Financial Reporting Manager

Full Job Description

Would you enjoy supporting and developing a talented team focused on fiscal responsibility through accurate financial reporting?

Are you motivated by leading complex financial reporting processes and building strong working relationships that make effective cross-agency coordination possible?

If you excel at translating complex financial standards into clear reliable reporting, guiding teams through critical deadlines, and building and maintaining trusted partnerships, then the Financial Reporting Manager role at the Department of Retirement Systems may be the ideal role for you!

Requirements

This recruitment will remain open until filled. Applicants who apply by 8 am (PDT) on Monday, March 16, 2026, will get first consideration. The hiring manager reserves the right to make a hiring decision at any time during the recruitment process.

Interviews for this role will be held in-person at our Tumwater, WA office and are tentatively scheduled for March 24 through 27.

The Opportunity

We are seeking a highly skilled Financial Reporting Manager to provide leadership, direction, and oversight for all financial reporting activities for the Department of Retirement Systems.

This role will build trusted relationships with stakeholders, employers, auditors, and partner agencies to ensure accurate and timely financial reporting of the pension trust funds and administrative funds that support 15 retirement plans, representing more than $200 billion in assets.

Some of what you'll do includes:

• Planning, organizing, directing, and supporting the work performed by the Financial Reporting team responsible for all financial reporting activities for the Department of Retirement Systems.
  
• Representing the agency in cross-agency coordination with the Office of Financial Management, State Actuary’s Office, State Investment Board, Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, and the State Auditor’s Office.
  
  
• Serving as the agency’s subject matter expert on financial reporting standards, including the interpretation and implementation of Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) requirements.
  
• Overseeing the full fiscal year lifecycle, including accruals, closing schedules, audits, and financial statement preparation.
  
• Ensuring the accuracy and timeliness of critical financial information shared with key state partners and approximately 1400 participating employers across the state.
  
• Directing the preparation of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR), Participating Employer Financial Information, Actuarial Valuation Information, and 401h IRS Compliance Testing.
  
  
• Maintaining and updating the agency’s chart of accounts to support legislative provisos and statewide accounting structures.
  
• Leading, mentoring, and developing the Financial Reporting team through performance management, professional development, and resource optimization.

Qualifications

What we’re looking for (required qualifications):

Experience for qualifications can be gained through various combinations of professional employment, education, and volunteer/personal experience. Experience can be concurrent:

• Demonstrated expertise and progressively responsible experience providing consultation, analysis and/or audit responsibilities in a fiscal environment that required the interpretation and analysis of state and federal rules, laws, policies and procedures.
  
  This is typically gained through at least five (5) years of professional experience; a bachelor’s degree (including 18 quarter or 12 semester hours in accounting) may substitute for up to two years of experience; and
  
  
• Demonstrated ability in providing leadership, direction, and coordination for a high-performing team gained through lead, supervisory, managerial, or project experience; and

Demonstrated proficiency in the following competency areas:

AnalysisStudies and reviews documents and information closely; readily identifies information that is not pertinent and understands when additional or verifying data is needed.

Uses data and information in a clear and rational thought process to assess and understand issues, evaluate options, form accurate conclusions, and make recommendations and decisions.

Attention to Detail
Plans and organizes time and resources efficiently. Follows processes and procedures in the completion of work. Carefully monitors the details and quality of work and double-checks work product to ensure accuracy and consistency.

Communication
Effectively conveys information in writing and verbally, using language that is appropriate to the complexity of the topic and the knowledge and understanding of the audience.

Customer Focus
Dedicated to meeting the expectations and requirements of customers. Delivers high quality services and products. Establishes and maintains effective customer relationships. Always acts with the customer in mind.

Leading OthersProvides for and fosters a work environment that emphasizes the coaching, development, motivation, recognition, and accountability of others.

Sets clear goals and expectations, delegates work appropriately, and values and uses feedback.Also demonstrates the courage to address problems and difficult issues promptly.

Treats team members equitably.

Managing WorkloadsEffectively organizes and prioritizes multiple, complex assignments, often involving competing priorities, to produce work products that are accurate, thorough, and on time.

Transitions easily between tasks and can incorporate project work into established workload and meet deadlines.

Learning and GrowthDemonstrates a growth mindset by actively seeking opportunities to learn, improve, and expand capabilities.

Displays curiosity about new ideas and perspectives and an openness to innovation, change, and feedback.

Takes responsibility for personal learning by identifying and communicating needs and challenges, and applying new knowledge to navigate systems, tools, and processes.

Reflects on experiences to identify strengths and areas for improvement, using learning to make government programs and processes more efficient and effective in serving the people of Washington.

