BARS Assistant - Assistant State Auditor 1, 2, or 3 - Local Government Support

State of Washington•Thurston County – Olympia, WA

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Office of the Washington State Auditor is hiring a Budgeting, Accounting and Reporting System (BARS) Assistant for its Local Government Support Team. The position may be hired at the Assistant State Auditor 1, 2, or 3 level depending on qualifications, with Assistant State Auditor 3 as the goal class. Candidates hired below that level are expected to progress to Assistant State Auditor 3, with training, coaching, mentoring, and work review appropriate to their level. The BARS team provides technical accounting and reporting services to SAO audit teams and local governments, supports the agency’s audit report function, and provides training to audit staff, government officials and employees, and professional associations. Work includes researching governmental accounting standards, reviewing financial statements and audit reports, supporting the annual report filing system, and developing and delivering presentations and training. The position is eligible for a hybrid work schedule and telework after onboarding and training, with manager approval and subject to agency policy and business needs. Work must be performed within Washington State. Onsite reporting at the Olympia office or an established field office is required for onboarding, equipment pickup, and occasional business needs. Occasional daily and overnight travel within Washington State is required for meetings and training.

Requirements

Assistant State Auditor 1: Either a bachelor's degree with at least three college-level accounting courses, or four years of business or relevant experience, including at least one year in accounting or auditing.
Assistant State Auditor 2: Either a bachelor's degree with at least three college-level accounting courses and one year of relevant experience, or five years of business or relevant experience, including at least two years in accounting or auditing.
Assistant State Auditor 3: Either a bachelor's degree and at least three college-level accounting courses, plus one year of accounting and one year of auditing experience, or six years of relevant experience, including at least two years in accounting and one year in auditing.
Submit a completed application, complete responses to all supplemental questions, a cover letter addressing how education and experience relate to the key competencies, and an updated resume or CV.
Applicants with degrees awarded outside the United States must submit a credential evaluation report.

Nice To Haves

Government accounting or audit experience.
For Assistant State Auditor 3, three years of government accounting experience.
Preferred coursework or certifications may be considered for placement.
Advanced degrees in accounting or an accounting emphasis.
CPA license.
Governmental finance credential such as CPFO (GFOA) or CGFM (AGA).

Responsibilities

Provide technical assistance on governmental accounting, budgeting, and reporting to audit staff, government officials and employees, and others.
Research new GASB standards and determine their impact on accounting requirements for local governments using GAAP and cash-basis accounting.
Review ACFRs and GAAP financial statements, communicate review results to auditors, and provide guidance for resolving deficiencies.
Support the annual report filing system during the annual filing season and assist local governments.
Help prepare and deliver presentations to stakeholders about upcoming governmental accounting standard changes affecting the BARS manuals.
Develop and deliver training and presentations on accounting, budgeting, and reporting to audit staff, government employees, and professional organizations.
Review audit reports for compliance with professional standards before final LGS processing and release, communicate findings to audit teams, and help resolve deficiencies.

Benefits

Health and wellness benefits package, including medical, vision, dental, and basic life insurance.
Long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage.
Medical flexible spending account and dependent care assistance.
Washington Public Employees' Retirement System membership and employer-contributed retirement program options.
Deferred Compensation Program.
Paid vacation, sick leave, holidays, and one personal holiday per calendar year.
Paid military leave and bereavement leave.
Parental leave and other leave programs, including FMLA leave and leave sharing.
Training and professional development, including more than 80 hours of training each biennium.
Educational and professional certification reimbursements.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility may be available to qualifying employees.