Statewide Payroll Advisor

State of Washington; Olympia (WA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 112,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Ins.

12 paid holidays

14 paid vacation days

State retirement programs

Job summary

Office of Financial Management in the State of Washington is seeking a payroll consultant to support payroll systems, provide agency payroll guidance, and maintain statewide payroll policies. The role requires deep knowledge of HRMS and WAAM/SAAM and offers hybrid work with travel for in-person activities.

The starting salary will range from $90,000 to $112,000 annually, with potential for growth and progression based on qualifications and performance.

Qualifications

• Experience in payroll processing and administration with interpretation of bargaining agreements and state/federal rules.
• Ability to advise multiple state agencies on payroll processing.
• Knowledge of GAAP and state accounting policies.

Responsibilities

• Payroll Systems Support: validate HRMS wage types and correct errors.
• Agency payroll consulting: advise agencies on policies and GAAP interpretations.
• Maintain SAAM and WAAM payroll provisions; develop training resources.

Skills

Payroll processing

GAAP knowledge

System coordination

Policy interpretation

Education

Accounting coursework / CPA certification

Tools

HRMS

Pay1/Benefits 24/7

AFRS

ERA

ER/Webi

WWA

Job description

Please note: The starting salary offer will be determined based on the successful candidate’s qualifications within the budgeted salary range of $90,000 - $112,000 annually. However, there is the potential for longevity, growth, and salary progression for the individual once employed.

Hybrid: Our physical office is in Olympia, WA. We offer flexible work schedules and locations. This is a hybrid position where most of the work allows for telework. However, you will need to travel to in-person activities, meetings, and events according to business needs.

Why work for OFM

The Office of Financial Management (OFM) serves as the backbone of Washington state government. Our mission is to make our state a better place by connecting people, budgets, policies, data, and systems for state agencies and the Legislature. Our team includes budget advisors, researchers, and other experts, all dedicated public servants working towards an equitable future for every Washingtonian.

If you want to play a key role in enhancing how state government serves its citizens, you’ve found the right place. Join us in making a meaningful difference for every Washingtonian!

The job opportunity

The Statewide Accounting Division is made up of five units. Statewide Customer and Supplier Registration Unit, Banking Unit, Financial Reporting Unit, Payroll Unit and Training Unit. The Statewide Accounting Division is responsible for managing and updating the state policy and procedure manual, the Washington Administrative and Accounting Manual (WAAM), and documents authorized waivers for complying with policy requirements. All units work with agency fiscal, budget and legislative staff to assist with interpretation and application of the WAAM.

The Payroll Unit is responsible for providing payroll consulting services to state agencies, provides support to HRMS, the states payroll system. The Payroll Unit works closely with the other Statewide Accounting Division units as well as other OFM divisions such as State HR and IT.

This position serves state agencies by providing payroll consulting and is delegated responsibility to identify, plan, coordinate, and implement all necessary payroll consultant services for program areas having limited statewide impact. This position also participates in a variety of statewide payroll projects and assists in the development and maintenance of statewide payroll policies. This position actively partners with co-workers to maximize their success on the job, fosters team cooperation and participates in process improvement activities to promote the effectiveness and efficiency of Accounting Division work efforts.

What you’ll work on

Payroll Systems Support

• HRMS Wage Type Audit – Review and validate existing HRMS wage types established to ensure they are accurately calculating payroll within the HRMS system.
• HRMS System error clean-up – Beginning with Phase 1A go-live. For each payroll cycle, when HRMS submits a file to Workday, review and research all errors and work with the impacted agencies to correct the errors.
• Support the Statewide Accounting Payroll Manager with the Workday Human Capital Management (HCM) readiness activities, including the coordination, issues resolution, and preparation for payroll-related implementation activities.

Agency payroll consulting

Serves as a consultant to assigned state agencies by providing payroll consulting services, as well as resolving payroll and technical issues regarding state systems, state financial policies, state laws and regulations in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).

