See State Financial Consultant.

This is the expert level of the series. Incumbents at this level are delegated total responsibility to identify, plan, coordinate, and implement all necessary financial consultant services for broad program areas or financial and administrative systems having statewide impact. 1) Serves as a consultant and expert in business analysis and systems requirements, in the development of statewide financial accounting, budgeting, reporting and administrative systems (such as: Agency Financial Reporting System (AFRS), Budget and Allotment Support System (BASS), Disbursement Reporting System and Enterprise Reporting System); OR 2) Serves as a consultant to state agencies on state accounting policies, regulations, principles, and practices to ensure implementation of governmental generally accepted accounting principles for state accounting and reporting. Leads in the development/maintenance of statewide administrative and accounting policies (such as:. payroll, travel, e-commerce, and year end reporting) or leads in the preparation of statewide reports (such as: Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR), Statewide Single Audit report, Audit Resolution report and the Treasure-State Agreement).

Consults with key state agency personnel regarding accounting, financial reporting, management information and financial system design, installation, operation, and maintenance. Develops, reviews, and/or interprets statewide policies, regulations, and procedures. Reviews proposed additions or modifications to established policies and procedures impacted by legislation and pronouncements by authoritative bodies, evaluates probable impacts on existing systems and operations, develops alternative approaches as needed. Coordinates activities with state agency officials, OFM Budget Analysts, the GMAP Office, and others:

Develops, coordinates, and provides statewide training programs on financial and administrative systems, state policies, regulations, and procedures. Coordinates activities with respective program areas in other OFM divisions to ensure that a consistent approach is followed in dealing with agencies. Provides guidance and recommendations regarding impacts of decisions on budgeting, accounting, and financial systems;

Monitors agency monthly financial data for accuracy, appropriateness and conformity with state policy, state expenditure authority and national standards for accounting and financial reporting. Includes analysis of and recommendations for correction as necessary to agency monthly financial data. Coordinates adjusting entries when needed. Consults with staff of the State Auditor’s Office when necessary;

Evaluates the results of accountability and special audit examinations of the assigned agencies. Mediates disagreements between audit and agency personnel as needed. Reviews proposed corrective action to resolve audit findings and monitors implementation of corrective action plans and other audit recommendations. Maintains audit results information on the OFM Audit Tracking System (OATS);

Maintains a specific section of the State Administrative and Accounting Manual (SAAM) such as the state’s electronic commerce policies SAAM Chapter 40. Interprets provisions of policies; reviews changes in state regulations related to the policy; and amends the chapter when appropriate or necessary. Duties include reviewing Economic Feasibility Studies submitted by agencies; working with agencies to properly complete the studies; conducting training as needed; coordinating the electronic payment information with the Office of the State Treasurer; and drafting response letters recommending approval or denial of the e-commerce project;

Participates in preparation of the State of Washington Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR). Reviews and analyzes assigned agency data for conformance with legal and accounting standard requirements. Initiates corrective actions as necessary for any problems noted as a part of this review. Reviews new reporting requirements and works with assigned agencies to assure compliance. Coordinates and reviews adjusting accounting entries recommended by the Office of State Auditor relative to assigned agencies or specific CAFR assignments. Prepares assigned financial statements, schedules and notes to the CAFR from agency disclosures and AFRS financial data. Aids in other areas of the CAFR process as needed to complete project or meet deadlines;

Financial Senior Consultant is assigned responsibility for leading the planning and gathering of the business requirements and designing business solutions;

Consults with key state agency personnel regarding accounting, financial reporting, management information and financial system design, installation, operation, and maintenance;

Duties may include: soliciting business requirements from customers; preparing software requirement specifications; analyzing and prioritizing the requirements with the customers; reviewing plans, risks, issues, defects, and dependencies identified from the business requirements; providing assistance to testers, reviewing and approving test plans; providing guidance to the State Financial Consultants, reviewing and approving user documentation; facilitating between agency fiscal management, program management, information services personnel, and OFM staff; coordinating with development teams to ensure that customer requirements are properly implemented; coordinating the analysis and review of potential enhancements to the Statewide Financial Applications; and analyzing, designing, and preparing briefings/reports containing the recommended actions and alternative courses of action; presenting findings/recommendations to key stakeholders;

Coordinates activities with respective program areas in other OFM divisions to ensure that a consistent approach is followed in dealing with agencies; provides guidance and recommendations regarding impacts of decisions on accounting, budgeting, and financial systems;

Implements and maintains specialized systems with statewide impact which includes coordination with local, state, or federal agencies and routine reporting on results of operations.
Understands and queries complex agency and statewide data to analyze and understand issues, form accurate conclusions, resolves issues and communicates results to customers;

Identifies and assesses areas of potential business risks and mitigations. Monitors issue resolutions and provides guidance on significant issues to other Financial Consultants as needed;

Models and improves business processes based on industry best practices. Evaluates proposed additions or modifications to statewide systems, policies and procedures and propose alternate approaches when required;

Understands the interrelationship between statewide systems and the impact of change from the agency and statewide perspective;

Reviews and approves training materials and user documentations. Conducts training and provides help line support to statewide personnel on statewide financial systems.

There may be instances where individual positions must have additional licenses or certification. It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure the appropriate licenses/certifications are obtained for each position.

Persons legally authorized to work in the U.S. under federal law, including Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients, are eligible for employment unless prohibited by other state or federal law.

Most positions require a Bachelor’s degree in accounting which includes 24 semester or 36 quarter hours of accounting or certification as a Public Accountant and five years of professional experience in budgeting, accounting, auditing, or financial reporting. A Master’s degree in a relevant field will substitute for two years of experience.

New class; replaces 12260 State Financial Consultant 2, effective June 1, 2005.
(1/10/2008) Revised salary, title (formerly State Financial Consultant 4), definition, and general revision, effective January 11, 2008.

Revised Legal Requirements; effective June 6, 2024, due to adopted legislative action.