financial analyst

The salary for this position is $6,257 - $8,322 monthly.

Thurston County's Central Services Department is seeking a highly motivated and qualified individual for the position of Financial Analyst. The Financial Analyst works in the Fiscal Services division and supports both the Information Technology Department and the Central Services Department. The initial area of focus is on primary support of the Information Technology Department. The professional candidate in this position will perform essential accounting and budgeting work that includes financial research, planning, and analysis for management and stakeholders across all the Internal Service Funds under each of the departments. 

Essential job functions include, but are not limited to the following: 

• Serve as a key team member in the coordination, preparation, and monitoring of multi-fund budgets.
• Reviews, analyzes, develops, and recommends new or improved efficiencies, policies, procedures, and accounting standards and coordinates their implementation.
• Assures accounting activities are in compliance with generally accepted accounting principles as well as federal, state, and county financial accounting procedures. Interprets federal and state guidelines. Analyzes and recommends changes to departmental accounting procedures. Establishes internal controls, performance standards and measurements. Provides training as needed.
• Provides financial analysis for assigned projects and funds. Researches, develops and recommends financial processes, strategies, and methods. Interprets complex financial cost information and budget reports for management.
• Provides a broad range of consulting services to various parties, including the Board of County Commissioners. Researches and responds to technical accounting questions. Creates financial reports, publications, documents, and other reporting projects as needed. 
• Assists in the coordination, preparation, and monitoring of multi-fund budgets.
• Creates monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reporting in assigned functional area.

To View the full job classification, click here: Financial Analyst

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Work Environment – Office setting in Olympia, Washington, primarily sitting at a desk.
• Schedule - Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. 
• Travel Requirements - Occasional travel may be required to attend meetings or trainings.
• Customer Interactions - Daily interactions via phone, in-person, and video with Thurston County staff.

WHO WE ARE:

Thurston County values the diversity of the people it hires and serves. Inclusion to us means fostering a workplace in which individual differences are recognized, appreciated, and responded to in ways that fully develop and utilize each person's talents and strengths. We are dedicated to recruiting and developing a talented workforce from various cultures, lifestyles, backgrounds, and perspectives who are committed to our vision and core values. Thurston County Racial Equity and Inclusion Webpage

WHAT WE OFFER OUR EMPLOYEES:

• Work-Life Balance: We are committed to ensure that our staff experience the reward of public service, while also sustaining a routine that suits each individuals' lifestyle.
• Plan For Your Future: As a member of our team, you will enjoy great employee benefits, including a retirement plan, pre-tax savings accounts, as well as comprehensive health care and dental/vision care for you and your family. Please visit Thurston County Employee Benefit Plans for more information.
• Paid Leave: Full-time regular employees earn paid vacation in addition to paid holidays.
• Robust Training Program: Employees are encouraged to attend County paid training to help them further their career, learn new skill sets, and stay on top of emerging trends in our industry. We also encourage our staff to participate in professional organizations and attend conferences.
• Flexible Work Schedules: Some of the options that employees may take advantage of include alternative or compressed schedules and/or remote working.
• Deferred Compensation: The County offers 3 voluntary deferred compensation plans for employees who would like to set aside additional deferred tax dollars into a retirement savings plan.
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA):  Employees can take advantage of Section 125 flexible spending accounts for out-of-pocket health care and daycare expenses with pre-tax dollars.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness: This is a federal program which allows full-time public service employees who have made qualifying payments for certain loans, to get their student loans repaid. Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program

Why you'll love it here: Thurston County is located between Seattle and Portland in Western Washington's South Puget Sound Region. Perched in between the mountains and the ocean, the area boasts the perfect blend of year-round outdoor activities including boating, hiking, skiing, and more. The region is also home to the state capitol city of Olympia, known for its many restaurants, microbreweries, coffee shops, farmer's markets, kids' activities, history, and art events. Discover more about life in Thurston County at 

Message to potential applicants: We understand that some potential applicants are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every one of the functions or skills listed in a job description. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and we understand that may be someone who will learn some of these skills on the job. If you are interested in this position, and meet the minimum qualifications, we encourage you to go ahead and apply Feel free to think about how you will bring your own set of skills to the role and tell us about the potential that you hold. 

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or closely related field.  Additional related experience may be substituted for education on a year for year basis.
• Three (3) years of increasingly responsible governmental accounting experience including budgeting, financial analysis, forecasting, grants and contracts, general ledger, and fixed assets.
• Depending on area of assignment, one (1) year of supervisory experience may be required.  
• Ability to utilize a personal computer and related software packages to perform word processing, analysis, information retrieval and tracking.  
• Knowledge of federal and state grant regulations as well as cost accounting standards is required.
• Must have knowledge of the State of Washington's Budgeting Accounting Reporting System (BARS) regulations governing local governments.  

DESIRED SKILLS:

• High level technical accounting skills: ability to make arithmetic calculations rapidly and accurately.
• Knowledge of budget rate development, monitoring, and adjustment processes.  
• Ability to evaluate accounting processes and a commitment to continuous process improvement.
• Critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work effectively with, provide leadership, and contribute to a team. Ability to organize and prioritize projects and lead staff to achieve goals.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, and present financial data in an understandable way.
• Commitment to providing high-level customer service. 
• Ability to work in a high-volume, fast-paced environment.
• Current Washington State Driver's License or have requested and obtained an appropriate accommodation. 

OTHER RELATED RECRUITMENT INFORMATION:

Questions about this recruitment? Please contact: Jettie Silva-Chojnowski at

This position is:

• Represented by a Union 
• Eligible for benefits
• Eligible for overtime under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)

Items required for consideration:

• Application
• Letter of Interest 
• Resume

Please note: Information in this announcement is subject to change without notice at any time during the length of the job advertisement and may be removed once a successful candidate is hired.

THURSTON COUNTY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Thurston County is committed to provide equal opportunity to all persons seeking or having access to its employment, services and activities, which is free from restriction based on race, sex, marital status, color, creed or religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, including gender expression or identity, pregnancy, status as an honorably discharged veteran or military status, genetic information, or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, unless based upon bona fide occupational qualifications. Applicants with disabilities who need accommodation with the application or selection process should contact Thurston County's Human Resources, at Those who are deaf, deaf-blind, hard of hearing or speech impaired may use the statewide relay system to reach Thurston County offices and departments to conduct their business telephonically. Relay users can simply dial or to connect with Washington Relay.