Fiscal Analyst 4

Effective July 1, 2024 there will be a 3% General Wage Increase.

We are hiring two Fiscal Analysis 4

At the Department of Commerce we strive to be creative, collaborative, and trusted. We identify opportunities to deliver critical funding and services to strengthen communities and aim to promote equity in all aspects of our work. We believe that a diverse and inclusive workforce is essential to our success, and we work to foster an environment where all individuals are valued and respected. We cultivate an environment in which we continuously learn, and we own our work.

We invite all candidates to join us in our mission to create a diverse and equitable workplace that reflects the richness of the communities we serve. Together, we can build a brighter and more inclusive future.

The Financial Services Division (FSD) provides professional accounting, budget, contracting, and internal control services that support Commerce's financial health and compliance objectives and ensures financial compliance with state and federal regulations and accurate financial reports for the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR).

This position serves as Commerce's one of Commerce's principal assistants to the FA5 travel supervisor.  This position works independently with general supervision and provides Commerce employees guidance in travel reimbursement requests as well as processing the requests.   This position provides expert level financial review, analysis and interpretation of fiscal data in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), federal regulations, Washington State regulations, and agency policies and procedures pertaining to travel reimbursements to employees, contractors and board members.

Reporting to the General Accounting Manager this position is one of two travel principle assistants in the Travel Unit and is responsible for the accurate financial reporting.  This position serves as one of two in the agency travel reimbursement accounting compliance expert.  This position ensures that the Department of Commerce earns the trust of the citizens of Washington through knowledgeable and accurate financial reporting.

Duties:

• As a key part of the Travel Unit and is one of two principal travel reimbursement experts for the agency to include analyzing, verifying and returning complex travel requests for correction as needed using Travel and Expense Management System (TEMS).

• Conducts financial review and analysis focused on travel, RCW's, policies and procedures at both the state and agency level ensuring alignment with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Office of Financial Management (OFM) regulations, records management guidelines, federal regulations and agency fiscal policies and procedures.

• Provides interpretation of State and agency policies and procedures, in order to for accurate processing of complex travel reimbursements, such as out of state, foreign and additional complex reimbursements. .

• Responsible for releasing FA2 processed travel reimbursement requests in AFRS, timely.

• Responsible for quality assurance and spot checks for policy adherence and budget approval.

• Responsible for reviewing room rentals, meals, light refreshments, and other travel related reimbursement requests for correct per diem rates, prior approvals, and proper detail of expenditures.

• Assists with the General Ledger 1383 travel advance reconciliations to ensure timely resolution using Enterprise Reporting (ER) and creates correction journal vouchers using Contract Management System (CMS).

• Reviews, analyzes, verifies and corrects the accounting data using journal vouchers into the Agency Financial Reporting System (AFRS) and Travel Expense Management System (TEMS)

• Reconcile and process payment on the US Bank agency travel cards.

• Assists in the development of agency wide travel training curriculum for employees, board members and contracted vendors.

• Assists in travel regulation training to all Commerce Employees.

• Monitors the travel email inbox and responds to all individual employee travel policy inquiries within three business days.

• Provides management information related to travel expenditures, the timely processing of travel reimbursement requests, and the status of timely reimbursements processed.

• Provides managers information to better educate staff that are struggling with submitting correct travel reimbursements.  Including scheduling time to train those in need of more policy guidance.

• Provides training to fiscal analysts assigned to processing travel.

• Reviews, analyzes, verifies and corrects the accounting data into the Agency Financial Reporting System (AFRS)

• As requested by management, budget coordinators and others, research financial transactions in various financial systems and prepares and processes correcting journal vouchers

• Provides back-up coverage to other Fiscal Analysts within the Accounting Office as needed

• Continuously participates in review of procedures and practices for improvement ideas, not only for duties of this position, but also for Accounting, Financial Services Division and the Department as a whole

• We value teamwork and strive for workload balance.  Duties are assigned/reassigned temporarily and/or permanently to accomplish overall goals and/or to assist the Unit, Accounting Office or the agency to accomplish business needs

Required Qualifications

• A combination of education and/or relevant experience, equal to seven (7) years of professional financial experience which includes experience with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)Education (18 quarter or twelve semester college credits in accounting, finance, auditing or budgeting from an accredited institution).

• Demonstrated ability to work well with others and uphold the Commerce's vision of an inclusive, collaborative, and professional culture.

• Results Focus

• Targets and achieves results, sets challenging goals, prioritizes tasks, overcomes obstacles, accepts accountability, sets standards and responsibilities, provides leadership

• Collaboration

• Helps team and stakeholders meet goals and responsibilities, listens to others and values opinions, promotes a collaborative environment, is a trusted partner who communicates openly and honestly

• Fiscal Accountability

• Responsibly and accurately handle the public's money when processing financial transactions

• Excellent written and oral communication skills

• Demonstrated ability to provide excellent customer service and maintain confidentiality

• Demonstrated experience in process improvement and problem solving

• Demonstrated detail-oriented and analytical thinking

• Demonstrated creative, collaborative and trustworthy behavior

• Demonstrated ability to consistently follow applicable financial rules, regulations, and standards

Desired Qualifications and Experience:

• A bachelor's degree from and accredited institution which includes 18 quarter or 12 semester hours in accounting, auditing or budgeting.

• Two years of experience with governmental accounting and Washington state financial systems (e.g. Agency Financial Reporting System (AFRS), Financial Toolbox, and Enterprise Reporting)

• Experience using State and federal policies and laws including the State Administrative and Accounting Manual (SAAM)

• Knowledge of accounting theories and practices, such as internal controls, separation of duties, and cash handling

• Experience reconciling general ledgers to subsidiary accounts and preparing corrections

• Create and populate financial transactions using the Agency Financial Reporting System (AFRS) Financial Toolbox

• Intermediate skill level in the Microsoft Office suite of products including Excel, Word, and Outlook

• One year experience processing or supervising state travel reimbursements

• One year experience using the state's Travel and Expense Management System(TEMS)

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.

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 remote 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 call Human Resources at (360) 725-2650. 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.