Fiscal Analyst 5

State of Washington•Yakima County - Union Gap, WA

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is seeking a collaborative and experienced financial leader to serve as the principal assistant to the South Central Region Financial Services Manager. In this key leadership role, you will help ensure the region's financial operations are managed with accuracy, accountability, and efficiency, supporting the delivery of transportation programs that communities depend on every day. Your work will contribute to responsible stewardship of public resources, enabling WSDOT to provide a safe, reliable, and sustainable transportation system. This position offers an opportunity to lead and mentor a high-performing team while making a meaningful impact on the agency's mission to serve the people of Washington.

Requirements

Advanced Financial Analysis, Compliance, and Strategic Oversight: Demonstrate expert-level ability to independently evaluate, interpret, and validate highly complex financial transactions and accounting activities to ensure compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GMP), federal and state regulations, and agency policies.
Apply advanced analytical judgment to identify trends, assess financial risks, resolve discrepancies, and determine appropriate corrective actions while providing guidance on complex financial and compliance matters.
Advanced Accounts Payable Oversight and Financial Stewardship: Demonstrate expert-level ability to oversee, review, and validate highly complex accounts payable transactions and processes, ensuring accurate coding, authorization, expenditure classification, and compliance with applicable policies and regulations.
Identify systemic issues, recommend process improvements, and provide technical guidance on complex payment and fiscal matters.
Demonstrated Regulatory Interpretation and Compliance Leadership: Demonstrate expert-level ability to interpret, analyze, and apply complex financial laws, regulations, policies, and procedures to ensure organizational compliance and sound fiscal practices.
Provide authoritative guidance on regulatory requirements, resolve complex compliance issues, and recommend policy or procedural improvements to mitigate risk and strengthen internal controls.
Advanced Problem Solving and Strategic Decision Making: Demonstrate expert-level ability to evaluate multifaceted financial and operational issues, identify underlying causes and risks, and develop strategic solutions that balance compliance, efficiency, and organizational objectives.
Exercise independent judgment in resolving unprecedented or sensitive issues and advise others on complex financial decisions.
Financial Systems Evaluation and Data Analytics: Demonstrate expert-level ability to assess financial systems, analyze complex data from multiple sources, and evaluate the effectiveness of fiscal processes and controls.
Identify trends, anomalies, process weaknesses, and opportunities for improvement while developing recommendations that enhance data integrity, operational efficiency, and organizational performance.
Financial Leadership and Staff Development: Demonstrate expert-level ability to lead, supervise, mentor, and develop professional and technical staff in financial operations, systems, policies, and procedures.
Provide strategic direction, technical guidance, performance feedback, and training that promotes accountability, consistency, operational excellence, and continuous learning.
Communication, Collaboration, and Customer Partnership: Demonstrate expert-level ability to communicate complex financial information clearly and effectively to diverse audiences, including executives, managers, staff, vendors, and external partners.
Builds collaborative relationships, provides consultative guidance, and influences decision-making through professionalism, credibility, and exceptional customer service.
Growth Mindset: Actively demonstrates a commitment to learning and growth.
Service-Oriented: Demonstrate a willingness to take action to meet the needs of others.

Nice To Haves

Experience applying employer travel and accounting rules to employee travel costs and reimbursements, providing oversight to ensure expenditures are accurate, compliant, and appropriate.
Experience using accounting systems and financial software, such as TRAINS, PCMS, or comparable enterprise financial management systems.
Certification as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM), Certified Management Accountant (CMA), or an equivalent combination of professional financial experience and/or academic preparation.

Responsibilities

Serve as the principal assistant to the South-Central Region Financial Services Manager, providing leadership and assuming responsibility for regional financial operations in the manager's absence.
Review accounting functions, financial practices, and internal controls to ensure compliance with GAAP, federal and state regulations, and WSDOT policies and procedures, while recommending process improvements.
Supervise, train, and mentor professional and technical staff on financial systems, policies, procedures, and business practices affecting accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, purchasing, travel, relocation, cash receipts, inventory, and labor reporting.
Oversee procurement and payment processes by monitoring agreements, funding, budget allocations, purchasing methods, vendor coordination, and receipt of goods and services to ensure compliance with contractual and financial requirements.
Review, verify, and approve invoices, payables, and other financial transactions, ensuring accurate coding of work orders, appropriations, organizations, subprograms, and object classifications.
Audit, analyze, and maintain the integrity of financial systems and reports, including TRAINS, COGNOS, and FIRS, identifying discrepancies, correcting errors, and improving the efficiency and reliability of financial processes.
Manage assigned financial programs and subprograms by monitoring expenditures, allocations, inventory reconciliations, fiscal status, and developing financial reports to support sound fiscal management.
Communicate and collaborate with regional leadership, employees, vendors, and internal and external stakeholders to provide financial guidance, resolve issues, and support effective business operations.