Accounts Payable Lead

Fiscal Analyst 4

The Washington State Department of Agriculture has been serving the state for more than 100 years. Through service, regulation, and advocacy, we keep agriculture viable and vital in Washington State, while protecting consumers, public health, and the environment. We work extensively with farmers and ranchers, but our responsibilities – from ensuring food safety to environmental protection – touch the lives of millions of people locally, nationally, and abroad.

The Opportunity This position serves as the primary financial advisor to the Accounts Payable Supervisor on Accounts Payable (AP) program and general accounting topics. This position acts as the high-level statewide AP and general accounting expert. The primary responsibilities include advising and providing guidance to those who perform payables processing activities. This position conducts a variety of financial reviews and analysis of fiscal, grants, contracts or other financial data in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and interprets fiscal information to draw conclusions and trends based upon fiscal data. This position mentors, coaches, trains, and communicates with agency staff and other fiscal analysts to ensure accurate accounts payable processing.

Duties

Some of the various responsibilities within this role: Acts as the financial advisor to the accounts payable supervisor on accounts payable (AP) program and general accounting (GAAP)

• Work closely with the Accounts Payable Supervisor and other fiscal positions.
• Collaborate and ensure WSDA remains incompliance with SAAM, OFM rules, WACs, RCWs and agency policies.
• Coordinate and participate in the updating of fiscal policies and procedures.
• Analyze and evaluate potential accounting problems.
• Serve as a subject matter expert on agency internal controls systems, and fiscal policies and procedures.
• Monitor, review, and audit the accounting of contracts including personal service and interagency contracts, ensuring fiscal, OFM, and federal compliance.
• Advise staff and monitor AFRS procedures to ensure the most accurate data.
• Provide technical support and training to fiscal staff for fiscal related activity and financial systems.
• Coordinates the fiscal month and year end closing requirements.

General accounting; fiscal controls and financial review

• Provide recommendation for computerized financial system development which may include accounting, budgeting, and auditing work activities.
• Revise, formulate, develop, and document procedures pertaining to account processes.
• Analyze complex financial data, and complex financial reports.
• Ensure proper accounting techniques and controls are used.
• Review, approve, and release accounts payable expenditure payments for vendors, contractors, and interagency payables.
• Review, approve, and prepare journal vouchers, A-I9's and other financial documents.
• Prepare or approve journal vouchers for error correction or adjustments.
• Receives phone calls from vendors and employees for problems and questions concerning A/P, answer and resolve where appropriate.
• Reconcile fixed assets and general ledgers.

Provides back up coverage for the AP and other Fiscal Supervisors in times of workload peaks and/or vacations/absences

• Oversee fiscal related professional staff performing fiscal, grant or contractual reviews and analysis in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
• Provide feedback, guidance, and training.
• Audit and review work of other fiscal positions.

Qualifications

Professionals with: Bachelor's Degree that includes 18 quarter or 12 semester hours in accounting, auditing, or budgeting. AND Four (4) years of professional fiscal or accounting experience. OR

Additional professional experience may substitute year-for-year for education but not for credit hours in accounting, auditing, or budgeting. In addition to the above qualifications, the following desired knowledge, skills, and abilities would make your application more competitive:

• Bachelor's or master's degree in a financial related field.
• Experience interpreting federal, state, and/or agency travel policies and procedures. Knowledge of Office of Financial Management (OFM) fiscal rules. Ability to analyze complex RCWs, WACs, and OFM Directives as related to accounts payables.
• Experience using the state systems including AFRS, Enterprise, Webl, TM$, Toolbox and with Microsoft Great Plains software. Strongly desire expert Microsoft Excel skills.
• Ability to work with individuals with diverse backgrounds, understands and performs governmental accounting transactions. Exc e ptional listener and communicator who effectively and respectfully conveys and receives information verbally and in writing.
• Responsible contributor with commitment to excellence and success.

Supplemental Information

Employee Benefits

• A healthy work/life balance, which may include flexible work schedules, and teleworking.
• WSDA provides an excellent benefits package beyond traditional benefits. State employment offers Dependent Care Assistance, Flexible Spending Accounts, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver, Deferred Compensation, Employee Recognition Leave; click here for more information.
• 12 paid Holidays & Vacation and Leave Accruals.
• All Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required will be provided by the agency.