Finance Executive Director

Samish Indian Nation; Washington (Washington County); On-site; USD 63,000 - 118,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

STD/LTD

Life insurance

Supplemental coverage

401(k) plan

Paid vacation

Paid sick leave

Paid holidays

Job summary

Samish Indian Nation seeks a Finance Executive Director to lead month-end close, general ledger functions, and interfund activity. You will supervise accounting staff, ensure internal controls, and partner with the CFO to deliver accurate financial reporting.

The role offers a competitive package with comprehensive benefits, 401(k), and paid time off, reflecting a strong commitment to staff development and organizational growth.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in accounting or finance.
• Five+ years of accounting/finance experience; not-for-profit, local government, or tribal setting preferred.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and fund accounting software.
• Strong data entry, reconciliation, and file management abilities.

Responsibilities

• Oversees month-end close, general ledger functions, and reconciliations.
• Manages capital assets accounting and interfund payables/receivables.
• Supervises, mentors, and develops accounting staff.
• Collaborates with CFO and staff on financial reporting and policies.
• Ensures compliance with internal controls and external audits.

Skills

Accounting principles

Ledger reconciliation

Financial reporting

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting or finance

Tools

Microsoft Office

Fund accounting software

Job description

$63,356.80 - $118,040.00 per year, FLSA Exempt

Hours:

40

Status:

Accepting Applications

Published:

Aug 28, 2026

Closing Date:

Sep 12, 2026

Duration:

Based on available funding, full-time regular at completion of six month probationary period

Description

The Finance Executive Director is a management level position that will collaborate with the Chief Financial Officer, accounting staff, and other Samish staff to drive the month-end close process, general ledger functions, account reconciliations, capital assets accounting, and interfund payables and receivables activity. The Finance Executive Director will supervise, lead, team build, and develop assigned staff in the accounting/finance division.

The Samish Indian Nation provides a very competitive compensation package, which includes medical, dental, vision, STD/LTD, Life Insurance, optional supplemental coverage plans, a 401(k) Plan, paid vacation and sick leave, and approximately 16 paid holidays. Best of all, we offer a great environment with passionate and caring staff!

Benefits Summary

• Life, AD'D, STD and LTD insurance
• Paid holidays (up to 16+ days per year)
• Wellness & Employee Assistance Plan
• Wage increases at 6 months, 1 year and annually (based on performance evaluation and available funds)

Management Areas of Responsibility

• Oversees Accounting Staff and activities while providing effective oversight of personnel and delegating task and duties as appropriate.
• Provides high level mentoring and supervision to direct reports ensuring all are supported while fostering strong relationship-building and career growth within the Samish Indian Nation.
• Fosters a team-oriented, supportive work environment while providing clear expectations and accountability including effective communication.
• Provides proper training to ensure effective communication, technology use, and the proper use of tribe-wide financial systems.
• Coordinates with Human Resources and Chief Financial Officer in the hiring of staff; handling of personnel issues; and updating job descriptions.

Administrative Areas of Responsibility

• Drives month-end close process and seeks ways to improve efficiency.
• Performs general ledger analyses, reconciliations, and reviews work performed by assigned staff.
• Completes, reviews, and approves entries for periodic journal vouchers required to complete cash and general ledger reconciliations.
• Reconciles, or reviews and approves others’ reconciliations, for cash and general ledger accounts to subsidiary ledgers.
• Gains understanding of interfund payables and develops systems to ensure proper recording of these activities and clearing out of the related balances.
• Participates in a wide variety of special projects and compile reports as assigned.
• Demonstrated knowledge of accounting principles and internal controls for the safeguarding of assets.
• Assists in preparing for the annual financial statement and single audits.
• Develops extensive knowledge in the Nation's accounting policies and procedures.
• Maintains compliance with local, state, and federal government reporting requirements and tax filings.

Senior Officer Team

• Be an effective and positive team member fostering a team approach to recommendations and guidance to the tribal government.
• Provides support to other team members within their areas of responsibility.
• Provides cross coordination and backup to other team members when they are out of office.
• In coordination with the Executive Director Team, strategizes ways to effectively use funding sources to ensure stabilization of each department and activity approved by Samish Tribal Council.
• Gives proper feedback and reporting to other team members on items such as Samish Financial System updates, budget helper updates, finance policy updates and accounting department expectations and procedures.
• Collaborates with other team members working on recommendations for Chief Executive Team on policy changes, growth, strategic planning, action work plans, annual reports, business process improvements, Workplace Culture Environment including but not limited to WFH policies and procedures, Emergency Management Plan, citizens & community outreach, and security controls.

