What are the responsibilities and job description for the Technical Accounting Specialist (Three Positions) position at State of Washington Office of Financial Management?
Description
Why work for OFM
The Office of Financial Management (OFM)is a small agency, about 500 staff, that serves as the backbone of Washington state government. Our mission is to make our state a better place by connecting people, budgets, policies, data, and systems for state agencies and the Legislature. Our team includes budget advisors, researchers, and other experts, all dedicated public servants working towards an equitable future for every Washingtonian.
If you want to play a key role in enhancing how state government serves its citizens, you’ve found the right place. Join us in making a meaningful difference for every Washingtonian!
The job opportunity
We are seeking a three (3) Technical Accounting Specialists to assist in defining, documenting, and configuring the financial business processes that the Enterprise Planning Resource (ERP) must support to meet the financial management needs of the state of Washington. In doing this work, the Technical Accounting Specialist will collaborate with other customer agencies, stakeholders, and the One Washington team. You will listen to understand the needs, gather and analyze data, and make recommendations. As part of the Functional Team within the Business Transformation Team you will report to one of the accounting leads. Your role supports the work of the Finance Team and the goals and objectives of OneWA.
Duties
One Washington (OneWA), led by the Office of Financial Management, is an enterprise-wide transformation project focused on replacing 1960s-era technology with a cloud-based solution for finance, procurement, budget, HR, and payroll processes, utilizing Workday technology. OneWA is a long-term yet extremely fast-paced project anticipated to fully implement all phases by 2030. The project’s core business hours are Monday through Friday, all project positions are full-time, and we offer some flexibility in schedules oriented around core business hours with prior supervisory approval. However, it is very common to regularly work beyond the typical 40 hour work week to meet the rigorous operational needs and business deliverables required for the go-live timelines.
What you will work on:
Accounting SME Essential Functions:
- Coordinate and work closely, with the System Integrator’s team to build competency in the ERP’s accounting/finance software functionality and configuration.
- Configure and test the Workday software to ensure it meets the requirements and business needs of the state.
- Create, contribute to, and maintain in partnership with other program team members critical artifacts such as: requirements, to-be and current process flows, use cases, test scripts, configuration workbooks, education/training/help desk materials.
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Serve as a liaison to customer agencies:
- Help customers understand the changes in functionality from the current state to that of the Workday ERP.
- Collaborate with agencies to gain shared understanding of enterprise and agency business needs.
- Schedule and participate in meetings and provide other communication to achieve this.
Functional Activities:
- Adhere to the One Washington Phase 1A project implementation plan and breakdown of tasks for the functional team by completing work and assisting other functional areas as needed to meet deadlines.
- Provide knowledge of accounting/finance business processes to accomplish challenging goals and solving difficult work problems; leverages technical expertise to identify new ERP opportunities/issues.
- Participate in design sessions to develop software solutions around the needs of the statewide accounting/finance community.
- Participate in meetings and document a shared understanding of the business problem for project processes, provide possible solutions, and determine the scope of the project for Enterprise systems used statewide.
- Interview and observe statewide state agencies to ensure the project understands customer needs and documents appropriate project requirements in relation to scope.
Risk Management and Quality Assurance:
- Provide effective and efficient risk management analysis and escalation of risks as appropriate to other areas of the Project Management Team and key stakeholders, and assists with the development of necessary contingency plans to mitigate risk.
- Monitor and report on the implementation of identified risk responses, changes to risk, and implementation of key actions within the project team to reduce/eliminate the risk.
- Resolve performance discrepancies.
- Ensure adequate project documentation is created and maintained outlining all aspects of the project and associated tasks.
*This position is eligible to frequently telework the majority of the time and is typically not required to report on-site. If required on-site, then your supervisor will do their best to make every effort to notify you at least 1 week in advance, with the exception of emergency/urgent situations. The default assigned work location of all One Washington project positions – both on-site and telework eligible positions – is within the State of Washington, *specifically at one of our two duty stations based in Olympia.
So if you are looking to play a critical role in technology transformation within WA State government and advance your career within these working conditions, then apply today!
Qualifications
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree in finance or accounting or other closely aligned field. Additional two years of relevant professional experience may substitute for the education requirement.
- Four years of accounting or finance experience including: General Ledger, Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable, Cost Allocation Systems, Projects, Grants.
Desired Qualifications
- Master’s Degree in finance or accounting or other closely aligned field.
- Four years of accounting or finance experience at a Washington state agency.
- Workday ERP experience.
- Project Management Institute certificate.
- Experience working on an ERP implementation.
- Demonstrates time management skills and multi-tasking skills, with ability to prioritize tasks.
- The ability to maintain effective performance under pressure or opposition (varied demands, new and ambiguous situations); handles stress in a manner acceptable to others and the organization
- Demonstrate/possess strong organizational skills; ability to create structure, boost productivity, and prioritize tasks that must be accomplished, delegated, postponed or eliminated.
- The ability to learn software configuration concepts and techniques (acquired through training attendance) and apply in such as manner to develop a foundation of ability to support the software service once deployed and operational.
Competencies:
- Demonstrate time management skills and multi-tasking skills, with ability to prioritize tasks.
- Demonstrate excellent communication skills with the proven ability to Influence stakeholders, sponsors, and team members on the vision, goals, and objectives of the project.
- The ability to maintain effective performance under pressure or opposition (varied demands, new and ambiguous situations); handles stress in a manner acceptable to others and the organization.
- Demonstrate/possess strong organizational skills; ability to create structure, boost productivity, and prioritize tasks that must be accomplished, delegated, postponed or eliminated.
- The ability to view the "big picture" of the project goals and vision, while performing detailed tasks.
- The ability to learn software configuration concepts and techniques (acquired through training attendance) and apply in such as manner to develop a foundation of ability to support the software service once deployed and operational.
Supplemental Information
What we offer:
At OFM, we foster a culture of integrity, innovation, inclusion, and belonging. We value both learned and lived experiences, believing that diversity makes us stronger. To support your health and well-being, we offer a variety of benefit programs for our employees.
Please visit our Recruitment Page for a full list of benefits available to employees. Here’s a quick glance at some of the unique benefits that OFM offers:
- An environment of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging
- Tuition reimbursement
- Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance
- 12 paid holidays, 14 paid vacation days (minimum), and 12 days of sick leave per year
- State retirement programs
Application Process: Once you’ve decided to apply for a state government job, you’ll complete an online application to showcase your qualifications. Keep in mind that once you submit the application, a real person is going to read it. We do not use AI or other technology that screens your application and rejects it. So please be sure to provide clear and detailed information about your work history so your qualifications can be accurately assessed. We will contact the top candidates directly to schedule interviews. If you need reasonable accommodation in applying, please call 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384.
For your application to be considered complete and sent to the hiring teams for review, you must submit all of the following:
- Cover letter: describing your qualifications for this specific position
- Resume: That details your applicable experience and education.
- References: At least three professional references with current phone numbers.
Questions:
For questions about this recruitment or to request a reasonable accommodation in the application process, please email us at: TalentAcquisition@ofm.wa.gov.
The Office of Financial Management is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, and disabled and Vietnam-era veterans are encouraged to apply.
This position is exempt from civil service rules.
For more information, please see WAC 357-19-195.