Salary: $78,504.00 - $105,612.00 Annually
Location : Thurston County - Olympia, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Job Number:
Department: Dept of Children, Youth, and Families
Division: Financial and Business Services Division
Opening Date: 08/25/2026
Closing Date: 9/8/2026 11:04 AM Pacific

Description
Job Title: Assistant Accounting Manager (MA5)
Location: Olympia, WA - This role is on-site only
Closes: September 8th, 2026
Salary: $78,504 - $105,612 Annually
Join the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families and play a key role in supporting the financial foundation behind programs that serve children, youth, and families across the state.

This position is part of the Accounting section within the Financial and Business Services Division (FBSD) and works directly with the Accounting Manager to support critical fiscal and program planning, monitoring, and analysis for the agency. Working collaboratively across DCYF and with a variety of stakeholders and partners, FBSD provides essential financial services and financial management that support responsible stewardship of agency resources.

If you enjoy analyzing complex financial information, improving processes, and using your expertise to support effective public service, this role offers an opportunity to make a meaningful impact within DCYF.

The Opportunity:
As the Assistant Accounting Manager, you will report directly to and support the Accounting Manager while providing expertise across a range of fiscally related areas. You will contribute to fiscal and program planning, monitoring, and analysis and serve as an analytical resource in support of policy and process development, business planning, and process improvement. Our ideal candidate will bring professional experience conducting business analysis, developing regulations or policy, and analyzing policies, laws, rules, or regulations.

Some of what you will do:

• Analyze and review data, identify problems, and assist headquarters accounting staff in developing and implementing strategies for corrections as required by policy and law.
• Perform advanced technical and professional analytical duties requiring advanced accounting knowledge to support sound policy development and consultation for department financial and accounting functions.
• Support the Accounting Unit Manager with overall business needs and annual planning, including leading accounting supervisors in establishing goals, objectives, and deliverables used to measure and monitor headquarters accounting office performance.
• Provide expert guidance, advice, and consultation in support of performance management and process improvement, including tools to monitor improvements and report performance and outcomes to the Accounting Unit Manager.
• Analyze complex challenges, align process improvement activities and data with strategic and operational planning and performance, and formulate recommendations to the Accounting Unit Manager.
• Facilitate and collaborate with program partners on process improvement projects and lead complex, multi-dimensional performance improvement activities.
• Produce ad hoc reports and analyses, develop complex reports for key work activities, and write and revise process manuals, technical guides, and other information and training materials.
• Assess business needs for workload and cost-saving impacts and serve as backup to the Accounting Unit Manager in reviewing and analyzing performance metrics.
• Assist the Accounting Unit Manager in tracking and reporting local funds and make recommendations on how to leverage available funds to maximize overall DCYF financial stability.
• Perform and review complex accounting activities, including account reconciliations, accruals, corrections, and financial transaction analysis, and review financial transactions for proper coding, documentation, internal controls, and compliance with accounting standards.
• Prepare, review, and submit required state fiscal reports and coordinate annual fiscal year-end reporting requirements to ensure accuracy, completeness, timeliness, and compliance with statewide accounting policies, OFM requirements, and statutory reporting obligations.
• Create and administer tools, job aids, reference materials, step-by-step guides, and training for headquarters accounting and program staff to support consistent application of accounting policies, procedures, and system processes.

There are two ways to meet the minimum qualifications:

• A bachelor's degree in a financial related field or program AND five (5) years of professional experience in two or more of the following areas:
  • Conducting research
  • Analyzing policies, laws, rules, or regulations
  • Conducting business analysis and developing requirements
  • Leading business projects
  • Managing business operations
  • Business policy development
  • Supervising

OR

• A school diploma (or GED) AND Fifteen (15) hours of accounting credits

AND

• Nine (9) years of experience in two or more of the following areas:
  • Conducting research
  • Analyzing policies, laws, rules, or regulations
  • Conducting business analysis and developing requirements
  • Leading business projects
  • Managing business operations
  • Business policy development
  • Supervising

AND

• The ability to take action to learn and grow.
• 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 related field.
• Greater than five years of employment experience in financial, analytical, accounting, or related field.
• Knowledge of state and federal rules, regulations, processes, and procedures required for state and federal governments; familiarity with Office of Financial Management Accounting and Administrative Manual (SAAM), and General Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
• Knowledge of state laws, rules, and regulations pertaining to DCYF programs.
• Previous demonstrated ability to perform analysis for financial research and modeling in a complex multi-system environment.
• Previous demonstrated ability to develop and implement financial models for expenditure/revenue analysis purposes.
• Previous demonstrated ability to use effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Previous demonstrated ability to represent the agency to stakeholders.
• Previous experience in successfully communicating with a wide range of program and fiscal staff of all levels.
• Previous experience managing multiple activities, projects, and tasks at once, completing deliverables on-time, and providing updates when needed.
• Previous demonstrated ability to use computer software to develop complex data reports, timelines, formal documents, and presentations.
• Previous demonstrated ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality.

How do I apply?
In addition to completing the online application, applicants must attach the following documents to their profile to be considered for this position:

• Cover Letter (describing how you meet the specific qualifications for this position)
• Resume

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 goal to create a diverse and equitable workplace that reflects the communities we serve. If you are excited about this role but you believe that your education and/or experience might not align perfectly with every qualification in the job posting, we encourage you to apply anyway.

More than Just a Paycheck!
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

Read about our benefits:
The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.

Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.

Insurance Benefits
Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.

Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.

To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.

Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.

Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.

The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.

Retirement and Deferred Compensation
State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.

Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Social Security
All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness
If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Holidays
Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.

Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.

Full-time employees who work full