Chief Executive Team

• Effectively implements Samish Tribal Council's approved policies and procedures and provide recommended changes to Chief Executive Team when appropriate.
• Gives recommendations on financial systems, finance policies, and finance procedures.
• Provides monthly, quarterly, and annual reports related to Areas of Responsibility.
• Assists Chief Executive Team in updating the nation's Strategic Plan and Work Actions Plans.
• Provides recommendations and options to Chief Executive Team including but not limited to funding, new activities and initiatives, tribe-wide plans, and process improvements.
• In coordination with direct reports, effectively analyzes all areas accounting department and gives Chief Executive Team options of proper organization structure to support growth and addressing needs of the department.

External Relations

• Monitors state and federal level policy and regulatory changes that impact areas of responsibility.
• Regularly reviews and analyzes tribal policies and procedures for compliance that impact areas of responsibility with federal and state requirements and make recommendations for revision as appropriate.
• Works in conjunction with Samcor staff to provide accounting support.
• Gives guidance and recommendations to Executive Director Team and Chief Executive Team, on tribal response to local, state, and federal initiatives and issues.
• Attends relevant to area of responsibilities any public, government, and special interest meetings, conferences, and negotiations.
• Maintains positive relations with community members; local, state, regional, and federal entities; and others to accomplish tribal objectives and preserve/promote good public relations.
• Performs other related duties, as required in order to meet business needs.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by a person in this position. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all duties that may be performed in such a position.

Required Qualifications

• Must possess a bachelor's degree in accounting or finance.
• Five or more years of proven work experience in accounting or related field. Experience in not-for-profit, local government, or tribal government setting is strongly preferred.
• Must be highly proficient with Microsoft Office and able to learn or have knowledge of fund accounting software.
• Must have experience with accurate data entry, reconciliation, and file management.
• Must be able to lift/carry up to 20 lbs.

Obtaining full COVID-19 vaccination no later than 60 days from the hire date will be a condition of employment for all Samish employees

Applicants must be a Washington State resident or willing to relocate to Washington State.

Working Conditions

Physical Demands: Long periods of sitting (60% of time); occasional bending, crouching, stooping, stretching, reaching, lifting, carrying, and pushing (20% of time); and occasional standing and walking (20% of time). Occasionally lifts/carries up to 20lbs. Must possess manual dexterity sufficient to use office equipment with frequent repetitive motion such as writing, typing, cash-handling, paperwork-handling, and phone use. Must possess the ability to view print on a computer screen and/or paper document; the ability to speak and hear exchanging information with end users by telephone Mental/Visual Demands: Frequent mental and/or visual attention to task is required. Occasionally work requires heavy concentration. Frequent interruptions. Tasks involve eye-hand coordination. Working Environment: Work environment is mainly indoors with heat and some air conditioning. Must sit or stand at desk for the majority of shift. Occasionally works alone without benefit of supervisor or co-worker. Unavoidable hazards/risks: Work requires minimal risks which require safety precautions (using some cleaning chemicals for light cleaning). Protective clothing or equipment may be required (goggles, gloves, masks, boots, etc.)

Samish Indian Nation is an Equal Opportunity Employer and actively encourages applications from all persons regardless of race, religion, gender, gender identity, age, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, or ancestry. Samish preference and Indian preference will be applied to the selection for this position as defined in Title 25, US Code Section 473.

CONFIDENTIALITY: This position develops, maintains, and is responsible for safeguarding the computer/electronic and hardcopy file folders containing sensitive and proprietary information about the Tribe and its members. The incumbent must maintain confidentiality of all work and files pertaining to enrollment, clients, survey results, and all other material that may identify individuals by name (either directly or by reference), as set forth in the Tribal Council in the Personnel Manual. Any violation in this matter may result in immediate termination of employment. All materials, including electronic materials of any type or format, produced are considered works made for hire and are the property of the Samish Indian Nation.

Please state your eligibility for Indian preference in your cover letter. Indian preference must be documented prior to interview or hiring. BIA Form 4432 or tribal enrollment ID may be submitted with the application if claiming Indian Preference.

All persons who are offered employment with the Samish Indian Nation must give permission for a thorough background check of previous work performance, motor vehicle history, credit history and criminal history, as well as a pre-employment drug screen.