Accounting Assistant 3
Pierce County
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Posted: February 23, 2026 (1 day ago)
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Deputy Director | Accounting & Financial Services
State of Washington
Dept. of Transportation
Location
Washington, 98504
Salary
$10,009 - $12,835
per month
Type
Full-Time
More Finance & Accounting jobs →Closes
March 10, 2026
Job Description
Summary
This role involves leading the daily financial and accounting operations for Washington's Department of Transportation, advising top executives on money matters, and ensuring everything follows legal and accounting rules to keep public funds safe.
A good fit would be someone with strong leadership experience in finance who enjoys building teams, solving complex money problems, and working in a fast-paced government setting.
It's ideal for a seasoned professional who can handle big-picture strategy while keeping operations running smoothly.
Key Requirements
- Extensive experience in financial leadership and management within a complex organization
- In-depth knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)
- Proven ability to develop and implement financial policies, systems, and internal controls
- Strong skills in staff mentoring, performance reviews, training, and team development
- Expertise in resolving complex financial and accounting issues with stakeholder impact
- Familiarity with federal and state statutes, regulations, and compliance requirements
- Experience in overseeing cost allocation plans, indirect cost rates, and financial reporting
Full Job Description
About WSDOT
Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is a multimodal organization with a global reputation for excellence!
Our dedicated workforce is responsible to plan, design, build, and operate an integrated transportation system that safely and efficiently moves people and goods throughout the state.
In addition to maintaining over 18,000 lane miles of state highway and 4,100 bridges, WSDOT manages the world's longest floating bridge, executes an award-winning Active Transportation Plan, holds a record for the world's widest tunneling project, and operates the largest ferry system in the nation!
The Opportunity
WSDOT is seeking an experienced financial leader to serve as Deputy Director for Accounting and Financial Services in Olympia, Washington.
This position provides strategic and operational leadership for the department’s accounting and financial services functions and serves as the primary advisor to the AFS Director.
The Deputy Director leads the day-to-day operations of AFS, ensuring the accurate and timely processing of financial transactions that support WSDOT’s business activities.
Operating within one of the most complex financial environments in state government, this role is critical to the development and implementation of sound financial and accounting policies, systems, and internal controls that uphold fiscal integrity and public trust.
The Deputy Director is responsible for building and sustaining a high-performing organization by mentoring and developing staff, supporting career growth, and strengthening long-term retention.
This role requires risk-based decision-making to prevent significant policy, process, or system failures; ensures compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP); and maintains fiduciary, statutory, and regulatory accountability.
Through strong collaboration with internal and external partners, the Deputy Director supports agency-wide and statewide initiatives with accounting, administrative, and financial impacts while safeguarding WSDOT’s credibility with stakeholders and the public.
What to Expect
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Deputy Director for Accounting and Financial Services will:
- Act as the primary advisor to the AFS Director.
- Oversee leadership and management of daily operations in AFS.
- Will lead, conduct performance reviews, training, and development of four Assistant Directors.
- Oversee AFS’ performance measurement and management program.
- Resolve complex financial and accounting issues that have impact on stakeholders, customers or WSDOT senior management.
- Develop, administer, and modify statewide accounting and financial policies to meet WSDOT’s business needs, while ensuring compliance with GAAP as well as federal and state statutes and regulations.
- Provide executive oversight and approval of WSDOT’s Indirect Cost Rate Plan, Cost Recovery Plans, and Cost Allocation Plans to ensure accuracy, compliance, and fiscal accountability.
- Provide oversight of the agency-wide Financial Services Training Program which will provide training to employees within AFS and other WSDOT regions, divisions and offices responsible for fiscal, procurement and materials management activities.
- Coordinate with the Assistant Directors and appropriate staff to ensure AFS products and reports are completed timely and accurately.
- Act as the Finance & Administration Section Lead in the WSDOT Emergency Operations Center and is responsible for managing all financial and administrative aspects of incidents, attending all relevant training courses and representing AFS in all EOC related meetings, planning events, etc.
- Perform analysis, development and/or implementation of complex financial regulations and policies including Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) national accounting standards, statewide accounting policies set by the Office of Financial Management (OFM) and statewide WSDOT accounting and financial system policies.
- Act as the AFS liaison with third-party collections agency and for PCI compliance.
- Coordinate and manage all financial activities, reporting, guidance regarding payroll, purchases, transactions, financial systems, and other applicable activities during a COOP.
Qualifications
To be considered for this opportunity, the following are required:
Strategic and Organizational Leadership: Progressive experience providing executive-level leadership in complex public-sector or similarly regulated environments, with demonstrated ability to translate agency and division vision into actionable strategies that improve statewide financial performance, accountability, and organizational effectiveness.
Proven success leading through influence, building alignment among diverse internal and external stakeholders, anticipating and responding to emerging financial, regulatory, and technological trends, and fostering a culture of continuous learning, inclusion, and high performance while navigating organizational complexity with integrity and strategic foresight.
