The Washington State Board of Accountancy is a consumer protection agency that initially qualifies and continues to monitor the professional performance and ethical behavior of Certified Public Accountants (CPAs), CPA-Inactive certificate holders, CPA firms, and non-licensee CPA firm owners, serving individual and enterprise consumers in Washington State.

Our mission is to promote the dependability of information which is used for guidance in financial transactions or for accounting or assessing the status or performance of commercial and noncommercial enterprises, whether public, private or governmental; and to protect the public interest.

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Duties

Coordination of the agency's qualification and investigation process is essential to ensure that consumers of the professional services remain confident in the reliability of the credentials of persons providing those professional services restricted to certified public accountants and their firms. Timely, effective and efficient investigations promote public confidence in the regulation of credentialed persons and reduce the risks to the consumer of unrecognized or continued unethical, illegal behavior or substandard performance by credentialed persons.

This position plays a huge role in this coordination and has significant influence on the timely resolution of consumer harm cases, timely remedial resolution of non-compliance by credentialed persons and timely resolution of other alleged violations by credentialed persons. The position is responsible for  developing and planning investigations and legally obtaining and documenting evidence used to support the decision to revoke, suspend or adversely impact the ability of an individual certified public accountant (CPA), a CPA firm or firm employee to use a restricted title or offer professional services. Typical work:

  • Analyze gathered evidence to determine sufficiency to meet the Washington State judicial standards of proof and manage all paper and electronic evidence in accordance with the agencies records retention policy;
  • Prepare comprehensive reports and recommendations, based on collected evidence, for dismissal, discipline or other remedies or sanctions;
  • Draft substantive outlines for proposed orders of revocation, suspension, practice restrictions, cost recoveries, fines or other remedies;
  • Direct and supervise two paralegal positions, ensuring that documents provided for board adjudication or litigation are focused and comply with the format and content used for judicial forums, this position must be capable of crafting these types of documents.
  • Stay up to date on state and federal judicial decisions relevant to the agency's investigative authority and board rules, policies and other state, federal or international developments that may impact the regulation of credentialed persons;
  • May be required to assume the Executive Director's responsibilities and authority for investigations and enforcement if the Executive Director is recused, unable or unavailable to fulfill the responsibilities for investigation and enforcement;
  • Recognize, translate and communicate agency wide policy or procedural changes and recommended rule changes that might be appropriate based on frequency and type of investigation to the Executive and Deputy Directors, the Board, the Governor's office, the legislature and multiple other stakeholders.

Standard business hours are Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., the incumbent will be expected to adjust their schedule to meet business needs. Some travel may be required and is typically local or regional; there is occasional air travel to other locations.

This position will also work in an environment where there may be daily contact with customers, complainants, respondents, legal counsels and individuals who are assertive, distraught or frustrated.

Qualifications

  • An active license to practice public accounting (CPA) in Washington State or other licensing jurisdiction. This is necessary to assume the position of Executive Director and execute the authority and responsibilities of that position. The statute requires the agency Executive Director hold and maintain status as a licensed CPA;

The Director of Investigations makes significant recommendations based on expertise, knowledge and additional factors. Individuals considered for this position must possess a sufficient knowledge and must be sensitive to the following:

  • The interest and concerns of the many stakeholder groups impacted by the agency functions and Board enforcement;
  • The characteristics of the practice of public accounting and the dynamics of the industry segment;
  • The different roles, pressures and knowledge required of credentialed individuals who are employed in not for profit, government and other private segment industries;
  • The impact that forms and style of communication effect, efficiency and effectiveness of the investigative process, negotiation of consent agreements and resultant disciplinary outcomes;
  • Advanced education, training or experience in Business Management or Public Administration;
  • Experience in testifying in administrative proceedings or litigation before government committees;
  • Basic knowledge of the Public Accountancy Act (RCW 18.04) and Board of Accountancy Rules (WAC 4-30); Administrative Procedures Act of Washington State (RCW 34.05); Public records Act of Washington State (RCW 45.56) and basic knowledge of circular 230 issued by the US Treasury and the penalty provisions of the Internal Revenue code;
  • Basic familiarity with the implications of basic legal rules of evidence such as chain and custody of evidence, unreasonable search and seizure, hearsay, etc;
  • Basic familiarity of the limitations to Ex-Parte communications and a sense of how these matters apply to the agency's investigative procedures and processes and Board enforcement processes;
  • Basic Knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting principles (GAAP) and Generally Accepted Auditing Standards (GAAS) and their applicability.

Supplemental Information:

How to Apply:

To apply for this position, click here. To be considered for this position you must complete and include the following:

  • Online application and profile;
  • A resume (this can be attached to your profile);
  • A letter of interest describing how you meet the qualifications outlined in this job announcement; AND,
  • Three professional references, including at least one supervisor, with current contact information.

The act of submitting application materials electronically is considered affirmation that the information provided in the application is complete and truthful to the best of your knowledge and the information submitted may be verified by the hiring agency. For questions or information regarding this recruitment, please email [email protected]. (Note: e-mailed applications will not be accepted)

The State of Washington is an equal opportunity employer. Persons with a disability who need assistance with their application or that need this announcement in an alternative format, may call (360) 664-1960 or toll free (877) 664-1960. TTY users should first call 711 to access the Washington Relay Service.

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