Chief Accountant

Salary: $126,632.97 - $171,005.08 Annually
Location : Tacoma, WA
Job Type: Regular - Other
Job Number: 26-001158
Department: Finance & Enterprise Services
Division: FPM-Operations
Opening Date: 11/13/2026
Closing Date: 11/22/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Description
This role is primarily in office with some remote options.
Summary
Why it's a Great Opportunity: As Pierce County's Chief Accountant, you will serve as the County's most senior accounting professional, providing strategic leadership and direction for countywide accounting, payroll, financial reporting, accounts payable, and audit operations. This is an opportunity to influence how financial services are delivered across a large, complex organization while ensuring the accuracy, integrity, and accountability of public resources.

You will lead a team of professionals responsible for critical countywide accounting, accounts payable, internal audit, and payroll functions. Working closely with department leaders, finance managers, accountants, and labor partners, you will guide complex financial and payroll operations, ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations, and provide technical expertise on financial practices and requirements across the organization.

Beyond overseeing operations, you will help shape the future of the County's financial systems and practices. You will have an opportunity to advance the County's financial data strategy, including evaluating and improving Workday's Financial Data Model to strengthen data consistency, reporting, and decision-making. From leading the preparation of the County's Annual Comprehensive Financial Report to improving countywide accounting and payroll processes, your work will have a lasting impact on how Pierce County manages and stewards its resources.

Why it's a Great Department: The Finance & Enterprise Services Department delivers enterprise-wide services that support every County department and many external partners, ensuring Pierce County operates effectively, efficiently, and with strong public stewardship. Finance & Enterprise Services staff provide a broad portfolio of high-impact, countywide services, including budgeting and performance management, fiscal services, procurement and contracting, information technology, general services, fleet services, and risk management.

Employees have the opportunity to work on strategic, enterprise-level initiatives, collaborate across departments, provide the operational and technical backbone which ensures the smooth delivery of services across the organization, and deliver critical analysis and decision support that informs leadership and shapes County priorities. The Finance & Enterprise Services Department is focused on creating a culture where employees can help improve service delivery to make a meaningful impact on County operations and the community. The Department leads with safety, empowerment, and collaboration to create an environment where every person can contribute, challenge ideas, and continuously improve.

Learn more about Finance and Enterprise Services Information

How to be Successful in this Role: A successful candidate will bring deep technical knowledge of governmental accounting, particularly multi-fund accounting, along with substantial experience overseeing complex payroll operations. They understand the unique requirements of public-sector financial operations, can navigate complex regulatory and compliance matters, and have the experience to establish sound practices, maintain strong internal controls, and ensure successful audits. Experience with Workday or another large-scale enterprise financial and payroll system is also important.

Just as important is the ability to lead, influence, and build strong working relationships across a large organization. You are an effective communicator who can translate complex requirements into clear guidance for others, work collaboratively with department leaders and labor partners, and provide direction and support to both direct reports and staff across the County. You bring a strategic mindset, recognize opportunities for process improvement, and are comfortable adapting to changing priorities and organizational needs while balancing immediate operational demands with long-term goals.

Your Future in this Role: Working for Pierce County means joining an organization that supports your growth. We offer leadership development, online learning, and many training opportunities to help you build skills at every stage of your career. This support helps you succeed in your role and contributes to strong communities, reliable services, and access for all residents.

Core Daily Responsibilities:

• Lead the preparation of, and provide technical approval for, the County's Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR). Oversee all related reporting, analysis, and audit coordination. Submit ACFR to GFOA and the single audit to the Federal Clearinghouse.
• Provide leadership and oversight of all County financial and accounting operations including payroll, accounts payable, accounts receivable, audits, internal audit, and related activities.
• Serve as the County's primary advisor on accounting standards for the County and communicate those standards to all County finance staff and managers. Provide guidance to financial staff, accountants, and other staff. Assist with decision making in support of accurate and timely accounting, in accordance with Federal, State, GAAP, and GASB standards.
• Support audit activities by providing necessary information and preparing requested documentation.
• Ensure County financial systems, technology, data models, and structures meet operational needs and statutory reporting requirements. Evaluate and improve processes, systems, and reporting tools to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and customer service.
• Monitor and interpret changes in Federal, State, and local laws, regulations, and professional standards to ensure County compliance and identify opportunities for improvement. Recommend updates to County policies, codes, ordinances, and applicable State legislation within areas of responsibility.
• Lead centralized financial and accounting services for designated departments, ensuring accurate and timely financial support for operations.
• Develop, implement, and evaluate financial policies, practices, and procedures to ensure effective, efficient, and compliant operations across the County.
• Develop and monitor the performance of operations to evaluate and refine policies, practices, and processes for efficiency, effectiveness, and compliance.
• Provide leadership as part of the departmental management team, contributing to Countywide initiatives and cross-division collaboration.