Meeting the Needs of OthersDemonstrates empathy, flexibility, and responsiveness when interacting with customers, colleagues, and community members.

Understands that others have varied needs and perspectives and adapts communication and actions accordingly.

Builds relationships and collaborates to increase access, opportunity, and positive outcomes for all.

Balances and considers all parties’ needs when developing solutions, ensuring equity, respect, and service excellence in every interaction.

The following are not required but will set you apart:
Demonstrated knowledge of and experience with:

• WA state’s Agency Financial Reporting System (AFRS)
• WA state's Accounting and Administration Manual (SAAM)
• Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)
• Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB)
• Experience in a supervisory role, including setting goals and expectations, providing effective direction and feedback, conducting performance appraisals, and managing employee performance in a fair and consistent manner.

Additional Information

Be sure to read this entire section – We promise, it’ll be helpful!

How to Apply: Interested applicants who meet the qualifications and competencies in this announcement are encouraged to apply.

• To be considered for this position, please be sure to attach the following to your online application:
  
  1. A cover letter letting us know why you're interested in this role and clearly describing how your knowledge, skills and abilities align with the job duties, qualifications, and competencies of this position.
     
     
  2. A chronological resume is helpful but is not required.
     
     Applications without a cover letter, as described above, will not be considered.
     
     

Be sure to complete all sections of the on-line application and answer all supplemental questions. The work history section of the on-line application should be completed fully.

Application fields that say "see resume/attachment" will not be considered.Only those applicants whose background and experience most closely match the qualifications and competencies of this position will be considered for this opportunity.

References, Personnel File Review, and Background Checks

• If you are a preferred candidate for this position, a professional reference from your current or most recent supervisor will be required in addition to at least one additional professional reference.
• If you are a current or recent state employee, we will also review your personnel file as part of our selection process.
• A job offer is contingent upon completion of a background check that includes a criminal record review.

Work Authorization

• Candidates who are offered a job with DRS must possess work authorization that does not require sponsorship by the employer for a visa now or in the future;

DRS complies with the employment eligibility verification requirements of the federal employment eligibility verification form, I-9.

The selected candidate must be able to provide proof of identity and eligibility to work in the United States consistent with the requirements of that form on the first day of employment.

• DRS does not use E-Verify; therefore, we are not eligible to extend STEM-Optional Practice Training (OPT). For information, please visitwww.uscis.gov.
• Persons legally authorized to work in the U.S. under federal law, including Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients, are eligible for employment unless prohibited by other state or federal law.

Certified Candidate Pool

• This recruitment may be used to fill future similar vacancies for up to sixty (60) days.


Why Work for DRS? At DRS, we are one team. We administer eight public retirement systems, 15 retirement plans, and the Deferred Compensation Program, and we serve over 930,000 current and former public employees in Washington. Our customers include fire fighters, teachers and school employees, state and local government employees, and public safety and law enforcement officers.

Regardless of what our specific duties may be, we are all dedicated to one purpose: ensuring our members have the information, tools, expertise and services that ensure they receive the retirement benefits earned while in public service. We foster a diverse and inclusive environment where team members are fully engaged and supported in meeting (and exceeding) our customers’ expectations. All DRS leaders are focused on providing coaching, mentoring, resources and support that team members need to be successful.

DRS offers a generous benefits package that includes membership in the Public Employees Retirement System, health, dental and vision coverage and participation in the Deferred Compensation Program.

Also, as a public service employee you may also be eligible for student loan forgiveness. (See the Benefits tab at the top of this post for more information).

Other perks include:

• Flexible work schedules
• Infants at Work Program
• Tuition reimbursement
• Opportunities for professional growth
• Access to LinkedIn Learning
• Commitment to team member safety and wellness
• Community involvement and charitable giving opportunities
• Commute Trip Reduction Program
• Free Parking and EV Chargers available
  
  
Veteran's Preference: Applicants wishing to claim Veteran's Preference should attach a copy of their DD214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22, or signed verification of service letter from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to their application. Please remove or redact any personally identifiable information such as social security numbers and year of birth. For additional information on Veteran's Preference and guidance on how to determine if you are eligible, click here.

The Washington State Department of Retirement Systems is an equal opportunity employer supporting diversity, equity and inclusion. DRS does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, race, creed, color, national origin, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability.

If you need assistance with the online application or have questions regarding the recruitment, please contact Human Resource office at drs.recruitment@drs.wa.gov.Persons of disability needing assistance in the application process, or those needing this announcement in an alternate format, may call the Human Resources Office at (360) 664-7309 or TTY Relay Service at 711.

Come join the DRS team!