Senior Financial Consultant

Note: This recruitment will be used to fill two (2) positions. The initial application review will begin the on 12/26/23, and the hiring manager may make a hiring decision at any time. It will be in your best interest to apply as soon as possible.
Who we are:
The Department of Enterprise Services (DES) provides centralized business services to state government agencies; to other public entities such as cities, counties and tribes; and to Washington residents. DES' mission is to strengthen the business of government for a sustainable and just future. We do this by creating overall operating efficiencies so our state's government entities can focus on their core missions. Our buying power, economies of scale and years of experience help government get the best value for the products and services they need to support their missions. We value Respect, Integrity, Excellence, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. We seek new team members who share our commitment to be an equity-driven and antiracist organization. We listen to customers and team members to understand what they need and expect. We promote creativity, learning and improvement to meet those needs and adapt to the ever-changing business environment. We measure our results and seek feedback to improve our performance.
About the Finance Division:
The Finance Division provides accounting and budget services to DES and 40 smaller state agencies. The divisions mission is to deliver comprehensive financial management services and support to our customers so they can make informed business decisions and achieve financial health goals. We strive to create a workplace culture that is centered around team and customer satisfaction. We recognize that in order to provide worldclass services to our customers, we must first take care of ourselves and each other. We do this by living out our team member satisfaction expectations of:

• Meaningful work- We recognize that our work has purpose and know how it contributes to the goals of our teams, division, and agency.
• Work-life integration- We maintain a human-centered culture that promotes empathy, flexibility, autonomy, and assistance so we can maintain a well-balanced life.
• Growth- We encourage personal and professional growth by providing tools, resources, support, and opportunities, so we can enhance our knowledge, skills, and strengths to achieve our fullest potential.
• Teamwork- We work together, collaborate and support each other by embracing differences, strengths and contributions so we can be empowered to better ourselves, our teams and the division.
• Respect and Community- We listen, communicate, and acknowledge others' ideas and efforts, so we can sustain a work environment that fosters a sense of belonging, recognition, and worth.
• Happiness- We foster a positive work environment where we celebrate each other, spread kindness, and build relationships, so we can have fun together and enjoy coming to work.

What you will be doing:
The Department of Enterprise Services (DES) Small Agency Financial Services (SAFS) budget team offers a full line of financial resources services to over 30 small agency customers. This position is unique because it requires expert knowledge in both budget and accounting, which enables you to provide comprehensive financial services for the small agencies.
Serving as the primary point of contact for a portfolio of state agencies, this position is the lead expert on matters concerning budget and the coordinator for accounting services. Leveraging knowledge of governmental processes this position manages client's financial resources by developing spending plans, conducting complex analysis, using various state systems, and maintaining a strong connection to agency programs.
Providing leadership and consultation, this position facilitates effective financial decision making, forecasting projections and trends and providing recommendations that are both tactical and strategic in nature for assigned agencies, utilizing knowledge in finance and budgeting. This position regularly consults with agency Directors and staff, along with both the accounting and budget staff within the Office of Financial Management (OFM) and Board and Commission Members.
Who we are looking for:

• An individual that has an established background in state budgeting and governmental accounting.
• A competent advisor that can provide leadership level guidance to client agencies in a way that supports financially sound and compliant decision making.
• A collaborative spirit who understands the importance of working relationships that enjoys developing and maintaining connections with others.

Why you would want this unique job:
This position serves a diverse portfolio of agencies, with unique needs that make for an enriched and engaging work experience. The level of service provided to client agencies creates opportunities to learn the intricacies and nuances of governmental operations from a perspective only DES can provide. Also the supportive work environment provides a safe place to grow as leader and financial expert.

You not only will be working for a trailblazing agency, whose values include BE the change, EMBRACE the journey, SERVE with intention, DEFY convention and LEAD with love, you will be joining a team that truly cares for their employees and customers, provides endless growth and development opportunities and likes to have FUN!
The Department of Enterprise Services offers:

• A great total compensation and benefits package
• Paid Vacation, Leave, and Holidays
• Work from anywhere in Washington State. Occasional travel to the DES headquarters in Olympia to attend events or meetings may be required.
• An agency-wide commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and respect, and leaders who encourage all employees to bring their authentic selves to work
• Access to several state business resource groups including the Rainbow Alliance and Inclusion Network, Veteran Employee Resource Group, Latino Leadership Network, Blacks United in Leadership and Diversity, Disability Inclusion Network, and Washington Immigrant Network
• Supported growth and development opportunities
• Opportunities to serve your community through meaningful work

Some of what you will enjoy doing includes:

