Accountant, Principal

The Human Services Department (HSD), a department of the City of Seattle, funds and operates programs and services that meet the basic needs of the most vulnerable people in our community – families and individuals with low incomes, children, domestic violence and sexual assault victims, people experiencing homelessness, seniors, and persons with disabilities. We invest in programs that help people gain independence and success.

This position is part of the Quality Assurance Team (QAT) within the Finance Division and serves as a subject matter expert in fiscal compliance, sub-recipient monitoring under 2 CFR 200, and fraud risk management to ensure strong stewardship of federal and general funds invested in community-based human service providers. Reporting to the Quality Assurance Manager, the Principal Accountant plays a key role in reinforcing the City’s fiscal accountability framework by leading comprehensive fiscal reviews, supporting fraud and forensic assessments when needed, advancing department-wide compliance directives, contributing to annual Single Audit preparation, and conducting fiscal risk analyses for HSD’s competitive funding processes. The position supervises and provides technical leadership to up to four Senior Accountants, including assigning and reviewing work, mentoring staff, supporting professional development, and ensuring the consistent application of fiscal monitoring and compliance standards across the team. The role also strengthens internal oversight by advising on agency desk monitoring practices and evaluating policy and operational risks across HSD to support consistent, transparent, and compliant financial management.

In addition, the position will represent QAT collaborating with HSD leadership, City departments, external oversight agencies, and community partners, requiring the ability to build collaborative relationships, communicate complex compliance and risk issues to diverse audiences, and navigate sensitive or high-profile matters where regulatory requirements, program objectives, stakeholder interests, and organizational risk may intersect. The position regularly represents QAT in discussions with senior HSD and Citywide leadership, providing strategic guidance and recommendations on fiscal accountability, compliance, monitoring, and risk management issues.

• Conduct comprehensive fiscal and operational reviews of HSD-funded agencies to ensure compliance with contractual obligations, accounting standards and regulatory requirements.
• Lead sensitive assignments as directed, including special investigations, whistleblower investigations and other investigations alleging potential fraud.
• Supervise and provide technical leadership to up to four Senior Accountants engaged in fiscal monitoring, compliance reviews, risk assessment, audit support, and related Quality Assurance Team functions.
• Implement proactive fraud detection and monitoring measures, including data analytics and anomaly identification; escalate concerns through established protocols.
• Conduct investigative fact-finding interviews, as needed.
• Perform detailed analysis of agency audits, financial statements, and IRS Form 990 filings; identify discrepancies and evaluate the associated corrective actions.
• Review and assess financial statements and budget proposals during RFP/RFI processes to evaluate financial health, soundness, and risk exposure.
• Develop and maintain risk assessment frameworks, including risk scoring models, to prioritize monitoring.
• Provide subject matter expertise on internal controls, compliance standards, audit practices, fraud risk management, and financial management to department staff and leadership; advise on complex issues requiring the balancing of regulatory requirements, operational needs, stakeholder interests, and organizational risk.
• Support federal, state, and city audits by preparing documentation, representing QAT monitoring activities, serving as a compliance SME, and communicating audit risks, findings, and corrective actions to senior leadership and external stakeholders.
• Prepare clear, concise written reports and executive briefings summarizing findings, outcomes, risks, and recommendations for leadership, City officials, partner organizations, and oversight entities.
• Supports the Quality Assurance Manager by representing QAT in meetings, workgroups, audits, and initiatives involving senior HSD leadership, Citywide leadership, funders and community partners; communicate complex compliance, risk, and monitoring issues in a clear and actionable manner.
• Conduct racial equity analysis in all compliance and monitoring activities; integrate equity metrics into financial review processes and reporting.
• Assist the Operations team with the development of training materials as a department SME in fiscal reviews, compliance monitoring, and internal control best practices.
• Develop and track performance metrics (KPIs) for QA activities; contribute to quarterly compliance dashboards for leadership transparency.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education: Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Business Administration or related field (requires satisfactory completion of atleast 24 semester hours or 36 quarter credit units in accounting with no substitution allowed) and/or professional certification as a CPA.

Experience: Four years professional experience in accounting, auditing, financial analysis, or related work with one year experience equivalent to a Senior Accountant (or a combination of education and/or training and/or experience which provides an equivalent background required to perform the work of the class).

OR: a combination of education and/or training and/or experience which provides an equivalent background required to perform the work of the class.

Desired Qualifications:

A Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) or a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) who is Certified in Financial Forensics (CFF) is highly desired; if not currently certified, must obtain certification within twelve (12) months of hire.

• 5 years’ non-profit finance and/or operational management experience representing complex compliance work to senior leadership and external stakeholders.
• 4 years experience supervising, coaching and mentoring staff.
• 3 years’ experience in managing fraud investigations and/or forensic audits, which includes performing forensic interviews.
• Work independently and multitask under minimal and limited supervision efficiently managing time and workload, which includes planning, organizing, prioritizing and following through on a variety of tasks, assignments, projects and reports.
• Knowledge and application of race and social justice principles and how it impacts the communities that HSD serves.
• Knowledge of uniform guidance requirements, generally accepted accounting principles, generally accepted auditing standards, generally accepted government auditing standards, governmental accounting standards board, proper audit procedures, and internal controls.
• Ability to conduct reviews and use effective judgment and problem-solving skills to make reasonable business decisions and recommendations. Maintain confidentiality and safeguard sensitive information. Proficiency in recommending creative and innovative resolutions to internal control weaknesses.
• Strong written, oral, negotiation and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to effectively communicate with tact and diplomacy to staff, community-based organizational groups, and elected officials.
• Proficiency working with Windows-based software including Internet, Adobe Acrobat, and Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, other).

To be successful in this role you will need:

• Strong written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to effectively communicate with peers, external partners, and HSD leadership in person and virtually.
• Understanding of race & social justice principles and impacts of systemic racism and oppression on communities served by the Human Services Department.
• Demonstrated proficiency with standard computer software including Microsoft Office (i.e. Outlook, Word, and Excel).

Position Classification: Accountant, Principal (20003)

Hiring Process
 Applications are reviewed after the posting closes. Qualified candidates must submit the following to be considered:

1. Completed NEOGOV online application.
2. Current résumé indicating relevant experience and education. 
3. Cover letter describing how your skills and experience align with the stated job responsibilities and qualifications. 
4. Supplemental questionnaire responses 

Offers of employment are contingent on verification of information provided by the applicant as part of the application process, which may include a detailed background check, pre-placement physical exam, and/or full driver's abstract, dependent upon position.

Total Compensation and Benefits

The full salary range for this classification is $54.01 - $62.90 Hourly.

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.

Work Environment/ Physical Demands

This position will primarily be onsite at the Seattle Municipal Tower. Work is performed in an office environment; this individual may be on their feet for long periods of time working in multiple offices, areas, and floors of City Hall. This position may require the ability to lift objects weighing in excess of 30 pounds, as this position monitors office supply purchases, restocks supplies, and occasionally adjusts equipment and furniture.

Union Information

This position is not union represented. 

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.