Job description
Position Description
At the Seattle Human Services Department (HSD) our mission is to connect people with resources and solutions for people during times of need so we can all live, learn, work, and take part in strong, healthy communities. We do this by funding and operating services that meet the basic needs of the most vulnerable people in our community, including families and individuals with low income; children; domestic violence and sexual assault survivors; older adults; people living with disabilities; people experiencing homelessness; and Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) communities. We strive to work closely with our neighbors, because we believe that communities should determine how they are best served.
HSD is committed to Our City Values and Social Justice as core principles that guide our work. We support and hold ourselves accountable to this commitment by eliminating barriers to access and providing employees with equitable opportunities for professional growth and advancement.
The City of Seattle’s Human Services Department (HSD) has an exciting opportunity for an innovative and collaborative leader with proven operations experience to join the department as the Manager 2 , Accounting and Budgeting. This is an integral leadership position on HSD’s finance team that reports to the CFO and works collaboratively with the department Budget Manager. This position provides direct supervision of HSD’s accounting managers with oversight of the departments full cycle accounting functions; including general ledger, project cost accounting, payroll, accounts receivable and accounts payable teams. The central HSD finance team also processes Title XIX grant billings on behalf of the HSD Aging and Disabilities Services division, which operates the Area Agency on Aging (AAA) for the Seattle-King County region, requiring compliance with state and federal funding requirements.
The ideal candidate is a CPA with an excellent working knowledge of government federal grants accounting and is hands-on people-oriented leader who excels at coaching and developing teams. They will ensure the delivery of high-quality accounting services for HSD’s four divisions, which employ over 360 talented professionals, and collectively operate with a budget of more than $380M. This position will be accountable for ensuring compliance with highly complex federal and state funding sources. The position’s duties may also include special projects, management of the City’s Financial System (People Soft 9.2) in HSD and ensuring department alignment with City policies.
A first review of candidates will occur on May 16th, 2023. If the position is not filled after first review, additional candidate s will be reviewed.
Job Responsibilities
The Manager 2, Accounting and Budgeting will lead the teams responsible for the functions and activities that ensure the financial accuracy and responsible stewardship of HSD’s public funds. This position will develop policies and manage resources related to these programs. Four key responsibility and expectation areas of this position include:
Build and maintain a great team. Grow a culture that forges teamwork, collaboration, and accountability between HSD’s finance and accounting teams and divisions. Lead, direct, mentor and coach staff as necessary. Develop and direct the accounting group’s work plans and priorities. Specific deliverables and areas of responsibility include:
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Manage, supervise, and mentor staff. Create a direct line of sight for staff between their work and HSD’s mission and annual work plan.
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Champion an inclusive workplace that supports HSD’s values of diversity and respect; fosters professional and career growth; and constructive resolution of conflict.
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Prioritize supporting direct reports and teams through exceptional leadership, proactive management, and excellent communication.
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Demonstrate commitment to leading with racial equity by using personal and positional authority to address institutional racism.
Excel in service delivery. Advance a proactive customer service environment. Strengthen the relationship with City Wide Accounting and develop effective working relationships with colleagues, management, and internal and external customers. Lead the development of staff, systems and tools that ensure clear and transparent communications with customers.
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Ensure efficient delivery of essential services for internal customers through a team-oriented mindset and a continuous improvement culture.
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Contribute to the development of HSD’s annual work plan. Participate in the development and modification of HSD finance’s priorities, goals, objectives, and policies.
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Cultivate collaborative relationships with key funders and City finance and accounting stakeholders.
Ensure fiscal strength and integrity. Maintain fiscal strength and ensure development and implementation of sound financial practices and internal controls. Ensure HSD accounting practices are in line with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) rules and City financial policies and standards, as well as other applicable Federal (specifically 2 CFR, 200), State, and City laws, rules, and regulations.
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Work closely with the CFO, operations and City departments to develop policies, priorities, goals, procedures, and operational standards to ensure HSD’s financial structure is optimal.
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Oversee and implement improvements in support of People Soft 9.2 (PS9.2) is optimized in HSD financial accounting processes. This includes, but is not limited to, updating policies and procedures and training staff.
