[Hiring] Controller @State of Washington

Role Description

This position will be open until filled; however, the hiring manager has the right to close the announcement at any time. First review of applications is on 11/17/2026.

The ideal candidate for this position will possess well-developed accounting, analytical, and communication skills, and have experience supervising professional and technical staff within a diverse agency workforce. The controller is relied upon to work collaboratively with all levels of management and line staff to ensure responsible stewardship of public funds and excellent customer service standards. The Ideal candidate will also be responsible for understanding, interpreting, and communicating numerous state and federal fiscal and accounting policies and practices applicable to all department funding sources and activities.

If you have strong communications and relationship management skills and are excited about leading a team of professional and technical staff in service delivery for Washingtonians – we are looking for you!

The Controller oversees the agency's accounting functions, including federal grant accounting, revenue, payables, expenditures, receivables, and maintaining internal controls. This position will ensure that the agency's fiscal policies are compliant with state and federal laws and regulations.

Duties

• Responsible and accountable for understanding, interpreting, and communicating numerous state and federal fiscal and accounting policies and practices applicable to all Department funding sources and activities.
• Assures appropriate and optimum use of the Financial Office resources and enhances the effectiveness of employees through timely appraisals and professional development opportunities.
• Supervises three WMS2 managers with oversight of Specialized Accounting, Grant Accounting, Vendor Pay and Systems, and Financial Reporting.
• Provides advice and direction on fiscal matters pertaining to the training, consultation, and education of agency staff and the local Workforce Development Councils.
• Maintains the highest standards of personal, professional, and ethical conduct and supports the state's and agency's goals for a diverse workforce.
• Develops and trains managers and frontline supervisors.

Scope of the Role

• Operating budget controlled: The Financial Services annual operating budget under this position's responsibility is approximately $3.3 million.
• This position serves on state and agency-wide budget, expenditure review, and cost analysis taskforces and committees formed on an ongoing and ad hoc basis.
• This position serves as a resource on a variety of financial issues and questions that come before the agency.
• Establishes and maintains an open and active association with other governmental agencies ensuring ESD is informed and has a cooperative partnership that is responsive to changing environments.

Qualifications

• 6 years of professional-level governmental accounting or financial management experience.
• 18 quarter or 12 semester hours in accounting, auditing, or budgeting.
• 3 years of experience includes supervising professional fiscal staff or managing a complex financial unit, including supervising lower-level managers or supervisors.
• Associate’s degree in finance, accounting, business administration, public administration, or a closely related field which includes 18 quarter or 12 semester hours in accounting, auditing, or budgeting.
• 4 years of professional-level governmental accounting or financial management experience.
• 2 years of experience includes supervising professional fiscal staff or managing a complex financial unit, including supervising lower-level managers or supervisors.
• OR Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, business administration, public administration, or a closely related field which includes 18 quarter or 12 semester hours in accounting, auditing, or budgeting.
• 2 years of professional-level governmental accounting or financial management experience.
• One year of experience includes supervising professional fiscal staff or managing a complex financial unit, including supervising lower-level managers or supervisors.

Requirements

• The ability to take action to learn and grow.
• The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.
• Ability to plan, organize, direct, and control the workflows of a multi-functional Accounting Unit (including AP, AR, revenue, expenditures, and federal grants).
• Proven capability to manage tight timelines and successfully execute state and federal fiscal year-end closing processes.
• Advanced ability to analyze, interpret, and apply complex state and federal fiscal laws, rules, and regulations to diverse funding sources.
• Expertise in federal cost principles, cost determination methodologies, indirect cost rates, and the preparation of agency-wide cost plans.
• Skilled in directing and mentoring managers across diverse sub-units (Grants, Systems, Vendor Pay, etc.).
• Ability to maintain transparent, effective communication channels vertically and horizontally across the organization.
• Adherence to the highest standards of personal, professional, and ethical conduct; unwavering commitment to the responsible stewardship of public funds.
• Commitment to driving excellent customer service standards within a financial operations environment.

Preferred/Desired Education, Experience, and Competencies

• Certification: Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM), or Certified Public Finance Officer (CPFO).
• Direct experience developing and submitting annual cost plans to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL).
• Expert knowledge of the State Administrative and Accounting Manual (SAAM), Revised Code of Washington (RCW), and Office of Financial Management (OFM) policies and regulations.
• Comprehensive understanding of Federal OMB Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200), federal cost principles, and federal grant administration.
• Thorough knowledge of Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) pronouncements.

Additional Requirement of Employment

• Must be able to pass an Unemployment Insurance (UI) Claim & Benefit Information Review.
• Must be able to travel as needed.

Supplemental Information

Our agency's mission and values drive every decision that we make, determine how we interact with others, and are at the core of who we are. We value Access, Love, Belonging, Equity, and Stewardship. We understand that a work environment that respects your work/life balance is key; that's why many of our positions are eligible for flexible work schedules and teleworking opportunities. Through support, value, and trust, our employees are empowered to grow and develop into their best self.

We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, ethnic, racial, religious, sexual orientation, and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, people over 40 years of age, people with religious beliefs, veterans or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply.

The Employment Security Department is an equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.

If you are a person needing assistance in the application process, if you need this job announcement in an alternate format, or if you have general questions about this opportunity, please contact Caleb Baldwin or at 253-306-2999 or the Talent Acquisition Team, prior to the position closing.

If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, please contact careershelp@des.wa.gov or (360) 664-1960 or toll free (877) 664-1960, Washington Relay 711.

This Organization Participates in E-Verify