Financial Stewardship and Accountability: Demonstrated expertise applying Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) requirements, and internal control frameworks to ensure accuracy, transparency, and compliance across enterprise-wide financial operations.
Proven ability to exercise sound fiscal judgment in managing large-scale, complex budgets; cost allocation and recovery plans; and revenue systems, while developing, implementing, and enforcing policies and systems that strengthen financial integrity, audit readiness, and risk management.
Policy Development and Implementation: Progressive experience developing, interpreting, and implementing financial and administrative policies within statutory and regulatory frameworks, with the ability to translate complex policy changes into clear, actionable guidance for executive leadership and staff.
Demonstrated success collaborating with oversight agencies, auditors, and policymakers to support sound fiscal governance and effective policy implementation.
Analytical and Critical Thinking: Demonstrated ability to synthesize complex financial data, policy considerations, and operational impacts to inform executive decision-making in high-stakes environments.
Proven experience diagnosing systemic issues, identifying root causes, and implementing sustainable corrective actions, while exercising sound professional judgment in situations with limited precedent, competing priorities, or significant organizational risk.
Collaboration, Communication, and Change Leadership: Demonstrated competency communicating complex financial and policy information clearly and persuasively to diverse audiences and building trusted stakeholder relationships.
Proven ability to influence outcomes in cross-organizational initiatives, lead teams through change with resilience and empathy, and champion diversity, equity, inclusion, and continuous improvement in support of mission-critical outcomes.
It is preferred that qualified candidates also have:
- Progressive Leadership and Organizational Experience: Demonstrated progressive experience in complex public-sector or similarly regulated organizations, including effective supervision, coaching, and development of professional staff.
- Financial Systems, Internal Controls, and Compliance: Demonstrated experience designing, implementing, and administering complex financial and administrative systems, including the development and oversight of internal control frameworks to ensure compliance, mitigate risk, and maintain audit readiness.
- Transportation and Grant-Funded Financial Environment: Demonstrated experience working with financial systems, funding sources, and federal grant management requirements within WSDOT or a comparable federal, state, or local transportation or infrastructure-focused organization.
Accounting, Financial Operations, and Professional Credential: Demonstrated experience managing accounting and financial operations in government or large-scale business environments, applying professional accounting standards to support accurate financial reporting and fiscal accountability.
Current licensure as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) is preferred.
Important Notes
- This recruitment may also be used to fill additional positions per business needs.
- This position offers flexible/hybrid remote work options.
- To review the full Position Description, please follow the directions in the “Contact Us” section of this posting.
- Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the position.
- WSDOT does not use the E-Verify system, therefore we are not eligible to extend STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT). For more information, please visit www.uscis.gov.
In addition to base salary, employees may be entitled to other forms of compensation depending on the type, duties, or location of the position.
For union-represented positions, more information on other forms of compensation can be found in the applicable Collective Bargaining Agreements.
Information on other compensation types for non-represented positions can be found in Chapter 357-28 of the Washington Administrative Code.
Why WSDOT
- Work-Life Balance – We offer flexible work schedules that allow you time for your life outside of this excellent opportunity.
- Paid Leave – In addition to 12 paid holidays, full-time employees may earn up to 25 paid vacation days per year!
- Tuition Assistance – Permanent employees have several options for assistance with education expenses, including tuition reimbursement programs, government discounts at participating colleges throughout the state, and eligibility for federal student loan forgiveness.
- Plan For Your Future – WSDOT offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes a variety of healthcare options. Employees also have their choice of state retirement programs, and much more. Go to State Benefits for more information.
Check out this video to learn more: Why WSDOT?
How to Apply
Applications for this recruitment will be accepted electronically. Your relevant experience may be evaluated to determine salary. Therefore, it is very important that the “Work Experience” portion of the application be completed in as much detail as possible.
In order to be considered for this opportunity, please include the following with your online application:
- An attached Resume outlining (in reverse chronological order) your experience to date.
- An attached Cover Letter that further explains your qualifications and indicates why you believe you are a viable candidate for this role.
- Contact details for a minimum of three (3) individuals who can attest to your work performance, technical skills, and job-related competencies. This information can be entered in the “References” section of the online application; does not require an additional attachment.
Please click the "APPLY" button to proceed. Note that you will be prompted to either sign in or create an account. This step is required in order to submit an application to this opportunity.
WSDOT is an equal opportunity employer. We value the importance of creating an environment in which all employees can feel respected, included, and empowered to bring unique ideas to the agency.
Our diversity and inclusion efforts include embracing different cultures, backgrounds and viewpoints while fostering growth and advancement in the workplace.
All persons, regardless of race, ethnicity, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, and/ or gender identity, are encouraged to apply.
Persons with disabilities needing assistance in the application process, or those needing this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the recruiter listed.
Contact Us
For inquiries about this posting, you may contact the assigned Recruiter, Amanda Strebeck, at amanda.strebeck@wsdot.wa.gov. Please be sure to reference Deputy Director – Accounting and Financial Services #0W061 in the subject line.
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