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Implement and monitor appropriate performance metrics for HSD financial accounting services.
Maintain and improve HSD effectiveness and efficiency. Work with the CFO to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the HSD finance teams. Review systems and workflows to ensure best practices make recommendations for improvements. Collaborate with department business partners to achieve process improvement objectives.
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Provide recommendations for improving policies, procedures, and training opportunities to advance HSD’s operational goals.
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Support accurate monitoring of HSD cash and quality of cashflow analysis.
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Establish annual performance goals for the accounting teams.
Qualifications
Candidates who are highly competent and committed to excellence will thrive in HSD’s intellectually challenging environment. The successful candidate will have an educational background that supports this role as well as extensive professional experience in government grants accounting demonstrating progressively increased responsibility in these areas. They will be a results-oriented leader with a strategic mindset, extensive experience in building strong teams and fostering an inclusive workplace culture, and a deep understanding of governmental accounting.
Minimum Qualifications:
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Business Administration or related field (requires satisfactory completion of at least 24 semester hours or 36 quarter credits units in accounting with no substitution allowed). Advanced degree in accounting, business, or related discipline preferred.
Experience:
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10 years professional experience in accounting, auditing, financial analysis, or related work.
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5-7 years of supervisory experience leading a team of accounting and finance professionals.
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Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
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Demonstrated problem solving abilities: can assess critical information needs, ask questions to obtain key elements and develop strategies to resolve the issues
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Ability to prioritize, estimate timelines and align resources to accomplish tasks, effectively monitor progress and ensure completion.
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Strong interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal.
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Results oriented and able to handle multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast paced and demanding environment.
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Enjoy providing excellent customer service and establishing effective working relationships.
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Thrive working as part of a team and with a variety of individuals from diverse backgrounds.
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Demonstrated commitment to the principals of race and social justice embodied in HSD’s mission.
Certification/License: CPA-preferred
Desired Qualifications:
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Demonstrated ability to effectively deliver strategic advice and recommendations relating to accounting projects, proposals, processes; present complex financial and accounting concepts to HSD Leadership and operations managers; and develop and sustain relationships with a variety of managers and city financial partners. -
Extensive experience in strategic planning, fiscal analysis, audit/internal controls, and accounting management.
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Demonstrated ability to assess workflows and strategically develop and deploy organizational policy and systems improvements.
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Demonstrated ability to manage multiple competing projects simultaneously and drive projects to completion.
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Proven success leading, coaching, and mentoring staff for high quality performance.
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Experience with large-scale financial management and accounting software (i.e., PeopleSoft, Oracle).
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Proficient use of MS Windows-based software including MS Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.), Internet, and Adobe Acrobat.
In addition, the most competitive candidates will possess:
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Knowledge of the City of Seattle's or other governmental accounting practices, including familiarity with accounting standards established by the Government Accounting Standards Board (GASB), especially related to general ledger, cost accounting and federal grants.
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Familiarity with BI reporting
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Excellent communication, interpersonal, presentation and analytical skills.
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Strong ability to work effectively with interdepartmental division representatives to ensure delivery high-quality customer service.
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Proven success as an organizational leader, managing multiple teams toward the strategic and efficient achievement of competing goals and priorities.
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Demonstrated analytical and systematic thinking.
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Strong team player who is able to work within a very dynamic and fluid environment.
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Commitment to the?City's Race and Social Justice Initiative?as well as our values of access, opportunity, and sustainability.
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Experience leading continuous performance improvement initiatives.
Additional Information
Your application will not be reviewed if these items are missing or incomplete.
Hiring Process
Applications are reviewed after the posting closes. Qualified candidates must submit the following to be considered:
- Completed NEOGOV online application.
- Current résumé indicating relevant experience and education.
- Cover letter describing how your skills and experience align with the stated job responsibilities and qualifications.
Please note this job advertisement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
The full salary range for this position is $47.85 - $71.80 per hour.
The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents.
More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits/employees-and-covered-family-members/most-employees-plans
The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents.
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