Financial Examiner 2-4

Full Job Description

Providing Regulatory Oversight for Washington State Chartered Credit Unions

Do you enjoy working in a team environment? Do you enjoy traveling for work? Check out this opportunity!

As a Financial Examiner, you evaluate risk to Capital, Assets, Management, Earnings, Liquidity and Market Sensitivity in our Credit Unions. This includes unencumbered access to the credit union to ensure current practices are safe and sound. The Division of Credit Unions (DCU) is recruiting for a Financial Examiner, which may be filled at the 2, 3 or 4 level, depending on qualifications.

Requirements

Financial Examiners (FE) typically work with an exam team of four to eight people, in a fast-paced, deadline-oriented environment. Financial Examiners perform analysis of Washington state-chartered credit unions that are located throughout the state, for safety and soundness and compliance with the law. Examiners typically plan, conduct, lead and assist with examinations of regulated entities and independently conduct analysis of credit unions.

As a Financial Examiner, you would be a vital participant in ensuring the continuity of financial services offered state-wide, find engaging challenges in all facets of credit union operations, and evaluate risk to Capital, Assets, Management, Earnings, Liquidity and Market Sensitivity. This includes unencumbered access to the credit union to ensure current practices are safe and sound. Financial Examiners are provided training through National Credit Union Administration, Federal Financial Institution Examination Council, National Association of State Chartered Credit Unions, and various online training tools.

Some Of What You Will Do:

• As a team member perform in-state examinations.
• Work collaboratively with credit union staff and executives, accounting firms and National Credit Union Administration examiners (federal counterparts) to complete the assigned areas of an examination.
• Examine the adequacy of a regulated entity’s internal controls, which are used to mitigate inherent safety and soundness risks.
• Examine and analyze financial statements.
• Interpret and determine a credit union’s adherence with applicable laws, rules and standards related to credit unions.
• Collaborate with credit union management and its volunteer board of directors to discuss deficiencies found during the exam and corrective actions, including proposing strategies for reducing risk and strengthening controls.
• Write in a persuasive style that is understandable to credit union volunteers that serve on the board of directors and the supervisory committee.
• Work in conjunction with federal counterparts from National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) to complete examinations.
• Make examination recommendations to the Examiner in Charge and DCU management.
• Utilize various IT suites of production, including Microsoft Office, Internet Resources, NCUA examination software and other software as necessary.
• Work as an Examiner-in-Charge, which requires assigning tasks, reviewing work of team members, presenting areas of concern to the credit union management team, board of directors and supervisory committee and completing the final report of examination.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:
At least 20 quarter or 12 semester credit hours in finance, accounting, and/or economics.

Desired Skills and Qualifications:
A bachelor’s in finance, accounting, business administration, economics, or related field.

And

Two years of professional experience in one of, or a combination of, the following:

• Accounting or auditing;
• Analyzing or examining regulated entities;
• Working in a regulated entity in the areas of lending, operations, analysis of loan or securities portfolios, auditing, reinsurance investments, information system reviews or any combination of these.

OR

The candidate may substitute one year of the required experience in financial institutions, financial service companies or issuers with the following:

• A master’s degree in accounting, finance, economics, or business administration with 24 semester or 36 quarter hours in accounting;
• Graduation from a specialized banking school gained through an accredited college or university (i.e., Pacific Coast Banking School, CUNA Management School or equivalent);
• Accredited Financial Examiner or Certified Financial Examiner from the Society of Financial Examiners; or Washington State Certified Public Accountant.

Skills and Abilities:

• Effective team player who is highly communicative and cooperative, an active listener, a problem solver and innovative researcher.
• A strong work ethic, professionalism, respectfulness, and dependability to the team.
• Work collaboratively with teammates and regulated institution management and employees.
• Show a positive learning attitude and understanding of workplace etiquette.
• Demonstrate excellent verbal and non-verbal communication skills.
• A high degree of emotional intelligence.
• Strong conflict management and conflict resolution skills.

Additional Information

Duty Station and Travel Requirements:The examiner’s time is spent in the field (approximately 30%) or remotely conducting examinations at various financial institutions throughout the state.

During your first year, you can expect additional travel (up to 50%) as you will be attending approximately five, one-week long training courses in Washington D.C.

This position requires some overnight travel. When not in the field conducting examinations, work assignments will be completed at your home residence – which will be your official duty station.

Occasional travel to DFI Headquarters in Tumwater for training and/or meetings is required. Applicants should reside in Thurston, Pierce, or King County.

Candidates from other counties in Washington State may be considered, depending on location.

Typical Work Schedule:The work schedule for this position is Monday – Thursday 7:30 am – 5:30 pm with alternating Fridays off. On the working Friday, work hours will be 7:30 am – 4:00 pm.

Examiners will have an hour for lunch each day, except for on the working Friday when lunch is half an hour. Application Process:Applications for this recruitment will be accepted electronically.

Submitting your application materials electronically will act as confirmation that the information submitted is complete and accurate to the best of your knowledge.

Failure to provide all required application materials and complete supplemental questionnaire may result in disqualification.Interested applicants should select the “Apply” button and attach the following materials to their application:

• Cover Letter
• Resume
• Three professional references* (provide contact name, phone number, email address, company name, and job title)
• Unofficial College Transcript(s)

*A professional reference is someone who has been paid to supervise your work and can attest to your work performance, technical skills, and job competencies. If you do not have sufficient professional references, please include non-professional references, such as educators or other professional associates.

Background Investigation:
Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal and credit 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.

About Our Agency:

The Washington State Department of Financial Institutions' (DFI) mission is to protect consumers and advance the financial health of Washington State by providing fair regulation of financial services and educating consumers to make informed financial decisions.

Collectively and independently, the Department's nearly 250 employees within its 5 divisions - Administration, Banks, Consumer Services, Credit Unions, and Securities - work together to create a stronger economic future and secure financial environment for Washington's consumers and businesses alike.

DFI is self-supporting, in that none of its operating revenues come from the state's general tax funds. Its operating revenues are paid by the organizations and individuals it regulates.

To learn more about the Department of Financial Institutions, please visit our website at www.dfi.wa.gov.

We employ and serve diverse people of all backgrounds including people of color, women, LGBTQ+, people with disabilities, and veterans. This culture of respect promotes a professional and inclusive environment where maximizing potential through opportunity is achievable by everyone.

Benefits of working for DFI include:

• Medical, dental, retirement, and generous paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays.
• Healthy work-life balance.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion where every person is recognized and valued.
• Telecommuting up to three days per week and flexible work hours.
• Professional development and continuing education opportunities, including DFI’s in-house CLE program and other training that ensures employees are successful.
• You may be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.

About the Division:
The Division of Credit Unions (DCU) examines and supervises 48 state-chartered credit unions for safety and soundness and compliance with applicable credit union laws in order to protect members’ financial interests. Although these credit unions are our customers, the citizens are the ultimate beneficiaries of DCU’s work. DCU is comprised of approximately 26 staff members who work together with a team approach to examine and analyze state-chartered credit unions.

Recruiter Contact Information:
Tom Grant
recruiting@dfi.wa.gov