Job Description

Posting number: 2026-05738

Department: Dept. of Social and Health Services

Division: FTAA

Job classification: WMS BAND 3

Posting type: Open & Promotional

Categories: Accounting and Finance, Management, Executive Management, Human Services

Summary

Are you a strategic financial leader looking to make a meaningful, large-scale impact?

At the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), our mission is to partner with people to access support, care, and resources. In this high-visibility role, within the Finance, Technology and Analytics Administration (FTAA) you will lead the Program Services Unit, shaping statewide fiscal policies that directly safeguard our agency's financial integrity and secure vital federal funding.

In this role, you will be responsible for financial management, analysis, consultation, and coordination of the department's administration and/or programs. In addition, you will monitor department financial activity to ensure compliance with departmental accounting standards, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Office of Financial Management (OFM) Policies and Procedures, Federal Regulations, and state laws. You'll be responsible for overseeing general ledger reconciliations, agency audits, federal grant awards, and federal grant draws and assist with the fiscal year close for DSHS. You will manage an outstanding accounting team, train, coach, and mentor the staff and represent the agency on statewide committees and groups.

You're a fantastic accountant, but you want a new challenge. Come work for Washington’s largest state agency, the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS).

This position offers some flexible hybrid remote work. However, incumbents are required to be in the Olympia, WA location on a regular basis.

Some of What You’ll Do:

• Serve as a professional financial consultant in support of agency-wide accounting and financial systems
• Coordinate activities with program and institution fiscal areas state-wide across all administrations of the agency
• Identify and analyze national accounting standards and federal/state regulations and determine the impact on the department
• Assure appropriate and optimum use of the office's resources and enhance the effectiveness of employees through timely professional development opportunities

What we’re looking for:

Bachelor’s degree in the field of finance, accounting or business with at least 30 quarter hours (20 semester hours) of accounting and/or finance courses

AND

Ten years’ work experience in professional accounting or auditing, preferably in governmental accounting with knowledge interpreting, auditing and/or using GAAP and GASB (Governmental Accounting Standards Board), Federal and State grant requirements.

Five years supervisory experience.

*Additional qualifying professional experience will substitute year-for-year for the required education, but not for the credit hours.

*Experience may be gained concurrently.

Desired Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities:

• Experience working on federal grants and Federal Award Compliance Audits.
• Experience with Washington State fiscal year close processes and general ledger reconciliations.
• Experience with complex state/public assistance cost allocation plans.
• Licensed CPA
• Ability to demonstrate strong evaluative and diagnostic thinking regarding varying complex problems, systems, policies, law, GAAP, to include the short and long-term impact on the agency.
• Excellent research and resource skills to obtain vital information for the management of assigned programs in accordance with federal requirements.
• Ability to work independently and with minimal managerial guidance, taking initiative to identify, investigate, and take corrective action on all assigned or ad hoc projects.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and accomplish objectives within given time constraints.
• Excellent communication (oral, presentation, and written) skills in order to translate and explain complex technical.
• Ability to establish and maintain a strong rapport with individuals outside the agency to include state auditors who audit the financial statements, Office of Financial Management (OFM consultants, other state financial officers with are contacted to obtain and share information relevant to DSHS, and many other miscellaneous contacts.

To be considered for this opportunity please include the following:

• Current chronological resume
• A letter of interest explaining why you are interested in the job, and your skills and experience that makes you the best person for the job
• Transcript

Questions about this opportunity? Please contact reema.goyal@dshs.wa.gov and reference project number 05738.

The Department of Social and Health Services’ (DSHS) vision that people find human services to shape their own lives requires that we come together with a sense of belonging, common purpose, shared values, and meaningful work. It is crucial to our agency’s vision that you bring a fairness, access, and social justice commitment to your work with DSHS. We strive to support all Washingtonians, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, people with physical, behavioral health, and intellectual disabilities, elders, LGBTQIA+ individuals, immigrants and refugees, and families building financial security.

Supplemental information

Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history may be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the job. This announcement may be used to fill multiple vacancies. Employees driving on state business must have a valid driver's license. Employees driving a privately owned vehicle on state business must have liability insurance on the privately owned vehicle.

Washington State Department of Social and Health Services is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in any area of employment, its programs or services on the basis of age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, marital status, race, creed, color, national origin, religion or beliefs, political affiliation, military status, honorably discharged veteran, Vietnam Era, recently separated or other protect­ed veteran status, the presence of any sensory, mental, physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, equal pay or genetic information. Persons requiring accommodation in the application process or this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the Recruiter at (360) 725-5810. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384.

Relationship and Reporting Structure (Nepotism) Disclosure: If you are selected for hire, you must disclose whether you have a relative, household member, close friend, or romantic partner within your potential supervisory chain of command. DSHS has a Relationships and the Reporting Structure policy that prohibits nepotism and can be reviewed here. Applicants whose appointment would result in a prohibited reporting relationship are not eligible for appointment to that position.

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