Salary : $81,097.00 - $103,336.00 Annually
Location : Lakewood, WA
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: A2504
Division: Fiscal Services
Department: Finance
Opening Date: 03/06/2025
Closing Date: 3/27/2025 5:00 PM Pacific

Position Summary

The mission of Pierce College is to create quality educational opportunities for a diverse community of learners to thrive in an evolving world. The Pierce College District is committed to being an anti-racist institution; to truly be anti-racist we must work deliberately to eliminate barriers that have prevented the most promising and capable students from entering and thriving in college. We work to ensure that every student in the Pierce College District feels valued, respected, and inspired to achieve their goals. We provide a brave space for Black, Indigenous, Persons of Color (BIPOC), LGBTQ/QTPOC students, students with disabilities, and all students and staff to seek refuge, and an opportunity for them to cultivate their strengths, intelligence, resilience, and creativity.

The Financial Reporting and Compliance Specialist is responsible for preparing Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) Financial Statements, participating in additional financial reporting, evaluating internal controls and conducting risk assessments, serving as the District's liaison for internal/external audits, assisting with developing and implementing administrative performance measures, and may perform additional accounting duties as assigned. This position actively supports and engages in the College's mission, strategic outcomes, and values of learning, integrity, respect, accountability and sustainability. The incumbent shows a deep commitment to the involvement and engagement of colleagues, students and community members, honoring a commitment to anti-racism, professional and organizational growth. The Financial Reporting and Compliance Specialist reports to the Vice President for Fiscal Services. This position requires regular and consistent attendance and may be eligible for 2 -3 days of remote work once established in the position.
About the District
Pierce College is a high-performing, mission-driven, data-informed, student-focused district committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion. For 55 years, Pierce College has developed a national reputation for academic excellence and support services to ensure student success. The district is proud of the many awards and recognitions it has received. Pierce College is an Achieving the Dream Leader College of Distinction and was the 2017 recipient of their prestigious Leah Meyer Austin Award, given for measurable improvements in student outcomes.
Named as a Top 5 Finalist and a Rising Star for the 2019 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, Pierce College Fort Steilacoom was recognized for exceptional achievements in student learning, certificate and degree completion while in community college and after transferring to a four-year institution, employment and earnings rates after graduation, and access for and success of minority and low-income students. Pierce College District was named as a Top 10 finalist for the 2021 Aspen Prize and a Top 25 for 2023.

Pierce College at Fort Steilacoom

Located on a beautiful 140-acre site adjacent to a 340-acre community, recreational park, and Waughop Lake.

Want a feel for our District, take a peek with aerial campus views!

Pierce College at Puyallup

Located on an expansive site with 125-acres of wooded land including modern facilities and beautiful hideaways.

Pierce College at JBLM

Located at the Joint Base Lewis-McChord military sites, serving many of our military and active duty families serving our country.
Our colleges enjoy a strong presence in the communities in which they serve and participate in numerous partnerships with business, community, government, and educational organizations.
Essential Functions
The following represents a variety of the responsibilities assigned to the person in this position. The examples represent typical work but are not intended to be inclusive of all duties required for this position.

Financial Reporting:

Closely coordinates financial matters concerning the preparation of the District's Financial Statements in accordance to internal and external requirements.
Coordinates with State Board of Community and Technical Colleges to review the impacts of new GASB pronouncements and their impact on the district and financial reporting.
Responsible for identifying staff and coordinating efforts related to comply with updated guidance.
Coordinates and completes Pierce College's responses to reports, surveys, and data requests from the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC), the Office of Financial Management (OFM), the State Auditor's Office (SAO), the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), and other State and Federal agencies related to current topics and studies.

Leadership/Relationship Building:

Provides management guidance to staff for long-term cyclic requirements; determines deadlines and plans staffing requirements for special projects; initiates and develops reports as required.
Fosters partnerships with other colleges in Pierce County and/or statewide, as appropriate to topics of interest to the District.
Develop and maintain District policies and procedures to ensure compliance with State and Federal laws and regulations, and community college system policies. Recommend changes in policies/procedures to serve the best interest of the District.
Serve as a liaison with and advise department administrations regarding fiscal rules, policy interpretation, and financial compliance issues; provide guidance, direction, and training to district departments on fiscal policy and procedure to enhance district effectiveness and customer service.
Serves as required, or as necessary, on various committees throughout the District and State.
Has a commitment and supports professional development; actively seeks out opportunities for growth.

Audits and Corrective Action:

Serves as the district's audit liaison for internal/external audits; coordinates site visits with appropriate staff, monitors audit process and potential audit issues, prepares audit reports for review and works with departments to develop and implement corrective action.
Regularly updates the fiscal administrative team regarding audits, reviews, and investigations.
Coordinates and prepares District responses to external audit confirmation inquires on behalf of third-party audit engagements.

