Controller - WMS03

State of Washington•Thurston County – Olympia, WA

About The Position

The Controller oversees the agency’s accounting functions, including federal grant accounting, revenue, payables, expenditures, receivables, and internal controls. The position ensures fiscal policies comply with state and federal laws and regulations and supports responsible stewardship of public funds and excellent customer service. The Controller interprets and communicates state and federal fiscal and accounting policies applicable to department funding sources and activities, and works collaboratively with management and staff across the agency. The role supervises three WMS2 managers responsible for Specialized Accounting, Grant Accounting, Vendor Pay, and Systems and Financial Reporting. It directs the use of the Financial Office’s resources, supports employee effectiveness through appraisals and professional development, and develops and trains managers and frontline supervisors. The position advises agency staff and local Workforce Development Councils on fiscal matters, and participates in agency and state budget, expenditure review, and cost analysis taskforces and committees. The Financial Services annual operating budget under this position’s responsibility is approximately $3.3 million. The Controller provides input on audit reports and works with the WorkSource Standards and Integration Division WIOA compliance unit on audit and fiscal matters. The position interprets federal circulars, state travel regulations, and other financial policies and rules as they relate to agency fiscal controls and procedures. It maintains relationships with governmental agencies and Workforce Development Councils to support informed, cooperative partnerships. The position must pass an Unemployment Insurance Claim & Benefit Information Review and be able to travel as needed.

Requirements

One of the following education and experience pathways: six years of professional-level governmental accounting or financial management experience, 18 quarter or 12 semester hours in accounting, auditing, or budgeting, and three years supervising professional fiscal staff or managing a complex financial unit, including supervising lower-level managers or supervisors; or an associate’s degree in finance, accounting, business administration, public administration, or a closely related field including the specified accounting, auditing, or budgeting credits, four years of professional-level governmental accounting or financial management experience, and two years of the specified supervisory or financial-unit management experience; or a bachelor’s degree in one of the specified fields including the specified credits, two years of professional-level governmental accounting or financial management experience, and one year of the specified supervisory or financial-unit management experience.
Ability to take action to learn and grow.
Ability to take action to meet the needs of others.
Ability to plan, organize, direct, and control the workflows of a multifunctional accounting unit, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, revenue, expenditures, and federal grants.
Proven capability to manage tight timelines and execute state and federal fiscal year-end closing processes.
Advanced ability to analyze, interpret, and apply complex state and federal fiscal laws, rules, and regulations to diverse funding sources.
Expertise in federal cost principles, cost determination methodologies, indirect cost rates, and preparation of agency-wide cost plans.
Skill in directing and mentoring managers across diverse sub-units.
Ability to maintain transparent, effective communication channels across the organization.
Adherence to high standards of personal, professional, and ethical conduct and commitment to responsible stewardship of public funds.
Commitment to excellent customer service standards in a financial operations environment.
Must pass an Unemployment Insurance Claim & Benefit Information Review.
Must be able to travel as needed.

Nice To Haves

Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM), or Certified Public Finance Officer (CPFO) certification.
Direct experience developing and submitting annual cost plans to the U.S. Department of Labor.
Expert knowledge of the State Administrative and Accounting Manual (SAAM), Revised Code of Washington (RCW), and Office of Financial Management (OFM) policies and regulations.
Comprehensive understanding of Federal OMB Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200), federal cost principles, and federal grant administration.
Thorough knowledge of Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) pronouncements.

Responsibilities

Oversee the agency’s accounting functions, including federal grant accounting, revenue, payables, expenditures, receivables, and internal controls.
Ensure agency fiscal policies comply with state and federal laws and regulations.
Understand, interpret, and communicate state and federal fiscal and accounting policies and practices applicable to department funding sources and activities.
Supervise three WMS2 managers overseeing Specialized Accounting, Grant Accounting, Vendor Pay, and Systems and Financial Reporting.
Ensure appropriate and optimal use of Financial Office resources and support employee effectiveness through timely appraisals and professional development.
Provide advice and direction on fiscal matters through training, consultation, and education for agency staff and local Workforce Development Councils.
Develop and train managers and frontline supervisors.
Serve on state and agency-wide budget, expenditure review, and cost analysis taskforces and committees.
Provide input and responses to audit reports and work with the WIOA compliance unit on audit and fiscal matters.
Interpret federal circulars, state travel regulations, and other financial policies and rules relevant to agency fiscal controls and procedures.
Maintain relationships with governmental agencies and Workforce Development Councils to support informed and cooperative partnerships.
Maintain high standards of personal, professional, and ethical conduct and support the state’s and agency’s goals for a diverse workforce.
Travel as needed.