Assistant State Auditor 4 - BARS Technician - LGS - Internal Only

Benefits

The high end of the salary range, Step M is typically a longevity step

Description

Benefits

Questions

Description

Assistant State Auditor 4 - BARS Technician (Kennewick)

Closing Date: January 23, 2026

Join Team LGS’s Assessment Audit Team!

Duty station: Flexible / Hybrid. Occasional travel to a local SAO Office, SAO main office in Olympia, and training locations throughout the state.

About Team Local Government Support: The Local Government Support (LGS) Team offers a unique opportunity for team members to participate in a variety of functions and duties. The team is responsible for the GAAP and Cash Budgeting, Accounting and Reporting System (BARS) Manuals, the Annual Report Filing System, nearly 600 assessment audits, the compilation and quality control review of audit reports, and financial statement and ACFR reviews. Team LGS also serves as the agency expert on topics related to accounting, budgeting, and reporting for both GAAP and cash reporting local governments.

LGS members provide technical accounting services for the Office. Within the agency, LGS members support government transparency and accountability, foster collaboration across teams, and promote the Office’s mission and values, and a professional, respectful, and constructive work environment. With external parties, LGS members present a positive, professional image, and represent the Office’s interests and mission.

Duties

As a member of the LGS team, this position will provide accounting technical services and support; training of audit staff, agency clients, and professional associations; and provide support for the audit and reporting functions of the Team.

Specific duties of this role may include; depending on qualifications: Providing technical assistance relating to accounting, budgeting and reporting to audit staff, state and local government officials and staff, and others. Perform research and analysis of new GASB standards and supporting the BARS Team in the determination of the impact on accounting requirements for local governments. Assist in writing articles for SAO audit connections, newsletters and other professional governmental organizations. Performing ACFR and financial statement reviews. Communicate the results to the auditors and assist them with resolutions of the deficiencies. Assist in the preparation of accounting and reporting trainings. May develop and deliver presentations under the guidance of the LGS Assistant Manager on a variety of accounting, budgeting and reporting topics to the audit staff, state and local government employees and to other professional organizations. Training sessions include up to all day training sessions scheduled across Washington State, as well as conference sessions for various state associations, and internally to agency audit teams. Training sessions maybe live in-person, live virtual, or recorded. Assist in preparing and delivering presentations stakeholders on upcoming changes to governmental accounting standards as they relate to the BARS manual. Performing audit reports reviews to ensure compliance with professional standards prior to final LGS processing and release of reports, communicating the results to the audit teams and helping them resolve deficiencies. This position will include all the duties above, as well as support the Assessment Audit and Annual Filing programs:

The required duties of this role include: Assessment Audits: responsible for leading other staff assigned to assessment audits, makes work assignments, reviews workpapers, and provides mentoring and coaching to audit staff. Under minimal supervision, performs assessment audits, assuming full responsibility for the planning, conducting, and documentation of risk-based audits. Leads other staff assigned to the audit, makes work assignments, reviews workpapers, and provides mentoring and coaching to audit staff to ensure they meet the requirements of SAO quality control and professional standards. The ASA4 may, in the absence of the LGS AAM, also overseeing the assessment audit inventory and process, serving as the first line supervisor for audit staff. Annual Filing: May assist the AAM of the annual report filing system, supporting the processes and duties related to the annual report filing process for local governments. Qualifications This is a transfer opportunity for an existing ASA 4 or promotional opportunity for existing ASA 3 depending on qualifications. Please note staff wishing to be considered for an ASA 4 promotional opportunity must have the minimum two years of experience as an ASA 3. The successful candidate will have: Demonstrated experience using sound judgment, problem solving skills and making recommendations on complex issues. Demonstrated professional maturity, innovation and initiative. Strong written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills. Demonstrated the ability to handle multiple projects and deadlines. Demonstrated the ability to work well in groups. Demonstrated experience interpreting and applying Generally Accepted Auditing Standards, Generally Accepted Governmental Auditing Standards and Governmental Accounting Standards. This position will report to the Local Government Support Assistant Audit Manager for the BARS Team. Supplemental Information To Apply: If you are interested in being considered, please provide a letter of interest discussing how you meet the expectations. MUST be submitted through the NEOGOV system. All applications must be submitted by January 23, 2026 . Questions: If you have questions about the position, please contact Olivia Crouch, LGS Assistant Audit Manager at croucho@sao.wa.gov . More than Just a Paycheck! Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation. We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs. Read about our benefits: The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time. Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits. Insurance Benefits Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state. Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts. To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website . The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs . Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses. Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction. The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees. Retirement and Deferred Compensation State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site. Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options. Social Security All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system. Public Service Loan Forgiveness If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. Holidays Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year. Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information . Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday. Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave. Sick Leave Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave. Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday. Vacation (Annual Leave) Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in WAC 357-31-165 (1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave. Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with WAC 357-31-165 (1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday. As provided in WAC 357-58-175, an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165. Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave. Military Leave Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year. Bereavement Leave Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave. Additional Leave Leave Sharing Parental Leave Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) Leave Without Pay Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits. Updated 01-07-2026

• Providing technical assistance relating to accounting, budgeting and reporting to audit staff, state and local government officials and staff, and others.
• Performing research and analysis of new GASB standards and supporting the BARS Team in the determination of the impact on accounting requirements for local governments.
• Assist in writing articles for SAO audit connections, newsletters and other professional governmental organizations.
• Performing ACFR and financial statement reviews. Communicate the results to the auditors and assist them with resolutions of the deficiencies.
• Assist in the preparation of accounting and reporting trainings. May develop and deliver presentations under the guidance of the LGS Assistant Manager on a variety of accounting, budgeting and reporting topics to the audit staff, state and local government employees and to other professional organizations.

• Demonstrated experience using sound judgment, problem solving skills and making recommendations on complex issues.
• Demonstrated professional maturity, innovation and initiative.
• Strong written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
• Demonstrated the ability to handle multiple projects and deadlines.
• Demonstrated the ability to work well in groups.
• Demonstrated experience interpreting and applying Generally Accepted Auditing Standards, Generally Accepted Governmental Auditing Standards and Governmental Accounting Standards.

• Benefits
• Flexible/Hybrid Work Arrangement
• Paid Holidays
• Sick Leave
• Vacation (Annual Leave)
• Dependent Care Assistance
• Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance
• Washington State Employee Assistance Program
• Retirement and Deferred Compensation
• Social Security
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness
• Holidays