Job Description

Posting number: 2026-06562

Department: Dept. of Social and Health Services

Division: OOS

Job classification: WMS BAND 2

Posting type: Open & Promotional

Categories: Accounting and Finance

The Washington State Department of Social and Health Service (DSHS) and the Office of the Secretary (OOS) is seeking an Internal Auditor who will assist the Chief Audit Executive to support IAC’s Fiscal Year Annual Audit Plan. As part of the Institute of Internal Auditor (IIA) Global Internal Audit Standards, you must remain independent and objective when conducting an audit or a consultation. Behavioral expectations outlined by the IIA Global Internal Audit Standards are also followed by the Internal Auditor.

As the Internal Auditor, you will independently conduct audits and advisory services at every level of the Agency. This includes audits and advisory services of departmental programs that receive federal dollars, fiscal, business operations, background checks, client/resident/patient health and safety, institutions, compliance with RCWs, SAAM, DSHS Administrative Policies and departmental standard operating procedures.

You will work with all levels of management in the Agency. This includes the DSHS Secretary, Assistant Secretaries, Office Chiefs, Directors, Program Managers, Operational Managers and all staff throughout the Agency.

Competence is required in a profession-based body of knowledge for advising and consulting with administrators and policy makers on application and development of regulations and statutes for effective Agency operation. You'll provide expert support to the mission of the Agency. You'll also provide advisory services in such areas as interpretation of laws, statutes and regulations applied to the Agency’s services and operations; effective and appropriate treatment and care of Agency clients or patients; development of long-term strategies for sustainable resource management and state-wide infrastructure; and strategic financial management initiatives.

You have the ability to analyze practical situations and applications of the profession-based disciplines to the specialized needs of the Agency and to provide useful advice and guidance to Agency administrators at an advanced level of expertise.

When completing audits and advisory services, you will review past data and information to be used to project into the future. The findings are used by the Agency, Administrations and Operating Departments to strategize and align with policy and business approaches for use in the future. Development of business practice performance by the Department will help the Agency in the near term but also will help strategically anywhere from two to 10 years in the future.

This position is primarily remote with occasional days in the office for meetings with senior leadership and for staff meetings.

Some of What You'll Do

• Independently conduct audits and advisory services, following and conforming with the IIA Global Internal Audit Standards. All work that is being completed by the Internal Auditor must follow the IIA Global Internal Audit Standards.
• Follow the IIA Global Internal Audit Standards behavioral expectations, which includes: Integrity, Objectivity, Confidentiality and Competency.
• Maintain the highest standards of personal/professional and ethical conduct and support the State's goals for a diverse workforce and equity, diversity and inclusion.
• Independently conduct audits (including client funds, background checks, client health and safety, contracts, personnel, purchasing, purchase cards and emergency operations) advisory services, and technical assistance of DSHS mental hospitals, RHC’s, Child Study and Treatment Center, Special Commitment Center, State Operated Living Alternatives (SOLAs), Economic Services Administration field offices, regional offices and other field offices across the state.
• Independently conduct audits, advisory services, and technical assistance that could include departments in all administrations, reviewing the effectiveness and efficiencies of the system of internal controls for the DSHS Administration’s programs, departmental business units and operations. Advisory services include observations and recommendations for improving a business operational efficiency. Technical assistance is a high level review and guidance that would include assistance with a process improvement.
• Obtain an understanding of business processes and leverage an understanding of risk and control concepts to develop risk assessments, audit programs and testing procedures that appropriately address identified risks and project objectives. A review of these risks and identified weaknesses in internal control can assist the administration or operating department to strategically move forward with the auditor’s recommended actions for improvement.

What We're Looking for

• Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in accounting, finance, business, information systems or public administration which must include twelve semester or 18 quarter hours of college level accounting.

• Three years of audit experience in the public or private sector that includes audit planning, conducting risk assessments, assessing the internal control environment, creating test methodologies, evaluating test results, reviewing policies and procedures for compliance, documenting processes in work papers and writing audit reports that includes findings and recommendations.

Required experience includes:

• Participating as a team member on engagements and/or managing multiple engagements or projects
• Project planning and objective setting
• Developing work programs
• Evaluating and assessing risk
• Data gathering, analysis and verifying evidence
• Completion of work paper documentation
• Drawing conclusions and making recommendations
• Report writing and presentations
• Providing technical advice and training

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in accounting, finance, business, information systems or public administration which must include twelve semester or 18 quarter hours of college level accounting.

• Five years of audit experience in the public or private sector that includes audit planning, conducting risk assessments, assessing the internal control environment, creating test methodologies, evaluating test results, reviewing policies and procedures for compliance, documenting processes in work papers and writing audit reports that includes findings and recommendations.

• Professional experience or a combination of experience and education may substitute.

Required experience includes:

• Participating as a team member on engagements and/or managing multiple engagements or projects
• Project planning and objective setting
• Developing work programs
• Evaluating and assessing risk
• Data gathering, analysis and verifying evidence
• Completion of work paper documentation
• Drawing conclusions and making recommendations
• Report writing and presentations
• Providing technical advice and training

• Knowledge of the Institute of Internal Auditors Professional Standards
• Maintain high ethics and integrity
• Communicate effectively, both oral and written with diverse audiences
• Demonstrated ability to work as a member of a team
• Self-awareness, self-management and continual growth and learning
• Have a working knowledge of the Institute of Internal Auditor’s Professional Standards
• Decision Making – ability to identify issues, develop analysis of alternative positions and impacts; makes data driven defensible recommendations; makes timely/responsive decisions; assumes responsibility for decisions made; and involves others appropriately in the decision making processes.
• Proficient in MS WORD, EXCEL, Pivot Tables, PowerPoint and Outlook

Preferred / desired education, experience and competencies:

• Analyze technical workflow and business processes and develop appropriate solutions of the following:
• Principles of management
• Strategic planning
• Process improvement
• Applicable state and federal statutes
• Personnel rules and a variety of program policies/regulations among the various administrations
• Principles and functions of organization
• Administrations and supervision
• Quality control
• Social service programs and their attendant delivery systems
• Contract development and administration
• Systems analysis
• Human resource development and training techniques
• Generally accepted accounting and budgeting practices

1. Hold a current certification such as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), Certified Government Auditor (CGA), Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), Certified Risk Management Assurance (CRMA)
2. Knowledge of accrual-based accounting and government accounting
3. Understanding generally accepted accounting and budgeting principles
4. Experience with audit standards and their application; audit processes including engagement planning, sampling methodologies and test designs
5. Experience with internal control concepts/design, risk identification and the potential outcomes if risks are not mitigated
6. Knowledge of principles of management and strategic planning
7. Knowledge of DSHS programs and services
8. Knowledge of social service programs and their attendant delivery systems

Questions? If you have questions about job number 06562, please contact Kathy Simmons, or phone (360) 725-5810.

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 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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