We have an exciting special duty leadership opportunity as the Interim Chief Accountant for the Financial Management Section in the Finance and Business Operations Division. This position is anticipated to last approximately 6 months until the permanent role is filled.

The Chief Accountant is responsible for providing leadership to the Financial Management Section (FMS) responsible for the county's centralized accounting operations, annual financial reporting requirements, accounts receivables, financial systems support, and federal grants compliance. The incumbent will serve as a key advisor to executive-level management and county agencies, establish policies and best practices for internal controls and financial reporting, and serve as the executive-level liaison with external auditors and the Executive Audit Committee. The Chief Accountant reports directly to the Director of the Finance and Business Operations Division (“Finance Director.”)

The Finance and Business Operations Division's mission is to provide timely, efficient and accurate accounting, procurement, treasury, and small business services. We are actively seeking employees whose behavior is in alignment with our County’s core values:


Primary Responsibilities:

• Leading day to day operations of the Financial Management Section
• Leading, developing, and creating a healthy workplace culture
• Developing and implementing operational business plans and budgets
• Ensuring compliance with government accounting standards, financial reporting requirements, and internal controls while also providing outstanding customer service
• Leading business process standardization using technology
• Serving as the County’s subject matter expert for government accounting policies and practices
• Serving as the main liaison with external auditors

• Have knowledge and experience interpreting regulations and standards governing accounting: Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP); Generally Accepted Auditing Standards (GAAS), Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) and Government Accounting Standards Board (GASB).
• Exhibits excellent people leader skills and can quickly build trusting relationships with team members.
• Ability to move forward on key initiatives and work to improve services
• Ability to lead, encourage and support continuous improvement efforts within the section.
• Ability to think strategically and be analytical when understanding problems, can anticipate potential issues, can see the big picture and uses data and metrics to drive decision making.  
• Demonstrated experience prioritizing work, creating goals and monitor progress.
• Strong communication skills, presentation skills, ability to facilitate meetings and interact with various audience at all levels. 
• Ability to listen actively and read the audience. 
• Ability to work collaboratively and build and maintain positive relationships with staff, supervisors, agencies, and customers. 
• Ability to prepare and manage budgets. 
• Ability to make sound decisions in a timely manner.

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA)

Forbes recently named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.

Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.

Guided by our "True North", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles--we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement

King County Executive Branch employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. If you are the successful candidate for the position you applied for, the County will send you a conditional offer letter.

As a condition of employment, prior to a final offer of employment, you will be required to:

• submit proof of vaccination, or
• have an approved request for medical or religious exemption and an approved accommodation. Philosophical, political, scientific, or sociological objections to vaccination will not be considered for an exemption or accommodation.