Executive Director, Washington State Board of Accountancy

Please Note: The starting salary offer will be determined based on the successful candidates’ qualifications within the starting salary range of $98,556 - $177,396 annually.  Our physical office is in Olympia, WA.  We offer flexible work schedules and locations. This is a hybrid position where most of the work allows for telework. However, you will need to travel to in-person activities, meetings, and events according to business needs. 

Terms of Appointment: Per RCW, the governor shall appoint an executive director of the board, who shall serve at the pleasure of the governor. Members of the board shall be appointed by the governor to a term of three years.

What you’ll work on

• Evaluate and Suggest Changes: Review current rules and regulations and recommend changes to improve the Public Accountancy Act.
• Set Policies: Develop and update policies for the Board based on changes in laws.
• Prepare Economic Statements: Write reports on how proposed changes will affect small businesses.

• Represent the Board: Attend meetings and represent the Board to national, international, local groups, regulatory and other governmental organizations.

• Lead Agency Programs: Manage agency programs, technology initiatives, and budget proposals.
• Ensure Competency: Make sure the regulatory structure stays effective to maintain trust in financial and non-financial information.
• Build Relationships: Connect with stakeholders, including professionals and government organizations, at local, national, and international levels.
• Prepare for Meetings: Organize agendas and reports for quarterly meetings and help implement the Board’s decisions.
• Promote Awareness: Run outreach programs to raise awareness about the agency's role in protecting the public’s interests.
• Public Records Officer: Ensure transparency and openness in handling public records.
• Oversee Complaints and Investigations: In collaboration with the Board Investigator, handle complaints against licenses and firms, investigate issues, and decide on appropriate actions.
• Lead Investigations: Direct the investigation process and assign resources, review findings, negotiate settlements, and testify in disciplinary hearings.
• Participate in NASBA Committees: Stay involved in the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy and keep the Board updated on changes within the field of public accountancy regulation.
• Work with the Governor’s Office: Act as a liaison with the Governor’s office and testify in front of state committees during legislative sessions.

What we need you to bring

Required Qualifications: 

• Per RCW 18.04.045, the Executive Director is required to hold a valid Washington State CPA license, or able to obtain a Washington CPA license concurrent with appointment.
• Knowledge of the rules of evidence, due process and understanding of the scope and nature of the CPA practice environment. This includes the types of services regulated under the professional standards that govern the practice of public accounting.
• Working knowledge of Federal Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and Public Accountancy Oversight Board (PCAOB) regulations.  Able to serve as a liaison with other governmental regulators and law enforcement bodies.
• Experience performing senior/executive level policy development or policy analysis.
  • Developed a comprehensive policy framework that aligns with the organization's long-term strategic goals, ensuring consistency across departments and fostering long-term growth.
  • Organized and facilitated consultations with a range of stakeholders, including policymakers, community leaders, and advocacy groups, to ensure the development of inclusive, well-informed policies.
  • Delivered high-level presentations to senior government officials and stakeholders, advocating for policy changes that aligned with the organization’s goals, successfully gaining approval for key initiatives.  Strong writing skills in order to provide articles for publication in professional and trade journals.
  • Conducted post-implementation reviews of policy initiatives to assess their impact on key performance indicators, leading to refinements that improved policy effectiveness.
• Leadership and managerial/supervisory experience. Skilled in identifying training and development needs of staff, providing constructive feedback and conducting performance reviews. Demonstrates strong leadership skills to inspire, motivate and guide staff.  Create a culture of inclusion and belonging in the workplace. Commit to championing and living the values of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging through demonstrated vulnerability and self-awareness.  
• Successfully communicate with senior leaders, senior staff, the Legislature, Governor’s office, media, stakeholders and other community organizations.
• Knowledge and understanding of local government, and the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of state government.
• Strong proven ability to communicate personal vision and strategic direction, both internally and externally.

Desired Qualifications: 

• Experience with state government and the relationship of the Board to other agencies, including the Attorney General’s Office, the Office of Financial Management and the Department of Enterprise Services.
• Knowledge of the state’s contracting regulations to understand how the agency appropriately procures services.

We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be one from a less traditional background. Don’t let doubts stop you from applying for this position.  If you have transferable experience, please tell us about it or contact us with questions about the required qualifications and how your experience relates to them.

Supplemental Information:

What we offer: 

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 we offer: 

• 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.

When completing your application, we encourage you to attach 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 and their contact information.

Questions: 
Our Staff ASL interpreter is available to all deaf and hard of hearing applicants. For questions about this recruitment or to request a reasonable accommodation in the application or interview process, please email us at TalentAcquisition@ofm.wa.gov.

The Office of the Governor 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. 

Salary : $98,556 - $177,396