Accounts Payable - Fiscal Analyst 1

AGRICULTURE - A Cornerstone of Washington's Economy

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 agency includes 780 employees approximately and grows close to 1,000 employees at the peak of seasonal work. To learn more and view additional openings, please visit our Employment Page.

The Opportunity

The Financial Services program provides centralized budget, accounting, payroll, and benefits to support the agency and program operations. Financial Services works to ensure budget and accounting operations are completed in compliance with state and federal guidelines as well as agency policies and procedures.

This position reports to the Accounts Payable Supervisor and contributes to the WSDA Mission Statement by supplying timely and accurate accounting information to both our internal and external customers. This position has responsibilities to analyze and process allocated expenditures. This position acts as a subject matter expert in researching, implementing and maintaining contract payments, yearly fair allocations, organic cost share payments, invoice payments and acts as a backup maintaining CRF, CSFRF, EFAP, TEFAP, CSFP and Specialty Crop Block Grant Program payments.

Important Notes

WSDA is recruiting for a full-time permanent Fiscal Analyst 1 position within the Directors Office Division. This position is based full-time at the WSDA headquarters building located in Olympia, Washington. This is not a union represented position.

The base pay offered will take into account internal equity and may vary depending on the preferred candidate's job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The typical starting salary for this position is: Range 45 Step A $49,296 - Step L $64,512 annually

What to Expect

Some of the various responsibilities within this role:

Receive, review, analyze, interpret, process, and reconcile all payments including invoice payments, organic cost share, contract payments, payments to other state agencies in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)

• Verify correctness of invoice quantity and amount.
• Analyze and interpret payment documents for accuracy and completeness.
• Check for duplicate payments.
• Create and process payment batches using Financial Toolbox and AFRS.
• Audit the vendor's information in batches before release.
• Code each document to ensure payments are charged to the appropriate divisions.
• Track payments by date paid in Enterprise Contracts Management System (ECMS).
• Respond to inquiries from agency personnel or vendors concerning payment status for referenced accounts.
• Research general questions from vendors or employees.
• Assist higher-level staff with financial summary information, analysis of financial reports and development of fiscal procedures.
• Analyze and correct discrepancies.
• Access the agency financial reporting system (AFRS) to prepare and review fiscal documents.
• Assist in fiscal year closing of financial records.

Processes additional payments as needed

• Verify correctness of invoice quantity and amount.
• Check for duplicate payments.
• Verify approval for payment.
• Verify receipt of goods and services
• Research general questions.
• Create and process payment batches using AFRS and Financial Toolbox.

Assists with ensuring and establishing statewide vendor records are correct

• Work with vendors to get appropriate paperwork completed and submitted.
• Work with OFM to get a vendor number assigned.
• Research and respond to customer inquiries.
• Work with vendors to obtain required paperwork ie: W9, direct deposit or change form.

Mailroom

• Mailroom coverage
• Verify tapes from mailroom accuracy.

Reception backup

• Backup reception coverage.
• Answer phones, greet customers.

Who should apply?

• High School Diploma or GED or equivalent education/experience.
• Two (2) years of experience in payroll, accounting, bookkeeping, auditing, or other professionally based fiscal fields.
• Higher education which includes 18 quarter, or 12 semester hours of accounting, auditing, or budgeting may substitute year for year for experience.

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.
• Experience using the state accounting systems including AFRS, Enterprise, WebI, TM$, and Toolbox.
• Ability to work with individuals with diverse backgrounds, understands and performs governmental accounting transactions. Exceptional listener and communicator who effectively and respectfully conveys and receives information verbally and in writing.
• Responsible contributor with commitment to excellence and success.

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.

Equity at WSDA

The Department of Agriculture recognizes, appreciates, supports, embraces, and respects all cultural identities and backgrounds while we collaborate in authentic ways. We hire amazing people that share in the commitment to our Pro-Equity Anti-Racist (PEAR) strategic plan, our Healthy Environment for All (HEAL) Act implementation plan, and our unique needs and desires for belonging, respect, and inclusion. We value the growth and development of our team members by providing equitable access to resources and opportunities for continuous learning, improvement, and advancement.

We strive to hire, cultivate, and retain a productive and dedicated workforce that reflects the communities we serve while we are committed to a workplace that celebrates our differences and supports equal opportunity employment and inclusion regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, marital status, families with children (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sex, sexual orientation, gender identity diversity, age, status as a protected veteran, honorably discharged veteran or military status, status as an individual with the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with disabilities or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

Contact Us

Should you have any questions regarding this position or the online application, contact the Human Resource Office at View email address on click.appcast.io.

Prior to a new appointment with the Department of Agriculture, 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.

The Human Resources Division may use referrals from this recruitment to help fill future similar vacancies for up to six months.

Veteran's Preference:Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications and wish to claim Veteran's Preference MUST attach a copy of their DD214, or other verification of military service. Please blackout any personally identifiable data such as social security numbers. For additional information on Veteran's Preference and guidance on how to determine if you are eligible, click here.

People with a disability, who need assistance with their application or need this announcement in an alternative format, may call 664-1960 or toll free View phone number on click.appcast.io. TTY users should first call 711 to access the Washington Relay Service.

For more information about the Washington State Department of Agriculture, visit us at