Managing Director of Accounting (WMS 3)

Full Job Description

Managing Director of Accounting (WMS 3)
At the Department of Commerce, we’re reimagining what’s possible in government. We’re builders, thinkers, and change-makers, working at the intersection of innovation, community, and impact. From unlocking critical funding to fueling inclusive economic growth, we’re turning big ideas into real-world solutions that uplift people and places.

Our agency’s strength lies in the diversity of our workforce and the breadth of the lived experiences and perspectives employees bring to the work.

We believe equity is not just a value but a practice, which is reflected in how we design programs, engage communities, and deliver outcomes.

We foster a workplace culture where curiosity is encouraged, bold thinking is welcomed, and collaboration drives our impact.

Let’s build what’s next, together.

The Financial Services Division (FSD) is responsible for the Commerce Department’s consolidated Accounting and Budgeting functions and leads the agency’s fiscal policy. These services support Commerce’s financial health and compliance objectives and ensure financial compliance with state and federal regulations and accurate financial reports for the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR).

This position reports to the Deputy Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and is responsible for direction, oversight, management and administration of a full range of accounting activities and services including federal grant accounting, accounts payable, accounts receivable, agency assets, capital leases, cash receipting, payroll processes, and general ledger reconciliations.

The Accounting Services Managing Director directs and oversees all consolidated accounting services for the department. This position is responsible for establishing, directing and monitoring accounting activities to ensure the agency provides timely and accurate financial stewardship for all funds coming into and out of the agency. This position acts as the agency decision authority for determining compliance with federal and statewide accounting laws, regulations, policies and practices. The position ensures financial resources are managed effectively and properly throughout the entire agency.

A critical function of the Accounting Services Managing Director is to provide recommendations to the CFO to establish, create and direct the department's financial policy activities and provide leadership in internal controls, accounting operations, and financial management practices throughout the department. In consultation with others in FSD, this position will help guide staff in navigating complex financial services for the wide variety of grants, loans and contracts managed by the Department. At times, needs will arise to advise executive management and help shape decisions made for effective internal controls and accounting practices throughout the 100+ programs in the Department.

This position directs the work of the Accounting team, including payroll, general accounting, travel reimbursement, grant management, loans, and contracts accounting. This position establishes and oversees processes and procedures within the Accounting team, and coordinates with partners outside the Accounting team and throughout the agency to improve processes and provide training.

Requirements

Executive Leadership Support:
• Develops and recommends agency-wide policy related to all financial practices and participate on policy committee to influence all agency policy
• Writes and approves procedures related to all financial activity including grant and loan accounting, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, travel, complete financial reporting, general ledger reconciliations and other related financial procedures
• Advises the Director, Director’s Executive Team, and Executive Leadership Team regarding federal and state financial laws and regulations, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), RCW, WAC and SAAM.

Support enterprise resource planning and the transition to Workday:
• Leads business process re-engineering for accounting tasks, and supports business process re-engineering for processes that impact other teams
• Establishes processes and procedures that enhance business continuity
• Provides and supports cross-training and process documentation within the team

Qualifications

Required Education, and Experience:
10 years of combined experience and education as described below:
Experience: must include two or more of the following areas:
• Washington State accounting policy and procedures
• Federal grant management
• Management of revolving loans
• Auditing principles
• Public administration and management principles
• Strategic Leadership and Planning Skills
• Understand complex financial information, translate to actionable insight for internal leadership, legislative partners and external stakeholders
• Change management
• Knowledge of AFRS, Workday, and/or other related financial management tools
• Cultivate working relationships with Office of Financial Management partners, federal cognizant agencies and other state agencies.
• Strong written, verbal, and presentation skills, with ability to communicate financial information clearly and persuasively to a wide range of audiences.

A minimum of 2 years of supervisory or lead experience
Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, accounting, or public administration or closely aligned field.

Examples of how to qualify:
• 10 years of experience
• 9 years of experience and one year of education
• 8 years of experience and two years of education
• 7 years of experience and three years of education
• 6 years of experience and four years of education
• 5 years of experience and five years of education
• 4 years of experience and six years of education

Preferred/Desired Education, Experience, and Competencies:
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) accreditation
• MS or BS in Accounting
• Experience working with the Washington state fiscal cycle
• Experience with Washington state financial applications such as Workday, AFRS, Enterprise Reports, WEBI, HRMS, etc.
• Advanced skills in standard Microsoft Office products such as Word, Excel, Teams, PowerPoint, and Outlook

Required Position Competencies:
• Strong interpersonal skills including relationship building, problem solving and teamwork
• Ability to communicate clearly and accurately, and to work effectively with staff, other divisions, stakeholders and public.
• Ability to intuitively anticipate problems and the impact of potential changes.
• Demonstrated change management skills.

To be considered for this position the following are needed:

• A complete and detailed online application.
• A cover letter (enter online).
• At least three professional references (enter online).

For questions about this recruitment, please contact our recruitment team via email: comrecruitment@commerce.wa.gov - please reference the job number in your message.

Additional Information

Work from Anywhere in Washington State
This position may be located anywhere within Washington State though occasional travel to a Commerce office building or in-state travel to attend events or meetings may be required. If selected, you will need to travel to pick up equipment and receive instruction. Many Commerce employees work remotely or have a hybrid schedule.

This recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies over the next 60 days.

Technical support is provided by NEOGOV, 855-524-5627 (can't log in, password or email issues, error messages). DES job seeker support may answer general questions regarding the recruiting system at careershelp@des.wa.gov.

Our Commitment to Equal Opportunity
The Washington State Department of Commerce is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, veterans or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply. Persons needing accommodation in the application, testing, or interview process or this job announcement in an alternative format may email Human Resources at Human.Resources@commerce.wa.gov. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.

Department of Commerce also offers a competitive benefits package including: medical and dental insurance benefits, retirement and deferred compensation plans, 11 paid holidays each year, 14-25 vacation days per year (depending on length of employment), 8 hours of sick leave per month (if full time employed), bereavement leave, an employee assistance program, as well as other benefits. Please see the Benefits Tab for more details.