• Consult and communicate with assigned agencies to manage the development and implementation of biennial and supplemental budgets to executive management, including the preparation, review, and or input of decision packages, performance measures, salary and benefits scenarios, and the submission of agencies' budgets, to include monitoring of agencies' fund and cash balances for non-appropriated agencies.
• Provide strategic direction or recommendations to the agencies' Directors on budget matters.
• Input budget decisions into the Budget Development System, Capital Budget System, and the Results through Performance Management System.
• Develop salary and benefit data from the Salary Projection System for use in agencies' budgets and allotment packages. Complete Compensation Impact Model (CIM).
• Monitor legislative decisions to agencies' budgets in the Version Reporting System or other reporting systems.
• Prepare complex financial and budgetary analysis documents for assigned agencies such as written narratives, charts/graphs, and presentation materials to OFM, legislative staff, Directors, and external stakeholders to ensure accuracy, completeness and quality.
• Review, analyze and monitor spending plans for assigned agencies.
• Coordinate, prepare, and/or review program fiscal notes providing quality control, consistency, and advice to program managers.
• Consult and assist agencies to develop spending strategies that enables them to operate business within budget and revenue projections, or appropriations.
• Embrace lean leadership and the development of the lean culture at DES. Support, coach and mentor the small agency budget team in the art of continuous improvement.
• Lead and manage budget inputs to statewide financial systems, such as TALS (TALS-AMR), and AFRS to ensure timely availability, consistency, and integrity of financial data for institutional decision making. This includes tasks and activity supervision, data reconciliation, and utilization of external (state) automated financial systems.
• Prepare and certify for approval to the Directors the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) disclosure forms in the Disclosure Form System.
• For agencies with federal grants:
  1. Prepare, submit and perform draw requests for federal grants awarded by multiple federal agencies.
  2. Ensure expenditures and revenues are coded and tracked in appropriate categories.
  3. Recommend methodologies for allocating costs to benefitting programs.
  4. Assist client agencies on the preparation and submittal of annual federal financial reports.
• Respond to complex and politically-sensitive issues using the best information at hand, describing factors considered in making decisions and their relative importance working with OFM, legislative staff, and external stakeholders.

Required Qualifications:
To qualify for the position, a candidate must possess one (1) of the following options:
[OPTION 1]

• A Bachelor's degree or higher in business, economics, finance, accounting, public administration, or closely allied field.

[OPTION 2]

• A Bachelor's degree or higher in an unrelated field accompanied by 18 quarter or 12 semester credits in accounting, auditing, or budgeting.
• Two (2) years of relevant professional budget or accounting experience.

Job Knowledge:
State budgeting processes and familiarity with statewide financial systems, such as ABS, SPS, AFRS, Fiscal Note System, LegTrack and TALS.
Preferred/Desired Qs:

• Conduct high level, accurate analyses of data and proposed legislation, and effectively organize and display data to meet audience needs.
• Interpret broad state financial laws, rules, policies, and practices and apply them appropriately to the implementation of decisions and fiscal projections/impacts.
• Become the program/issue area expert and resource by displaying curiosity, initiative, and interest in the issues.
• Communicate clearly in writing, speaking, and through analytic documents. Written materials require minimal revisions.
• Value and commit to continuous improvements.
• Manage multiple projects and deadlines effectively and independently.
• Strong interpersonal skills to facilitate effective partnerships with colleagues, agencies' programs, OFM, the Legislature and others.
• Adaptability and flexibility: Solve problems, consider different perspectives, and find new, creative ways to accomplish work.
• Adapt easily to changing needs, conditions, and work responsibilities.

Please attach the following documents in order to be considered, failure to do so may result in you not being considered for the position:

• A letter of interest that shows your personality and voice to describe why you are the successful candidate and how you meet the specific qualifications for this position
• A current resume, detailing experience, and education
• A list of at least three (3) professional references with current contact information

Please Note: By submitting these materials, you are indicating that all information is true and correct. The state may verify information. Any untruthful or misleading information is cause for removal from the applicant pool or dismissal if employed. A resume will not be substitute for completing the "duties summary" section of the online application. Please do not refer to the resume for detail or your application may be disqualified.

Background Check Notice: Prior to any new appointment into The Department of Enterprise Services, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.
Opportunity for All:
The Department of Enterprise Services celebrates our differences and we are committed to a workplace that supports equal opportunity employment and inclusion regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity diversity, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We will also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws.
You are welcome to include the name and pronoun you would like to be referred to in your materials and we will honor this as you interact with our organization.
Contact Information:
For questions about this recruitment or to request a reasonable accommodation in the application process, contact George Deguzman by email at jobs@des.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.
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