Accounting Manager (WMS BAND 2)

Description

Our vision is to ensure that "Washington state's children and youth grow up safe and healthy—thriving physically, emotionally and academically, nurtured by family and community."

Job Title: Accounting Manager (WMS02)
Location: Olympia, WA – In Office
Closes:  Wednesday, April 22nd, 2026
Salary:  $97,469 - $121,836 Annually

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is accepting applications for an Accounting Manager to lead and oversee the agency's Accounting section within the Financial and Business Services Division (FBSD). This position plays a critical role in managing financial operations that directly support DCYF's $1 billion annual budget and the services provided to children, youth, and families across Washington State.

The Accounting section is comprised of dedicated fiscal professionals responsible for agency-wide accounting operations, including accounts payable, purchasing, travel, statewide vendor management, and social service payments. This position directly supervises five employees, including four Fiscal Analyst 5/Lead positions, and reports directly to the DCYF Comptroller.

Click here to learn more about DCYF.

The Opportunity:

As the Accounting Manager, you will serve as the operational and strategic lead for DCYF's Accounting section, ensuring the financial integrity of the agency's records from daily transactions through fiscal year close. You will oversee state and federal accounting and reporting activities, develop and maintain accounting policies and procedures.

This is a high-impact leadership role. Errors in this position carry significant consequences, including the potential inability to draw down hundreds of millions in federal revenue, audit findings, and disruption of services to vulnerable populations. The right candidate brings both technical expertise and the leadership presence to guide a team through complex, deadline-driven work. The ideal candidate brings a blend of leadership, judgment, and operational discipline that ensures DCYF’s financial systems remain accurate, compliant, and audit-ready. We are looking for someone who can operate confidently in a complex public-sector environment and who understands the real-world impact of financial integrity on children, families, youth and communities.

Some of what you will do:

• Manage and supervise Accounting section staff, including daily operations, work schedules, task prioritization, and alignment with state and federal fiscal deadlines.
• Train, mentor, and develop direct reports in accounting methods and procedures; conduct timely performance appraisals and support professional development opportunities.
• Provide strong leadership to the Accounting section, ensuring staff complete all work accurately, timely and in full compliance with state and federal fiscal requirements. 
• Establish and maintain a robust internal control environment, ensuring staff follow proper accounting practices, documentation standards, and audit-ready procedures. 
• Direct and manage the operations accounting unit responsible for disbursement, accrual, revenue reporting, and reconciliation activities.
• Develop and oversee DCYF state and federal fiscal accounting records and reporting activities, including accounts payable/receivable, state fiscal year close, and federal fiscal year close.
• Respond to fiscal inquiries from internal and external partners that require analysis and resolution of issues with long-term impacts to DCYF's financial records.
• Implement and adhere to federal and state accounting policies in accordance with the Code of Federal Regulations and the State Administrative and Accounting Manual (SAAM).
• Interpret and implement agency and statewide policies related to cash management, accounts receivable, and accounts payable; establish and maintain internal controls to protect agency assets.
• Lead planning and continuous improvement efforts for the Accounting section, including designing and implementing new systems, business practices, and agency-wide accounting policies and procedures.
• Lead and coordinate fiscal year-end and biennium-end closeout activities, ensuring timely completion of accruals, reconciliation, and reporting in alignment with SAAM, federal, and statewide deadlines.
• Design and implement new systems, workflows, and accounting policies to increases efficiency and strengthen fiscal accountability. 
• Resolve staff disputes and grievances and mediate conflict as necessary; maintain the highest standards of professional and ethical conduct.

There are two ways to meet the minimum qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in finance, public administration, accounting, or a related field AND five (5) years of employment experience in financial, analytical, and/or accounting fields.

OR
Nine (9) years of employment experience in financial, analytical, and/or accounting fields.

AND

1. The ability to take action to learn and grow.
2. The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.

In addition to those required qualifications, our ideal applicant will also have some or all of the following:

• CPA or Master's degree in finance, public administration, accounting, or a related field.
• More than five years of experience in financial, analytical, or accounting roles.
• Three or more years of supervisory experience.
• Knowledge of Washington State OFM regulations, GAAP, and the State Administrative and Accounting Manual (SAAM).
• Experience with federal entitlement program regulations and compliance.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate complex financial information clearly to non-financial audiences.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, for complex data reporting and analysis

How do I apply? 
Complete your applicant profile and attach the following documents:

• Letter of interest describing how you meet the specific qualifications for this position
• Current resume detailing experience and education

Supplemental Information:

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is committed to Washington's children and youth growing up safe, healthy, and thriving. We invite all candidates to join us in our mission to create a diverse and equitable workplace that reflects the communities we serve. If you are excited about this role but believe your education and/or experience might not align perfectly with every qualification listed, we encourage you to apply anyway.

DCYF is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, 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 service animal by a person with a disability.

Benefits eligibility for this position may be different than what's listed in the benefits tab of this recruitment announcement. For more information on employee benefits eligibility, visit the Public Employee Benefits Board (PEBB).

If you have any questions pertaining to this recruitment or would like to request an accommodation throughout the application/interview process, contact the Talent Acquisition Specialist. If you're experiencing technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or email support@neogov.com.

Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format may call the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at 360-664-1960.

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