A classification description with a more detailed list of essential functions can be found

Minimum Qualifications
Post-secondary education in finance, accounting, public administration, business administration, or a closely related field may substitute for up to four (4) years of the required experience on a year-for-year basis.

• Ten (10) years of progressively responsible professional experience in accounting, to include three (3) years of supervisory experience.
• Experience must include fund accounting for a government or other public entity.
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) preferred.
• Certified Public Finance Officer (CPFO) preferred.
• Payroll experience preferred.
• A resume and cover letter are required for this position. Applications without attachments may not be considered.

As a condition of employment, the applicant will need to authorize and complete a background check. Information received from the background check is reviewed case-by-case and will not necessarily remove an applicant from consideration.

Supplemental Information
How to Apply:

• Complete and submit a detailed online Pierce County Employment Application by selecting "APPLY" above or go to:
• Attach a resume and a cover letter. Applications without attachments may not be considered.
• If you have a question about this opportunity, please email the Recruitment Team atand specify the Job Number and Title.
• If you do not have internet access, you may visit your local public library or any WorkSource location and use their computers.
• Individuals needing accommodation in the application, testing process or need this job announcement in an alternative format may call Human Resources at (253) 798-7480, at least two days prior to the need.

Our Recruitment Practices: This is a competitive and meritorious selection process. Pierce County applications are reviewed by human hiring staff in accordance with the qualifications listed for the position. Pierce County understands applicants may use AI tools when preparing application materials. We recognize these tools can make the process easier; however, we ask that everything you submit genuinely reflects your own experience, skills, knowledge, and writing style.

During the interview process, you may be asked to demonstrate your skills, including writing and subject knowledge, and to speak to your experience in your own voice. Applicants should be prepared to respond to interview questions without relying on AI-generated responses or reading prepared answers from a screen. Any misrepresentation may result in disqualification or separation.

Applicants whose qualifications most closely align with the County's needs will be eligible for further consideration. Notification of application status typically occurs within two to three weeks after the closing date. Some applicants may receive short notice to participate in additional selection steps, which may include assessments, phone screens, or interviews.

Upon offer, compensation is based on a range of job-related factors, including the requirements of the role, your skills and experience, and internal pay equity.

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. Pierce County offers a competitive benefits package that offers flexibility and peace of mind. We are proud to offer Employee Resource Groups, a focus on professional development in our , and a County Book Club.

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

Our benefits:

Vacation (Annual Leave)
Employees begin accruing vacation leave as soon as they start earning it and can use their accrued leave right away. We value your experience and recognize your service by increasing vacation accrual rates the longer you work with us. Full-time employees accrue vacation leave every two weeks at the following rates:

Vacation Accruals:
During years 1-3, 12 Days
During years 4-7, 16 Days
During years 8-13, 20 Days
During years 14-18, 23 Days
During years 19, 24 Days
During years 20, 25 Days
During years 21, 26 Days
During years 22, 27 Days
During years 23, 28 Days
During years 24, 29 Days
During years 25 & thereafter, 30 Days

A maximum of 45 days may be carried from one year into the next.
Pro-Rated for Part-Time based on % of 1.0 FTE.

Military Leave:
Pierce County has a proud history of supporting the armed forces and provides members of the armed forces with up to 21 days paid military leave per state fiscal year.

Holidays:
Some full-time employees are entitled to eleven paid holidays as follows:
New Year's Day - January 1
Martin Luther King, Jr's birthday - Third Monday in January
President's Day - Third Monday in February
Memorial Day - Last Monday in May
Juneteenth - June 19
Independence Day - July 4
Labor Day - First Monday in September
Veteran's Day - November 11
Thanksgiving Day - Fourth Thursday in November & Friday after
Christmas Day - December 25

Personal Holidays:
Regular full-time and regular part-time employees, and employees occupying limited duration positions, shall also receive two additional paid personal holidays. Paid personal holidays shall only accrue for those employees on County payroll as of January 1 of each year or the first work day following January 1 and must be taken during the calendar year in which it was accrued.

Furlough:
Some Pierce County employees may be designated to receive 10 "furlough" days per year in lieu of holidays. Furlough days are available for use on January 1 and must be scheduled and taken within the calendar year. Employees who leave employment with Pierce County must reimburse the employer for used furlough days based upon the number of remaining holidays.

Sick Leave:
Sick leave accrues on a bi-weekly basis, at the rate of one day per month.

Insurance Benefits:
Employees and families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with very affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout Pierce County. Employees are eligible to enroll each year in a flexible spending plan,