Fiscal Analyst 4 (FA4), Grant Accounting Principal Assistant

State of Washington•Thurston County – Olympia, WA

5d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has a Fiscal Analyst 4, Grant Accounting Principal Assistant position opening within our Office of Finance, Budget, and Economics. This position serves as the Principal Assistant to the Financial Reporting Supervisor in the Office of Finance, Budget & Economics (OFBE) and is responsible for the Financial Reporting unit in the Supervisor’s absence. This position requires analyzing and interpreting reports produced by the department’s reporting system (Data Mart), Agency Financial Reporting System (AFRS), the agency’s payable system (FES), and the agency’s receivables system (NaturE). This position is also responsible for reconciliations, corrections, and fiscal year-end activities.

Requirements

Five (5) years of relevant experience in accounting, budgeting, finance, or payroll; OR a combination of relevant experience and/or education.
At least one (1) year of leadership experience overseeing projects, programs, or supporting small teams.
Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Office applications such as Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Familiar with business intelligence/analysis systems such as Smartsheet, Tableau, Oracle, SAP, or equivalent.
Oversee AP, AR, and payroll accounting activities across multiple programs.
Ensure accuracy of financial statements, including AP accruals, AR balances, and payroll liabilities.
Implement and maintain internal controls for AP, AR, and payroll processes.
Serve as a systems expert and support integration, data governance, and system configuration.
Oversee reconciliation processes, including clearing accounts, suspense accounts, and payroll benefits.
Guide others in ethical accounting practices and risk management.
Brief senior leaders on accounting issues, risks, and financial implications.
Lead cross-functional teams on initiatives.
Coordinate audit responses and ensure documentation meets audit standards.
Commitment to fostering and supporting an environment that honors diversity, equity, inclusion, and environmental justice practices.
Perform assigned duties in a manner consistent with applicable laws, regulations, public records retention, and requests are followed.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree in accounting, business, economics, or related field (to include 18 quarter or 12 semester hours of accounting, auditing, or budget management credits).
Experience using Washington state financial systems such as the Agency Financial Reporting System (AFRS).
Experience with Workday or similar ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) systems.
Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Power BI.

Responsibilities

Serve as principal assistant to FA5 as the primary grant accountant for the agency
Provide accounting and financial reporting support for federal, local, and interagency grants
Analyze federal grant awards, create grant files, track grant accounts, assuring accuracy and compliance with federal and state guidance, policies, and procedures
Initiate program reports to track, monitor, and analyze grant expenditures for grant managers to verify and approve
Identify potential financial and/or compliance problems and provide necessary fiscal recommendations
Prepare, process and/or submit necessary federal financial reports, federal billings and drawdowns
Maintain spreadsheets for agency-wide financial reconciliation of federal, local, and interagency general ledgers for year-end closing and reporting
Act as primary contact and financial coordinator for federal audits of assigned agency grants
Act as a point of contact for federal grant systems including Grants.gov , ASAP, IPP
Provide financial data for Quarterly County Income Report
Develop and schedule reports from OFM’s Enterprise Reporting and agency’s Financial Datamart as needed and/or requested by management, state auditors, Joint Legislative Audit Review Committee (JLARC), etc.
Develop and provide user training for the agency’s Financial Datamart reporting system
Assist the Financial Reporting and Grant Accounting Supervisor in setting up the Cost Allocation (CAS) Plan for agency programs; done at the beginning of each biennium and maintained as changes happen during the biennial period.
Oversee the preparation of the interest calculation and revenue trust balances for the agency’s CAS and enter data into the CAS Beginning Balance (NBGB) table
Verify the monthly revenue load from NaturE into Datamart
Create and maintain business partners (BP) for the agency revenue system – NaturE
Maintain the BP request form

Benefits

Commitment to organizational health and wellness
Work/life balance
DNR Employee Resource Groups (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council, Women’s Employee Resource Group, Veterans Employee Resource Group, etc.)
Statewide Employee Business Resource Groups
Leadership that empowers and supports employees
Professional development opportunities
Educational and career development aid
Public Service Loan Forgiveness Eligibility
Opportunities to participate in wildland fire suppression assignments
A comprehensive benefits package includes employer contributions toward health insurance, paid holidays, retirement plans, sick leave, and vacation days.