Internal Control and Risk Assessments:

Under the standards set forth by the State of Washington's Office of Financial Management (OFM), the Federal Green Book, and the COSO Internal Control Framework, identifies internal and external risks based on the type of risk, source of risk, areas the risk impacts, and level of ability to control the risk and provides analysis of the control environment, inherent risk, and other factors that may influence risk measurement.
Coordinates the district-wide effort of evaluating financial and related internal controls, issuing internal control reviews, and improving control activities in conjunction with the Associate Vice President of Fiscal Services.
Coordinates and reviews the periodic physical inventory of district capitalized assets and small and attractive assets, and coordinates any necessary adjustments identified during the inventory process.
Reviews, and makes recommendations regarding cash handling procedures for departments and events.

Team Work:

Participates with and serves as backup for other Fiscal Services activities.
Completes special projects as assigned by the Vice President for Fiscal Services.
May perform additional accounting duties as assigned

Qualifications

The qualified candidate will have 1 or more of the following experiences and/or education:

Required Education:

Bachelor's degree or a combination of equivalent education and/or experience.

Five (5) years' relevant professional experience that demonstrates fiscal acumen in reporting and compliance.
Knowledge and understanding of Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) accounting practices.
Experience and success with interpreting and implementing statements, standards and guidance related to the GASB.
Computer literacy; experience using spreadsheets, word processing and other management software.

Special Requirements:

Current holder of Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM). Professional experience may be substituted for certification/licensure.
The successful candidate must consent to and pass a criminal background and credit check after a conditional offer of employment. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability to perform in this position.

Required Competencies: Knowledge, skills, abilities, traits and characteristics:

Technical:

Understanding of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), and any applicable Office of Financial Management (OFM), State Board for Community and Technical College (SBCTC) or Washington State laws as outlined in the Revised Code of Washington (RCW). Utilization of the previously referenced items is outlined in the State Administrative & Accounting Manual (SAAM) or the SBCTC Fiscal Affairs Manual (FAM). Additionally, knowledge and understanding of Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) fund accounting practices is preferred.
Ability to monitor and review input and output of financial data, and develop fiscal queries and reports.
Ability to interpret and explain applicable state and federal regulations.
Computer skills to include Microsoft Office Suite: MS EXCEL, MS WORD, TEAMS, etc.

Interpersonal:

Works effectively across organizational lines and create and nurture a safe, bias-free working environment which engenders respect for all individuals and for their differences.
Demonstrates strong positive interpersonal skills including the ability to work collaboratively and be a team-oriented leader.

Models and maintain the values of candor, openness, inclusiveness and honesty.
Builds and maintain the trust of others. Strong positive interpersonal skills including the ability to work collaboratively and be a team-oriented leader, work effectively across organizational lines and create and nurture a safe, bias-free working environment which engenders respect for all individuals and for their differences.
Ability to work effectively and positively with individuals of diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds and educationally diverse populations.

Communication:

Communicates plans and activities in a manner that supports strategies for unit involvement and accomplishment of mission and outcomes.
Obtains strong written and verbal communication skills.
Demonstrates awareness of how positive words and actions may impact or contribute to situations to enhance the outcomes.

Establishment of Rapport:

Interacts effectively with other to establish and maintain smooth working relationships.
Builds constructive working relationships characterized by a high level of acceptance, cooperation and mutual respect.
Maintains an open, approachable manner, and treats others fairly and respectfully; preserves others' self-confidence and dignity, and shows regard for their opinions.
Treats all people with respect, courtesy, and consideration. Effectively communication, building rapport, and relating well to all kinds of people.

Team Work:

Works effectively and productively with others; ability and desire to work cooperatively with others on team.
Makes team and the College mission and outcomes a priority.
Recognizes and appreciates the contributions of team members.
Respects team members and their individual perspectives.
Provides constructive feedback to team and its members and provides such feedback in a manner that is alignment with the District's civility policy.
Keeps team members informed of work in progress.
Encourages team unity through sharing information or expertise, working together to solve problems, and putting team success first.

Personal Responsibility:

Demonstrates responsible personal and professional conduct, which contributes to the overall mission and goals of the College; accepts personal responsibility for the quality and timeliness of work; earns trust, respect, and confidence from the College community.
Earns others' trust and respect through consistent honesty and professionalism in all interactions; respects and maintains confidentiality.
Attributes of developing ethical and quality standards while building one's character in integrity, civility, and respect for others.
Respects and maintains confidentiality. Earn the trust, respect, and confidence of co-workers and students through consistent honest, forthrightness, and professionalism in all interactions.
Be relied upon to achieve excellent results; face up to problems with people quickly, directly, and in a manner that is consistent timel...

Pierce College

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Financial Reporting and Compliance Specialist