Consulting duties include:

• Provide consulting services on state policies and procedures related to accounting, financial reporting, and administrative regulations and interpretations of state and federal laws.
• Consult with key state agency management personnel regarding accounting, financial reporting, management information, and financial system design, installation, operation, and maintenance.
• Monitor agency financial data monthly for accuracy, appropriateness, and conformity with state statute, state allotment authority, and national standards for accounting and financial reporting. Includes analysis of and recommending correction as necessary to agency monthly financial data.
• Review year-end data submissions by assigned state agency. Coordinate adjusting entries when needed. Consult with staff of the State Auditor’s Office when necessary.
• Evaluate the results of all financial audit examinations of the assigned agency. Mediate disagreements between audit and agency personnel. Review proposed corrective action to resolve audit findings and monitor implementation of corrective action plans and other audit recommendations.
• Coordinate activities with respective program area in other divisions of OFM and other areas of Statewide Accounting to ensure that a consistent approach is followed in dealing with agencies; provide guidance and recommendations regarding impacts of decisions on budgeting, accounting, and financial systems.

Maintain administrative policies

Maintain Chapter 25 Payroll in State Administrative & Accounting Manual (SAAM). This involves interpreting and responding to questions on provisions of the assigned manual sections and reviewing amended state law, rules and other regulations and coordinating appropriate changes to SAAM. In addition, develop resources and provide training on the assigned SAAM sections.

Development and maintenance of the Washington Administrative and Accounting Manual (WAAM)

Maintain the Payroll and HR provisions in the Washington Administrative and Accounting Manual (WAAM). This process includes working with the One Washington Finance Team and reviewing Workday design documents to draft policies and procedures that align with the new process.

Payroll Training

• As a subject matter expert, assist with developing, reviewing, and providing feedback on payroll training. Conduct instructor‑led training for payroll courses.
• Create/edit/review HRMS Support Hub training materials
• Personnel Payroll Association (PPA):
  • Support Payroll Manager with the PPA Executive Meeting
  • Actively participate in the Statewide PPA meeting: Lead training, prepare materials, take minutes, and encourage agency input and participation.
  • Lead the PPA Year‑end training.

What we need you to bring

Required Qualifications:

• Experience in payroll processing and administration. This includes:
  • Interpreting Collective Bargaining Agreements, Civil Service Rules, and State and Federal Rules and Regulations and the ability to identify the impacts those requirements have on payroll.
  • Utilizing state‑specific systems including HRMS, Pay1/Benefits 24/7, AFRS, Employer Reporting Application (ERA), ER/Webi, WWA, and HRMS.
  • Interpreting Washington State laws, regulations, and administrative/accounting policies and generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).
  • Completing or reviewing payroll reconciliations.
  • Processing IRS forms 941, 941‑X, W‑2 and W‑2 C.
  • Processing year‑to‑date tax adjustments.
• Ability to advise multiple state agencies on payroll processing which could be demonstrated by previous work experience with multiple state agencies.
• Comprehensive knowledge of accounting for:
  • Quarterly payroll payments such as LNI, PFML, and LTSS.
  • Shared Leave transactions.
  • Employee payments and health insurance refunds made outside the payroll system.
  • Garnishment or third‑party payments.

Desired Qualifications:

Prior accounting coursework or certification as a public accountant and prior demonstrated professional experience in budgeting, accounting, auditing, or financial reporting.

We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be one from a less traditional background. Don’t let doubts stop you from applying for this position. If you have transferable experience, please tell us about it or contact us with questions about the required qualifications and how your experience relates to them.

What we offer

At OFM, we foster a culture of integrity, innovation, inclusion, and belonging. We value both learned and lived experiences, believing that diversity makes us stronger. To support your health and well‑being, we offer a variety of benefit programs for our employees.

Please visit our Recruitment Page for a full list of benefits available to employees. Here’s a quick glance at some of the unique benefits that OFM offers:

• An environment of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging
• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance
• 12 paid holidays, 14 paid vacation days (minimum), and 12 days of sick leave per year
• State retirement programs

Questions

OFM's Staff ASL interpreter is available to all deaf and hard‑of‑hearing applicants. For questions about this recruitment or to request a reasonable accommodation in the application or interview process, please email us at [e-mail].

The Office of Financial Management is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects diversity in culture, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and gender identity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons with disabilities, persons over 40 years of age, and disabled and Vietnam‑era veterans are encouraged to apply.

This position is exempt from civil service rules.

For more information, please see WAC 357‑19‑195.