprise Services Department delivers enterprise-wide services that support every County department and many external partners, ensuring Pierce County operates effectively, efficiently, and with strong public stewardship. Finance & Enterprise Services staff provide a broad portfolio of high-impact, countywide services, including budgeting and performance management, fiscal services, procurement and contracting, information technology, general services, fleet services, and risk management.

Employees have the opportunity to work on strategic, enterprise-level initiatives, collaborate across departments, provide the operational and technical backbone which ensures the smooth delivery of services across the organization, and deliver critical analysis and decision support that informs leadership and shapes County priorities. The Finance & Enterprise Services Department is focused on creating a culture where employees can help improve service delivery to make a meaningful impact on County operations and the community. The Department leads with safety, empowerment, and collaboration to create an environment where every person can contribute, challenge ideas, and continuously improve.

Learn more about Finance and Enterprise Services Information here.

How to be Successful in this Role

A successful candidate will bring deep technical knowledge of governmental accounting, particularly multi-fund accounting, along with substantial experience overseeing complex payroll operations. They understand the unique requirements of public-sector financial operations, can navigate complex regulatory and compliance matters, and have the experience to establish sound practices, maintain strong internal controls, and ensure successful audits.

Experience with Workday or another large-scale enterprise financial and payroll system is also important.

Just as important is the ability to lead, influence, and build strong working relationships across a large organization. You are an effective communicator who can translate complex requirements into clear guidance for others, work collaboratively with department leaders and labor partners, and provide direction and support to both direct reports and staff across the County. You bring a strategic mindset, recognize opportunities for process improvement, and are comfortable adapting to changing priorities and organizational needs while balancing immediate operational demands with long-term goals.

Your Future in this Role

Working for Pierce County means joining an organization that supports your growth. We offer leadership development, online learning, and many training opportunities to help you build skills at every stage of your career. This support helps you succeed in your role and contributes to strong communities, reliable services, and access for all residents.

Core Daily Responsibilities

• Lead the preparation of, and provide technical approval for, the County's Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR). Oversee all related reporting, analysis, and audit coordination. Submit ACFR to GFOA and the single audit to the Federal Clearinghouse.
• Provide leadership and oversight of all County financial and accounting operations including payroll, accounts payable, accounts receivable, audits, internal audit, and related activities.
• Serve as the County’s primary advisor on accounting standards for the County and communicate those standards to all County finance staff and managers. Provide guidance to financial staff, accountants, and other staff. Assist with decision making in support of accurate and timely accounting, in accordance with Federal, State, GAAP, and GASB standards.
• Support audit activities by providing necessary information and preparing requested documentation.
• Ensure County financial systems, technology, data models, and structures meet operational needs and statutory reporting requirements. Evaluate and improve processes, systems, and reporting tools to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and customer service.
• Monitor and interpret changes in Federal, State, and local laws, regulations, and professional standards to ensure County compliance and identify opportunities for improvement. Recommend updates to County policies, codes, ordinances, and applicable State legislation within areas of responsibility.
• Lead centralized financial and accounting services for designated departments, ensuring accurate and timely financial support for operations.
• Develop, implement, and evaluate financial policies, practices, and procedures to ensure effective, efficient, and compliant operations across the County.
• Develop and monitor the performance of operations to evaluate and refine policies, practices, and processes for efficiency, effectiveness, and compliance.
• Provide leadership as part of the departmental management team, contributing to Countywide initiatives and cross-division collaboration.

A classification description with a more detailed list of essential functions can be found here.

Minimum Qualifications

Post-secondary education in finance, accounting, public administration, business administration, or a closely related field may substitute for up to four (4) years of the required experience on a year-for-year basis.

• Ten (10) years of progressively responsible professional experience in accounting, to include three (3) years of supervisory experience.
• Experience must include fund accounting for a government or other public entity.
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) preferred.
• Certified Public Finance Officer (CPFO) preferred.
• Payroll experience preferred.
• A resume and cover letter are required for this position. Applications without attachments may not be considered.

As a condition of employment, the applicant will need to authorize and complete a background check. Information received from the background check is reviewed case-by-case and will not necessarily remove an applicant from consideration.

Supplemental Information

Our Recruitment Practices: This is a competitive and meritorious selection process. Pierce County applications are reviewed by human hiring staff in accordance with the qualifications listed for the position. Pierce County understands applicants may use AI tools when preparing application materials. We recognize these tools can make the process easier; however, we ask that everything you submit genuinely reflects your own experience, skills, knowledge, and writing style.

During the interview process, you may be asked to demonstrate your skills, including writing and subject knowledge, and to speak to your experience in your own voice. Applicants should be prepared to respond to interview questions without relying on AI-generated responses or reading prepared answers from a screen. Any misrepresentation may result in disqualification or separation.

Applicants whose qualifications most closely align with the County's needs will be eligible for further consideration. Notification of application status typically occurs within two to three weeks after the closing date. Some applicants may receive short notice to participate in additional selection steps, which may include assessments, phone screens, or interviews.

Upon offer, compensation is based on a range of job-related factors, including the requirements of the role, your skills and experience, and internal pay equity.

Our Welcoming Workplace Commitment: Pierce County is committed to fostering a Welcoming Workplace where employees are supported, respected, and able to thrive. We believe a strong public workforce is representative of the community it serves and that fair and just access to opportunity strengthens public service.

Guided by the County Executive's Forward Together mission, Pierce County works to build communities that are safe, welcoming, and connected. This same commitment shapes how we recruit, develop, and retain our employees. County employees make a direct and visible impact in the lives of residents every day, and we invite you to join us in helping keep Pierce County a place people are proud to call home.

We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.