Financial Examiner 3 (or Financial Examiner 2 In-Training)

State of Washington • King County - Seattle - Downtown Business, WA

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

At the Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC), we protect the public through fair, transparent, and consistent oversight of the insurance industry. Our work ensures that insurance companies operating in Washington remain financially sound, compliant with state laws, and able to meet their obligations to consumers. As a Financial Examiner 3 (or Financial Examiner 2 In-Training), you’ll play a critical role in this mission. You will lead examination teams, design risk-focused work plans, and evaluate the solvency and compliance of insurance companies and other regulated entities using NAIC standards. Your work directly impacts consumer protection, regulatory integrity, and market stability, while providing opportunities to mentor staff and shape the next generation of financial examiners. This position is ideal for experienced examiners or financial professionals who are motivated by investigative, analytical work, enjoy guiding teams, and want to make a measurable public impact through financial oversight and regulatory excellence. This recruitment may be used to establish a qualified pool of candidates for Financial Examiner 3 (or Financial Examiner 2 In-Training) vacancies in the next sixty days. This is a Washington General Service position.

Requirements

• At the Financial Examiner 2 In-Training level: Six (6) years of full-time relevant professional accounting experience to include experience auditing, analyzing, or preparing financial statements: balance sheet, income statement, cash flow statement, and notes thereto as an accountant, auditor, or examiner with a public accounting firm or as an accountant, internal auditor or external auditor or examiner of insurance companies, banks, savings and loan associations, municipalities, etc., state or federal or private entities.
• Successful completion of 20 quarter or 12 semester hours in accounting, finance, economics, or insurance. Professional experience may not substitute for the credit hours.
• Intermediate level in Microsoft Outlook, Word, and Excel.
• At the Financial Examiner 3 (FE3) level: Seven (7) years of full-time relevant professional accounting experience to include experience auditing, analyzing, or preparing financial statements: balance sheet, income statement, cash flow statement, and notes thereto as an accountant, auditor, or examiner with a public accounting firm or as an accountant, internal auditor or external auditor or examiner of insurance companies, banks, savings and loan associations, municipalities, etc., state or federal or private entities.
• Successful completion of 20 quarter or 12 semester hours in accounting, finance, economics, or insurance. Professional experience may not substitute for the credit hours.
• An active Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license granted by Washington State or another state that has reciprocity with Washington State; or a designation as an Accredited Financial Examiner (AFE) in an insurance discipline, as granted by the Society of Financial Examiners (SOFE); or a designation as a Certified Financial Examiner (CFE) in an insurance discipline, as granted by the Society of Financial Examiners (SOFE).

Nice To Haves

• Experience with, or as a contractor for, a state insurance department working as an examiner, auditor, or financial analyst of insurance companies.
• Designation as a Certified Financial Examiner (CFE) in an insurance discipline, as granted by the Society of Financial Examiners (SOFE).
• Designation as an Accredited Financial Examiner (AFE) in an insurance discipline, as granted by the Society of Financial Examiners (SOFE).
• An active, Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license granted by the Washington State Board of Accountancy, or another state with reciprocity with Washington State.
• Other insurance or information systems related designations.

Responsibilities

• Lead financial condition examinations of insurance companies and other regulated entities in accordance with NAIC accreditation standards and OIC policies.
• Assign, monitor, and manage workload for staff examiners, specialists, and other examiners; reassign tasks as necessary.
• Develop and approve work programs and exam approaches for assigned areas.
• Analyze financial statements, account balances, and company operations to identify unusual trends, key risks, and functional activities.
• Interview company officers, board members, and other officials to obtain information and assess internal controls.
• Identify significant inherent and prospective risks, evaluate controls and risk mitigation strategies, and determine the scope of testing required.
• Review and assess examination workpapers, findings, and reports prepared by staff examiners and external experts; suggest revisions as needed.
• Assist staff with complex accounting, examination, or regulatory questions.
• Prepare and sign formal financial examination reports, communicating material findings clearly and effectively.
• Evaluate and place appropriate reliance on work performed by external CPAs, internal auditors, and other professionals.
• Conduct examinations of Charitable Gift Annuities issuers and assess compliance with laws, regulations, and standards.
• Perform peer reviews (accreditation reviews) of completed financial examinations and integrate updates from NAIC guidance into examination practices.
• Lead special projects such as limited scope examinations, targeted reviews, new company analyses, and internal audits.
• Provide on-the-job training, mentorship, and professional development guidance to staff examiners.
• Encourage continuous improvement in examination methodologies, documentation, and professional skills of team members.

Benefits

• Health, dental, vision, retirement, paid leave (vacation, sick, etc.) and much more!
• Supportive work environment
• Wellness programs
• Flexible schedules with telework opportunities
• Tuition reimbursement
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree