Local Government Support Specialist

Full Job Description

Local Government Support Specialist

Temporary Assistant State Auditor 5 (AAM)

*Open to internal applicants only*

About Team Local Government Support:

The Local Government Support (LGS) Team offers a unique opportunity for team members to participate in a variety of functions and duties.

Team LGS is responsible for the GAAP and Cash Budgeting, Accounting and Reporting System (BARS) Manuals, the Annual Report Filing System, over 560 assessment audits, the compilation and quality control review of audit reports, and financial statement and ACFR reviews.

Team LGS also serves as the agency expert on topics related to accounting, budgeting, and reporting for both GAAP and cash reporting local governments.

LGS members provide technical accounting services for the Office.

Within the agency, LGS members support government transparency and accountability, foster collaboration across teams, and promote the Office’s mission and values, and a professional, respectful, and constructive work environment.

With external parties, LGS members present a positive, professional image, and represent the Office’s interests and mission.

Requirements

Temporary assignment: estimated dates May 1, 2026 – October 31, 2026.

As a member of the LGS team, this position will provide technical accounting services and support; training guidance to audit staff, agency clients, and professional associations; and support for the audit report review and GAAP financial report review functions.

Required duties of this role include:

• Perform ACFR and financial statement reviews. Communicate the results to the auditors and help them resolve deficiencies.

• Perform reviews of audit reports to ensure compliance with professional standards prior to final LGS processing and release of reports. Communicate the results to the audit teams and help them resolve deficiencies

• Provide technical assistance relating to accounting, budgeting, and reporting to audit staff, state and local government officials and staff, and others.

Additional duties may include, depending on qualifications:

• Research new GASB standards regarding the impact on accounting and reporting requirements for local governments. Assist in the preparation of BARS updates based on this research.

Provide or create training: develop and deliver presentations and training on accounting, budgeting, and reporting topics to the audit staff, state and local government employees and to other professional organizations.

Training sessions include all day trainings scheduled across Washington State and through e-learning platforms.

• Support other LGS team members by assisting with team projects and/or agency-wide special projects.

Qualifications

This is an opportunity for either a temporary transfer of an established ASA 5 or a temporary promotion to the ASA 5 classification, depending on qualifications:

• Staff wishing to be considered for an ASA 5 promotional opportunity must have the minimum required two years of governmental auditing experience, and

This position requires extensive GAAP financial statement review experience, preferably using the GFOA certificate of achievement review checklist (3-5 years with numerous reviews performed each year).

This experience can be a combination of checklist reviews and in-depth preparation of GAAP financial statements/ACFRs (3-5 years of primary responsibility of preparing the financial statement package).

The successful candidate will have:

• Demonstrated experience using sound judgment, problem solving skills and making recommendations on complex issues.
• Demonstrated professional maturity, innovation and initiative.
• Strong written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
• Demonstrated the ability to handle multiple projects and deadlines.
• Demonstrated the ability to work well in groups and on your own.
• Demonstrated experience interpreting and applying SAO’s BARS GAAP and Cash Manuals.
• Demonstrated experience interpreting and applying Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, including researching and analysis of GASB Standards.
• Demonstrated experience interpreting and applying Generally Accepted Auditing Standards, Generally Accepted Governmental Auditing Standards and Governmental Accounting Standards.

This position will report to the Local Government Support’s Training Lead/BARS Specialist. The duty station is open to statewide SAO office locations and may qualify for teleworking schedules.

Additional Information

To Apply:

If you are interested in this position:

• Submit a letter of interest describing your qualifications and detailed list of experience related to the duties and qualifications listed above.

Questions:

If you have questions about the position, please contact email HROps@SAO.WA.GOV, and your question(s) will be routed to the appropriate person for response.

Interview Schedule:

Interviews will be scheduled for Tuesday, April 13, 2026.