Posting number: 2026-09079
Department: Auditor's Office
Job classification: ASSISTANT STATE AUDITOR 1
Posting type: Open & Promotional
Categories: Accounting and Finance, Audit
This is for an Assistant State Auditor 1 position on Team Olympia, 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.
Team Olympia is one of 17 local audit teams within the Office of the Washington State Auditor and is responsible for conducting audits in Thurston, Grays Harbor, Lewis and Pacific Counties. Local audit teams conduct accountability, financial and single (federal grant compliance) audits on a wide array of entity types including cities, counties, school districts, hospitals, public utility districts, risk pools, fire districts, ports, special facility districts, and more. Our clients range greatly in size and include both GAAP and BARS Cash Basis reporting methods.
Team Olympia’s mission is to partner with entities to increase trust in government. We do that by producing efficient and high-quality audits through collaboration and teamwork, providing meaningful recommendations that entities can understand, and building positive relationships through strong communication, education and mutual respect.
The team values goal-driven employees who are personally accountable for their work and invested in their own learning, growth and development. To aid in employees’ success, we provide access to numerous internal resources, trainings, a robust mentoring program and the opportunity work alongside experienced staff to assist in developing important audit skills.
Our work is performed in a hybrid environment, with a combination of onsite, in-office and remote work. Onsite work requires occasional daily and overnight travel to client locations.
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:
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.
Successful Assistant State Auditors come from many backgrounds. The primary competencies required for this role is:
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.
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.
We offer a comprehensive package of health and wellness benefits to employees, including:
Make a difference; find your purpose; join Team SAO! To hear what others have to say about working at SAO, click here.
For consideration, applicants must:
Important note: Submissions received absent of all three required components above may result in the disqualification of your candidacy.
***Your application materials will be used to determine your qualifications and eligibility to be considered for this position. You must submit a complete application including a cover letter detailing your qualifications and resume. Missing items will be considered incomplete and may disqualify you from further consideration. ***
Applicants should expect to be onsite at our Olympia Office regularly throughout the duration of their initial onboarding and training. While we offer a flexible/hybrid environment, telework opportunities will be limited until staff progress further on in their career.
Candidates using a degree awarded outside the United States to qualify, must include a credential evaluation report.
Applications that require a credential evaluation report and do not include one will be disqualified.
If you are a US Veteran and would like to apply for Veteran's Preference, attach a copy of Form DD214 military record showing qualifying discharge.
Questions may be directed to the applications unit at applicationsunit@sao.wa.gov.
The Office of the Washington State Auditor is an equal opportunity employer.
Persons with a disability, who need assistance in the application or testing process, or who need this announcement in an alternative format, may call (564) 999-0947 or via the telecommunications relay service by dialing 7-1-1.
With its great natural beauty, Clark County, Washington, always has attracted people and settlements. Framed by the scenic Cascade Range to the east and the majestic Columbia River to the south and west, the area is a picturesque place to work, play and live.
Named for Captain William Clark of Lewis and Clark Expedition frame, our county is one of the fastest growing regions in Washington state and the Portland, Oregon metropolitan area. Today, more than 440,000 people call Clark County home.
Clark County government is one of the county's largest employers, providing a wide range of challenging positions for about 1,570 people. You can learn about current job openings, the application process, job descriptions, pay schedule and employee benefits on the Clark County Human Resources website at https://www.clark.wa.gov/human-resources.
The mission of Clark County government is to enhance the quality of life in our diverse community by providing services with integrity, openness and accountability.
